Jeffrey Kaplan, Mayor
Village of Ellenville
2 Elting Court
Ellenville, New York 12428

Re: Tax Reval for Town of Wawarsing

Dear Mayor Kaplan and Board of Trustees:

As promised, in my letter to you dated July 20, 2010, the matter of a Tax Revaluation for the Town of Wawarsing was discussed at the Town Board meeting held on Thursday, August 5, 2010.

We have researched into having a Tax Reval done and it would cost somewhere between $450,000-$600,000. These figures are approximate based on using the amount $75.00 to $100.00 per parcel at 6000 parcels in the Township, which also includes the parcels in the Village of Ellenville. It is our understanding that, in the past, the New York State Office of Real Property Services has paid $5.00 per parcel towards the cost of doing a Tax Revaluation. Unfortunately, that may not be the case now with all the cutbacks that the State has made.

The Town Board and I, as Town Supervisor, agree with you that a Tax Revaluation is long overdue for the Town of Wawarsing. But, we also feel that at the present time with the rate of unemployment being as high as it is in our area, and many of our residents struggling just to make ends meet, that this is a an extra expense that we are not willing to impose upon them at this time.

Very truly yours,

Leonard M. Distel, Supervisor
Town of Wawarsing

cc: Mike Sommers, Town Assessor

After 9/11, 2001, I will never be able to look at a piercing blue, cloudless sky without thinking of it as a "9/11 Sky". On that day, passenger flights going overhead to land or takeoff at Stewart International Airport were replaced by the scream of fighter jets. On the wall of my office, I have a poster with the names of the over 3,000 victims where were murdered from American Airlines Flights 11 & 77, United Flights 175 & 93, the Pentagon and the World Trade Center.

The names are positioned to spell out the words "NEVER FORGET". I and many other Americans, and especially the people who live in the 22nd NY Congressional District who personally had family and friends murdered on that day when our country was attacked, have not forgotten.

However, it appears our so-called representative in Congress, Maurice Hinchey has, since he refuses to speak out against the proposed mosque at Ground Zero on behalf of his constituents. Shame on you, Mr. Hinchey. You'd better believe that I won't forget you on election day this November 2 when I chose to replace you with George Phillips.

Pamela O'Dell
Gardiner

The Napanoch Public Interest Group held its Summer Concert Series Wednesday evenings in August. These concerts were held in the square at the Senior Center in Napanoch and each was attended by more than 100 people.

The success of these concerts was due to the hard work of our members and other individuals who contributed either monetarily or by donating their time.

This year's entertainment included the following bands: Side FX, Break Away, The SJP Band and Carl Richards Band. They were all very well-received and the music was enjoyed by all who attended.

At each concert, we acknowledged the co-sponsors and donors who contributed funds to bring these bands to our community. We also thank the following, who donated prizes for various raffles: White Wolf; Ricke Len's; Il Paradiso; Barthel's Farm Market; Debbie Davis; Bella Volchek of Russky on the Hudson; Cindy Rivera; and Duke Dulka for donating the original Bill Winters painting back to the group. We also express our appreciation to Steve Bradley, Gil Davis, Bill and Kay McCabe, Joan Kortright, and James Dolaway for assisting with the raffles.

Also included in our thanks: Town of Wawarsing; Jim MacKenzie; Shawangunk Valley Senior Citizens; St. Mark's Methodist Church for their post-concert desserts; Lea Freer, Steve Bradley, Bucky Green, and Kay O'Connor for their donations to our free hot dogs at our last concert.

Last, but not least, we want to acknowledge the many people who attended these events (sometimes in not-so-great weather) and participated in our raffles, supported our group and enjoyed these bands. We once again had a very successful concert series and hope to see everyone next August. Come again and bring a friend.

Board of Trustees
Napanoch Public Interest Group