Sound Off on the Red Hook Bugle

Letter to Editor warns looming crisis...

Moderator — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:52:32 GMT

Dear Editor:
     Spurred by President Bush and his corporate and international friends, there has been a vast cry to begin drilling for off shore oil. The unsuspecting public believes that this will bring down the price of heating oil and gasoline. They do not understand why none of the current proposals for drilling will reduce the price of gasoline or heating oil either now or in the future.
     There is a process that must be initiated before drilling can begin. First there must be an auction during which international conglomerates as well as large oil companies have the right to bid on specific parcels to be drilled. This means that blind corporations which are owned by countries like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, China and India may win the bids at the expense of the people of the United States. Through this legal process, and the power brokering which is inevitably involved in such processes, the American people may be deprived of the natural resources necessary for our survival.
     It has been reported that it costs around $60 to $70 dollars a barrel to drill off shore wells as opposed to $19 a barrel to drill on land. This is due to the time required to build and deliver the equipment to the well site as well as the cost of people and machines to do the job. It takes three to five years to develop a well site and another three to five years to get the oil out of the ground, not to mention the refining process and the related costs of getting the final product to the consumer.
     There are almost six million acres of leased land by oil companies which have not been developed. These parcels were bid on a number of years ago by American owned companies. Why weren’t they developed? Every effort has been made by American corporations and the oil industry to prevent the development of alternative energy and it is this refusal to allow the development of alternative energy sources that has placed our citizens in harms way.
     Today we are faced with the possibility of large numbers of people going hungry and being unable to afford to heat their homes during this and subsequent winters as a result of the failure of our elected officials at all levels of government and in both parties to take action on behalf of their constituencies.
     Federal, state and city governments have generated energy policies which benefit high population centers at the expense of our rural populations; however over 80% of our state footprint is rural. New York State is one of the most prolific agricultural states in the country and as much attention must be paid to the needs of those in rural areas as those in urban areas. The energy needs of this important segment of the population, in terms of the production and delivery of food as well as other essential goods and services, must not be overlooked.
Richard Franklin
Red Hook, NY

Regarding more people, not enough jobs, housing prices through the roof...

Moderator — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:50:04 GMT

My gosh, if the land devolopers would stop building these monster mini mansions that appeal to the city people, maybe the locals could afford to live here. My grown kids have left the area as have so many others and the rest of us are just hanging in there. Lets encourage the rural folks by taxing according to their land use instead of forcing them to sell due to too high taxes. BaArm8@aol.com

Dutchess Democrats kill seven open space preservation projects to save 1,000 acres

Moderator — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:48:38 GMT

News Release from the Office of the DC Executive
Dutchess Democrats kill seven open space preservation projects to save 1,000 acres
excerpt from the release...“It is especially disturbing that Legislator Mansfield has abandoned support for the additional 100 acres to be saved in the Red Hook “bread basket” where the county partnership matching local Red Hook money has been such a tremendous success and where Red Hook residents have been so committed to saving local farms,” said Steinhaus. ...
CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE RELEASE.

Important Safety Information RE Wood Burning Stoves

Moderator — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:28:24 GMT

Picking the right kind of wood is "essential. You want seasoned hardwood, wood that's been kept dry outside six months at least. You want wood that burns with the least amount of smoke and the least moisture content, because that prevents buildup in your chimney, and that's what tends to catch on fire with a wood stove."
     Safer woods include oak, hickory and ash. Do Not burn pine and cedar. Any wood can create dangerous sparks, causing the flames in the house. It is important to have a screen in front of the stove.
     Be sure and have a flame-resistant carpet in the area. Move everything away from around the stove that can catch fire. This includes including furniture, toys and draperies. You want to have a good, clear space around your wood stove.
     Keep a fire extinguisher close by, and putting a carbon monoxide detector at least 10 feet away. A gate to keep kids and pets away is also a good idea.
     Wood stoves have hot surfaces so there's a real risk of a contact burn, so just as you protect your stairwell if you have toddlers in the home, put up a gate around this hot surface too."
     But the biggest wood-stove hazard is Chimney fires. Byproducts from the smoke can build up inside your chimney and ignite. She urges consumers to "get a licensed professional to come inspect your chimney and clean it once a year or when needed."
     Families must get the facts about wood stoves before a tragedy occurs.When it does, it happens so quickly, you don't have time to think."
     Do have a professional install your wood stove, or have it inspected if you do it yourself. Dump the stove's ashes in a metal bin with a cover, outside, away from any wood decks and your house. Ashes can remain hot up to a week after they're created. And don't burn artificial logs, trash or wrapping paper from the holidays in them.

