Thank you for Terence P. Ward's article "Held Hostage" which examined exactly why my bill to allow Marbletown to move town offices and courts to the former Rosendale Elementary School was killed in the Republican-controlled State Senate.

As Mr. Ward pointed out, the bill would create new government efficiencies and save taxpayers' money. It had the support of local officials, as well as bi-partisan support in the Senate, where it was co-sponsored by Republican Senator John Bonacic. The legislation had statewide support from the NYS Association of Towns and the NYS School Boards Association, recognizing that government cooperation and efficiency is the best way forward.

I was surprised by Assemblyman Cahill's apparent lack of understanding of the dynamics within the State Senate when he places blame for the bill's failure on Senator Bonacic and myself.

As in the Assembly, the Majority Conference determines the legislation that comes to the floor for a vote. In the case of the Senate, that means the Republican and IDC coalition determines the measures to be voted on.

The legislation in question has been the subject of news articles and editorials throughout the region. Everyone seems to understand the measure was killed for partisan reasons, and that despite my strong advocacy, the measure was ultimately killed by Republican leader Dean Skelos from Long Island. Even with the failure of the Senate leadership to bring this bill to the floor and help the taxpayers of Rosendale and Marbletown, as well as all the taxpayers in the Rondout Valley School District, I have and will continue to work with local officials to explore how we can implement shared government space and services.

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk
46th Senate District

A well-written standard contains three components: a noun(s), a verb and a product. The noun(s) tell the teacher the topic(s) to be taught. A Bloom verb identifies the student thinking level (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, evaluation, synthesis). The product: a student develops demonstrates his understanding of a topic.

Take a look at a Next Generation Science Standard: Develop and use a model of the earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. That standard calls for the teacher to provide instruction about three cyclic patterns: phases of the moon, two kinds of eclipses, and how seasons change.

The student has to describe these patterns (synthesis thinking level) using a model he made (product). Look at the Common Core State Standards at engageny.org. Look for the noun(s), verb and a product. Decide for yourself if Common Core meets the criteria to be called a set of standards.

If the answer is no, then Common Core needs to be recognized as an attempt of private business (follow the money) to take over public education and needs to be abandoned.

Edward Duncanson
Bullville<

The June symposium sponsored by the Eleanor Roosevelt Center and National Park Service marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was aptly titled "Unfinished Business."

One set of remarks stood out for me and epitomized both the historical equation made by Mrs. Roosevelt between education and equality and the challenges we face today in the areas of education and the administration of justice.

Alexandra Cox, a sociologist from SUNY New Paltz, focused her talk on the "impact of disciplinary exclusion from school on people of color and immigrants, or, as it is more popularly known, the "school-to-prison pipeline."

Though this pipeline, an alarming number of our most vulnerable young people are ejected from school for minor infractions into the juvenile justice system, which, in most cases, prepares them for a "career" in jails and prisons instead of higher education and the workforce.

In an era when most Democrats and Republicans agree that mass incarceration is neither financially smart nor morally defensible, and when many states are downsizing adult and juvenile prison populations, closing prisons and helping prison host communities to attract other industries and jobs, the disciplinary policies and practices that make up the "school-to-prison pipeline" seem counterintuitive. Why are we seeking to empty, close and repurpose our prisons only to have to build them back up, at great expense, in a few years?

Let's also be mindful of the lessons that history teaches. In the 1970s, state after state emptied and closed their juvenile "training schools" after they proved to be both ineffective at reform and inhumane to their occupants. But it wasn't long before these institutions were resurrected in even harsher form. Now, following lawsuits and investigations into abusive treatment and incompetence, we are in the midst of closing juvenile prisons again. This time around, wouldn't it be smarter and cheaper and just plain right to seek other ways to respond to youngsters who are troubled and in trouble?

I'm looking forward to participating, with other concerned citizens, in a series of "Cottage Conversations" to be held at Val-Kill on these questions throughout the summer.

Tracy Huling, Founder/President
Prison Public Memory Project

I was very upset to see a "Nature's Bounty" article encouraging foraging of milkweed. Recently an environmental group issued an alert that Monarch Butterflies need milkweed plants to place their eggs, and feed on them. They've even asked highway departments in the northeast not to remove them from the sides of highways. I think you should print a correction, asking people not to eat these plants vital for the survival of Monarch Butterflies.

Judy Frank
Spring Glen

I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease two years ago. It was caught early. I had to go through a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) for it to be determined that the Lyme had crossed the "blood/brain barrier" and be approved for IV antibiotics after the oral antibiotics failed to treat the severe symptoms.

