veteran's corner

The good, the bad and the ugly

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to bring out the best in people. 

The Good: Politicians have mostly ceased their partisan bickering to unite and serve the American people.  We have a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that has pulled all the stops by attacking this virus as an invading enemy as well as supporting the welfare and health of those affected. We have organizations, businesses, first responders and citizens stepping up to the plate to ensure those in need and the most vulnerable are fed, cared for, transported and comforted. This is happening with military precision.  

The Bad:  Sensationalism, tragedy and death sells. This is not the time. Beware of the mostly dishonest media. Don’t get news overload.  Young people are community transmitters and should be careful, yet they persist on breaking guidelines as I would have probably done decades ago. Common sense should take priority over self indulgence. 

The Ugly: Price gouging and hoarding. Charging astronomical prices during a crisis is both illegal and sinful. Hoarding denies basic supplies to those in desperate need and is both selfish and greedy. This virus relies on human contact and the sharing of respiratory droplets to spread. Do your part. Follow the CDC guidelines — if not for yourself then to spare the lives of the vulnerable. 

This will pass and perhaps make us a better nation. I spent 10 months in the West Pacific aboard an aircraft carrier staring upon hundreds upon unending hundreds of miles of open sea. My mind acknowledged that it would eventually end with better days ahead. Keep the faith, readers. This, too, will pass. We are a very tough and resilient nation. United we stand, divided we fall. Your choice. 

God bless you, readers, and your families. Stay safe and healthy. Till next time, farewell.

 

Millerton resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam veteran and member of both the Millerton American Legion Post 178 and the VFW Couch Pipa Post in North Canaan, Conn.

veteran's corner
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Millerton Police Dept. rebuilds after fire; new cruisers on the way

Millerton Police Dept. rebuilds after fire; new cruisers on the way

The borrowed Pine Plains cruiser parked on Main Street in front of the Millerton Inn during the Millerton Street Fair on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissy

MILLERTON — After receiving substantial state grant funding in July 2024 and beginning to roll out new equipment that fall, the Millerton Police Department suffered a setback when the February fire at the Village Water and Highway Department building destroyed much of its newly acquired gear — including patrol vehicles outfitted with cutting-edge technology.

Thanks to full-value insurance coverage and swift support from the Town of Pine Plains — which loaned the department a vehicle — Millerton officers were able to remain active in the community. Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik said two custom-built, four-wheel-drive Ford Interceptor cruisers are now in production and are expected to arrive by the end of the summer.

Keep ReadingShow less

Uncertainty looms over Millerton community pool timeline

Uncertainty looms over Millerton community pool timeline

Groundbreaking of the new pool planned for Eddie Collins Park has been delayed after the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation intervened to determine the status of wetlands in the proposed building site.

Archive photo

MILLERTON — The long-awaited groundbreaking for a new community pool at Eddie Collins Memorial Park — once expected this past April — now faces significant delays with no definitive timeline in sight, Mayor Jenn Najdek said.

The primary setback stems from a still-pending permitting process, as the village awaits final approvals from the Dutchess County Board of Health and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding septic placement and wetland buffers. A patch of wetlands on the site — roughly five feet by five feet, Najdek said — requires a protective buffer, which could range anywhere from 5 to 100 feet. That determination will dictate whether the current pool design needs to be altered or moved altogether.

Keep ReadingShow less

North East town records brought into the digital age

North East town records brought into the digital age

Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

Photo by Grace DeMarco

MILLERTON — Within the walls of the two-story Victorian housing the North East Town Hall lies a room-full of town records dating back to the late 19th century. Stored in labeled cardboard boxes and protected by dehumidifiers, the records are in the process of being dated, organized, and scanned into categorized online programs.

As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

Keep ReadingShow less

Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Nora Garcia, 6, of Millerton, bottom right, gets a face painting treatment from Maddy Rowe, a Webutuck High School senior. Nora’s sister, Juliana, 8, top right, is decorated by Giana Kall, a Webutuck senior. The program was sponsored by the Webutuck PTA.

Photo by John Coston

Locals and visitors packed into downtown Millerton Saturday, June 28, for the first ever Millerton Street Fair hosted by the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and Townscape. Representatives from local nonprofits, businesses along Main Street, Bee Bee the Clown and face painters from Webutuck High School drew in crowds all afternoon.

Festivities officially opened at 10 a.m., and a steady stream of visitors soon followed. Volunteer firefighters hosted a bouncy castle, a duck pool, a “put out the fire” ring toss game, and the “touch a truck” event at the fire department’s garage.

Keep ReadingShow less