Letters to the Editor 8-20-15

Board shouldn’t rush garage talk

Last Thursday night, after over a year of near silence, the North East Town Board all of a sudden now appears to be hell bent for election for a new highway garage site and also to move the Town Hall out of the community center to boot — a new item never discussed with the community before.

We definitely need a garage site the can serve the needs of our community, not only those of the moment, but for the future too. Having a Town Hall out of the village center and in the door yard of a highway garage does not sound desirable or practical.

As of Thursday’s meeting, there have been no plans shown, no budget and no discussion with the public about how they intend to use the property site they propose to purchase. Nevertheless, they are rushing to bang together the legal requirements to get a “yet to be formed” project proposal on the November election ballot.

It is obvious to any seasoned observer of government that the Town Board and its leadership are holding off to the last minute possible to bring the details of this matter to the attention of the public before a vote is made. Such action limits the opportunity for any public discussion and debate of this proposal before voters have to cast their ballots.

Along those lines, the Town Board has planned a special meeting on this matter at the town highway garage, on a Wednesday night, in the height of the summer vacation season, while the county fair is in full swing, to explain what they plan to give us.  Are they expecting to get anyone more to attend than the same municipal-official audience that showed up when they met at the garage last year?

The North East Town Board can and should do better by stopping their rush.  This matter can be discussed fully and placed on an election ballot at a later time.  The citizens of our community deserve good service from their elected representatives, better then they are receiving in this matter now.

David Sherman

Millerton village trustee

Millerton

Horses need shelter from the elements

Recently Help4Hooves, my equine therapy rescue and design project, has adopted two amazing horses from Salisbury on a trial basis by committing to care for them daily. If you have driven the back road to Route 7 from 44, you know who they are. The man who owns them cherishes the future of these animals. Some people have wondered about their situation, but I can assure you that Danny and Symphony are safe and nearly thriving. 

Right now we just need donations and ideas — money is good, also bridles, leads, hay and other horse needs that will help us to help another person by loving his horses. I am proud to say that with our greatest hoof care and some TLC they will fully thrive and run again. 

However, horses need shelter. Danny and Symphony have a temporary shelter now, but for the winter we are determined to find or develop a decent barn shelter. If everyone works together, then we can give them the best life possible. One thing people should know about horses or any animal is that they do not care about death. They just want to live happily and have a great life. That is all that matters to them. We need to keep the happiness they have given to us alive in their generous souls. 

In conclusion, these horses are joyful and have a life ahead of them. Help4Hooves wants to make a difference in their lives, as well as other people’s. You can find out more at www.thegoodbrain.org. You will see my video and read more about our project. Remember love is a strong thing. The bigger the heart and brain, the more love there to spread. 

Amber Flint

Rising freshman at
Housatonic Valley
Regional High School

Lakeville, Conn.

Hunting vs. trophy hunting

Although I find much of Peter Riva’s argument in his Aug. 6 column on hunting compelling, and a lot of it is spot on, I don’t agree with all of the assertions. 

Cleve Backster was able to measure the connection between living things, though he shows only stress-induced galvanic response (www.nytimes.com/news/the-lives-they-lived/
2013/12/21/cleve-backster). 

Consciousness has value in the terms addressed in the column ...  A bivalve is not self-aware in the same way a cow is. Yes, all life is alive, but so may be planet Earth — as the biggest living organism we ever encounter. So one should argue that a vegan who drinks bottled water is hurting both small and huge sentient beings directly and indirectly. 

If one takes anything away from the Backster Effect, it must be that intent matters. In his experiments, threatening a plant with intent in your heart to harm it as you are about to burn it with a lighter creates a “scream” in a measurable galvanic skin response. This effect will travel distance and if one measured a house plant or even yogurt in a fridge in the next room, a simultaneous galvanic reaction occurs. This thread that connects all life, from mammals to bacteria, does exist. If you threaten the plant without real intent nothing happens.

The next thing one takes away is the pre-action. The plant screams before you burn it. This implies the stress of “psychic” link pre-knowledge caused by intent is as bad as, or worse than, the action of killing or harming.

The effect is nullified by lack of intent, but also if one “speaks” to the thing and warns it. One example Backster cites is Native American ritualistic prayer. They need the deer and explain why before they hunt it or kill it. This intent, arguing the validity of the need, removed the stress of the harm caused, if for the greater good. The plant or the deer seems to volunteer its life as the Backster Effect is nullified, at least the scream anyway.

So my problem with the column isn’t that I don’t agree with much of it, it’s that it doesn’t address this underlying spiritual wholeness of being connected. All life is precious, but conscious awareness matters in this equation.

If we were to follow Native American tradition, all of the suffering caused by death would be averted to some degree, according to Backster’s experiments. That being said, the farming industry has created the most abhorrent and inhumane system of death and torture ever devised. The suffering of a cow or a chicken from a modern factory farming frame-of-reference is beyond calculation. However, the hunter shooting a deer has intent in his or her heart to respect that animal. We hate trophy hunters as a society at this point — but we also lump in the word “hunt” with that negative connotation for trophy hunting and the two are not comparable. 

J. Matthew Riva

New York City

Rail Trail crossing safety must be addressed

Next to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail on Sheffield Road in Amenia I notice that cars, etc., rarely use caution when approaching the trail. In fact, most whiz over with a honk. Certainly cyclists rarely dismount to cross and are not aware of the speed used by cars down the stretch to the trail. 

I was glad to hear that Dutchess County Legislator Michael Kelsey (R-25) is looking into sponsoring a bill to require a different situation. I hope the Rail Trail people are in on this. I vote Democratic but was pleased with his communication with his constituents. I am sorry for Kelsey’s recent trouble but do not think it has impacted his effectiveness. 

I hope you are able to help with this issue.

Alison Hale

Amenia

More people need to hear this story

This is in response to the letter to the editor by Barbara D. Lemmen. To Ms. Lemmen:

I hope that everyone will read your heartbreaking Aug. 13 letter to the editor in this newspaper, and will take the time now to tell it to friends and relatives, put it on Facebook, tell our radio station, etc. Only time can ease your pain. Talk to friends on the phone, online or wherever you can. Your sad story will remind us that nothing is permanent.

My 13-year-old “Colorado kid” granddaughter is active in every sport, including rock climbing, skiing and skateboarding. I worry, but know this is what she enjoys. Your tragedy could happen to any family at any moment, so thank you for reminding us. Your letter is truly heartbreaking, but reminds us to live in the moment.

Heather Kahler

Lakeville, Conn.