After 28 days of the IV, it was removed and I was told by the doctor that I was free of the Lyme, since AMA protocol indicated that 28 days was the standard time for the Lyme to be have been killed in my body.

Although I had still had some minor symptoms that persisted, the doctor told me that those symptoms were damage that the Lyme had caused in my nervous system. I accepted his explanation initially, but after several months, the remaining symptoms began to slowly intensify and other symptoms that had disappeared began to slowly return. The doctor refused to believe that I was still infected. I asked for tests to be done to confirm that the Lyme was gone and was told that no tests could do that because I would still test positive for years after having Lyme.

After searching for over a year to find a doctor who would believe me, I had another lumbar puncture that was still positive. I finally found a doctor who agreed that the Lyme infection was not totally gone and my increasing symptoms were caused by the Lyme not being thoroughly treated upon onset.

I was given a round of oral antibiotics that made me sick to my stomach but did not touch the Lyme symptoms. Deja vu.

I am now being faced with a denial by my insurance company for IV antibiotics because standard medical practice says that it won't help "chronic" Lyme.

My Lyme would not have become chronic if the first doctor would have listened to my symptoms in the first place and properly treated the infection instead of using standard practice as his only guide.

What happened to being treated medically as an individual? If I had strep and was given standard treatment, but the symptoms remained, the doctor would not ignore the symptoms! Lyme is debilitating. I feel like my nerves are being slowly eaten and picked at. One would think that my insurance would rather pay for IV treatment now as opposed to paying for hospitalization and who knows what other more expensive treatments in the future when I can no longer walk or talk!

I am writing this letter to the editor because I think that all those who are going through similar heartache and frustration need to unite and bring a class action suit against the health care industry. The only thing they understand is MONEY!

Elisa Shafran
Saugerties

In August of 2013 the New York State Conservative Party of Ulster County sent federal officials, President Obama, Senators Schumer and Gilibrand and Congressman Gibson a letter advising them that the Executive Committee did not wish to see the United States Military engage in the conflict in the country of Syria. At the end of September 2013 our party sent a letter to the editor to a number of local newspapers stating that the only official who extended our committee the courtesy of a reply was Congressman Chris Gibson. Congress Gibson agreed that a "Boots on the Ground" response to the Syrian conflict was not warranted. None of the other officials contacted responded to our letter.

I wish to update the status of our contact with our federal officials. It is with great pleasure that I advise that the Ulster County Conservative Party has received a reply from President Barack Obama. The President reviewed the progression of the conflict, the consideration of limited military action and the ultimate choice of a diplomatic option. We commend the President for this approach and look forward to a continuance of a diminished American military presence in the Middle East. We have still not heard from Senators Schumer and Gilibrand.

The Ulster County Conservative Party continues to hold similar views regarding reentry into another US-Iraqi War. America needs secure borders, energy independence using domestic resources and reinvestment in American business and manufacturing. Our children need to be taught to think again. God Bless America.

Jack Hayes, Recording secretary
Ulster County Conservative Party

We attended the Great American Weekend. There were families and vendors there to celebrate the holiday for all Americans. On our way out, we passed the Republican tent and a man wearing a shirt stating "OMG — Obama Must Go." My wife felt that we could not ignore this blatant disrespect to the office of the president.

She was calmly explaining how inappropriate the shirt was when the OMG wearer began a loud and virulent tirade accusing Obama of being a traitor. As a Vietnam veteran, I have never heard any of my former shipmates accuse any president of being a traitor.

I have disagreed with some of President Bush's and Vice President Cheney's policies, seen them as misguided, but never traitorous. The discussion escalated and I asked the OMG man if he had ever served his country. His reply was no but that since his father had served 30 years ago, his dues were paid by his father. That was it for me.

It served to enhance this country's dilemma: 1 percent is serving in harm's way and the rest sit back and criticize. Respecting and contributing to society is not a partisan issue. The spirit of July Fourth and patriotic values were tarnished by ignorance and prejudiced talking points.

Stephen Zecher
Monroe

Those are not dice illustrating "The Nimble..." casino article. Opposite faces of dice always sum to seven — 1 opposite 6, 2 opposite 5, and 3 opposite 4. The illustration has the 3 adjacent to the 4 on one die; on the other the 1 is pictured next to the 6. Both are wrong.

As an added note for number placement on the six faces, when looking at the 1-2-3 corner, those numbers will be in order either clockwise or counter-clockwise. In the USA the tradition is counter-clockwise but this is not a hard and fast rule. Then, too, there is the question as to which way the pips on the 2 and 3 slope, and how the 6 is oriented. At least there is no issue with the 1, 4, and 5 which are rotationally symmetric.

Bob Prener
Grahamsville