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Rochester Not Involved In Trailer Lawsuit

Just to set the record straight... the lawsuit [mentioned on the front page of last week's Journal, involving Homestead Trailer Court and the City of New York] has been dropped against the Town of Rochester as this trailer park is not located in our town and we have nothing to do with this at all. I was quite shocked when I received the papers and thought it was ridiculous to sue our town.

Carl Chipman, Supervisor
Town of Rochester


In Favor Of The Dog Breeder Law...

The proposed law drafted last year to provide protections for the animals bred by Ulster County dog breeders focused on establishing standards of care and periodic facility inspections.

The proposed law was carefully crafted with input from members of the Ulster County Animal Abuse Prevention Task Force, which was headed by a well-known veterinarian and included the executive director of the Ulster County SPCA. It was thoroughly reviewed by county attorneys to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. Public hearings were held, pros and cons were aired, and the proposed law should have gone to the full county Legislature for a vote. Sadly, it was not allowed out of the Laws and Rules Committee.

As the SPCA has pointed out, had the "breeder law" been in place, relief could have been brought much sooner to the animals who recently were found suffering on the property of a dog breeder. I believe all Ulster County residents would like to see action taken to prevent recurrences of that horrific situation.

The animals bred in Ulster County need help. Readers should contact their legislators now to support this important legislation. The animals are counting on us to be their voice.

Patricia Valusek, Chairperson
New York State Humane Association
Member, Ulster County Animal Abuse Prevention Task Force


Alarmed At The Rise Of Xenophobia

We, as leaders of our respective faith communities, stand united in our quest to build the beloved community where love overcomes fear. We are alarmed at the rising tide of xenophobia in our nation. We are dismayed by those who use words to harm, spewing stereotypes that kindle bigotry and hatred. We lament each surge in xenophobic speech and subsequent spikes in violence against Americans, no matter what their belief system, race, ethnic background, gender identity or sexual orientation. Reacting to difference with fear and hatred diminishes us all. We value safety and security yet accept that as humans we are inherently vulnerable.

We recognize that our greatest protection from extremists comes from building bridges of trust with those who appear different from us. We heed the teachings of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and other wisdom traditions that implore us: love one another. We recognize that those who have been the targets of hate speech are our neighbors; they are our doctors, professors and local merchants; they are mothers and fathers, caregivers and colleagues; they are part of us. We celebrate people of all races, ethnicities, faith traditions, gender identities and sexual orientations among us who contribute to the diversity of our community and help make America great.

We seek a world where racism, hate and violence are relics of the past, where differences are celebrated and respected, and where our children learn by our examples the ways of peace. We urge all people of all faiths to join us in these commitments, in the name of God.

Mary Lou Baumgartner, President of GNIC
King of Kings Lutheran Church
New Windsor


Giving Up Meat Is A Healthy Choice

Do readers want to feel better and improve their overall health? Do they want to reduce their risk of cancer and heart disease? Do they want to help the environment by saving water (1,000 gallons a day), by reducing air and water pollution, by slowing deforestation? Do they want to help reduce the misery and suffering of billions of helpless animals? Do they want to feel like they are making a difference in the world?

If they answer yes, they should consider eating less meat, poultry and dairy. Maybe even consider going to a plant-based diet. Meat and dairy production are inefficient, polluting, unhealthy and cruel.

Help the Earth. Help the creatures.

If readers reduce their consumption of animal products like beef, pork, chicken, milk and cheese, they will feel better. The Earth's environment will do better. The suffering of the animals will be reduced.

We have choices every day regarding what we consume. The animals consumed have no choices and no voices. They are innocent victims.

Some resources for help are:www.chooseveg.com/environment orwww.casanctuary.org .

The animals have no choice and no voice, but we do.

Eli Kassirer
New Paltz


More Funding For School Program Helps Students

Tens of thousands of public school students in New York will benefit from the new state budget, which includes a $3 million increase to the Advantage After School Program.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature should be commended for their commitment to improving educational opportunities for all children.

At a time when students from disadvantaged communities face a growing opportunity gap, this program will help level the playing field and provide enrichment through an extended learning day. Data shows such programs work to keep kids engaged in their school work and excited about their future possibilities.

We see proof of this at middle schools that have partnered with the nonprofit Citizen Schools in the Bronx, East Harlem and Brooklyn where 12 percent more students graduate high school and 15 percent more go on to attend college.

What's more, as a result of extended learning time, students demonstrate greater proficiency in math, and a vast majority say they are now interested in pursuing a career in a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) related field.

Currently, there are 1.1 million children in need of after-school programs in New York. We are grateful this budget increase will help reach more of them.

Emily McCann, CEO Citizen Schools New York City

Maybe It's Good To Threaten Washington?

I'm not crazy about Donald Trump, but anyone who has both Republicans and Democrats scared to death is getting my attention. It seems someone is finally threatening Washington's fiefdom. Regardless of party affiliation, most Americans are sick and tired of Washington politics. Yes, Trump is brash and a bit of a bully, but maybe that's exactly what we need these days. Keep in mind that he is a deal maker. Things will get done without influence from special interest groups. No, he's not going to ask Mexico for a check to pay for the wall, he will just withhold some of the monies we give them in aid and trade. No, he's not really going to add 45 percent tariffs to imported goods; it's just a negotiating technique. It's called leverage. Nobody seems to get that.

