Letters to the editor - January 16, 2014

 Relieved by court decision

 It has been a wonderful start to the new year for The Watershed Center. Late Monday, Jan. 6, we learned that the ZBA decision granting us an Educational Center special use permit was upheld by the State Supreme Court and on Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Planning Board closed the public hearing on our site plan and directed its attorney to draft a resolution of approval for consideration at its next meeting on Jan. 22.

 Supreme Court Justice Sproat upheld the North East Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision that The Watershed Center is an educational center under our zoning law. We have contended this was the case since we began our approval process in May of 2012 and were confident the court would agree.

 The approval process has enabled us to get to know and work with our town’s building department, Town Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board.  We have been continually impressed with the even-handed, diligent and thorough consideration each has given to our application.

 We especially commend the Zoning Board of Appeals — led by its extraordinary chair, Julie Schroeder — for its comprehensive review of our application, its incredible patience with the many irrelevant issues that the opposition urged upon it and the superb job it, with the guidance of its special counsel George Rodenhausen, did in crafting a very thorough decision. The quality of its work was confirmed by the fact that it took the court fewer than 10 business days from full submission to render its decision. 

 It is our sincere hope that this ruling will demonstrate to the neighbor who brought the lawsuit that our center has a right to exist and it is time to work towards building a relationship that is neighborly and not adversarial. We remain, as ever, open to dialogue.

 We would like to also take this opportunity to thank everyone in the community who has come to support us throughout this lengthy and trying process, many of whom we did not even know when we began this journey nearly two years ago. Furthermore, we would like to thank our team of Edward Downey of Downey, Haab & Murphy, John Lyons of Grant & Lyons and Richard Rennia of Rennia Engineering Design for their efforts and guidance throughout this process. We simply could not have done it without you.

Wishing our community and the entire town of North East a vibrant and prosperous 2014. 

 Brooke Lehman and Gregg Osofsky

 North East, N.Y.

 Not expecting the ATM machine

I was stunned the other day to drive up to the “lanes” at the Salisbury Bank and Trust in Lakeville expecting to pull up to the window where Kim is usually waiting to greet me only to be confronted with what I at first thought must be some sort of hallucination! 

Gone is the window that, let’s be honest, was an open and welcoming portal to the bank where one could get a dog biscuit (if one had a dog, presumably) and interface personally with a teller and conduct business all whilst sitting in one’s own car. What a marvel this was. 

Was, because now it is gone, erased, and in its place sits the plastic and metal ATM machine forever erecting a barrier between the customer and the bank with its blank face and cold, mechanical presence. 

One feels that after first the loss of the mailed statements a few months back and now this latest seemingly uncaring decision to remove this feature from the bank, that SB&T is pushing its depositors away and keeping them at arm’s length. I cannot be the only person who feels this way. 

Why was this done? What purpose does it serve? And why were we, the customers, never informed of it? If some email went out at some point that I missed, then my bad on this part of things, but no one that I know and speak to had heard anything either.

Indeed, most people were disbelieving when I first told them about my encounter with the new setup, and once they accepted what I was telling them as fact they were incredulous. I know a few will stop in and make their displeasure known, though I doubt that will change things in the end. This is a fait accompli, and the only thing to decide now is whether or not it’s a good enough reason to bank elsewhere. I remain undecided.

 Eric Korbel

 Lakeville

 Amazing historical society year

As this amazing year for the Kent Historical Society (KHS) draws to a close, I would like to thank every one of you who pitched in to help make it happen.

We held four exhibits at 7H, all of which required many volunteer greeters at Seven Hearths as well as people willing to loan us their treasured GLN paintings for the final exhibit; had two fundraisers at the Fife ’n Drum, both of which drew record numbers of supporters and donors; published an updated version of “New Life for Old Timber,” entitled “George Laurence Nelson — Painting A Picture of His Life,” and sponsored two kids summer programs at Seven Hearths which made us a number of new, younger friends!

In addition to these major events, we had your support throughout the year with smaller efforts that are no less appreciated. You helped fix the plumbing at Seven Hearths, found hardware for the Art Barn, donated items to our ever-growing collection, attended our lectures, volunteered your time with various projects at the office and made other more quiet, behind-the-scenes efforts. And many of you joined the KHS for the first time! We hope that you’ll like what you find and will stay with us. A full list of names of volunteers, donors, supporters and members will appear in our next newsletter.

We would like to thank the businesses, schools and other organizations that worked with us this year to make all of our events so successful. First and foremost is the Fife ’n Drum (Elissa Potts worked tirelessly to create and carry out both fundraisers there); also the teachers and students at all the local schools; Kent Memorial Library; Kent Greenhouse; Kent Art Association; Eric Sloane Museum; Mattatuck Museum; town of Kent; NM Watson Wild Bird Supply; Kent Wine and Spirit and many more — this list is still a work in progress!

And last but far from least, I would like to personally thank the hardworking board members of the KHS. They have accomplished an extraordinary amount in 2013, including opening the Art Barn, beginning some long-overdue preservation work on Seven Hearths, holding two George Laurence Nelson fundraisers, working on a new Long Range Strategic Plan and resurrecting several dormant committees. They are able to do this because of your support and enthusiasm! You make us want to be the best that we can be. Thank you all for an extraordinary year.

 Marge Smith

 Executive Director, KHS

 Kent 

 Breakfast for a good Claus

Thank you to everyone who attended Pancakes with Santa. The event, which benefits Kent Community Nursery School, was a big success.

Pancakes with Santa celebrated its 17th anniversary this year and has become synonymous with Christmas in Kent. Our guests enjoyed a festive atmosphere with a delicious breakfast, fun crafts for the children, and of course, time with Santa.

 As the children sat on Santa’s lap discussing their Christmas wishes and parents snapped those memorable pictures, it was nice to look around and see everyone enjoying the holiday season.

The event is truly a community effort. A special thanks to Kent Wine and Spirit, Kent Coffee and Chocolate,Estelle Trabucco, Davis IGA, the Gawel family, J.P. Giffords, Mountain Falls Fitness, the Abbott family, Kent School, Annie Bananie Ice Cream, Katy Armstrong and family, Beardsley Gardens, the Horgan family, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and of course KCNS parents, teachers, and board members.

From all of us at Kent Community Nursery School, thank you for your ongoing support.

 Kallie Gawel

 KCNS Fundraiser Chair

 Kent 

 Outpouring of generosity

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many individuals, organizations and churches whose contributions of gifts, groceries and fuel brightened the holidays for families assisted by Cornwall Social Services this holiday season. Our Holiday Program was able to provide gifts for 38 children and food for 19 families. This outpouring of thoughtfulness and generosity is sincerely appreciated.

 Jill E. Gibbons, Cornwall Social Services 

 Cornwall

 Coal in the stocking

Christmas is gone, New Year’s Eve too

Last year our government blew

Their chance to govern wisely on our behalf

Instead they just wanted the last laugh

Now both houses will reconvene

Hope they don’t think it’s a milking machine

But rather with the elections near

Their minds will start to clear

And remember what their duties are

To have gravitas, not be bizarre

To connect together as an assembly

To learn to be a lot more friendly

And attend to the tasks at hand

Their past behavior must be banned

All hands and heads must now be clear

And to the public listen clear

So America can again find

The principle our founders signed.

 Michael Kahler

 Lakeville