Support Republicans in Woodbury races
To the editor:
I’d like to ask voters in the Town of Woodbury to come out in full force and elect Michael Queenan and incumbent Geraldine Gianzero to the Town Board. Both are dedicated to the town and its issues.
Ms. Gianzero, a life-long resident of our town, knows firsthand what problems the town is facing and works diligently each and every day to make sure that the residents voices are heard loud and clear.
Mike Queenan is also very knowledgeable about the issues facing Woodbury. He is the chairperson for the Planning Board and he also is on the Woodbury Comprehensive Plan Committee. His experience with the Town of Woodbury is unmatched by anyone else running for the town board.
I would also ask that you re-elect Sheila Conroy to the position of town supervisor. No other town supervisor has put in the time and energy that she displays. Why? She cares deeply about this town and understands that the absence of a good leader can be detrimental. She researches all aspect of an issue before making any rash decisions.
Our town needs these candidates to represent the voice of all the people and not just their own agendas. Vote in the Nov. 8 election if for no other reason than to save our town and our quality of life.
Peter M. Stabile
Highway Superintendent
Town of Woodbury
Monday, October 31, 2005
Destroying campaign signs is un-American
Destroying campaign signs is un-American
To the Editor:
Our Republican Committee to Elect Bob Weinberger for Goshen Councilman placed 100 signs in the village and town of Goshen on Oct. 22 and 23. Sometime on Monday evening, Oct. 24, ninety signs were torn, ripped off their wire stands, and thrown into the gutter. They were intentionally selected and destroyed.
We always thought that America and Goshen cherished freedom of speech and encouraged all to run for public office, without harassment or intimidation.
It seems strange that when our men and women are fighting and dying in Iraq for freedom to run for office, that some in Goshen blemish fair play and the democratic process.
You decide and judge who would be so motivated to destroy 90 campaign signs. You evaluate the mentality. You decide how that behavior fits the ideals of America and Goshen.
And all we can ask is for you to vote on Nov. 8 because some of us still believe in the principles of living in a democracy.
Doris Weinberger
Teresa Escobar
Bill Johnson
Goshen
To the Editor:
Our Republican Committee to Elect Bob Weinberger for Goshen Councilman placed 100 signs in the village and town of Goshen on Oct. 22 and 23. Sometime on Monday evening, Oct. 24, ninety signs were torn, ripped off their wire stands, and thrown into the gutter. They were intentionally selected and destroyed.
We always thought that America and Goshen cherished freedom of speech and encouraged all to run for public office, without harassment or intimidation.
It seems strange that when our men and women are fighting and dying in Iraq for freedom to run for office, that some in Goshen blemish fair play and the democratic process.
You decide and judge who would be so motivated to destroy 90 campaign signs. You evaluate the mentality. You decide how that behavior fits the ideals of America and Goshen.
And all we can ask is for you to vote on Nov. 8 because some of us still believe in the principles of living in a democracy.
Doris Weinberger
Teresa Escobar
Bill Johnson
Goshen
Caruso for legislator
Caruso for legislator
The race for county legislator in the Highlands/Woodbury 14th County District is not a school board election! Ralph Caruso is the Republican candidate for legislator and Roxanne Donnery is the Democratic candidate. Both are very well qualified, but Caruso doesn't live in the Town of Highlands … SO WHAT!
The county executive, Ed Diana, is a Republican and will be re-elected. The County Legislature will remain a Republican majority, and Sen. Larkin (Caruso is his assistant) is one of the most powerful Republican senators of the state Senate, also a Republican majority. We need the best representation possible from a government official with power in political majorities.
A Democratic legislator, as is our school board member, in the legislative minority can claim very few initiatives and perks of their own. In other words, she can only get for our town what the Republican majority will allow her.
Right or wrong, that's the way it is in county, state and federal government.
Let's put our legislator in the majority. Elect a qualified and proven leader, Ralph Caruso, to represent us in the County Legislature.
Bob Livsey
Former Town of Highlands
supervisor
Fort Montgomery
The race for county legislator in the Highlands/Woodbury 14th County District is not a school board election! Ralph Caruso is the Republican candidate for legislator and Roxanne Donnery is the Democratic candidate. Both are very well qualified, but Caruso doesn't live in the Town of Highlands … SO WHAT!
The county executive, Ed Diana, is a Republican and will be re-elected. The County Legislature will remain a Republican majority, and Sen. Larkin (Caruso is his assistant) is one of the most powerful Republican senators of the state Senate, also a Republican majority. We need the best representation possible from a government official with power in political majorities.
A Democratic legislator, as is our school board member, in the legislative minority can claim very few initiatives and perks of their own. In other words, she can only get for our town what the Republican majority will allow her.
Right or wrong, that's the way it is in county, state and federal government.
Let's put our legislator in the majority. Elect a qualified and proven leader, Ralph Caruso, to represent us in the County Legislature.
Bob Livsey
Former Town of Highlands
supervisor
Fort Montgomery
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Friday, October 28, 2005
Vote for Ralph Caruso!
Winston Churchill once said:
A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen. That's the kind of leaders we need so Vote for Ralph Caruso!
A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen. That's the kind of leaders we need so Vote for Ralph Caruso!
Caruso ‘feels our pain and our joy’
Caruso ‘feels our pain and our joy’
To the editor:
I can’t think of a better person than Ralph Caruso to do a spectacular job in the position of Orange County Legislator for the residents of the Towns of Woodbury and Highlands.
Ralph Caruso has devoted 35 of the 35 years living in Woodbury to state, county and town government and politics. He served as a councilman along side my husband Jay. Together they worked very hard to manage growth and keep property taxes affordable.
Ralph and his wife Jeanette raised their four children in Woodbury and now their grandchildren are being raised here. Ralph’s roots are here; everything we feel, he feels. Our taxes go up, his taxes go up. We get stuck in traffic and so does he. What I am trying to say is, he feels our pain and our joy because he lives in Woodbury.
