All candidates above are winners! Each bested the opponent by more than 500 votes. Congratulations to all!

Victory Party Auction raises $1,542.50
for the Rochester Food Pantry

The Rochester Republican Club raised $1542.00 for the Rochester Food Pantry. The Hollywood style UNITED ROCHESTER letters from the Davis Farm field (Bonfire) were individually auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Food Pantry. 200 plus Club Members, friends and neighbors attended the "Victory Party" for the recent Rochester Election at the Rondout Country Club on Sunday 11/25/07. Winning candidates — Supervisor Elect Carl Chipman, Council Persons Elect Tavi Cilenti and Manuela Michailescu, Town Justice Al Babcock and Highway Superintendent Wayne Kelder — gave 92 "Certificates of Appreciation" to campaign volunteers. Also present was Ulster County District Attorney Elect Holley Carnright, Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack and Ulster County Minority Chair Glenn Noonan. Food Pantry President Wilma DeJagger was on hand to accept the donation.

Smells Rotten in Rochester

Dear Editor:

People of the Town of Rochester are asking WHY the tax assessor, Sharon Hornbeck was replaced with a person that has nowhere near the qualifications or experience, hasn't completed his education and doesn't even live in the Town of Rochester.

I was at the July 5th Town Board meeting and a motion was made by Councilman Santosky to reappoint Mrs. Hornbeck. In the discussion that followed, Supervisor Duke stated that Sharon was asked during her interview if she could "guarantee" that she would stay for the full term. Allegedly, Sharon said, "I can't guarantee it." Duke then implied that because Sharon could not make that "guarantee" (she might possibly retire before the six-year term was completed), she should not be reappointed.

What "guarantee" will the town have, that after they give this new person paid training and experience that he will stay? He has no ties or roots to our town or community.

Supervisor Duke has previously stated that interviews are held to ensure that the most qualified person is hired. So what happened here? It really makes a person wonder. There was no valid reason for not reappointing Sharon. People retire all the time. Sharon could have and should have been reappointed. If she decided to retire before the end of her six-year appointment, she would have been in place to train her successor. That is a normal process and that would have made sense.

The public should also know that in January of this year, the Town received an "Excellence in Equity" award from New York State, marking the second year of eligibility for this award since the program's inception in 1999.

With the award came a letter stating that because the Town of Rochester had met the standards established by the State Board of Real Property Services, Rochester is eligible for Triennial Aid in the amount of $23,085.00. The letter then states "Congratulations to your assessor for maintaining a system of real property tax administration, which meets the highest standards set by the state." This was all because of Sharon's more than 19 years of hard work and dedication to the Town of Rochester.

Obviously, Supervisor Duke doesn't have a clue as to the true definition of "highly qualified" or "skills and expertise."

Kandy Santosky
Accord

Preservation - Education or Secrecy?

Dear Editor:

I would like to share some thoughts regarding two historic preservation-related activities I attended during the last 3 days.

On Saturday, July 14, 2007 I helped manning the booth of the Hudson Valley Vernacular Architecture at the Hurley Stone House Day. The HVVA group is the most passionate, dedicated group one can find, keeping alive the legacy of its founder, Dutch architecture expert Peter Sinclair (whose writings about our barn helped in obtaining a $50,000 New York State preservation grant). Being at the booth I could see many of the photos presented to the public of amazing structures torn down, or decaying and in need of repairs. We met recent owners of historical properties, very eager to get involved in preservation. Unexpectedly, my simple volunteer participation became a wonderful educational experience.

On Monday, July 16, 2007 I went to the regular meeting of the Town of Rochester's Historic Preservation Commission, as I always do. To my big surprise, a presentation from the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) was taking place! Definitely not announced at the last Town Board Meeting on July 5, when Councilman Francis Gray, liaison to the HPC, communicated the date of the July HPC meeting. In addition to myself and Mr. Gray's wife, always attending, only one other person was in the audience. Isn't this a pity? To have such an important presentation at 4:00 pm, NOT announced to the town residents — many of them historic properties owners, without the participation of the HPC Chairperson, with only seven Commission members present?

This could have been an excellent educational opportunity for a lot of people. Why the secrecy? Why not share the information presented? As of December 2006 we have in the town a record number of individual preservation barn grants (4). I know from our grant documents — and the SHPO presentation confirmed — that these grants represent structures eligible for National Register designation. Wouldn't have been nice to invite to the presentation the owners of these barns who proved already their interest in preservation? Is the Historic Preservation Commission an elitist group?

I'm happy I attended the presentation (although only for one hour) as it was stressed many times that owner's consent is key to any historic designation. Is this what the HPC didn't want the town residents to hear?

