My name is Kristen O. Walsh; I am the daughter of Howard and Karen Osterhoudt who have owned and operated their business, H. Osterhoudt Excavating for over 30 years. My father started out with a single bulldozer and has worked through the years to build the business to what it is today. They have not only provided for their family but for all of their employees throughout the years. Currently they have 55 employees all with families who rely on the work that is done not only in our community, but in the greater Hudson Valley area. H. Osterhoudt excavating as well as Ellenville Sand and Gravel are an asset to our community. I am extremely proud of my parents for their achievements and the work they have accomplished. This is why it is so disheartening to hear all of the negative things brought up as of lately regarding Ellenville Sand and Gravel and the current amendment to their mining permit, which would include blasting. Blasting that will have very minimal impacts on the community and is a sign of progress. Not only creating more jobs but also future development. I am third generation in the excavation business and I can tell you in no uncertain terms there will be no damage to our infrastructure, schools, and community. I have personally seen blasting performed on many construction sites in the middle of residential neighborhoods, towns and cities with no ensuing damage. I urge people to go to the informational meeting on Monday September 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the village hall to learn the facts about blasting in a mining application. Learn the facts and stop spreading the hysteria, and quite frankly the slanderous statements about my parents and their business. Education and a little common sense will help take our community to great places.

Kristen O. Walsh
Napanoch

I am saddened that our president, who rode to election promising to end wars, has once again convinced us to go to war. I am also saddened that there is so little protest. This is so different than during the Vietnam War, when the conscience of the American people, and especially our youth, rallied us to action that eventually led to peace.

All this will have tragic consequences. The violence of terrorism cannot be eradicated by more violence; the many wars of the last 13 years should by now have shown us the futility of taking up arms.

What, then, can we do? Martin Luther King, Jr., points to the only answer:

"Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction ... The chain reaction of evil — hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars — must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation."

May these prophetic words rally us as a country to think globally! This new war will only bring need and suffering and produce millions of more refugees. It will also sow seeds of hatred in the hearts of a new generation of children and young people, who will see no other option than to resort to violence in the future.

I know that many who read this letter may not share my faith, but we must pray for our country and for all our young men and women who take up arms in defense of our freedom. May we also have the courage to pray for our enemies.

Johann Christoph Arnold
Rifton

We have so much happening in the Hudson Valley, it's hard to keep pace; On immigration we are a microcosm of our country; I feel, some folks are not, supportive of sensible immigrant legislation, particularly for Hispanics — not because they take away jobs which most Americans don't want, but, instead, because once becoming citizens they actually vote, and that's a challenge for folks who don't like to be challenged. Casinos: in Orange County, not! Honestly folks, we don't need to invite the devil to live here. On the ever-increasing tax burden on the shrinking working class pools — "Wealth gap putting squeeze on states' revenues," that's poppycock! Folks (real property taxpayers), we need a serious game changer.

My proposal is this — a taxpayer's coalition with one goal in mind... "Stop the bleeding" "No corporation, or 501c based outside of the United States would be allowed to vote, contribute or participate in anyway shape or form to any political party, pact or organization affiliated with a political party unless they have physical tax-based headquarters in the USA. Next, a true separation of church and state would be changed to read, "No membership of any religious organization, institutions, sects, groups... is allowed to vote on any matter where they do not pay public school or capital planning taxes." Finally, where local law enforcement folks have armored personnel vehicles, and assisted military equipment, governors of that state will direct the actions needed, clean-up illegal drug trade in their respective communities.

Now there is a game changer.

Hans C. Sandiford
Newburgh

Now that Mr. Obama has done a great service by negotiating the release of a deserter in exchange for five terrorists, how about doing a real service for a Marine who crossed the border legally and later was detained without being charged. He now sits in a Mexican jail, has been beaten and shackled to his bed. This is an American who really did serve with distinction and honor in battle. Why no sanctions against Mexico?

Our commander now states "no boots on the ground," but will send 300 military advisers to train the Iraq army; hey, we have been training them for years. The first major battle they are engaged in, they drop their U.S. supplied weapons and run.

If our schools still teach American history, our students would know that Green Beret advisors were sent to Vietnam, under the Kennedy administration, to train their army; the result was 58,000 Americans killed. How quick out politicians forget: all they care about is their perks.

Ralph Boeringer
Middletown

Lisa Carroll continues the Journal's community service with her helpful, timely article "How Much Wood Would A Family Use?"

She recalls: "...we always had a fire extinguisher as well as smoke and carbon dioxide detectors close by." (my emphasis). It is good advice to have fire extinguisher, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. I suspect "carbon dioxide" is not a typo but rather a think-o.

