You recently ran an article stating that residents of Bullville were concerned about activities purportedly going on at The Bull Pub. I think it would have been appropriate to have named and directly quoted at least one of these so-called "concerned residents".

Many, many residents of Bullville are regular customers of The Bull Pub. I can name, off the top of my head, at least 12 local households that regularly enjoy the friendly local atmosphere at The Bull Pub. For six months The Bull Pub has been a neighborhood pub that has had no problems and has been a positive addition to the town of Bullville bringing business to the town and creating a local place for people to congregate without having to drive too far from home. In fact, many local residents enjoy the fact that they can actually walk to and home from the pub.

I think there are far more local residents who have welcomed The Bull Pub to Bullville than the small minority that are "concerned." And whomever posted the fake Craigslist posting and then emailed it around to people in the neighborhood is a part of that small minority.

Rob Abner
Owner, The Bull Pub
Bullville

The town of Gardiner had a Public Hearing on the 2010 Budget on October 19th. This is one of the most significant meetings of the Town Board each year. The meeting notice was advertised as well as emails were sent to all citizens on our email list (463). In addition the meeting was prominently posted on our website and on the Town Hall Sign.

I cannot adequately express how disappointing it was to have a total audience of 9 people including the press. The participants did ask thoughtful questions and I hope these were answered adequately. What I find hard to understand is the number of citizens that complain about spending and taxes, but do not participate in the decisions.

We do not get to directly participate in government at the Federal, State and County levels, but voices raised at the Town level are heard. I urge all Gardiner citizens to take advantage of this basic right to be heard.

Joe Katz
Gardiner Town Supervisor

I read with sadness about the closing of Collier Chevrolet in Ellenville. I can't imagine the circumstances that lead to the demise of the great American icon General Motors. But I can imagine the pain of the family and staff of Collier Motors upon learning that GM would not be renewing their franchise.

In particular, Carl Chipman, Dealership General Manager, puts a human face on this American and local tragedy. In his role as Supervisor of the Town of Rochester, Mr. Chipman was extremely helpful and decent to my family when we faced a tough situation.

I wish Mr. Chipman and the Collier family and staff condolences on the demise of the dealership and Godspeed on their future endeavors.

Catherine Abate
Spring Glen

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and across the country, battered women's advocates are joining elected officials and concerned citizens and many others to organize events and activities that raise awareness about domestic violence.

Fifty-five percent of the 157 female homicide victims in New York last year were murdered in domestic violence incidents, according to a state report released Monday. One in six of the 800 homicide victims known to police in 2007 had a domestic relationship with their assailants -- either as an intimate partner, child or other family member, a State Division of Criminal Justice Services study found. More than half (72) of the 135 domestic homicide victims were currently or had been in an intimate relationship with the offender, and females were the victims in 81 percent (58) of those cases, the study said.

On September 30th, Ulster County Executive Michael P. Hein led the way in bringing business leaders, city officials and concerned citizens together to put domestic violence in the forefront of our community and elevate it as a mainstream social issue. The program consisted of speeches, group sharing, and lighting the County building purple and a moment of silence to remember and honor those lives touched by domestic violence.

The night would not have been possible without the support of the Ulster County Executive Michael P. Hein . I would like to acknowledge and thank him for his support in shining a light on domestic violence and sending a message that domestic violence has no place in our community! Thank you Michael P. Hein for caring!

Kathleen Welby- Moretti
Program Director, Family Domestic Violence Services