When Ralph is elected as the legislative representative for the Towns of Highlands and Woodbury, the residents of both towns can rest assure that he will fight for all of us with vigorous tenacity, for our views, interests and concerns. He is dedicated, motivated and sincere.
Please join me on Election Day, Nov. 8, and vote for the best person for the job - Ralph Caruso.
Carmen Gubernick
Highland Mills
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To the editor:
I can’t think of a better person than Ralph Caruso to do a spectacular job in the position of Orange County Legislator for the residents of the Towns of Woodbury and Highlands.
Ralph Caruso has devoted 35 of the 35 years living in Woodbury to state, county and town government and politics. He served as a councilman along side my husband Jay. Together they worked very hard to manage growth and keep property taxes affordable.
Ralph and his wife Jeanette raised their four children in Woodbury and now their grandchildren are being raised here. Ralph’s roots are here; everything we feel, he feels. Our taxes go up, his taxes go up. We get stuck in traffic and so does he. What I am trying to say is, he feels our pain and our joy because he lives in Woodbury.
When Ralph is elected as the legislative representative for the Towns of Highlands and Woodbury, the residents of both towns can rest assure that he will fight for all of us with vigorous tenacity, for our views, interests and concerns. He is dedicated, motivated and sincere.
Please join me on Election Day, Nov. 8, and vote for the best person for the job - Ralph Caruso.
Carmen Gubernick
Highland Mills
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‘Wake up, Woodbury’
‘Wake up, Woodbury’
To the editor:
A June 1, 2001, memorandum from Town of Woodbury Planner Stuart Turner to former Supervisor Ted Jones gives reasons for rezoning all existing two-acre and several one-acre parcels to three acres: traffic congestion, lack of sewer capacity, water supply near capacity, increasing school taxes, and increasing loss of semi-rural and suburban character of Woodbury.
Mr. Turner wrote: “... the Town does not wish to permit additional stresses by allowing new development within its borders.”
Since then, more than 250 homes have been built. And the current administration will vote on their proposed high-density cluster laws that will make development possible for Suburban (450 homes) and Legacy Ridge (281 homes). If those laws are passed, owners of more than 2,000 additional acres will also be able to apply for high-density zoning.
Why is the present administration ignoring the memorandum’s advice? Who will benefit from high-density cluster zoning? Certainly not the majority of Woodbury residents. We’ll be hit with escalating taxes, traffic and air and water pollution. That will be the legacy of the officials who pass the high-density laws, so they should be required to live in Woodbury for life and deal with their legacy.
Mary Gross-Ferraro
Highland Mills
To the editor:
A June 1, 2001, memorandum from Town of Woodbury Planner Stuart Turner to former Supervisor Ted Jones gives reasons for rezoning all existing two-acre and several one-acre parcels to three acres: traffic congestion, lack of sewer capacity, water supply near capacity, increasing school taxes, and increasing loss of semi-rural and suburban character of Woodbury.
Mr. Turner wrote: “... the Town does not wish to permit additional stresses by allowing new development within its borders.”
Since then, more than 250 homes have been built. And the current administration will vote on their proposed high-density cluster laws that will make development possible for Suburban (450 homes) and Legacy Ridge (281 homes). If those laws are passed, owners of more than 2,000 additional acres will also be able to apply for high-density zoning.
Why is the present administration ignoring the memorandum’s advice? Who will benefit from high-density cluster zoning? Certainly not the majority of Woodbury residents. We’ll be hit with escalating taxes, traffic and air and water pollution. That will be the legacy of the officials who pass the high-density laws, so they should be required to live in Woodbury for life and deal with their legacy.
Mary Gross-Ferraro
Highland Mills
Stealing his signs’ won't make Caruso disappear
Stealing his signs’ won't make Caruso disappear
To the editor:
To the person or persons who unscrupulously made it their business to take the majority of “Ralph Caruso” political signs in the Town of Woodbury, these signs are private property and stealing them is a criminal act.
Do you really think stealing my husband’s signs will make “Ralph Caruso” disappear? You just made the residents more aware because we now have people asking where have Ralph’s signs gone.
Who’s doing it? And what do they think they are going to accomplish? Ralph won’t be intimidated to change his positions on the issues, and will continue to fight for the quality of life issues our residents so deserve.
Please vote on Nov. 8 for Ralph Caruso for Orange County legislator, on Republican row “A” or “Save Our Town” row “G. Thank you.
Jeanette M. Caruso
Highland Mills
To the editor:
To the person or persons who unscrupulously made it their business to take the majority of “Ralph Caruso” political signs in the Town of Woodbury, these signs are private property and stealing them is a criminal act.
Do you really think stealing my husband’s signs will make “Ralph Caruso” disappear? You just made the residents more aware because we now have people asking where have Ralph’s signs gone.
Who’s doing it? And what do they think they are going to accomplish? Ralph won’t be intimidated to change his positions on the issues, and will continue to fight for the quality of life issues our residents so deserve.
Please vote on Nov. 8 for Ralph Caruso for Orange County legislator, on Republican row “A” or “Save Our Town” row “G. Thank you.
Jeanette M. Caruso
Highland Mills
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Lambros fights for victims’ rights
Lambros fights for victims’ rights
To the Editor:
It has been my good fortune to know Dimitrios Lambros for the past 12 years. We have stood shoulder to shoulder in the trenches fighting for crime victims’ rights. He has demonstrated extraordinary compassion. He is a man of integrity, a man who continues to have the moral values that has made our country great. Whether it pertains to his personal, professional, or political life, his word is as good as gold. He does what he says and says what he does. This makes him a rare politician. We are blessed with a county legislator who puts his constituents’ needs first. Whether it’s fighting for veterans, reducing taxes, or lecturing to teens about drinking and driving, he gives 100 percent. I know. I’ve seen him in action. My personal endorsement goes to Dimitrios Lambros, a voice for all his constituents. Please vote Row A on Nov. 8.
