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4 The Altamont Enterprise – Thursday, September 27, 2012 The Enterprise opinion pages are an open forum for our community. We encourage readers to express their thoughts about issues that appear in this newpaper or affect the community. Letters should be brief (with an outside limit of 1,000 words) and must include the writer’s address, name, and phone number for verification. The editors may reject letters that have been printed elsewhere. Letters concerning elections will be cut off one issue before the election at the editor’s discretion. No unsigned letters. Deadline for letters is Tuesday at noon. To the editor — Photo by Amy Lauterbach Pokorny Terrice Bassler displays some of her pottery, and pottery made by Amy Atkins, at the Palmer House Café in Rensselaerville as part of the Discover the Hilltowns: Farms and Artisans Tour. I support the Voorheesville Public Library but have concerns about the new building plans To the Editor: What do we need The library board has been doing a tremendous and thorough amount of planning for the past five years, trying to find the right combination of site location, building size and style, and last but not least the cost. I know the cost means everything when considering what we get for the dollar, but it can mean more to some taxpayers for different reasons. More detail about this later. First, let’s compare where we are now to where we are going. We have a library that is paid for and some extra acreage that was purchased and is now paid for. The plan was to expand the existing library or build a new library on the purchased acreage. Many of the people I have discussed this with seem to think updating and maintaining the existing building and then adding on to it would be far less expensive. I know that the committee says the existing structure is not constructed well enough to allow additions, but I believe that may mean a second story. Something to think about Second, let’s consider this community-center talk. It would be great to have a facility of the planned size available for large gatherings that groups could rent for their own purpose or maybe the library could offer seminars, meetings, speakers, music, etc. Somehow, community center to me means a larger area that would also have more tax base to support it. On that subject, does everyone know that the library is solely supported by the taxpayers of the Voorheesville Central School district Since there are fewer than 3,000 taxpayers in the district, it all adds up to large increases on the tax bill. Of course, there are many more voters than that, considering a possibility of several eligible voters per tax parcel. While on the subject, let’s talk about cost. The library board says we would see an increase of $124 for a home valued at $200,000. I guess you can figure how that would impact your tax bill. The library budget for the past nine years has increased an average of 5.96 percent. With a new larger library, the operating budget will need a substantial increase. In these times of a weak economy and no signs of improving, We need to watch our own budget. In summary, make sure to attend one of the three public presentations; ask lots of questions, especially about the cost per taxpayer. Also be sure to vote when that time comes, because we will live with the consequences for many years. All budget increases are compounded. Public meeting dates are: Oct. 4, in the performing arts center at the high school at 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 at the library at 7 p.m.; and Nov. 11 at the library at 4 p.m. I do really support the library and use it myself. I also think the staff and board work hard and deserve a lot of credit. Irving Mosher New Scotland The Old Men of the Mountain Parched earth needs a slow, steady rain — Photo by Amy Lauterbach Pokorny Sara Luhrman gives tourists a peek at their laying hens at Fox Creek Farm. Meanwhile, her husband, Raymond, described how his solar panels and windmill provide power to operate a walk-in cooler for his fresh produce. Farmers, tourists and organizers – thanks for supporting Hilltown tour To the Editor: I would like to say thank-you to everyone who participated in the second annual “Discover the Hilltowns: Farms and Artisans Tour” on September 15 and 16: — The farmers, artisans and other contributors (and their families!) who opened their doors to the public; — The “tourists” who came out to support our great variety of wonderful destinations along the way; and — The Helderberg Hilltowns Association folks who helped make this fun and worthwhile event happen. Many thanks to all for making this year’s self guided driving tour of the Hilltowns a fabulous success! Amy Lauterbach Pokorny Chair Farms and Artisans Tour Secretary Helderberg Hilltowns Association By John R. Williams The Old Men of the Mountain’s marching