State constitutional convention unnecessary Letters

It’s shameful that Alms House plan is unwelcome

Dear Editor, Shame on us for not welcoming with open arms the RUCPO proposal to develop the Alms House.

It is shameful that, as a community, we appear to be more concerned about our aging sewerage system than our aging neighbors. How did we evolve to a place where industrious seniors who scour our streets picking up our casually discarded bottles and cans in order to supplement their food budget have become less important than preserving empty buildings “with potential”? Clearly, this was not always the case, since it is an alms house that has caused such community rancor.

Do we honestly think that our aging septic system is not going to collapse whether or not poor seniors are living in our neighborhood? Or that some outside business willing to invest in such a callous community will somehow prevent that from happening? Can we not acknowledge that in reality Ulster County is home to a stable but aging population? Hasn’t RUPCO consistently rehabbed derelict buildings throughout our city, housing poor folks in ways that only enhance our community’s livability and adjacent property values?

Acknowledging reality, honoring our seniors and building affordable housing are signs of a forward-looking contemporary community that would welcome thoughtful outside investment and development. Ann Kalmbach Rosendale, N.Y.

Defeat of ‘sanctuary’ county plan a victory for Democracy

Dear Editor, We thank the Ulster County Legislature for voting down the sanctuary county law.

The biggest problem with immigration is that we did not enforce the laws, resulting in people not knowing the rules, often disobeying the rules and then feeling entitled. They can also be manipulated and abused, which has happened in many cases.

The resiliency of a democratic form of government is based on its citizens and governmental agencies adhering to its laws. Without that philosophy, you no longer have a trued government of the people, by the people and for the people.

In order for a democracy and its people to thrive, we need a sense of who we are as a nation, including borders which define us and a strong cultural identity while embracing legal immigration. Without any of these components, you create a threshold for anarchy and the emergence of an oligarchic form of government in which we all lose. We become the pawns in the grab for power.

Thanks to the proven leadership of our county legislators and their adherence to the rule of law, Ulster County residents can be assured that our elected officials continue to promote a true democracy. Dear Editor, Just say no to holding a state constitutional convention.

Our state constitution protects man of the rights and benefits that are important to all New Yorkers. Any changes to the Constitution could jeopardize rights and benefits that are now protected, including: pensions, organizing into unions, collective bargaining, contract rights, wages, workers compensation and workplace safety and health, civil rights and social welfare, civil service appointments and promotions, public education, and environmental protection.

The convention is a bad idea for several reasons.

First, it’s expensive. When the last convention was held in 1967, it cost taxpayers about $6.5 million. In 2015 dollars, that totals more than $46 million.

The 1967 convention also featured many delegates who were already political insiders. If a convention is approved, delegates would be elected in 2018. Delegates to the convention set their own rules, hire their own staff, and get the pay of a state legislator (at least $79,000 per annum), plus pension credit. There is no time limit on how long a convention could last. All of these factors contribute to the taxpayer cost.

Furthermore, voters may reject amendments passed during the convention , potentially making it a waste of time and money.

There is an easy way to change the state Constitution. Bills can be passed through the state Legislature to propose as questions on the ballots during general elections. The state Constitution has been amended in this manner more than 200 times since 1894, most recently in 2013 when voters decided on several ballot questions, including casinos in New York.

Weeds block sight distances on Ulster County roads

Dear Editor, I have called every year for five years asking Ulster County to mow over the guardrails. They came once.

You cannot even see the guardrails with the overgrowth. It is even taller than me. It hangs in the road and on the bends can’t even see. The trees hang over the sides of the road, again, not being able to see on turns.

They have mowed alongside of roads here in Mount Marion once all summer. Excuse is, every year, mower broke, shorthanded. I am just curious where our tax money is going.

If they can’t mow, why can’t they put weed killer like they do on the Taconic State Parkway and the state Thruway?