(As a volunteer with MADD Orange County, my opinions are my own, not those of MADD.)
Pat Bodnar
Monroe
To the Editor:
It has been my good fortune to know Dimitrios Lambros for the past 12 years. We have stood shoulder to shoulder in the trenches fighting for crime victims’ rights. He has demonstrated extraordinary compassion. He is a man of integrity, a man who continues to have the moral values that has made our country great. Whether it pertains to his personal, professional, or political life, his word is as good as gold. He does what he says and says what he does. This makes him a rare politician. We are blessed with a county legislator who puts his constituents’ needs first. Whether it’s fighting for veterans, reducing taxes, or lecturing to teens about drinking and driving, he gives 100 percent. I know. I’ve seen him in action. My personal endorsement goes to Dimitrios Lambros, a voice for all his constituents. Please vote Row A on Nov. 8.
(As a volunteer with MADD Orange County, my opinions are my own, not those of MADD.)
Pat Bodnar
Monroe
Councilwoman supports Gianzero and Queenan
Councilwoman supports Gianzero and Queenan
To the editor:
Come Dec. 31, 2005, my term on the Woodbury Town Board will expire. It is with great honor that I served the Town of Woodbury. I have had the privilege of working with Geraldine Gianzero. Ms. Gianzero is a dedicated and conscientious public servant. I have known her to go above and beyond what is required of her position. She is truly informed and aware of the issues concerning the Town of Woodbury. Any time day or night she is available. I have known her to leave her home during many emergency situations to address concerns of the town. Don’t be mislead by the propaganda of politics. I would entrust the future of Woodbury in the hands of Geraldine Gianzero. Please allow her to continue to protect the town that we have all come to love.
It also is with great certainty that I endorse Michael Queenan for Woodbury Town Board. I believe Michael has the experience and insight to govern Woodbury throughout the most trying of times. We need an individual who can commit the time and energy that is required to ensure the survival of this town. I believe Michael is that man. He has proved himself to be an honorable candidate throughout a mud-slinging campaign. He has refused to compromise his character. He brings knowledge, community experience and integrity to the table. If the people do their part by voting, Michael will serve us honorable.
Please vote for Geraldine Gianzero and Michael Queenan on election day.
Colleen Campbell
Woodbury Town Board member
To the editor:
Come Dec. 31, 2005, my term on the Woodbury Town Board will expire. It is with great honor that I served the Town of Woodbury. I have had the privilege of working with Geraldine Gianzero. Ms. Gianzero is a dedicated and conscientious public servant. I have known her to go above and beyond what is required of her position. She is truly informed and aware of the issues concerning the Town of Woodbury. Any time day or night she is available. I have known her to leave her home during many emergency situations to address concerns of the town. Don’t be mislead by the propaganda of politics. I would entrust the future of Woodbury in the hands of Geraldine Gianzero. Please allow her to continue to protect the town that we have all come to love.
It also is with great certainty that I endorse Michael Queenan for Woodbury Town Board. I believe Michael has the experience and insight to govern Woodbury throughout the most trying of times. We need an individual who can commit the time and energy that is required to ensure the survival of this town. I believe Michael is that man. He has proved himself to be an honorable candidate throughout a mud-slinging campaign. He has refused to compromise his character. He brings knowledge, community experience and integrity to the table. If the people do their part by voting, Michael will serve us honorable.
Please vote for Geraldine Gianzero and Michael Queenan on election day.
Colleen Campbell
Woodbury Town Board member
Support for Hasin as Woodbury town justice
Support for Hasin as Woodbury town justice
To the editor:
I have known David Hasin ever since my family and I moved to Highland Mills. David is an outstanding attorney and has represented my family and my business for many years. David is a candidate for one of two Town Justice positions in the Town of Woodbury. I wholeheartedly support his candidacy and I encourage my fellow Woodbury residents to do the same.
I support David Hasin notwithstanding the fact that I am a registered Democrat and he is the endorsed Republican candidate. Politics should never enter the discussion as to who is qualified to be a town justice. A judge should be elected based upon his temperament and character, not his position on the issues. David Hasin is a man of compassion and character. These are the attributes that I look for in a town justice. These are the attributes that will make David an outstanding judge.
Politics has no place in a courtroom. David Hasin will see to it that the Woodbury Justice Court continues to be a place where everyone is equal and the rule of law and justice prevails. Please join me on Election Day and vote for David Hasin for Woodbury town justice.
Karen Rosen
Highland Mills
To the editor:
I have known David Hasin ever since my family and I moved to Highland Mills. David is an outstanding attorney and has represented my family and my business for many years. David is a candidate for one of two Town Justice positions in the Town of Woodbury. I wholeheartedly support his candidacy and I encourage my fellow Woodbury residents to do the same.
I support David Hasin notwithstanding the fact that I am a registered Democrat and he is the endorsed Republican candidate. Politics should never enter the discussion as to who is qualified to be a town justice. A judge should be elected based upon his temperament and character, not his position on the issues. David Hasin is a man of compassion and character. These are the attributes that I look for in a town justice. These are the attributes that will make David an outstanding judge.
Politics has no place in a courtroom. David Hasin will see to it that the Woodbury Justice Court continues to be a place where everyone is equal and the rule of law and justice prevails. Please join me on Election Day and vote for David Hasin for Woodbury town justice.
Karen Rosen
Highland Mills
Can we go any lower as a Town?
