We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who supported us in the Primary on September 15th. We appreciate every call made, sign held, and lever pulled which helped in our successful results. There can never be a successful campaign without a great team behind it, and words cannot describe how grateful we feel for your efforts.

We look forward to your continued support on November 3rd in the general election; so we may be your voice in Ulster County Government. Thanks again for all your support!

Ken Ronk, Cathy Terrizzi,John "Jack" Hayes
Candidates for Ulster County Legislators for District 8

A perfect fall day….a perfect day to attend the Pine Bush Harvest Festival! As my mother and I spent the afternoon enjoying the many vendors, music and food, one couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the small town charm and hospitality.

As we walked back to our car, admiring the houses in this charming town we commented to each other how great it was that the whole community seemed to join together for this event. What a friendly, welcoming place Pine Bushed seemed to be!

All these feeling and what seemed to be such a great day came to a screeching halt when we arrived back to our car only to find a parking ticket! I understand that laws should be abided by; I grew up with a father in the police force. But a parking ticket on the day of a street fair? I could understand if we parked in front of a fire hydrant or even thoughtlessly blocked someone's drive way. But a parking ticket for parking in the wrong direction on a street? My mother and I couldn't help but feel sorely disappointed in how our day ended. Some welcome Pine Bush gave us!

Name Withheld By Request
Wawarsing

I am finding it harder and harder to understand our Government. What are they thinking, where are they trying to take this once great Country, and who are they listening to? One thing I believe I am seeing is there is total disregard and respect for our Senior Citizens. I will include AARP in my thoughts too, the one group that is supposed to be for our Elderly. AARP it totally in sync with the Government on Health Care Reform or the new term Health Insurance reform. The very people that needs the most health care will be the ones getting sacrificed by this Government. The Government is saying ­ Oh well, they are expendable, collateral damage, just a bunch of old farts that use way too much of our system. They are not productive individuals anymore. They do not pay into our system anymore. What the hell, lets make living really hard for them so they decide death is better. I know, after their 65th birthday, make them sit with their doctor every 5 years unless they are sick, then lets make it yearly, and talk about end of life decisions. Let's make sure they know if they are ill, we will do only so much, after that we will give them meds for pain and if it gets too much for them we will provide them with the "little black pill" they can take to die.

Who died and made this Government God? Our elderly ARE productive citizens: a wealth of knowledge, kind, caring, and generous people, the people that come from "the greatest generation". The very people the Government swore to save from themselves years ago when they decided to enact Social Security to help them save for retirement. It was a great idea, in theory ­ but the Government needed money and basically stole it from the SS fund. It was the Government that thought those funds would always replenish themselves, the proverbial money tree. As people are living and working longer, why force them to sign up for Medicare when they turn 65? Eligibility can begin at 65, but if you are working and your employer is giving you health insurance, why not just continue? Nothing has changed except for your age. Maybe years ago 65 was considered old, if not ancient, but with people living and working longer, don't force them into Medicare until they really retire and need it. For those who are rich enough and do not want to be on Medicare at all, let them buy their own insurance.

There are many ways to "fix" the already great health care we receive but no one in Congress or the Senate or even the President is willing to listen to, or take them into consideration. First, tort reform. Second, a database that pharmacies can check to make sure people are not doctor­shopping for scripts, no matter if you use Walmart or the local pharmacy or a mail-in pharmacy. Third, a database for doctors so if you change doctors or just go to one here or there, they can find out what tests you have already had done and the results, what was prescribed etc. That way you are not having the same tests given over and over because someone does not like what this doctor had to say about the results. The list can go on and on, including things insurance companies could do to reduce their costs without reducing the care we need. Fourth, stop sending people home from the hospital so fast and do more to make sure when we do have to go into the hospital we are not made ill by hospital-borne infections.

When asked, Mr. Obama said he would only want the best of care for his family. When some Senators and Congress people where asked if they would be using the same health care that we were going to be forced into using, they laughed.

Frankly, I find none of this a laughing matter. I want my health care to be no less than the President's and no better, just equal.

Write and call your Senators and Congress people with your thoughts, before it is too late ­ whether you agree with me or not. After all, this is our Country and our health. These people work for us.

Cindy Wagner
Grahamsville