Carbon monoxide is poisonous — even in 0.01 percent concentrations. It is odorless so you don't know it's there. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is not poisonous and although odorless in the air we breathe (0.04 percent), in higher concentrations has a distinctly acidic odor/taste. When you open a seltzer or other non-aromatic soda can, you notice it.

CO2 is the source of life on Earth. It is in a very real sense what plants "eat." Even in the seas it is, with calcium, the stuff of clamshells and coral. But because of the similarity in name to the deadly poisonous monoxide, people are prejudiced and believe that it is a pollutant and bad for health. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Although many associate CO2 only with mankind's destruction of the planet, its effect on climate via the greenhouse effect is trivial compared to the effect of water vapor. Water vapor is the other major "waste product" of animal life and the burning of oil and gas. Although it is the major source of atmospheric insulation, no one would think of calling water a pollutant.

Although CO2 levels in the atmosphere have been increasing (about 25 percent since pre-industrial times — about 150 years) the levels may be a result, rather than a cause, of warming. The increase may be due to the decreased ability of a shrinking volume of forest to sequester carbon. Worse, it might be due to increased ultra-violet radiation inhibiting the formation of coral and other oceanic carbonate structures.

Which is not to say that these are not man-made problems, perhaps with the gravest of consequences; but it is quite likely that CO2 emissions are not the problem and we had best look further. Especially since the not-related-to-CO2 glacial melting in southern Greenland is not "global" and is a sea current phenomenon. The glaciers and ice cover are growing in the further north and dramatically so in Antarctica.

So let's be positive about CO2. For now, at least, the higher CO2 levels are beneficial to agriculture. By the government's own estimate, the elimination of coal burning to generate electricity will affect global temperatures by only a fraction of a degree by the year 2100.

Bob Prener
Grahamsville

Shadowland is proud to be producing the regional premiere of Deanna Jent's engaging drama "Falling." This special play explores the dynamic and complicated reality of a family raising their autistic son. Semi-autobiographical, the play bravely asks "How do you love someone who is difficult to love?"

The production, I'm thrilled to say, is extraordinary. The audience reaction we've witnessed during opening weekend has been so positive that I wanted to personally reach out and invite all of our friends to see this special show. I've received more notes and emails in response to this show than any in recent memory. The press reviews have followed suit: The Times Herald-Record calls the performances "stellar and riveting".

The production runs for just two more weekends and we'd hate for you to miss this production. Call now and make your reservation. You won't regret it.

Brendan Burke
Ellenville

Bethel Woods is a pillar in Sullivan County and has every year worked hard to improve its events and service. That's why I was so disappointed — and frankly angry — that executives there decided that it was OK to hold a major event (annual Wine Festival) on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

It's a slap in the face to the many Jews who live in the county and those who surely would travel from elsewhere to attend this great event and purchase from the many great local wineries. Bethel Woods could have held the event the following day or coupled it with the Beer Festival the following week.

Not all Jews in the Catskills wear black hats and long coats and live in bungalows. Many of us live and work here year-round and are some of the biggest supporters of Bethel Woods in many ways. I hope those in charge of the venue realize how insensitive this was and that they look more carefully at the calendar next time.

Rich Klein
Smallwood

With thanks and thoughts of Jimmy Fallon ...

Thank you, city of Kingston, in cooperation with the Ulster County Executive's Office, for not parking your dump trucks on active tracks the last two weekends. "Thomas the Tank Engine" would not have been happy.

Thank you, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for not coming out and standing on the railroad tracks that you were once told were "abandoned," this a week after the Christmas train ran on them.

Thank you, Ulster County, for signing off on the C9 Bridge with a county engineer present. The railroad knew all along it was safe for "Thomas the Tank" and its riders.

Thank you, those who gave the railroad its voice back in defending itself with the reactivation of the Railroad Advisory Board.

Thank you, Mr. Owner of the Kingston Plaza, who had faith in the railroad when others did not. You once asked for 200 people; the railroad brought you 11,000.

`Thank you, merchants of Kingston, who believed in this event, even after the continued deriding and defamation of the railroad and its volunteers you may have heard by outside interests.

Thank you, all those who believe that "rail with trail" is possible and that both together would generate the best tourist draw for Ulster County and the city of Kingston.

Thank you, volunteers of the Catskill Mountain Railroad, for setting up this event — an event that has brought thousands of families and their kids to Kingston.

And, finally, thank you to the 11,000 people who came to Kingston. The last two weekends have been fun with you and "Thomas the Tank Engine."

Kingston is a great city to travel to and visit.

Thomas Healy
Shandaken