I have been out of town for a few days and driving through Woodbury late last night I see all of Ralph’s signs have been taken. What low life would do such a thing, and I am sure in the long run you will get caught. Is this what it comes down to, we steal signs, create blogs to just bash people with no with no one willing to sign their name to it other then one person. Can we go any lower by making fun of the people who volunteer their own time to better the town? If you want talk trash about someone who gets paid nothing have some guts and sign your name to your post, and for the guy who owns the site I have friends at Google and now know your ip address.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Cornwall
Cornwall School Board member wants district’s emergency evacuation plan
Cornwall School Board Member Thomas Sheppard wants a copy of the school district's emergency evacuation plan and he claims officials won’t give it to him.
Sheppard said yesterday that he has made the request three times and has not yet received the report. “I can only surmise that it is not available; that it hasn’t been done,” he said.
School Board President Christine Longinott said the last update of the plan was in 2003, and that school board members have that report.
Superintendent of Schools Tim Rehm told MidHudsonNews.com that the district’s plans are in place. “There’s no reason for us to think that our plans are not in order,” he said. “As a matter of fact, our plans are probably the best in the area.”
Sheppard also contends that local police have not received the plans; however, Rehm said they do, in fact, have copies of the current plan.
The school board reviewed the plan on Monday evening, Longinott and Rehm said.
Cornwall School Board Member Thomas Sheppard wants a copy of the school district's emergency evacuation plan and he claims officials won’t give it to him.
Sheppard said yesterday that he has made the request three times and has not yet received the report. “I can only surmise that it is not available; that it hasn’t been done,” he said.
School Board President Christine Longinott said the last update of the plan was in 2003, and that school board members have that report.
Superintendent of Schools Tim Rehm told MidHudsonNews.com that the district’s plans are in place. “There’s no reason for us to think that our plans are not in order,” he said. “As a matter of fact, our plans are probably the best in the area.”
Sheppard also contends that local police have not received the plans; however, Rehm said they do, in fact, have copies of the current plan.
The school board reviewed the plan on Monday evening, Longinott and Rehm said.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Friday, October 21, 2005
proposed 13-mile pipeline
Do you think the proposed 13-mile pipeline that would allow the village of Kiryas Joel to tap New York City's Catskill aqueduct should be built? Related story.
Yes 7.9% (53)
No 88.8% (595)
Not sure 3.3% (22)
Total votes: 670
Yes 7.9% (53)
No 88.8% (595)
Not sure 3.3% (22)
Total votes: 670
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Judge slows down KJ pipeline
October 20, 2005
Judge slows down KJ pipeline
Goshen – A judge today dealt a setback to the Village of Kiryas Joel, ordering the Hasidic enclave to take a harder look at its proposal to build a 13-mile pipeline to tap New York City's Catskill aqueduct.
The fast-growing village was ordered to take a harder look at the impact the project would have on sewage discharge and wetlands, acting state Supreme Court Justice Stewart Rosenwasser wrote in a nine-page decision.
Rosenwasser also said the village had failed to take "a hard look at the available alternatives" to building the pipeline.
He ordered the village to address those issues in a document called a supplemental draft environmental impact statement.
-Oliver Mackson
Judge slows down KJ pipeline
Goshen – A judge today dealt a setback to the Village of Kiryas Joel, ordering the Hasidic enclave to take a harder look at its proposal to build a 13-mile pipeline to tap New York City's Catskill aqueduct.
The fast-growing village was ordered to take a harder look at the impact the project would have on sewage discharge and wetlands, acting state Supreme Court Justice Stewart Rosenwasser wrote in a nine-page decision.
Rosenwasser also said the village had failed to take "a hard look at the available alternatives" to building the pipeline.
He ordered the village to address those issues in a document called a supplemental draft environmental impact statement.
-Oliver Mackson
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Caruso for legislator
Caruso for legislator
The focus of the Orange County Legislature election in the Town of Woodbury in November should be on our residents obtaining a county legislator seat that represents US so we have representation in Goshen. As absurd as this sounds, it's truly that simple.
Look at the traffic mess on Route 32. We in Woodbury put up with this mess, but the sales tax collected in Woodbury Common gets distributed across the entire county. Woodbury gets approximately 1½ percent of the $64 million in sales tax raised, while we put up with 100 percent of the traffic, air and noise pollution, and all this is getting worse. It's clear for that for the past eight years there has been no one at the county level looking out for us here in Woodbury. The Woodbury voters have a clear choice in this election: more of the same or true representation!
Ralph Caruso, a 35-year resident of Woodbury, is the only candidate that will give us meaningful, effective leadership and the action needed to make sure we are truly represented. I believe a vote for Caruso is a wise investment in Woodbury's future – anything else would just be more of the same.
Donald Siebold
Highland Mills
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Letters to the editor for October 18, 2005
Vote for Sullivan
Many of us in Woodbury realize that change is necessary for our town to meet the endless challenges that face us. To meet these challenges, we need a person with integrity, ethics, courage, leadership qualities and dedication to Woodbury. Hank Sullivan has presented positive alternative suggestions to such things as a safe location for the cell tower, the formation of a town ethics committee, more public participation time, tough questions for developers, etc.
Sullivan brings many years of leadership experience, which will help change the course of events for Woodbury. His leadership credentials include 30 years as a member of the New York City Police Department, including 27 years as a PBA delegate and 12 years as a member of the PBA executive board. Because he has worked under stress, leadership responsibilities and negotiating procedures are second nature to him. He has come to understand the needs of our town through continuing attendance and participation at Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings.
Anyone looking to do business in the Town of Woodbury, developers or otherwise, will face a man of commitment to the philosophy that "Woodbury and its residents come first." Remember to vote for Hank Sullivan Nov. 8. Save our town – Row G.
Adrienne Burke
Central Valley
Letters to the editor for October 18, 2005
Supports Donnery
After years of advocating to change the PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) law from 16 to 18 years old, I was introduced to someone as dedicated as I in wanting to fix a broken system. That person was Roxanne Donnery. Everyone said it couldn't be done, we were wasting our time; however, with Donnery's guidance and support, we were able to change a state law.