Back to my Hurley/HVVA experience and the photos which impressed me (stone house reduced to rubble, stone to be used for a fireplace!). Yes, the SHPO presentation indicated too, a building can be a listed landmark today and torn down tomorrow! It's owner's decision. So, education is extremely important. A "friendly" approach is desirable. The owners' understanding and co-operation is needed. "Secret" presentations cannot help the process...

Manuela Mihailescu
Kerhonkson

from Ulster County Press — April 25, 2007

Memorial needs better plan

Pardon me Rochester, but the idea of using a little electric pump for a War Memorial by the edge of a field sounds poetic, but hokey. It can freeze, burst, rust and rot. Contemplation is best by a real stream, a forever pump is best by windmill. Would it not it be better to embellish sites now existing in the local graveyards?

Check out Palentown Cemetery. Its Memorial is minimalist yet reflects tons of time; it is simply beautiful. It conveys a knowledge that moves the eyes over the headstone earth among the White Birches. Visualizing generations of heroes and soldiers adds dignity to all in silent rest.

The Committee of Signatures should use the donated rocks to spruce up already existing places. Boy Scouts can research cemetery residents and make sure all graveyards display a map that points out the military, time served and a little star to recognize combat. As one is buried, they sign in.

Bill Dukas
Kerhonkson

Rumor put to bed

A nasty rumor about Councilman Francis Gray being a Republican was finally put to bed by Supervisor Pam Duke. Interviewed by Alan Chartock on WAMC, she offers: "On the Town Council, I have three Democrats and a Republican." As Ron Santosky is the Republican, Francis Gray is not.

Hear Pam now

Gray's grant...

Francis Gray and Factual Accuracy hate each other.

At the first town board meeting of the year (Thursday, January 4, 2007) Councilman Gray jubilantly announced the awarding of a $60,000 grant to be shared by 15 towns in Ulster County. Blue Stone reported: "Finally, Francis Gray was happy to announce the town has received $4,000 from the Greenway Commission to be used towards renovating Accord's Main Street." Uncork the champagne!...

Monday, January 8, after the regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission, when Francis bragged again about the same $4,000, supervisor Pam Duke clarified that she checked with the County and Accord is not getting anything. Cork Francis!...

While it's disturbing to see a town official talking about imaginary stuff, his refusal to acknowledge $85,000 worth of preservation grants — awarded to historic barns in our town — smacks of narrow-minded political agenda. To say the least.

More good news (Sorry, Francis!):
We are happy to announce that more restoration grants were granted to barns in the Town of Rochester. Here is the complete list:
Manuela Mihailescu / Jon Dogar-Marinesco — $50,000
Gordon Bell — $50,000
Felicia Raphael — $35,000
Diane Greenberg — $28,500

Blue Stone Press, October 20, 2006

Rochester's Heritage Day

I would like to share some of an "insider's" thoughts and feelings regarding the beautiful event held in Accord on October 7, 2006. Feelings of sheer joy and accomplishment.

For those of us who have been involved for months in the preparation of the Heritage Day, the success of this event had a special value: it proved that people in our town can work together. It also showed us, organizers and participants alike, what we can do when we all act as residents, not presidents, chairs or supervisors...



As our "Tuesdays at the Museum" working meetings became a natural, we realized how important continuity, coordination, discipline and open discussions are. They were keys to the success of this special event. Heritage Day was like a puzzle where in the end all the pieces fit in, no matter their size or color.

I strongly believe people are eager to participate in such rewarding events. It was educational (discovering so many things about "Accord Now and Then"), emotional (watching the couple dancing in the middle of Main Street, while music was played on the Museum's porch), fun (waiting on the bridge for the first Regatta boat to negotiate the bend), and great for the children who lined up to dip candles or to have faces and pumpkins painted.

People asked about the available sizes of the T-shirt listing all the hamlets in our town, where to find a map or food, who won the Regatta, what are the names of the musicians playing all day long. Nobody asked if this or that person is a Democrat, Conservative, Republican or a member of this or that board or committee...

We've been all equally "Friends of Historic Rochester" and it was just wonderful! Thank you, friends, for the opportunity, for the open hearts and open minds...

Manuela Mihailescu — Kerhonkson
manuela@oldbrickhouse.com

Rochester Diddy

by The Voice of Reason

You moved here from the city, Oh! It is so pretty,
Lots of fresh air, farms and stone houses with charm.

Purchased some land down the road just a bit,
Chopped down each tree that once grew on it.

Then whined how you lost your beautiful view,
When the new folks next door, did the same thing to you.

They put in a trailer, a new doublewide,
Complete with a swing set, including a slide.

It brought such dismay when you realized,
There were families that lived here of every size.