If you think there's gridlock in Washington now, imagine Ted Cruz at the helm! And what's so bad about someone who did well in real estate, became a celebrity and changed views from Democrat to Republican? A "Rino," too liberal... No, wait! I just described Ronald Reagan! Your response, Ted? Readers, whether you agree or disagree, at least you're reading these pages and keeping informed. A large portion of the general electorate will just pull the Republican or Democrat lever. Perhaps it's because they've been told that Republicans are for the rich and Democrats are for the poor, and nothing could be further from the truth.

Lou Ponte
Chester


Be More Aware Of Autism, Please

The month of April serves as the one month during the year in which autism is officially recognized as something that all Americans should practice a higher level of awareness towards acknowledging. The acknowledgement and awareness of autism is certainly warranted after recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls have autism within the United States. Unfortunately, these statistics might actually be an underestimation of the true statistical percentage of the population parameter for those afflicted with autism as there is a wide variation between the statistical data across the United States. According to a 2010 study by the CDC, the three states with the highest levels of autism are New Jersey at 1 in 46, North Carolina at 1 in 53 and Utah at 1 in 54. Conversely, the three states with the lowest levels of autism are Alabama at 1 in 175, Wisconsin at 1 in 108 and Colorado at 1 in 101. While some might point out that the main shortcoming of this study by the CDC was that only 11 states were analyzed, and the data was comprised from the number of 8-year-olds who had been diagnosed with autism, as the actual number of those afflicted with autism may be higher, because some children may not get diagnosed until after the age of 8, and some states may not have adequate health facilities in rural areas where children could be examined for the potential of autism. A compilation of data from studies across North America, Europe and Asia estimates the population parameter of those afflicted with Autism to be between 1 and 2 percent. Whatever the reasons are for the variance in the numbers of 8-year-olds who are estimated to be afflicted with autism, one thing is clear: the estimated numbers of those afflicted with autism has dramatically risen from 2000-2010. Some critics have argued that a difference in the criterion for those afflicted with other cognitive deficiencies had changed in 2000 which led to a higher number of children having been diagnosed with autism and that the changes in statistical data is correlative to data from each respective condition. This assertion has never been proven. Whatever the true numbers may be of those afflicted with autism, several things are clear: (1) more research needs to be conducted on the causes of autism, (2) more research needs to be conducted on treatments and potential cures for autism and (3) school districts need to be continually looking for better ways in which to address the needs of children afflicted with autism.

Charles A. Simkovich, a chiropractor and cranial osteopath in Wexford, Pennsylvania, has reported successes in treating people with autism from his specialized treatment program that he also uses to successfully treat people afflicted with post-concussion syndrome. Hopefully more health care professionals will follow Dr. Simkovich's led and develop other innovative ways towards the prevention and treatment of autism!

Chris Allen, Ulster County Legislature
Saugerties


Why Must We Denigrate The Socialist?

For Americans concerned about Bernie Sanders being an unapologetic Democratic-Socialist, I offer the following quotes from two Republican presidents:

Abraham Lincoln stated in his first inaugural address Dec. 3, 1861, that "Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration."

Teddy Roosevelt stated in his new nationalism speech on Aug. 31, 1910: "If the above remark was original with me, I should be even more strongly denounced as a Communist agitator than I shall be anyhow. It is Lincoln's."

Karl Marx in his 1848 Communist Manifesto set forth: "The essential condition for the existence, and for the sway of the bourgeois class, is the formation and augmentation of capital; the condition for capital is wage-labor."

Great Americans of all political persuasions have never been afraid to speak truth to power. Ted Cruz, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are not in that class; the people will decide if Bernie Sanders is. We must never forget we are a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Richard N. Lentino, Esq.
Middletown


Scalia's Death Pushed Us To The Dark Side

The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia brought out the dark side of partisan politics. The GOP's pledge to defeat President Barack Obama by obstruction has become a malignancy metastasizing throughout the party.

It unknowingly introduced small fires (into its primary) throughout the political culture in Washington, to the extent that a member could not be seen shaking hands with the president. The New Jersey governor was tarred and feathered because he embraced the president, thanking him for the needed federal support for his state.

But glory hallelujah, before Justice Scalia's body was cold, members of the Senate had another awakening to obstruct the president's action to select a Scalia replacement.

"We prefer the next president to replace the next justice." This sounds like the Republicans' Senate pledge to keep Obama to a one-term presidency.

The smart political position by Republicans would have been a rather stealthy one: Invite the president to send the name of his nominee. Then extend a Shakespearean welcome as Mark Antony gave Julius Caesar.

"Beware the Ides of March," which means your nominee is dead on arrival. But, then, that type of thinking requires a more liberal mindset of constitutional grace and respect for order.

Chuck Cooper
Hopewell Junction



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