The writing and picture you had in your last weeks paper was heart breaking. A couple charged with abandonment of their pets. To leave them in their abandoned apartment left to die. If people can't take care of their pets they shouldn't have them. If they can't afford to feed them or take them to the vet or have no shelter for them, they should realize they no longer can care for their pets.

Give them to some one who can take them to a shelter, we have lots of them. How would these people like being abandoned, no water, no food, left to starve to death? How can anyone with a heart do anything like this? Innocent animals depending on you to care for them. Its so, so cruel to leave any animal to die.

I'm sorry for there is no reason for any animal to have to go through this kind of abuse.

God only knows how many die from beatings, starving, dehydration, no shelter from the elements. People do these things to animals. What happens if they had young children? It's a very big obligation caring for animals. People should think twice before taking on more than they can handle. After all, animals have feelings too.

Nancy Van Leuven
Ellenville

As a resident of Mamakating, I truly am grateful to the Journal for the expansion of the paper's coverage to include our town. Until then, issues of fundamental concern to our residents were mostly given short shrift by our regional and county newspapers. Tod Westlake's most recent coverage of the deplorable conditions at the former Homowack; the town government's long-standing ignoring of complaints about them brought by concerned residents; and now the protracted process instituted by the NYS Department of Health to force an evacuation of the more than 300 occupants, most of whom are children, from this hazardous property have been exemplary.

It was therefore surprising to see the claims of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development (SCPEC) featured as the lead on your coverage of the permit hearing for the proposed Yukiguni maitake mushroom factory, conducted by NYS's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) at Mamakating Town Hall on July 15th. To the more than 60 residents who were present, a large majority of whom testified, the significant environmental impact issues have still not been sufficiently addressed. The concerns about adequacy of infiltration basins, waste treatment and impact on wildlife of a factory, that is expected to withdraw 425,000 gallons of our water each day were detailed by each of the expert consultants hired by the Basha Kill Area Association (BKAA). These concerns were affirmed by the representatives from Orange County Land Trust, Sullivan Audubon, and Shawangunk Ridge Coalition, as well as many of us who would have to live with the consequences of this exploitative development.

Dismissing these concerns, the SCPEC urged repeatedly that , "Enough is Enough" and that the DEC simply issue the required permits, because it is 10 years since they brought this company to our valley. It should be noted that the proposed site of the factory was not even zoned for this use until 2 years later, and then under dubious circumstances. It is also interesting that while they claim business community support for this development, the only Mamakating businessman to testify was a stable owner who used his time to rant against the BKAA. I think the time has come for a thorough review of the Partnership's role in trying to foist this project on a community, whose residents have consistently made clear their concerns and opposition.

No one can deny the need for jobs in our area, but the question is what kind. Beyond those generated by the construction of this plant, Yukiguni has not made clear what the distribution of low, mid or high level jobs would be required for their operation. If the majority are unskilled as we surmise, then they simply would be adding more low wage jobs to our region . Also, there has been no firm commitment of job count, though your story states 120 positions.. It must be recalled that we already have experience with companies coming into our community making promises of jobs. Let us remember that Kohl's came into Mamakating committed to hiring 900 workers, and instead has generated maybe 300 jobs (not well paying), while at the same time receiving extensive tax benefits from New York State. Yukiguni is also expecting such tax treatment, all of which is to be funded with our state tax dollars!

My hope is that your future coverage of Yukiguni will look at these critical issues and concerns, and give them the scrutiny they deserve.

Anita Altman
Phillipsport

Having participated in the recent DEC public hearing re: the proposed Yukiguni Maitake mushroom plant, I read last week's article with dismay and am amazed that this project is being suggested as beneficial to us inhabitants of Mamakating prior to the results of any environmental studied being evaluated and reported. Given the majority of comments at the meeting, the headline should have read, "Enough is Enough: Our Water Supply is in Jeopardy".

The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development (SCPED) may want this factory to move ahead, but its only concern is potential employment. There is a lot more at stake here than just low paying jobs. Our most precious commodity--our water supply--is on the line. Where is the correlation between benefits to the citizenry and the potential ill effects to the community and the environment? To suggest that 'the business community was supportive of the plant's construction' is misleading--only one local business person expressed his support for the project.

To end the article stating that the maitake mushroom may prevent various cancers and control diabetes is erroneous--and quite stilted. There is no data supporting such a claim...none. This only served to give false hope to your readership.

Is this the best that the SCPED can do to improve our lot? I hope not, and so do a vast number of of other people whose habitats and quality of lives lie in the balance.

Dennis McAnany
Wurtsboro