School children, it seems make you very blue,
When September rolls around and that tax bill is due.

So you started to squawk and you caused a big fuss,
You planned and you zoned to get rid of us.

Now you're here in the country, and it's not nearly so pretty,
Mosquitoes are biting as you long for the city.

The grass is too high! the potholes too deep!
No phone or cable yet you can't hardly sleep.

You're fearful of fire cause there's no one to call
You're hoping, by chance that you don't stumble and fall.

The ambulance is rusted, it won't even run
Without any locals, this town is no fun!

Friends of friends...

The Friends of Historic Rochester potluck picnic at the Percy W. Gazlay II and Eleanor S. Rosakranse Memorial Museum brought together... well, friends of historic Rochester.
Amongst them, New York State Senator John J. Bonacic and Legislator Susan Cummings, who — guided by researcher Richard Rider — visited the Eleanor Rosakranse Genealogical Collection, on the second floor of the Museum.

The Last Paragraph

Here is the last paragraph in the letter sent to the owners of Skate Time 209 by the State of New York's Division of Human Rights:

"As a result of the information you provided, it appears that the current advertisement complies with the Human Rights Law. Therefore, the Division does not intend to initiate an investigation pursuant to Human Rights Law 295.6(b)."

Skate Time 209 warned against
'Christian' skate time

The owners of Skate Time 209, Len and Terry Bernardo have been warned by the State of New York's Division of Human Rights against having a Christian skate time on Sunday afternoons. They received a letter from the Human Rights office warning that having a "Christian" skate time violates Human Rights Law 296.2. The law says that no business can discriminate against a person because of race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, etc.

A Human Rights official told the Bernardos that their Christian skate time "apparently denies or at a minimum, discourages non-Christian patronage" and "constitutes prima facie violation" of the Human Rights Law. They were given ten days to respond to the charges. The same letter was received by the Ulster Country Press because they advertised Skate Time 209's Christian skate time. The newspaper is also under threat of legal action by the state because they published the ad.

Those of us who know Len and Terry Bernardo, know that no one has ever been discriminated against at Skate Time 209 due to their religious beliefs.

Members who want to show their support for Len and Terry's First Ammendment rights to freedom of religious belief as well as their right to run their business enterprise, should come to Skate Time 209 on Sunday, June 25, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and have a great time skating. Patronage of their business is the best way to show your support. See you all there!

Congratulations, Terry and Len!

Click here to see photos from the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and the Grand Opening of Skate Time 209.

Click here to see photos from
Doug Dymond Lifetime Service Award Dinner.

More than a few people asked us to post a photo of Steven L. Fornal, the Planning Board Chairman. Luckily we have located this picture of Steve Fornal and Zali Win. Where is Zali Win? you might ask. Well... he is behind the scenes, as usual.

Are there any sane Aliens left?

"We, therefore, as World Citizens, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of the world, solemnly declare, that these people and their nations are united, and of right ought to be, free and independent: that we are absolved from all allegiance to the United States of America..."

— Steven L. Fornal
Chairman, Planning Board
Town of Rochester, Ulster County
New York, United States of America
The World, The Galaxy, The Universe

How about a Moratorium on Moratoriums?

Moratorium... Mere mention of the word causes shock waves throughout the development, banking and business community. A building moratorium is a drastic option that could have serious long-term consequences to the local economy. To put a moratorium in place when no projects are coming up doesn't make any sense. Moratorium to protect what, Pam Duke?

Letter to Rochester Republican Committee

On January 12th, 87 members of the Rochester Republican Club unanimously passed a motion asking for the resignation of the Rochester Republican Committee's Chairperson.

Read letterDownload letter

Volunteers 4 — Home Team 2

Before the 2005 elections, the Rochester Democratic Committee called for volunteers to help with phone banking, door-to-door knocking, envelope stuffing, event planning, event hosting, sign installation, graphic designing, petition carrying, fundraising, neighborhood captaining, election-topics researching, and poll watching.

Hardcore activists with dubious credentials brought years of campaigning experience. Look at the Rochester Democratic Committee Volunteer Sign-Up Form and understand: it was a national campaign they brought to our rural town.

Notice the third item from the top: Letter Writing... Write letters to local newspapers supporting our candidates and their wonderful ideas.

In reality, this was a call for personal attacks, insinuations and outright lies in letters to the Editor signed by Pam Duke's "volunteers."

The Blue Stone Press and accord-kerhonkson.com certainly proved their leftist tilt with the excuse that they never received input from the right.

Well, it's time to input.

A cultural war is raging, and you won't be happy with the results. It's more than budgets and land control, it's backdoor social engineering. It's time to defend your way of life.

Be responsible, be polite, but be loud.