Donnery volunteers to be involved on the County Team Board to discuss issues and collaborate with top agency officials. She worked with many successfully to obtain funding for Highland Falls schools and continues to be on the school board. She is a voice for children, families and all that need help.
Donnary has been very vocal in her years as county legislator for District 14, especially on issues affecting our county such as the Kiryas Joel pipeline and safety concerns at Indian Point.
She is not just another politician, but someone you can count on that stands up for what is right. Vote for Roxanne Donnery Nov. 8. I promise you will not regret it!
Joy Hansen
PINS Reform Advocates of NY
Warwick
Many of us in Woodbury realize that change is necessary for our town to meet the endless challenges that face us. To meet these challenges, we need a person with integrity, ethics, courage, leadership qualities and dedication to Woodbury. Hank Sullivan has presented positive alternative suggestions to such things as a safe location for the cell tower, the formation of a town ethics committee, more public participation time, tough questions for developers, etc.
Sullivan brings many years of leadership experience, which will help change the course of events for Woodbury. His leadership credentials include 30 years as a member of the New York City Police Department, including 27 years as a PBA delegate and 12 years as a member of the PBA executive board. Because he has worked under stress, leadership responsibilities and negotiating procedures are second nature to him. He has come to understand the needs of our town through continuing attendance and participation at Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings.
Anyone looking to do business in the Town of Woodbury, developers or otherwise, will face a man of commitment to the philosophy that "Woodbury and its residents come first." Remember to vote for Hank Sullivan Nov. 8. Save our town – Row G.
Adrienne Burke
Central Valley
Letters to the editor for October 18, 2005
Supports Donnery
After years of advocating to change the PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) law from 16 to 18 years old, I was introduced to someone as dedicated as I in wanting to fix a broken system. That person was Roxanne Donnery. Everyone said it couldn't be done, we were wasting our time; however, with Donnery's guidance and support, we were able to change a state law.
Donnery volunteers to be involved on the County Team Board to discuss issues and collaborate with top agency officials. She worked with many successfully to obtain funding for Highland Falls schools and continues to be on the school board. She is a voice for children, families and all that need help.
Donnary has been very vocal in her years as county legislator for District 14, especially on issues affecting our county such as the Kiryas Joel pipeline and safety concerns at Indian Point.
She is not just another politician, but someone you can count on that stands up for what is right. Vote for Roxanne Donnery Nov. 8. I promise you will not regret it!
Joy Hansen
PINS Reform Advocates of NY
Warwick
Monday, October 17, 2005
October 30, 2002
Letters to the editor for October 30, 2002
Shame on Donnery
I was completely shocked after reading the Oct. 19 TH-R, and learning that the Bear Mountain Hockey Club, funded by parents and donations, made political contributions to Roxanne Donnery and she had the audacity to accept it.
Formerly a BMHC parent, I know that hockey is not cheap. Families don't have $1,000-plus per child to throw around these days. When you pay the hockey fee you are expecting that your kid will have some sort of ice time – a commitment you are willing to make for the sake of your child or children, in my case. Yearly, they'd talk about the price of ice going up and yet had enough money to funnel it to a political candidate.
This is wrong, and to know that part of my fee went to support a candidate that I am vehemently opposed to is abhorrent. I would not have contributed to her campaign in the first place and I think most of the parents would not have done it either. Knowing a political candidate would even entertain the thought of keeping not one, but two, illegal contributions sickens me.
Shame on BMHC and shame on Roxanne Donnery, twice!
Robin M. Tamburi
Hamptonburgh
Letters to the editor for October 30, 2002
Shame on Donnery
I was completely shocked after reading the Oct. 19 TH-R, and learning that the Bear Mountain Hockey Club, funded by parents and donations, made political contributions to Roxanne Donnery and she had the audacity to accept it.
Formerly a BMHC parent, I know that hockey is not cheap. Families don't have $1,000-plus per child to throw around these days. When you pay the hockey fee you are expecting that your kid will have some sort of ice time – a commitment you are willing to make for the sake of your child or children, in my case. Yearly, they'd talk about the price of ice going up and yet had enough money to funnel it to a political candidate.
This is wrong, and to know that part of my fee went to support a candidate that I am vehemently opposed to is abhorrent. I would not have contributed to her campaign in the first place and I think most of the parents would not have done it either. Knowing a political candidate would even entertain the thought of keeping not one, but two, illegal contributions sickens me.
Shame on BMHC and shame on Roxanne Donnery, twice!
Robin M. Tamburi
Hamptonburgh
Friday, October 14, 2005
Good Job Senator
The Town of Chester received $50,000 from Senator William Larkin (R-C Cornwall) for improvements at Chester Commons Park, including lighting and better handicapped accessibility to the public restrooms. Pictured are Town Supervisor William Tully, Larkin, and Town Councilman Steve Neuhaus.
Elect Ralph Caruso for County Legislature
I am writing to express my support for Ralph Caruso's candidacy for the Orange County Legislature's 14th District. Both the Town's of Highlands and Woodbury are at a crossroads and we need new leadership representing us in Goshen next year. Mr. Caruso will bring, over thirty five years of public service experience to this position which will result in an increase of Sales Tax Dollars Revenue to our towns and the much needed respect from the county for the newly formed 14th Legislative District. As a long time resident of Orange County, he has an understanding of the delicate balance between quality-of-life issues while still maintaining a strong and vibrant economy. He is a dedicated person who always looks to get the job done right. He has the understanding that it is necessary to keep the lines of communication open in government and is well respected by local, county and state officials. Over the past few years, I have met many people in the political arena, but I still have not met a person who can match up to the amount of energy, enthusiasm, vision and drive that Ralph Caruso has. I have always said change is good when its change for the better, so lets make a change for the better by electing Ralph Caruso on Election Day, November 8, 2005.