NEVER USE GASOLINE TO START A FIRE PERIOD!!!!

The following are very important links. Please go to them and read them very carefully. The last one has to do with correctly building a fire.

Dick Franklin

http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/home/home_nov05_w001.aspx
http://www.iii.org/media/publications/brochures/woodstovesafety/?printerfriendly\=yes
http://www.csia.org/
http://www.fireplace-chimneystore.com/page/page/1580350.htm?gclid=CNXRn7WU25MCFR\Jaxgod1DZ-gg
http://www.chimneys.com/burning_secrets/chapter_2.html

Important town hall meeting Tue at 7:00 PM

Moderator — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:28:27 GMT

There is going to be a State of the State presentation by the Economic Development Committee this Coming Tuesday, June 10 at Red Hook Town Hall. It is in everyone's interest to be there, and I recommend that you bring family and friends.

We are facing tough times, and you need to understand where we stand and the impact of the economic issues on our taxes as well as our daily living.

Dick Franklin

Red Hook VFW Post #7765 Memorial Day Weekend Events

Moderator — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:24:18 GMT

Join Us: VFW Chicken BBQ - Sunday, May 25
What better time to have our first outdoor-cooked BBQ than Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend? If you are home for the holiday, bring your family and friends to enjoy our full chicken dinner cooked outdoors. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
- Tickets are $10.00 per person ($8 for Seniors), serving from 4:00pm-7:00pm at the VFW Post, Elizabeth Street, Red Hook, New York.

Calling all Vets: Memorial Day Parade - Mon., May 26
Sponsored by Red Hook VFW Post 7765 - assembly at 9:15am at Red Hook High School parking lot; parade kicks off at 10:00am. Observance Ceremony immediately following parade at Red Hook Memorial Square across from Red Hook IGA. ALL VETERANS ARE WELCOME TO MARCH WITH THE VFW - Come one, come all.

For details, visit the post web site: http://www.vfw7765.org and read the post newsletters.

Nooks and Crannies Tour of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Moderator — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:14:26 GMT

On Saturday, May 31, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, S. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Route 9 in Red Hook is inviting all our friends and neighbors to a free "Nooks and Crannies Tour" of our church buildings
     The "Big Red Church," on Route 9 in the Village of Red Hook, is on both the National and State Historic Registers. The Gothic exterior of the church does not hint at the remarkably beautiful interior with its old wood, stained glass, vaulted ceilings and inclined floor.
     For the first time we will have our large, "High Victorian" Parsonage open for touring as well. Beautiful woodwork, stained glass windows and formal rooms will all be opened for the tour.
     The Church Hall on the corner of Fisk St. and Route 9 was originally built as a Lecture Room then it was converted to be used as a "Chapel" and then altered again to be used as the Church Hall. Just by walking through the different areas it is easy to "read" the history of this building.
     There will be mounted displays of papers and pictures in different areas and guides posted in all the buildings to help answer questions about the history of the properties.
     Those who have toured the buildings will be offered free coffee and cake in the Hall afterwards.
     For "history junkies" or home town curious, this is a great opportunity to tour these historic buildings.
     For more information please call (845) 876-1910

Upset with Mansfield

Moderator — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:13:13 GMT

To The Red Hook Bugle:

Now that Mansfield is our Legislator he feels that he can go back on his words that he used to campaign. He has flipped and flopped too many times. Where does he stand? What does his word mean? Can we trust his word?
Is this what we need for Red Hook?

Disgruntled tax payer!

Town Recycling Center, continued...

Moderator — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:32:20 GMT

Today I went to the recycling center and the only person attending was Raymond as usual. The so called volunteers only came in at the last few minutes (Irene and Elizabeth). It was raining. I believe they are still accepting donations but the public is not allowed into the goods exchange building and of course "Volunteers" can take and do take whatever they want to. Raymond is to be commended on his service - no matter what the weather he is always nice and helpful to the public. And the boy scouts are never ever there to accept deposit bottles from the public. Why not??? What about the other childrens groups such as girl scouts, 4 h and sunday schools? Some people prefer NOT to give their bottles and cans to the boy scouts and so they toss them into the comingled bin but the town "volunteer" retrieves them and sometimes keeps them for herself and sometimes puts them in to the boyscout can. The manager takes metal for his own resale. Now couldn't that be theft of funds from the town???

