Letters to the Editor - The Millerton News - 10-22-20

State Senate candidate Karen Smythe will be a ‘true ally’ in Albany

One of the more moving things I’ve seen in quite a while was the field of flags the Stanford firehouse erected on a hillside, representing the people and first responders who died on 9-11-2001. They took a long time figuring out how to arrange the flags, they said, and how to pay special tribute to their brethren who perished saving others.

I was alerted to this temporary monument (it lasted only two weeks)  by an email from Karen Smythe’s campaign. It contained a photo of Stanford’s memorial. Off to one side Karen was standing respectfully, solemnly, absorbing the scene. Her back was to the camera, but I recognized her characteristic outfit — blue jacket, dark slacks — and especially her concentration.

Karen Smythe is running for the New York State Senate, District 41, and we need more people like her in office. She’s a business person, a marketing executive, and also an owner/manager of a thriving Dutchess County HVAC company. This tells you a few things. First, she knows how to pay attention to customers, and in fact she is a terrific listener, and good at putting herself in your shoes. Second, Karen knows how to get things done efficiently, yet in a way that involves everyone. Third, Karen just plain works hard.

Our town has real needs: a village wastewater system, universal affordable broadband and upgrades to Eddie Collins Park.  Soon we’ll need parking for the Rail Trail, chargers for electric vehicles and affordable housing so our teachers and students can continue to live here.

With Karen Smythe, we’ll have a true ally in the State Senate. She understands rural places like ours and the real issues. A vote for Karen Smythe is a vote for our future and the future of other small communities like ours.

Tom Parrett

Millerton

About that Biden sign: 

Thanks Millerton News, for taking note of the vandalism of our Biden sign. A few things: it was actually my husband Ken’s idea — I only built it. Neighbors have been uniformly upset by its destruction, regardless of their political persuasion. And since then, the Amenia Democratic Committee’s sign at the intersection off routes 22 and 343, large and heavy, disappeared late one night. Desperate and sad actions in a democracy. Kind of brown-shirty.

So I agree with Ron Murphy that our opinions should be equally respected. But using that old Archie Bunker “love it or leave it” sentiment is hardly practicing what he preaches. It suggests that anyone seeking to make positive change in America should simply move to another country. That leaves him to define what is all right to protest, say, write about or think.  

Surely after three years of “fake news,” he should recognize that his president is advocating the same ideas. Ron indicts the “liberal media,” but doesn’t see how Fox News has been filling brains with right wing propaganda. There is nothing remotely good or patriotic about the Trump administration. You may choose to believe his endless lies, but that hardly makes you “American.”

Gullible maybe. And willing to deify a life-time con man, bully and egotist.

In fact, he’s a renunciation of everything the Republican Party once stood for (except for cutting taxes on billionaires and screwing working people). What happened to decency, tradition, family values, balanced budgets, thoughtful foreign policy, distrust of Russia and China, respect for troops and conserving the environment? Those have all been discarded by this leader, who won’t even commit to a peaceful transition of power. Mr. Murphy should read more history, since he doesn’t recognize all the warning signs of a despot.

Leo J. Blackman 

Wassaic 

Vote in favor of Prop 1

To fellow North East residents: We all want our political leaders to listen to our concerns and respond to our needs as a community. It seems that one way to have a shot at that kind of government is to support a system whereby public officials are elected not by a scheme to lump like-minded voters into a specific district but one where they compete fair and square in the marketplace of ideas in districts drawn by geography.

These are the thoughts I have in thinking about Proposition 1 on this year’s ballot.  The Proposition proposes that Dutchess County establish an independent commission to draw legislative districts. This seems like a very good idea. Let’s not leave it up to one political party or another to draw districts to suit its own ends. Let’s do this right and listen to all our eclectic voices and have our districts reflect them. Give EVERYONE a fair and honest shake.

I suggest that you vote Yes for Proposition 1.

Jennifer Dowley

Millerton

Headline was heartless

This is truly a letter to the editor, Whitney Joseph.

Getting the paper this week, your front page news heading made me furious. It was heartless. 

I know you must get buyers and grab attention. However this was not right. It was beyond cold. So I am rewriting it for you..... A fatal car accident robbed our hearts and community of a shining young light. 

I’m sure that would still get your buyers’ attention. I know a journalist must state the facts, perhaps more heart is needed in your paper along with those facts. 

Our entire community is grieving with this amazing family. That is what Millerton is about, heart and coming together for others. Sure wish that was more reflected in your “news story” for the week.  

My apologies to the family for having to see the paper this week. 

All my heart, 

Melissa Marcou

Millerton

As a veteran, I support Sue Serino for New York State Senate

I’m a veteran and a senior and nothing about this pandemic has been easy. I’m a social guy, used to people coming and going from my home that I’m fortunate to share with my daughter and her family. In a typical week, we get visitors almost every night, and I’ve never been dependent on anyone for anything. The lock down and the isolation it’s created hasn’t been easy and I just want to publicly thank State Senator Sue Serino (R-41) for always being there for guys like me and my family.

Last weekend, I attended the drive-thru senior event she held with the Office for the Aging and a drive-thru veterans appreciation dinner she put on with the great guys from Vet2Vet. I’ve been going to these events for years and I was so happy that Sue got creative to make them happen for us again this year, at a time when they were more important than ever.

While most people have been retreating into their homes, it’s clear that Sue has been out there every day helping to keep people safe and working for us. As a Korean War veteran, I spent a lot of years around politicians, and I know that most make a lot of promises they never seem to keep. 

Not Sue. She’s always there for us, no matter what challenges come up along the way.

That’s why I’ll be proud to vote for Sue again this year and I hope others will do the same.

Martin Kirwan

Wappingers Falls