Recently our town received a letter from Tim Rose, executive director of the Ulster County Resource Agency, announcing their upcoming budget hearing and telling of the projected increases in their disposal fees. He also stated they reserved the right to adjust all fees and/or cease the roll-off service to municipal transfer stations beginning July 1, 2015.

It is the latter statement that causes me a concern. That means shutting down the town's transfer station, forcing users to either contract with private haulers or traveling with their trash to the agency's Kingston facility.

Obtain a copy. As you read it, study it, give it some thought. As a taxpayer, I, along with others would like to hear your opinion on this matter.

Marie Post
Saugerties

Recently, a sexual assault victim spoke with me about how frequently the media cover domestic and sexual violence stories in ways that are harmful to victims — victims in the specific cases being discussed, victims of similar crimes, and future victims who will decide whether they are strong enough to endure the harsh treatment we so generously dole out to victims who come forward. The media, often unintentionally, publicly humiliate and degrade sexual assault victims on a regular basis. Even if a victim is not specifically named, the media may provide enough details that make her identifiable. More information typically will be provided about the victim's behavior than about the perpetrator's behavior, which fails to hold the perpetrator responsible for the crime committed and blames the victim. Sometimes the media allows perpetrators, even those who admit guilt, to have a forum where they can essentially edit the crimes they've committed.

For sexual assault victims, media coverage often feels like being beaten by the school bully while everybody stands around watching but doing nothing to intervene. It's incredibly traumatizing. It's not right. Stop it. Just stop it.

Though we as a society tell sexual assault victims to report, our actions speak louder. Out of 100 rapes, only one or two result in the rapist's conviction and incarceration. If victims cannot count on justice and know they risk attacks in the media, how many will risk reporting? Not many. If we really want to end sexual assault, then we all need to hold perpetrators accountable and make it safe for victims to come forward. We do that by focusing on perpetrator behavior and protecting victims from additional harm.

Joanne Zannoni, Executive Director
New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Albany

NYPIRG recently released the list of Andrew Cuomo's contributors. It is a list of the one percent of the one percent, and it's not limited to New Yorkers. The contributors include two Paulsons along with names like Blavatnik, Rockefeller, LeFrak, and Burkle. The list of $40,000 contributors is long, and it includes many Forbes 400 hedge fund and real estate tycoons. What are these donors expecting from Cuomo?

Cuomo was intimately involved in the etiology of the banking collapse of 2008 through his subprime mortgage mandate. Many of his donors directly benefited from the subprime bubble. Sleep well at night knowing that your vote for Andrew Cuomo will take care of the needs of Laurence Rockefeller and Henry Paulson, for we must support them — Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic Party said so.

Mitchell Langbert, Ph.D.
Olivebridge

Are we going to get a casino here? Do we really need one? Will it really help this town? Or will it ruin our quaint little town?

There has been a lot of talk about these topics and I have heard many sides of this debate, mostly for it. Here is my opinion: With all the many issues we hear about a casino coming to Ellenville I am going to touch on the good things I have not heard that much about.

Don't you think that with over 2,000 full time employees moving to this area to work the Nevele Resort Casino and Spa, whether it is locally or in surrounding areas, will make a difference? These families will need a place to shop for clothes, shop for gifts, shop for food, eat at restaurants, buy gas, go to doctors, dentists, pharmacies, relax at the great theater we have, attend school, buy houses, rent homes, buy cars, have their cars repaired at auto service centers, buy supplies at the hardware stores or the lumber yard? Are you getting the picture?

Jobs mean money to spend locally so existing stores and shops will start to make money to keep their doors open. New business will come, new restaurants will open all hiring more employees and maybe doctors will want to move here with their families. More money being spent here will bring in more tax dollars. More homes being occupied will bring in more taxes for the town and there will be less unemployed. With more families there will be more students in our schools, we will also need more teachers so those persons will come to Ellenville for employment... other than Nevele Resort and Casino employment. The new stores that will open will need to hire more staff to run them. We will need more police which means again, more jobs available and where will these persons live? Ellenville! So more housing will be needed. Look at how many vacant homes there are, how many homes are for sale. These homes will need to be fixed up which means more jobs again.

If the Nevele does not get voted in this fall more businesses will close up, there will be more vacant homes as more people move and this town will slowly die.

Do we need a casino in Ellenville? You tell me.

The Nevele Resort Casino and Spa needs your support so everyone wins.

