My take on assassination attempt

Veteran's Corner

This old veteran has flirted with death on a number of occasions during my life and I absolutely believe it was God’s will that kept me alive. There is no other earthly explanation. Why? I don’t know, perhaps to occupy my time these days helping those in need, supporting local organizations and a few incredible others nationally, embracing and protecting family and close friends or just writing these monthly articles to the delight or chagrin of you readers.

Reflecting, I put myself in former President Trump’s shoes after his attempted assassination. Why was he spared? The sloppy why, how, shoulda/woulda/coulda and ifs remain. I personally believe Trump was spared to save this nation from self-destruction.

Despite all the government, institutional, political, judicial and assassination attempts to bring him down he has stood strong. Why?

Trump is not a personable guy, far from it, though he sure knows a thing or two about leadership, foreign and domestic policy, national and border security, supporting our first responders, economic common sense and he loves this country. Simple — use your own home stored energy instead of buying it from our enemies thereby reducing price which in turn reduces all consumer prices, i.e., electricity, heating, driving, food, insurance, rent — just surviving. May common sense and concern for the welfare and future of this country prevail and guide all of us in making righteous and courageous decisions this November when we vote for our and our children’s futures. Respect differences of opinion and don’t allow politics destroy one single friendship. May this country persevere under freedom’s watch and may our children grow into adulthood proud of this country’s past and future.

This is the last time I’ll dabble in politics this year. Thank you for your patience and understanding but I love this country too much not to give it one last shot. God bless you patriotic readers and your families. Enjoy the rest of summer and embrace this coming fall.

Town of North East resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam veteran and a member of both the Millerton American Legion Post 178 and the VFW Post 6851 in North Canaan, Conn.

Latest News

Luigina A. Dzenutis

CANTON — Luigina A. Dzenutis, 91, of Canton, died peacefully on Jan. 16, 2025, in her home. She was the wife of the late Peter A. Dzenutis Sr.

Luigina was born in Bronx, New York, on May 17, 1933, the daughter of the late Jack and Medie (Tonelli) Grecco.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia approves pool at Troutbeck estate hotel

Troutbeck's sign at the intersection of Leedsville Road and Route 343 in Amenia.

Archive photo

AMENIA — Public hearings continued from the previous meeting concluded at the regular meeting of the Amenia Planning Board on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Having considered public comment, the board approved applications from Troutbeck for an indoor pool and from DaVinci Windows for a sign installation.

No public comment was heard in connection with the Troutbeck proposal to construct an outdoor pool as briefly described by project engineer Rich Rennia of Rennia Engineering of Dover Plains. The application is part of Phase 8 of Troutbeck’s adaptive reuse application, revised recently to reduce the environmental impact.

Keep ReadingShow less
Final grant of $675,000 awarded for Eddie Collins Memorial Park pool project
Eddie Collins Memorial Park in Millerton will the the site of a new community pool, with construction expected to begin by Spring 2025.
Archive photo

MILLERTON — Calling the ongoing revitalization of Eddie Collins Memorial Park “the largest project the village has taken on,” Mayor Jenn Najdek has disclosed additional funding has come through in support of its upgrade.

This past December, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation awarded the village a matching grant of up to $675,000 in support of the Eddie Collins Memorial Park Swimming Pool Project. With these monies, funding for Phase II of the project, which stems largely from a NY SWIMS capital grant, is now at $7.56 million.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pine Plains median home prices stay relatively steady at year's end

This 3 bedroom/2 bath renovated raised ranch at 7760 Main St. in Pine Plains sold for $590,000.

Photo by Christine Bates

PINE PLAINS — From August through November there were 14 sales in Pine Plains with only one on Lake Road selling for over a million dollars and two homes for over $500,000 — a midcentury modern in town closing for $590,000 and a historic house on 8.5 acres for $660,000.

Since September 2021 the median price for publicly listed properties in Pine Plains has hovered at around $350,000. Properties listed in mid-January include seven residences ranging in price from $150,000 to $8.95 million, six pieces of land and Harvest Homestead Farm on 343 acres with a fully functioning distillery formerly associated with 1930’s mobster Dutch Schultz.

Keep ReadingShow less