Mailbag

To The Editor:
I think that the commemorative issue of hurricane’s Irene and Lee in last week’s paper was wonderful. I did however notice that there was no article from or about the tireless efforts of the staffs of Belleayre Mountain or Boston Concession. Hence this letter.

The staffs of Belleayre Mountain and Boston Concession were an integral part of the disaster relief efforts. Many of these staff people postponed their own clean up efforts to be here on the mountain to help feed, cloth and comfort those of our community who needed help.

To The Editor:
When Hurricane Irene paid the area a visit last year, it devastated not only buildings and property, but also people’s lives. The Village of Margaretville was one of the areas that was hardest hit.
One of the major losses was Freshtown Marketplace. Recently bought from A&P, this market was completely renovated and made inviting. Locals, as well as weekenders, were able to do their marketing in this new “fresh” store. Unfortunately, Irene made that impossible. It took almost a year but Freshtown did reopen and the entire Village of Margaretville seemed to come alive.

To The Editor:
It was recently announced that the Swart Street bridge will not be rebuilt this season due to the high cost.  Why rebuild it at all, ever?  

The Swart Street bridge is not critical to vehicle traffic in Margaretville. A quick alternate is to take Orchard and Mountain to Swart.  Even going the long way from Swart and Walnut to Main to Academy and back down Swart to the bridge takes only one minute and 40 seconds at 25 mph.  

To The Editor:
The United States today is like a cruise ship on the Niagara River upstream of the most spectacular falls in North America. A few people on board have begun to pick up a slight hiss in the background, to observe a faint haze of mist in the air or on their glasses, to note that the river current seems to be running slightly faster, but no one yet seems to have realized that it is almost too late to head for shore.

To The Editor:
How does one express thanks when its deserves so much more?  
Last August the Village of Fleischmanns and surrounding area were ravaged by Hurricane Irene.  Our village had been working on restoration and revitalization with signs of progress.  In an instant, Hurricane Irene set us back so many steps that one didn’t know where to start up again.

To The Editor:
The combined efforts of the following organizations raised $3000 for the benefit of Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. Hospice touches almost all of us in one way or another, and is very deserving of our support. Having reached this wonderful goal, The Catskill Mtn. Cycling Club, Inc . gives a BIG thank you to the following “Tour de Pepacton” and “Float Yer Boat” committee members who gave so much time and energy insuring that these two events, “Tour de Pepacton” and the first “Float yer Boat” 5k walk/run went off without a hitch:

To The Editor:
As a lifelong Bovina resident, I find it appalling that people such as Brigid McGinn and Jill Powell, who own and operate Camp Move It, are representing our community in such a poor fashion.
I have read and have been told about McGinn and Powell’s passion for their camp, however, passion does not make up for what appears to be at best, incompetence or at worst, possible fraudulent practices. From bounced checks, to untold unpaid vendors, to unscrupulous employment practices – it is apparent these two ladies are in over their heads.

As I read the incredibly devastating article about Camp Move IT, I am inclined, as a 29 year camping professional, to weigh in on the matter and remind the readers not all camps are the same and most experiences from quality camping programs will be positive.

To The Editor:
The Catskill Mountain News and writer Brian Sweeney must be made aware that they have now participated not only in unjustly damaging the reputation of Camp Move IT™ but the Catskill Mountain News has also just validated the entitled, self righteous, needy and narcissistic swagger of a young generation that is clueless about the meaning of hard work, work ethic and respect for their employers.

To The Editor:
Now that the bridge is impassable, the people on lower Wagner Avenue in Fleischmanns have the choice of walking up the hill or going around Depot Street to reach the stores on Main Street.