Local service personnnel returning home...

Moderator — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:32:16 GMT

Crystal Nelmes of the army has returned from Iraq with her husband Chris Rangle. They are currently stationed in Texas. John Armstrong has returned from Baghdad and now has been disengaged from the Air Force after 6 years service. Crystal is a Germantown graduate and former Red Hook /Tivoli resident. John is her uncle from Tivoli. For any further info call Bobbie at 757-4471. Nobody gave my son or my grand daughter any welcome back!!!

Town Recycling Center

Moderator — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:32:11 GMT

RE: the recycling center - why is it still such a mess? That road was not needed; the folks that have paid for their permit wish to see the goods building opened soon and under new management. The "volunteer" gets special priviledges and is not even a resident of Red Hook. Neither is the "manager" who is seldom on site nor the other paid worker who doesn't even live in Dutchess County. There are several out of towners that are allowed to use the center that is paid for by local taxes. There is so much that the town does not see or chooses not to see that has been going on there for the last few years. Former manager, Laurie Deswetis, was the best thing that ever hapened to the recycling center and should be consulted. She is very knowledgeable about all that concerns recycling. Red Hook used to have a model recycling center and it is very sad to see what has happened to it.

Fallout far ranging beyond Spitzer Scandal... is this only the tip of the iceberg?

Moderator — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:46:26 GMT

There is a great deal going on under the surface in the Spitzer Scandal that concerns me regarding the Bush administration and the financial health of the nation.
     First: Being retired I have had time to look at and analyze the stock market. The large swings in market prices didn’t make sense. It would have to take billions of dollars for the market to swing 100 points or more within a two hour period, and yet we see these shifts almost daily. Who is moving the money? Is it real money or just play money?      Second: The Bush administration under the tutelage of Dick Cheney has encouraged the disassembly of our manufacturing infrastructure and the active reduction of our engineering and technical skills of the American citizens. This is being further watered down by encouraging a large infusion of cheap and illegal foreign labor into the United States as well as a refusal to protect our borders.
     Third: The availability of money for school loans is drying up and will not be available to American Citizens (ABC News Report). Some universities want parents and grand parents to liquidate any equity they may have in their homes. There is no pressure being applied to the universities to manage their expenditures. The result will be that our children and grandchildren will be denied a higher and full education without mortgaging their lives away with no guarantee of being able to find meaningful employment. When you look at this in conjunction with the destruction of our industrial base and the selling of its assets to foreign governments, you are looking at the deliberate destruction of our country by Bush and Cheney. Note that Halliburton has moved its headquarters out of the United States so it cannot be held legally accountable for its actions.
     Fourth: Now we have the government bailing out the largest banks in the nation and the world. This is the same action that took place at the beginning of the great depression of the twenties and thirties. In the meantime wheat has increased 173%, heating oil and propane has risen a minimum of 67%. Diesel is now $4.15 a gallon. This has caused increases in food and clothing costs. The pharmaceutical industry has raised their prices on existing drugs in the United States a minimum of 12 to 15%. We are no longer on the gold or silver standard. The United States has banked its dollar on our industry, and with the destruction of our industry there is nothing backing the dollar.
     Today the financial moguls are trading nothing more that pixels on a computer screen. They have placed their fortunes in the hands of photons that light up their computer screens. Photons have neither mass nor value. When you add Spitzer and his stupidity to the equation and start to peel back the layers of this stinking onion, you will find out that New York State and the Country are in deep yogurt.
     Most people think of New York in terms of the city. However, the State of New York is one of the richest agriculture states in the union. I have traveled the length of New York and found that there are a number of small towns that are boarded up like Grapes of Wrath. The industrial parks like Kodak Park in Rochester are dynamiting parts of their factories to the ground in order to avoid paying taxes on the buildings. The same thing is happening here in Dutchess County with old IBM buildings. Old factories are being turned into waste dumps. While all of the equipment is going to China and India the chemistry stays behind for someone else to deal with. No one in State government is doing anything to protect the rest of the State outside of New York City, and if the State legislature doesn’t start dealing with the issues of the geographical majority of the State things are going to get ugly on a stick. It is up to each and every one of us to turn around and force the government to fix the problems. Get on the phone and call your representatives. Organize groups and go to the Capital and put their feet to the fire. Sitting home and complaining on this forum is not going to be enough.
     Ok I have vented enough. The bottom line is I am worried about our senior citizens not being able to heat their homes and feed themselves. They make up 35% of the population of Dutchess County. I am worried about our children and grandchildren not being able to remain in our community because there are a few people who want to rezone Red Hook making it impossible for them to buy or rent a home or to find employment. You can forget about development. Stop orders have been issued on all building projects from Westchester County to the Canadian border due to the economy. I am worried about rolling blackouts due to the limited supplies of oil, and the lack of support of government to find alternative sources other than corn for ethanol as well as tainted food and products from countries like China and India where our government from all political parties refuse to act to protect our people.
     Like it or not our planet has finite resources and we have to share them with every other nation. Climate Change and Global Warming are going to produce extensive challenges to all living things on the planet. There are going to be mass migrations across the globe and the United States cannot absorb them if we are going to survive. Food is going to be a major issue along with education, medicine industrial development and management across the globe. We have to work together to protect all of our citizens. Failure is not an option.
     Well I have to go now. It’s Alka-Seltzer time. - Dick Franklin

