Since I'm writing this a day after the market crash and return, I guess by the time you read this, you'll know your status. Mine hasn't changed since I'm not in the market. I can't help but wonder if the very few super rich all agreed to lower their investments, and sold at the same time and then bought back also in unison.

The first I ever knew about the stock market is that 50 years ago, I was dating a prominent young man who was doing so well that he attended meetings with CEO's from huge companies, and therefore was privy what they were going to do.

During one meeting he left to supposedly use the bathroom and then called me (on a landline) and told me to buy X amount of shares in the company immediately. A few days later, it practically doubled. So I knew that those that had the information first knew how to invest. Therefore, I never invested in the market after that. So... I'll leave that topic and return to my usual subject of Climate Change.

The AP wrote that according to the NOAA, whose records go back to 1880, July, 2015 was the hottest month on the planet ever since recorded history, both in the U.S. and around the world. What are the causes? Well first on my list is the BOGI (Big Oil and Gas Industry) men. But then, I'll quote the following from Scientific American:

"According to the United Nations Population Fund, human population grew from 1.6 billion to 6.1 billion people during the course of the 20th century. (Think about it: It took all of time for population to reach 1.6 billion; then it shot to 6.1 billion over just 100 years.) During that time emissions of CO2, the leading greenhouse gas, grew 12-fold. And with worldwide population expected to surpass nine billion over the next 50 years, environmentalists and others are worried about the ability of the planet to withstand the added load of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere and wreaking havoc on ecosystems down below."

So, you may not be surprised when I say that the stock market is not at the top of my agenda. What is at the top is converting to solar energy and putting less toxins in the air and water.

It's time for us all to come together, to get solar, stop polluting our air and water and remember to start by saving our trees. Trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere, and then release oxygen instead. The forest fires in California will soon be showing us the consequences. If I was looking for something other than the market to invest in, I wouldn't be looking at real estate in California. Instead I think I'd chose the Catskills.

Jill Paperno,
Glenford

My deepest sympathies to the family, friends and community Abel Garraghan so loved. His devotion to his wife Nancy and their children was matched only by his commitment to serving Kingston and the surrounding area. Abel was the "go to" guy for local boards, but more than that, he was the person most of us looked to when the most vexing public issues were presented.

His work with the Berger Commission helped bring over $45 million in state assistance for health care into our community and that is but one example of his impact on Kingston and the Hudson Valley. His commitment to so many local organizations was second to none. I will personally miss the curbside chats Abel and I regularly had and this place he proudly called home will miss his unparalleled contribution.

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill
Kingston

Perhaps to refine their images, all Republican presidential candidates but one are taking an after-hours course from a witty, international bridge champion. She began with the rules of play: "Ladies and gentlemen, there is no such bid as 'seventeen no-Trump!'"

Alan Wikman
Kingston

It's refreshing that Senator Larkin has broken silence on irregularities with campaign funds at the hands of Mr. Carmen Dubaldi. The situation brings up concerns surrounding those past and present elected officials whom Mr. Dubaldi managed campaign funds for that included former County Executive Ed Diana, County Clerk Annie Rabbitt and County Legislature Chairman Steve Brescia. These folks paid this individual tens of thousands of dollars over the years as a "consultant" and "aide."

These discrepancies in various campaign transactions and expenses, currently being investigated, was not mere chump change moving around. With several staff and campaign aides, aligned with these public officials, these curious financial anomalies should have raised a red flag much sooner. Concerns arise as to the abilities of these officials in the areas of fiscal responsibility and judgment. Mr. Dubaldi worked on the campaigns of these folks who preached their own prowess in being fiscally responsible and able to make good judgments with our tax dollars.

Questions also arise around the "ability" of these elected officials when it comes to judgment of character. The public should not forget, and be aware, that Mr. Dubaldi has allegedly been associated with political smear campaigns in New Windsor politics and the region for many years. Our elected officials who were paying him seemed to have looked the other way as he engaged in many questionable tactics. Let's hope the investigation answers many questions and also discloses any other hands that may have been in the cookie jar!

Stephen L. Krasner
Town of Newburgh

Newspapers are complaining about low readership. I make the suggestion it is because you are not publishing things that are of interest to your readers. For instance:

Coverage of the March against Monsanto, and other news about glyphosfate and the World Health Organization revelation of its cancer-causing danger, as well as bee die off, etc. We would like an impartial investigation about this.

An impartial investigation of why the Wallkill River, the Rondout Creek and the Hudson River are polluted, where it starts, who's to blame.

Comparisons with Sweden on their efforts to combat climate change and be free of fossil fuels.

What corporations are bottling our water and selling it to us? Doubly taxed, and polluting.

Not-for-profits, like Jehovah's Witnesses, that have factories, hotels and own a whole town [near] Pine Bush; why are our property taxes so high?

What could be the answer to lower property tax? Increase income tax?

Why do we have so many school administrators who get paid so much and do so little, while our teachers don't get paid enough, and our school budgets are slashed?

There are so many issues of interest to us that the newspapers are not covering, so we have to go to the Internet to get our information.

Help us out and increase your readership.

Brenda Bufalino
Gardiner