orders were to Mrs. K’s Restaurant in Middleburgh on Tuesday, Sept. 18, and foul weather caught up with the OFs, but we need this weather. Not the OFs — they need a lot more than foul weather to catch up to them, but we need rain for the parched ground of our locality. The sages of the group say that, if we get driving rains with the ground as hard as it is, it will just run off. Anything will be of some benefit these same sages say, but it won’t be as good right now as three days of a slow drizzle. This, the OFs say, will soften the ground and the water will sink into where it is needed, including the wells that have gone dry. All the OFs nodded their heads in agreement and added their two cents because the conversation was a discussion on what most of the OFs (Old Farmers) knew. The discussion continued on to not only how dry it is on the Hill, but the OFs suppose in many other places — like half the country. Some OGs were talking about their gardens and digging down to harvest or plant trees, and they were getting dust at 20 to 24 inches down. That is dry. The same conversation on weather and gardening turned to the specific planting of tomatoes. According to the OFs, they either have them in abundance or not at all. One OF said that his are great and of good size but seem to have scars on them, and another one said he can’t tell because the deer ate them all, and with another it was woodchucks. One OF said all his are volunteer tomatoes and another said he had 55 percent volunteer, and 50 percent were planted. (Volunteer tomatoes are the ones that come up by themselves from last year’s crop). It seems, though, that by the OF reckoning there are enough tomatoes among them to go around. Homegrown food and homegrown advice Then what continued was a discussion on farmers’ markets and there are a few on the Hill, and in the valley of Schoharie where, according to the school song, history tells a tale. The Hilltown markets are basically homegrown produce and the OFs take advantage of these markets and in the fall make use of them to get their corn, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, beets, and items like that. Most are so fresh that they are still covered with dirt, and the corn might still have the morning dew on it. Many OFs see people take a nice ear of corn and peel it back and, if there is a corn borer at the top, they put the ear back, or throw it away. That little worm does not affect the corn — just whack off the little piece on the top where the borer is and put the rest in the pot. When discarding that ear of corn (because of the corn borer) the OFs say that ear may be the best one of the lot. Some people cook the corn with the husk on in the microwave, which the OFs say is the best way to do it — that little borer will get cooked to a frazzle. The OFs say, go ahead and eat the whole ear and get a little protein with your starch. Settling What fit in nicely, and followed this discussion on food and its preparation (you guessed it) the OFs started talking about buying clothes and how many of them are in a class called “portly.” The OFs are portly because, just like glass, we are not a solid and, as we OFs age, we settle. What once was a large manly chest is now a (well still in the male gender) gut. What used to be muscle on the arm has now got a little swing of flab to it so the OFs have to purchase clothes that are the same style but of a different cut. The OF’s mature — really mature — figure requires this fuller cut. Slim is out, regular is out, portly is OK; thank goodness none of the OFs need the fat size. There are some OFs, though, who are of the big-andtall gents sizes. Vagaries of sharing a vehicle At the breakfast, the OFs start filing in anywhere from around 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. On this particular morning, an OF showed up without his normal counterpart. After this OF sat and joined the group, he was asked, “Where is your traveling buddy, is he OK” The OF answered that his traveling buddy called and asked, “Whose turn is it to drive” The OF said, “It’s my turn.” Then the traveling buddy said, “OK, then I’m not going!” Well now that should tell you a lot. Talk about taking the wind out of your sails. No one ever said the OFs are subtle. Those OFs that made it to Mrs. K’s Restaurant in the middle of Middleburgh and came no matter who was driving were: Harold Guest, Mark Traver, Glenn Patterson, Robie Osterman, John Rossmann, Miner Stevens, Steve Kelly, Bill Bartholomew, Art Frament, Bob Benac, Frank Pauli, Don Wood, Carl Slater, Dave Williams, and guest Bill Williams, Duane Wagenbaugh, Bob Ssome, Joe Loubier, Don Moser, Lou Schenck, Gary Porter, Mace Porter, Jack Norray, Carl Walls, Gerry Chartier, Mike Willsey, Harold Grippen, and me. At this breakfast a few more of the OFs said their goodbyes until next year as they flew the coop for warmer winter climes.