(Bugle note: As of publication time, there have been some replies to Mr. Franklin's assertions on the Red Hook Rooster. This will also be posted on the Bugle Blog in the event followers of the Bugle wish to chime in with an opinion. There are links to both the Bugle Blog and the Red Hook Rooster at the top of the page.)

What is his stand? Red Hook Legislator has yet to weigh in...

Moderator — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:55:03 GMT

It is curious to see in the first breaking Poughkeepsie Journal article on 3/12/08, that Joel Tyner (D-Rhinebeck) recruited the support of "neighboring" Red Hook Legislator Tom Mansfield (D-Red Hook), who happens to be the Environment Liaison to the Cooperative Extension-Agriculture. Yet he did not have the common courtesy to even notify the Pine Plains Legislator, Gary Cooper (R-Pine Plains) of his intention to introduce a resolution that would directly effect his constituents.
     Quoted from the article: "Tyner said he was working with Legislator Tom Mansfield, D-Red Hook, on a revision for the resolution. He hopes to move the resolution through the Environment Committee and have it ready for a vote on the legislative agenda by mid-April."
     This is "ground breaking" activity for the Legislature to be entertaining. This resolution, if passed, would also seem to usurp the professional work of the Dutchess County Planning Department's recommendations and advice regarding issues of this nature.
     Even though Tyner asserts that this Durst project presents issues that will indirectly effect his Rhinebeck and Clinton constituents, he is trying to lure our freshman legislator into a trap that could backfire on Mansfield in the future. We have enough issues in our separate towns to concentrate on. District 20 is Mansfield's first priority as far as time and energy spent on his watch. This smells of partisan politics at its worst - minding other district people's business is not the job of our district's elected official.

3/16/08 Daily Freeman:
Tyner seeks Dutchess legislation opposing Durst plan

3/12/08 Poughkeepsie Journal:
Legislator seeks to stop Carvel project

BUGLE ALERT: Kendall urges Dutchess residents to be aware of letters being sent to homeowners

Moderator — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:00:13 GMT

POUGHKEEPSIE - Dutchess County Clerk Bradford Kendall is urging Dutchess County residents to be very aware of a New York City-based land record company that has recently mailed letters to county residents informing them, that for a fee of $59.50, the company can retrieve a certified copy of their deed and mail it back to them.
     On their web site, the company states that they will obtain a copy of the deed from the county clerk’s office.
     “This is nothing more than an opportunity and quick way to make money off of the hardworking residents of Dutchess County,” Kendall said.
     “There is no reason a Dutchess County resident would need to reach out to a third party to obtain a certified copy of their deed from my office. We routinely provide a certified copy of a person’s deed for a fee of $6. We only accept a check, money order or cash. This company is asking for credit card numbers, which is another red flag for this company.”
     Anyone who receives this letter from the land record company, and has questions about their deed or any other legal document may contact Kendall at 845-486-2374. - MidHudsonNews.com 3/5/08

Indeed sad news... community mourns

Moderator — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:19:57 GMT

Our hearts go out to families and friends of the deceased and the injured. It is a time for neighbors to heed our individual mortality... one never knows what the future holds for any of us. Were it that we would have kind words and thoughts for each other in happy times as well as sad times. These young people mourning the loss of a friend have a great deal to teach us about bonding as a community.