Greg Black
Ellenville

I am writing to encourage the voters in the Town of Rosendale to vote for the Democratic nominee John Hughes for Town Council on November 4. The reason is straightforward: we need a Town Council Member who will truly represent the interests of the people of Rosendale. John Hughes is a man of integrity, honesty, compassion and independent thinking. I have known John for 15 of the 26 years he has lived in Bloomington. I have worked with him for several years on the Rosendale Democratic Committee. I am so grateful that a person with his approach and attitude towards people and issues is willing to run to represent the people on the Rosendale Town Council. As a Main Street business owner I share John's belief that the future of Rosendale depends on maintaining its unique character and beauty. If you are interested in open, transparent, thoughtful, responsive, respectful and representative local government, please choose John Hughes for Town Council on November 4.

Stephanie Ellis
Tillson

We appreciate what you have done as County Executive for the Town of Wawarsing. The taking over of the Safety Net Program will save our tax payers over $400,000 per year and it will make it easier to keep our budget in compliance within the 1.54 percent property tax cap.

In addition, your recent County Budget, which includes taking over the election costs from all of the towns, is very much appreciated. You have done an outstanding job for our county and we appreciate your concern for the respective towns and villages. This means so much to all of us especially during these difficult economic times.

We on the town board appreciate your diligence in looking for ways to make Ulster County one of the best in New York State.

Mike, thanks again and we support all of the work you have done as our County Executive and your continued commitment to strengthen our local economy.

Leonard M. Distel, Supervisor
Town of Wawarsing

I have had the good fortune of knowing John Hughes for many years, and can attest to the wonderful community service he has provided as a fine and fun musician and as a caring contractor, often going out of his way to ensure handicapped access to events, and giving of his time to enhance the quality of life in Rosendale.

Recently I have had a chance to canvas with John, visiting voters. His commitment to our community is genuine. When he asks people about issues of concern, he really listens to their answers and begins to formulate solutions. He is smart, genuine and generous of spirit. We could not ask for a better person to serve on the Rosendale Town Board. John will bring the town together and help create a wonderful future. I hope the voters of Rosendale will CHOOSE HUGHES in this special election on Tuesday, November 4 at the Rec Center on Rt. 32. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Manna Jo Greene,
Ulster County Legislator
Cottekill

We are a predictable people living in a predictable country. Our predictability is our weakness and makes us vulnerable.

In order to win a war with ISIS or organizations like them, we need to think like them, act like them and remove our souls from our bodies and mentally become them. A mercenary army is needed to fight a mercenary type war. Dropping bombs on empty buildings is fruitless. They move before we bomb. They are organized around the world while we sit home and argue who should be our next governor or next president. Does it really matter when compared to the organization they have? We are repeating the same mistakes we made in Vietnam. We need to become them in order to defeat them.

Robert Aiello
Saugerties

I love the organic community, the energy people bring to it from diverse perspectives and its grassroots origins. It has been thrilling to watch the organic market grow and succeed — to see more and more products produced and handled according to the highest bar for our food supply.

I believe that the National Organic Coalition (NOC) is the most important advocacy group focusing on organic integrity, because we bring together many voices of organic stakeholders to both advocate and find solutions. I have had an amazing time working with NOC members as well as so many partners and allies within the organic community.

It has been an honor — and lots of fun — to have been a part of NOC's first decade of action, activism, and attention to what really matters in organic. It has been a privilege to have worked alongside some of the best minds that wrote the law, fought for the regulations, and continue to work to maintain and improve organic rules and processes.

As much fun as I have had, and as much satisfaction as this role has offered me, I have decided to step down from being Executive Director of NOC, as of January 2015, to work on local and regional projects related to organic food and policy. I still plan to continue being involved in national organic issues and look forward to working with NOC on special projects.

NOC will certainly continue its unique role as being a strong voice of organic farmers, food producers, consumers, and environmental groups working to maintain and promote the high integrity of organic food and agriculture. NOC will also continue to work collaboratively to offer positive solutions to many of society's big challenges.

NOC has begun a national search for a new director. Steve Etka (Policy Director) and Lea Kone (Assistant Director) will continue their good work and provide continuity through this transition, along with NOC's Executive Committee. Please spread the word to your networks and help us to find outstanding candidates for our next director!

Sincerely,
Liana Hoodes, Executive Director
National Organic Coalition