Will justice be served in Mamakating?

The River Reporter’s recent editorial lamenting the outrageously lenient “plea deal” between the feds and N. Nakdimen regarding voter fraud in Mamakating is well stated, and the same wimpy “justice” probably awaits Shalom Lamm, the admitted leader of the fraud. But what about penalties for others who were bribed to conspire in the voter fraud scheme—including any phony “residents” paid to maliciously maintain they were legit voters and were not?

Voter fraud directly undermines the democratic process. Congress now pursues those possibilities nationally. Are the weary (yet  persistent) people of Mamakating not to be given some measure of justice by more perps brought to account? And while the wheels of justice churn slowly, how about the Sullivan County Legislature revisiting that suspicious voter settlement case that may have snookered the whole county? Just asking.   

Bill Duncan 

Woodbourne, NY

Letter on climate change from Lacawac

[The below letter was sent to the friends and supporters of the Lacawac Sanctuary in Lake Ariel, PA.]

The President of the United States’ decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Accord marks a step backward in the effort to address and fight global climate change.

I write today to affirm to our supporters and friends that Lacawac Sanctuary Field Station and Environmental Education Center continues our research to understand environmental processes and their impacts, because climate change has the potential to disrupt ecosystems around the world. It is because of your support that we can continue to conduct research on climate issues and communicate this knowledge to the general public. 

Our mission is to promote research, education, and the preservation of sensitive ecosystems. For 50 years, our research has supported in one voice with other scientists around the globe that the earth is warming and climates are changing at an unprecedented rate. Lacawac is committed to fulfilling our mission and helping address Earth’s environmental challenges.

All the best, and here is to a better, healthier planet!

Craig Lukatch, President

Lacawac Sanctuary,

Lake Ariel, PA