The Altamont Enterprise – Thursday, September 27, 2012 5 The Enterprise opinion pages are an open forum for our community. We encourage readers to express their thoughts about issues that appear in this newpaper or affect the community. Letters should be brief (with an outside limit of 1,000 words) and must include the writer’s address, name, and phone number for verification. The editors may reject letters that have been printed elsewhere. Letters concerning elections will be cut off one issue before the election at the editor’s discretion. No unsigned letters. Deadline for letters is Tuesday at noon. To the editor Town may have been pressured into firing assessor for doing his job To the Editor: This is related to the letter printed in the July 26, 2012 issue of The Enterprise in which Mr. Steve Balogh uses the terns “petty politics,” “ongoing dispute,” “taxpayer costs,” and “truth” [reacting to the July 19 story, “Fired assessor sues Guilderland.”] May I suggest that the town officials are not interested in taxpayer costs or truth and may have been pressured into firing the assessor for doing his job Realistically, he may have appraised property of an influential wealthy developer in a fair and equitable manner, which is not always healthy, especially when dealing with issues, which may become political. We may never know. Realistically, do most taxpayers really care I do not think so. To the Editor: Despite, or was it due to, the stormy weather on Saturday evening, the Berne Senior Center was a-buzz with activity. Some 140 people enjoyed a homemade lasagna dinner, laughed and chatted with neighbors, and took chances on 22 cakes made from scratch in Berne’s first-ever cakewalk. All came out in support of the new library and had fun doing it. We are grateful to all of you who made this event a success: the lasagna-makers; the volunteers who made sure that everybody was served; the 22 bakers who donated cakes; Stewart’s, which The idea that we will ever know the real truth is not realistic unless a lot of money is available to the plaintiff for necessary litigation and/or a major change takes place in town government. Personally, I have been trying to force town government to enforce state and town environmental laws, which have been violated continuously over the past several years. These violations not only affect our property and daily lives but also affect all citizens who are dependent on the Watervliet Reservoir. The actual cost to taxpayers because of the destruction of property, erosion control, reservoir contamination, etc. will probably never be known, but who really cares about what is going on in the real world until it affects their pocketbook or health and then it is too late. 140 enjoyed lasagna dinner Berne Library a third of the way to having needed funds for furnishings donated ice cream for the event; and those who came to eat and participate in the cakewalk. Thanks to all of you, we are now a third of the way towards reaching our goal to raise $30,000 to furnish the new library. Our next event is a Vendor Fair at the Berne Senior Center on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon — just in time for those who like to do their Christmas shopping early. The library is moving to the former St. Bernadette’s Church, located directly across from the school. Thus it will be able to serve the students of the Berne- Knox-Westerlo School District better. Earl MacIntosh Sr. Guilderland Editor’s note: In 2007, Earl MacIntosh appeared in front of the Guilderland Planning Board to say he thought Joseph Lucarelli should not be allowed to build on land that was zoned for agriculture. MacIntosh argued that stormwater was flowing from Lucarelli’s property into the Watervliet Reservoir and said that Lucarelli had filled in wetlands. An engineer from a firm in Schenectady told MacIntosh that the land had not been filled in, and, in fact, nothing had been done to the land since the 1980s. The planning board gave Lucarelli’s project approval. For the full story, go to www. altamontenterprise.com, under the Guilderland archives, for Nov. 1, 2007. We are eager to see the Berne Library become a more useable, comfortable, and pleasant place for book and media borrowing, computer use, research, children’s story hour, book talks for all ages, and community programs. With your continued support, either through participation in our events or through a direct donation (see the Friends page of the library at www.bernepubliclibrary.org) we will be well on the way to reaching our goal. Gayle Burgess, Treasurer Friends of the Berne Library Thanks for local support of monthly community meal Four years ago, Americans voted emotionally without thought or research To the Editor: “What fools we mortals be”: That is a quote from decades ago, and I don’t remember who or where. In any case, it applies to today’s society as much as it did then, if not more so. Four years ago, the majority of this country voted for the leadership we have today, because they were dissatisfied with the “ins.” They wanted them out. I think I agree, at least to a degree. The error, in my opinion, they voted emotionally without thought or research. They voted for rhetoric, snakeoil salesmanship and what was presented as a rosy future. We have gotten anything but. The concept of the Democratic Party has been hijacked by international and domestic political whores who have only one goal — the destruction of our constitutional form of government, as we know it. That, with the existing religious To the Editor: Thank you to the generous local businesses that support our Monday Meals Program at the First United Methodist Church in Voorheesville, including Smith’s Tavern and Greg’s Towing and Repair, Inc. The church offers a free eat-in monthly community lunch program from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Come join our community friends for good food, good conversation, and a place to meet friendly folks. Call me at 765-4206 if you have questions. Pat Klose-Hammond Voorheesville political bent of the Middle East if we permit it will lead to our demise. They have been waiting for years for the opportune time. Now they think they have it. Adolf Hitler tried on a different scale with his “Youth Movement over 70 years ago. But those were the days of Margaret Thacher, Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Harry Truman. Those were the days of strong men and women. Today is the day of many females and very few women and many males but very few men. That’s not to say a few are not trying, but right now they are fighting a losing battle. Taking the path of least resistance is a path to nowhere and that appears to be where we are heading. I hope not. George Pratt Altamont Paid Our People Make Energy Different 14 South Westcott Rd. Schenectady, NY 12306 (518) 357-2580 www.mirabito.com OFFERING YOU OPTIONS •Budget Cap Price Plans •Prepay Cap Price Plans •Prepay Fixed Price Plans Propane • Fuel Oil • Kerosene
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