Thank you
Michael Aronowitz
Councilman, Town of Woodbury
Thank you
Michael Aronowitz
Councilman, Town of Woodbury
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Woodbury receives $2,000 parks grant from Wal-Mart
Central Valley - Wal-Mart has donated $2,000 to the Woodbury Parks Department that will be used toward a new walking-jogging fitness path at Earl Reservoir Park in the Town of Woodbury.
Back in January, Woodbury Supervisor of Parks and Recreation Gilda Brennan applied for the grant through David Pence, “In an era of health and fitness consciousness, the park is heavily populated all year round,” Brennan wrote in a press release. “Various leagues use our park facilities and all age residents power walk, jog, stroll and bike ride on the entrance road into the park called Coach Wilson Trail. It is approximately 1.5 miles long and circles the peripheries of the developed portion of the 250-acre property, which we refer to as ‘the jewel of our community.’”
“The road is very curvaceous with blind spots to both pedestrians and drivers, who challenge one another in a serious conflict of road usage.,” she added. “Despite the posted speed signs of 15 miles per hour, senior members, walking moms with toddlers and strollers, dog walkers and bicycle riders, report close calls and strong concerns to me constantly.”
A topical survey has been completed. The town’s Buildings and Grounds, Water and Sewer and the Highway Departments will contribute labor and construction to the five-foot wide path.
Several community youth groups will be asked to participate, including the campers of the park commission’s seasonal “Day Camp Rez.”
Once the construction of the path is complete, there will be identification and markings of the trees and foliage on the path; a second phase will include expansion of the natural habitats for the wildlife such as ducks, various bird species, deer and the butterflies that have made Earl Reservoir their home.
“Our goal is to take pedestrians off of the roadway, ensuring safety to all visitors,” Brennan said.
The seven-member Park Commission - Joe Gianzero, Denice da Cunha, Nancy Simpson, Joanne Stabile, Steven Lopez, Fred Ungerer and Willie Menduno - are overseeing the design and creation of the path.
Back in January, Woodbury Supervisor of Parks and Recreation Gilda Brennan applied for the grant through David Pence, “In an era of health and fitness consciousness, the park is heavily populated all year round,” Brennan wrote in a press release. “Various leagues use our park facilities and all age residents power walk, jog, stroll and bike ride on the entrance road into the park called Coach Wilson Trail. It is approximately 1.5 miles long and circles the peripheries of the developed portion of the 250-acre property, which we refer to as ‘the jewel of our community.’”
“The road is very curvaceous with blind spots to both pedestrians and drivers, who challenge one another in a serious conflict of road usage.,” she added. “Despite the posted speed signs of 15 miles per hour, senior members, walking moms with toddlers and strollers, dog walkers and bicycle riders, report close calls and strong concerns to me constantly.”
A topical survey has been completed. The town’s Buildings and Grounds, Water and Sewer and the Highway Departments will contribute labor and construction to the five-foot wide path.
Several community youth groups will be asked to participate, including the campers of the park commission’s seasonal “Day Camp Rez.”
Once the construction of the path is complete, there will be identification and markings of the trees and foliage on the path; a second phase will include expansion of the natural habitats for the wildlife such as ducks, various bird species, deer and the butterflies that have made Earl Reservoir their home.
“Our goal is to take pedestrians off of the roadway, ensuring safety to all visitors,” Brennan said.
The seven-member Park Commission - Joe Gianzero, Denice da Cunha, Nancy Simpson, Joanne Stabile, Steven Lopez, Fred Ungerer and Willie Menduno - are overseeing the design and creation of the path.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Diana proposed 10 percent property tax cut
The real question here is how many dollars are comming in from the Woodbury Commons, when will we get our fair share!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diana proposed 10 percent property tax cut
Diana
Orange County Executive Edward Diana yesterday proposed a 2006 county budget of over $543 million, up from the $515 million spending plan this year, but with a 10 percent property tax reduction. The $3.04 per $1,000 of assessed valuation will be the lowest amount in the last 60 years, he said.
Diana’s challenger in the November election, Michael Edelstein, found fault with the spending plan. “This little dip in the property tax is merely a pre-election ploy and I think any taxpaying voter in Orange County is going to recognize that,” he said.
Two-thirds of the spending plan, $340 million, is state and federally funded mandates, Diana said. The Department of Social Services and the Medicaid program alone will cost the county $176 million in the new year.
Among the new expenses in 2006 will be an extra $1 million to cost the costs of fuel for county vehicles and to heat county buildings.
Diana has placed in his budget $8 million as initial funding for the $40 million new Emergency Services Facility; $1.5 million for Phase II of the Orange County Law Records Management System; $45,000 for additional emergency response training for the men and women who risk their lives to save us from fires; $3 million to upgrade the Orange County Fire Training Center in New Hampton; $2 million for a centralized kitchen for the county’s Senior Dining Program; $27,500 to fund Healthy Orange/ Partners for Children; an additional $10,000 now totaling $120,000 to keep libraries as a vital part of the community; $20,000 to Literacy Volunteers of America; $5 million will be used for a new Municipal Infrastructure Improvement Loan Fund; $3.5 million will preserve open space throughout the county; and $4 million to enhance the county parks system.
Still going
Sullivan promises to continue campaign in Woodbury
To the editor:
To the Woodbury Republican voters who came out to vote for me on primary day, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the show of support you expressed. I would like you to know, that I will be on the general election ballot, Nov. 8, as a independent candidate on the "Save Our Town" line.
I hope you will continue the support of my candidacy and positions. I ask all of you who voted for me in the primary and those that were not able to vote in the primary to vote for me Nov. 8. The issues haven't changed, and it has now become even more important to vote this election.
