Haas recusal raises questions

Questions remain about Highland Supervisor Jeff Haas’ recusal last week. I’d like to know what relative was hired, when that relative was hired, and whether Haas had any conversations with Millennium about said hiring. While the local papers positioned his recusal as an act of precaution and fair governance, I think some people are wondering if there isn’t more to the story.

Chuck Petersheim

Eldred, NY

How about ‘swap shacks’ at the transfer stations?

It has come to my attention that many small communities like ours (maybe some a little more progressive) have what is known as “swap shacks” at their local transfer stations. This not only gives some items that may still have some use in them, like say building materials, doors, windows, furniture, plates, etc., a new life, but also cuts down on landfill use—especially in this day and age when it is clear that we can’t keep on filling landfills.

C. Kerrigan

Barryville, NY

A good day for democracy

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the majority of the Sullivan County Legislature who voted to confirm me as the Democratic Party’s choice for the Sullivan County Board of Elections Commissioner on March 18. I would also like to thank everyone who took the time to attend the confirmation hearing, sent letters to the editor and emails of support, and participated in the Sullivan County Democratic Committee’s election on March 2.

This process has reconfirmed for me that each and every vote is important in determining the outcome of any election.

Now we can turn our full attention to the larger stage of U.S. congressional primaries, presidential primaries and the general election in November.

It is my sincere wish that everyone who is registered will exercise their precious right to vote.

We live in a democracy, and as fragile as that democracy may seem sometimes, it is strengthened when we do our part and vote in whatever way our conscience guides us.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.

Cora Edwards

Democratic Commissioner for the Sullivan County Board of Elections

Swan Lake, NY

RSVP needs volunteers

One of the obstacles to health care in Sullivan County is the lack of public transportation. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) works to alleviate that problem. Our volunteers drive county seniors without any means of transportation to medical appointments they would otherwise be unable to make.

Unfortunately, we have a severe shortage of drivers and are forced to turn away requests for help every day. Volunteers are reimbursed mileage and provided insurance. Our passengers are mobile and very grateful. Are you over 55 years of age? Do you have one hour a week of free time? One hour a month? One hour every other month? Take a small, but important, step to help your neighbor and Sullivan County toward better health. Please call Caryn Mathews, RSVP coordinator, at 845/807-0251 or email Caryn.mathews@co.Sullivan.ny.us with any questions or, we sincerely hope, to volunteer.

Marcia M. Salton

RSVP Advisory Board Member

White Lake, NY

Megalomaniac or innovator?

I noticed, soon after moving to Narrowsburg from Long Island many years ago, that many accidents in the area were apparently caused by complacency. For instance, say a driver uses the same road for years and years and nothing bad happens to him (say a deer never runs in front of his car) as he speeds along, then one day a deer does run in front of his car. He slams on the brakes, cuts the wheel and crashes off the road. He’d become complacent, and thus was susceptible to an out-of-the-norm event.

Same with politics. People get used to traditional politics. They become complacent—then someone comes along who steps outside the box and plays by a new set of rules (his own). He’s denounced by many (but not all) because he’s not what they’re used to.

Then the media put a spin on it, because sensationalism sells newspapers and TV reports. People who don’t follow with an open mind are liable to believe certain implications that are not true.

Endorsing a megalomaniac TV star for president shows poor judgment, according to Nick Troiano in his My View in the March 10 River Reporter. Huh? Maybe not “Megalomaniacal,” but I remember Ronald Reagan. “Tear down that wall!”

Playing by different rules and thinking outside the box isn’t necessarily bad. That’s what started America. Muhammad Ali, Elvis, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, various sports figures and military, religious and political figures became top in their field that way. “Different” doesn’t necessarily mean “bad;” it just might mean the opposite.

Philip Yacino Jr.

Narrowsburg, NY