Letters to the Editor 1-22-15

Not enough time to discuss noise

I found last week’s Millerton News article on the proposed town of North East Noise Ordinance rather curious. For one thing, as each speaker at the public hearing was only given five minutes, I did not have a chance to read my written statement in its entirety. As such, I focused only on the most significant points. While it makes for a sensational article, I never actually read the quotes I’m alleged to have read, a mistake which is understandable, as no one from the paper actually attended the meeting. 

What is omitted entirely from the article is any mention of the rational case I made in my statement (available in its entirety at the Town Hall), that the proposed law, as written, is facially unconstitutional, both on the grounds that it is impermissibly vague and impermissibly overbroad, that its definition of “unreasonable noise” (upon which the entire law is predicated) is logically invalid, and that the wording of the proposed law is so subjective that it renders its enforcement wide open to an enormous range of interpretation and is therefore prone to prejudicial discrimination. 

In fact, I even went so far as to cite pertinent case law, specifically the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska’s ruling in Langford v. City of Omaha, the Supreme Court of Virginia’s ruling in Tanner, et al. v. City of Virginia Beach, and the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division’s ruling in Hampsmire v. City of Santa Cruz, et al. In each of these higher court decisions, municipal noise ordinances were struck down in their entirety specifically because they contained wordings identical to that found in our proposed law, which these courts determined to be facially unconstitutional. It stands to reason that such a law, which would not possibly hold up to the scrutiny of the higher courts, should not be adopted as written.

While the Town Board’s intentions may be honorable, what our councilmen need to realize is that their own interpretation of the proposed law is not at issue here. They have a responsibility to the citizenry to scrutinize the wording of their legislation so that totalitarian interpretations thereof do not follow logically from the letter of the law. Sections 3A and 3B of the proposed ordinance explicitly leave the definition of what constitutes an offense completely open-ended. As such, arbitrary, selective, unequal and/or discriminatory enforcement of the ordinance would effectively be legalized, as per the wording therein. This is patently obvious to any objective analysis of the law as proposed. It should therefore come as no surprise that so numerous a contingent attended the public hearing, every last one of them demonstrably offended by the measure. The public should not have to explain to our elected officials why a sweeping, all-inclusive ban on any number of completely undefined actions, with only an insufficient handful of enumerated exemptions, is unacceptable. The anger and frustration of a few of the public hearing attendees is more than understandable.

Björn Michaud

Millerton

Beautiful concert at church

Members of the United Presbyterian Church of Amenia thank Heidi Johnson, musical director for the beautiful Christmas Concert held Dec. 21, at the church. The concert featured Will Carter on the 1761 Jardine Organ. They make a beautiful pair. 

The ecumenical chorus featured singers from throughout the Hudson Valley and Massachusetts. Concert members were Veronica Ganzhi, Eliza Goff, Danielle Gaherty, Lynda Wisdo, Liza Goldstone, Christine Solazzo, Jan Brooks, Lynda Clements, Diane Toigo, Judy Westfall, Bob Snyder and Niall Johnson. Soloists were Karen Gale, Sean Mikolinis, David Bisson and Bridget Donnelly. The UPC KIDS, a favorite of all, presented their rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Members included Heaven Pebbles, Devynne Gallagher, Landon Ackerman, Cecelia Lopez, Kaylee Wheeler and Thomas Wheeler.

The final song of the night, sung by all, was “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” in memory of member and friend Helen Cook.

Thanks again Heidi and all your helpers. 

Cathy Janus

Amenia

Bus trip was lots of fun

On Dec. 11, I went on a bus trip put on by town of Amenia Recreation Commission for senior citizens. We attended a Christmas dinner at Bulls Bridge Inn in Kent, Conn. The trip was arranged by Evelyn O’Connell, who is on the Recreation Commission, and Charlene Pollinger, who is a volunteer. 

Delicious goody bags of candy were placed at each plate by them along with a beautiful poinsettia on each table. We all placed our names in a cup to be drawn after dinner. The winner took home a plant. The food was delicious and plentiful. 

We had a fun group of seniors. Among them a wonderful singer who led us in Christmas carols and other songs on the bus. Thank you Amenia Recreation and particularly Evelyn and Charlene. I hope more fun trips are being planned for the future.

Joyce Rebillard

Amenia

Breakfast helps fire department

On Sunday, Jan. 18, the Amenia Fire Company held its monthly pancake breakfast. We were pleased to have a crowd of 174 people in attendance to enjoy a hearty meal.

We rely on the breakfast to raise much-needed money for general operations and we always appreciate the  support of the community throughout the year. Thanks to all who attended our meal, and we hope to see everyone for the next one on Sunday, Feb. 15.

Andy Murphy, on behalf of the Breakfast Committee, Amenia Fire Co., and Auxiliary

Amenia