I oppose any zoning changes that would increase housing density. I support putting the issue of changing zoning laws to a referendum vote. I am for a response system for resident complaints and concerns, known as "Open Government."
It is time Woodbury had a town board that speaks for the people, and not THINK for the people.
Thank you for your support. I will continue my campaign and maintain my positions because it's the right thing to do.
Henry (Hank) Sullivan
Council Candidate Town of Woodbury
To the editor:
To the Woodbury Republican voters who came out to vote for me on primary day, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the show of support you expressed. I would like you to know, that I will be on the general election ballot, Nov. 8, as a independent candidate on the "Save Our Town" line.
I hope you will continue the support of my candidacy and positions. I ask all of you who voted for me in the primary and those that were not able to vote in the primary to vote for me Nov. 8. The issues haven't changed, and it has now become even more important to vote this election.
I oppose any zoning changes that would increase housing density. I support putting the issue of changing zoning laws to a referendum vote. I am for a response system for resident complaints and concerns, known as "Open Government."
It is time Woodbury had a town board that speaks for the people, and not THINK for the people.
Thank you for your support. I will continue my campaign and maintain my positions because it's the right thing to do.
Henry (Hank) Sullivan
Council Candidate Town of Woodbury
Thank you for your support'
Thank you for your support'
To the editor:
I would like to thank all the people who supported me in achieving the Republican nomination for Woodbury Town Council. It was a tough battle for all the candidates and a close election, but you took important time out of your day to vote for me and I am forever grateful.
I count on your support for Sheila Conroy, Michael Queenan and me for the Woodbury Town Board on Election Day, Nov. 8th. The three of us look forward to continuing the work that needs to be done to keep Woodbury moving in the right direction in the critical years ahead.
Geraldine Gianzero
Highland Mills
To the editor:
I would like to thank all the people who supported me in achieving the Republican nomination for Woodbury Town Council. It was a tough battle for all the candidates and a close election, but you took important time out of your day to vote for me and I am forever grateful.
I count on your support for Sheila Conroy, Michael Queenan and me for the Woodbury Town Board on Election Day, Nov. 8th. The three of us look forward to continuing the work that needs to be done to keep Woodbury moving in the right direction in the critical years ahead.
Geraldine Gianzero
Highland Mills
Right in Woodbury
Gas vendor backs down on debit card charges
By Christine Young
Times Herald-Record
cyoung@th-record.com
$100 hold on a $12 transaction? No way Sunoco!
If you're running low on grocery money because of high gas prices, watch out. The richer-than-God oil companies are worried that you and your debit card might interrupt their cash flow, and they've devised yet another scheme to make sure your bank account stays on empty.
Vanessa French, single mom of a 12-year-old girl, was heading to her secretarial job in Rockland County Tuesday morning when she stopped by the Sunoco on Route 32 in Central Valley. Her Dodge Neon's tank was in the red; payday was a couple of days off, and with her terrier, Lexi, scheduled for shots that week, French couldn't afford the 30 bucks it takes to fill up.
"I'm thinking, at $3 a gallon, I can get four gallons," she recalled. "That's almost half a tank. That'll cover me for a couple of days."
French slid her debit card into the slot and punched in her PIN. She pumped $12.01 of regular, replaced the nozzle and waited for her receipt. It never came, so she got out her check register and dutifully subtracted $12.01 from her balance.
AT WORK TWO HOURS LATER, French went online and checked her account. The Sunoco debit was there – but the amount was not $12.01. It was a gut-punching $100.
"I bolted from my job in Rockland and back to Central Valley," she said, "thinking that somebody used my debit card number."
On that same Tuesday morning, Larissa Harvey was hurrying to the Bronx, where she teaches second grade. Like French, Harvey stopped at the Central Valley A Plus Mini Mart Sunoco, where she used her debit card to pump $12 worth of regular into her Camaro.
A little while later, her husband called her cell phone. "He had gone online and saw a $100 debit," she said. "I told him I only bought $12 worth of gas. We thought it was something fraudulent – maybe the pump was still activated and somebody came behind me and used it."
For both French and Harvey, using the debit card had triggered a "hold" on their bank accounts for $100 – which means they couldn't touch the other $88 until the actual $12 transactions went through the bank. Who places $100 holds on $12 transactions? And why? Somebody's guilty, but nobody wants to 'fess up. French says she called Sunoco's toll-free customer service line and spoke to Steve Easley, who said, "We've gotten a lot of complaints about this. Let me take your name and number."
Nobody from Sunoco called French back.
THAT'S WHEN SHE passed me the torch. First, I decided to visit the offending Sunoco station.
The manager, Ranjit Bhinder, told me he doesn't place the debit hold. "I have no way to act on behalf of Sunoco."
On Thursday afternoon I called Gerald Davis, a Sunoco spokesman in Philadelphia. Davis insisted the giant oil company (which, incidentally, reported a net income of $358 million for the first half of 2005 – $35 million more than the same period last year) has nothing to do with debit card holds: "It's between the debit card holder and the bank."
Then the banks cried foul. "That is not true," said Heather Newcomb of Commerce Bank, where Vanessa French has her account. "We have absolutely no role in setting those limits. We're merely the issuer of the card."
Betty Reese, the spokeswoman for Bank of America, where Larissa Harvey has her account, agreed. "The merchant, not the bank, determines the amount of the authorization and sends that amount to the bank."
Reese said the actual transaction gets processed at the end of the business day. "That's when the bank receives the final transaction amount from the merchant, and it gets processed for that amount."
ON FRIDAY, I CALLED BACK Sunoco's Davis. "Tell me again – who decides to put aside $100?" I asked him.
"What did I say to you before?" He said this in the tone I use the third time I tell my daughter she can't have a sleepover.
"I think you said it's the bank," I replied. "You said it's between the debit card holder and the bank."