Rush to judgment... again and again and again...

Moderator — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:43:57 GMT

Forums are great for people to say what they think or how they feel. And if they want to criticize someone else, they can freely do it with anonymity. (God Bless the Constitution, really!)
      Unfortunately some people speak before they think. Why don't people try to learn the facts of an issue before "creating" a truism founded on nothing more than an emotional impulse? How much time does it take out of your day to be sure of what you say and be civil before you say it? Are people that quick to make their point and that selfish and guarded about their "turf" that they would presume to demand a higher station for themselves before sacrificing something for their neighbor or at least trying to understand their neighbor's situation before criticizing?
      Some of the dialog - I use the term loosely - coming out of the Red Hook Rooster seems to be highly inflammatory rhetoric rather heartfelt community discussions - as if we were talking to each other over coffee. I thought this forum would be good for the community. The idea is good, but the execution is faulty.
      So what is happening to our community? I believe email, the internet and forums have given us an excuse to throw dignity, civility and compassion to the wind. I hardly believe that some people's comments would see the light of day if they had to be held accountable or be face to face with their target. On the other hand, there are some who would act that way face to face - and do. I guess we are just dealing with the rougher edges, the darker side, if you will, of humanity in general.
     See my case in point - go to http://www.redhookbugle.com for Saturday 3/1/08 feature article and "follow the links" to the Red Hook Rooster. If you still haven't signed up to keep tabs on what is being said here, I think you should. You may not be surprised about the infusion of "liberal thinking" being posted - but you should read what the predominant themes are - it is boiling down to "us and them" - will it never end? - Richard Wambach

What is going on in our town?

Moderator — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:51:35 GMT

At a recent Red Hook PTA meeting I am told that the subject of whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America should be allowed to be said in Red Hook schools was brought up. I understand that this issue was supported by only ONE vote. What is going on in our town? Why would any one be against Pledging to the country we live in and gives us our freedom? By the way should we be pledging a flag of some other country?? I think not.

I C U

Invitation to Tax Reform Forum

Moderator — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:18:29 GMT

You are invited to share your thoughts on how to reform the property tax system this Wednesday, February 20. Assemblymen Kevin Cahill, Marc Molinaro (me) & Joel Miller invite you to attend an opportunity to share your ideas on reforming property taxes: 6:30 pm at the Rhinebeck Town Hall, February 20. We will take your comments and ideas back to Albany and the Governor's new Property Tax Commission. Please join us and bring your good ideas. Send me an e-mail or give us a call (845-758-9790) if you have any questions. We hope to see you there.

Bard College Global Warming Conference

Moderator — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:14:06 GMT

Bugle Note - this is an interesting article, but long and detailed. We have extracted the first and last paragraph for reference and suggest our subscribers go to the Bulge web site home page to read the entire article. www.redhookbugle.com If you wish to reply to this article submit a comment at this blog below. Thank you...

The only complaint I had regarding the Bard conference on Global Warming was the limited attendance from members of the local community. I would like to have seen greater community participation....

... The topics were engaging and meaningful. The concerns regarding the issues involving food production were interesting and thought provoking. I hope that there will be more programs like this in the future and would like to see increased participation from younger students as well as senior citizens.

Dick Franklin

Regarding Bard students voting IN LOCAL ELECTIONS (caps intended)

Moderator — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:26:38 GMT

When a student applies to a University, they fill out a Federal FAFSA form. On this form one must state under penalty of law, his legal residence. This form is updated yearly. Loans and various financial decisions are determined by the veracity of information provided therein.

Some weeks later, the students are encouraged to do their civic duty as American Citizens and register to vote. They must swear to their name and address to register. If they reside in White Plains for example on FAFSA, but Tivoli on voter registration a few months later, well that poses no problem. BUT next year when filling out FAFSA, what address is on that document? If it is White Plains, then the question becomes "Are you lying now or were you lying then?" I think our Assemblyman Molinaro or our Election Commissioner should address this issue NOW, for the future stability and just plain fairness of this unintended consequence of this odd law. I also wonder why no one seems to look at the wording of said law to verify that it is being interpreted properly.
While I am no lawyer, it looks like the law protects the students right to vote, but grants him no special right. This seems to say that he can absentee ballot and that his home town can't refuse to count it...again, I am no lawyer, but some lawyer can make a name for himself by visiting this issue...
Respectfully, HOTSHOT