"That's right," he said.
"So you say the bank determines that sum."
"Well, the sum is, is not, uh, $100. The sum is, uh, $1. It, there, the uh, I guess this week we were enabling our pumps to accept the higher, uh – authorization – due to the higher fuel costs, and so there was a two-day period where it was $100. But this was not a hold, it's just the authorization. Now we've returned to the $1 authorization."
I think my friend Gerry just confessed.
"Oh, OK," I said. "So for a while it was a hundred –"
"Just those two days," he interrupted.
"Which two days was that?"
"Well it was this week," Davis said. "But it's a hundred – that's, it's – and now it's a dollar."
"OK, so you've lowered it back to a dollar?"
"It's returned to the $1 authorization."
I think that means we won.
For Harvey, the remaining $88 was back in her account the next morning. For French, whose account is at Commerce Bank, it took two days to release the hold, and Lexi the terrier got her shots on Thursday afternoon.
Both women want to know why no signs were posted on the pumps warning people about the holds.
"I can understand it if I were aware prior to the transaction," Harvey said. "Then I could make the decision. How do I know which merchants are using this practice and which aren't? Had I known, I would have paid cash."
By Christine Young
Times Herald-Record
cyoung@th-record.com
$100 hold on a $12 transaction? No way Sunoco!
If you're running low on grocery money because of high gas prices, watch out. The richer-than-God oil companies are worried that you and your debit card might interrupt their cash flow, and they've devised yet another scheme to make sure your bank account stays on empty.
Vanessa French, single mom of a 12-year-old girl, was heading to her secretarial job in Rockland County Tuesday morning when she stopped by the Sunoco on Route 32 in Central Valley. Her Dodge Neon's tank was in the red; payday was a couple of days off, and with her terrier, Lexi, scheduled for shots that week, French couldn't afford the 30 bucks it takes to fill up.
"I'm thinking, at $3 a gallon, I can get four gallons," she recalled. "That's almost half a tank. That'll cover me for a couple of days."
French slid her debit card into the slot and punched in her PIN. She pumped $12.01 of regular, replaced the nozzle and waited for her receipt. It never came, so she got out her check register and dutifully subtracted $12.01 from her balance.
AT WORK TWO HOURS LATER, French went online and checked her account. The Sunoco debit was there – but the amount was not $12.01. It was a gut-punching $100.
"I bolted from my job in Rockland and back to Central Valley," she said, "thinking that somebody used my debit card number."
On that same Tuesday morning, Larissa Harvey was hurrying to the Bronx, where she teaches second grade. Like French, Harvey stopped at the Central Valley A Plus Mini Mart Sunoco, where she used her debit card to pump $12 worth of regular into her Camaro.
A little while later, her husband called her cell phone. "He had gone online and saw a $100 debit," she said. "I told him I only bought $12 worth of gas. We thought it was something fraudulent – maybe the pump was still activated and somebody came behind me and used it."
For both French and Harvey, using the debit card had triggered a "hold" on their bank accounts for $100 – which means they couldn't touch the other $88 until the actual $12 transactions went through the bank. Who places $100 holds on $12 transactions? And why? Somebody's guilty, but nobody wants to 'fess up. French says she called Sunoco's toll-free customer service line and spoke to Steve Easley, who said, "We've gotten a lot of complaints about this. Let me take your name and number."
Nobody from Sunoco called French back.
THAT'S WHEN SHE passed me the torch. First, I decided to visit the offending Sunoco station.
The manager, Ranjit Bhinder, told me he doesn't place the debit hold. "I have no way to act on behalf of Sunoco."
On Thursday afternoon I called Gerald Davis, a Sunoco spokesman in Philadelphia. Davis insisted the giant oil company (which, incidentally, reported a net income of $358 million for the first half of 2005 – $35 million more than the same period last year) has nothing to do with debit card holds: "It's between the debit card holder and the bank."
Then the banks cried foul. "That is not true," said Heather Newcomb of Commerce Bank, where Vanessa French has her account. "We have absolutely no role in setting those limits. We're merely the issuer of the card."
Betty Reese, the spokeswoman for Bank of America, where Larissa Harvey has her account, agreed. "The merchant, not the bank, determines the amount of the authorization and sends that amount to the bank."
Reese said the actual transaction gets processed at the end of the business day. "That's when the bank receives the final transaction amount from the merchant, and it gets processed for that amount."
ON FRIDAY, I CALLED BACK Sunoco's Davis. "Tell me again – who decides to put aside $100?" I asked him.
"What did I say to you before?" He said this in the tone I use the third time I tell my daughter she can't have a sleepover.
"I think you said it's the bank," I replied. "You said it's between the debit card holder and the bank."
"That's right," he said.
"So you say the bank determines that sum."
"Well, the sum is, is not, uh, $100. The sum is, uh, $1. It, there, the uh, I guess this week we were enabling our pumps to accept the higher, uh – authorization – due to the higher fuel costs, and so there was a two-day period where it was $100. But this was not a hold, it's just the authorization. Now we've returned to the $1 authorization."
I think my friend Gerry just confessed.
"Oh, OK," I said. "So for a while it was a hundred –"
"Just those two days," he interrupted.
"Which two days was that?"
"Well it was this week," Davis said. "But it's a hundred – that's, it's – and now it's a dollar."
"OK, so you've lowered it back to a dollar?"
"It's returned to the $1 authorization."
I think that means we won.
For Harvey, the remaining $88 was back in her account the next morning. For French, whose account is at Commerce Bank, it took two days to release the hold, and Lexi the terrier got her shots on Thursday afternoon.
Both women want to know why no signs were posted on the pumps warning people about the holds.
"I can understand it if I were aware prior to the transaction," Harvey said. "Then I could make the decision. How do I know which merchants are using this practice and which aren't? Had I known, I would have paid cash."
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