Proposed authority merger a power grab

Democrats in Congress hijacked by ‘loony liberals’

Dear Editor,

The Democrats are so obsessed with trying to impeach President Trump because they know they have no chance to win a legitimate election. Could you imagine if they put that kind of effort into helping the American people?

The Democrats have been hijacked by the loony liberals and their obsession with the environment to the point it costs communities goodpaying jobs. If the Democrats cared about the American people, they wouldn’t have spent over $100 million on this witch-hunt that is only going to end in a “not guilty” verdict.

Nobody should be surprised, because the only thing Trump is guilty of is thinking he could work with the Democrats to fix our corrupt government.

Charles Winchell Kingston, N.Y.

Dear Editor, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2020 budget contains an alarming proposal for the Mid-Hudson Valley. Cuomo’s plan to merge the state Bridge Authority with the Thruway Authority is nothing more than a blatant money grab.

The Bridge Authority operates five Hudson River crossings: the Rip Van Winkle, Kingston-Rhinecliff, Mid-Hudson, Newburgh-Beacon, and Bear Mountain bridges. All have been carefully maintained and operated, with needed maintenance and replacement (such as the current project on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge) done, while keeping tolls at some of the lowest rates in the tri-state area.

To be clear, our opposition to this proposed merger is not meant as a dismissal of the work done by the dedicated employees of the Thruway Authority. However, a colossal sum of money has been spent on the new bridge connecting Rockland and Westchester and we’re looking at unknown future toll hikes there. Mid-Hudson residents should not be subsidizing tolls for bridges out of our area, which is exactly what we fear will happen.

Anthony M. Adamo New Paltz, N.Y. The writer is president of the CSEA’s Southern Region Office.

Police accountability legislation is essential

Dear Editor,

Open letter to the Laws and Rules Committee of the City of Kingston:

We, members of Transition Town Kingston, N.Y., urge you to support and pass RiseUp Kingston’s police accountability legislation.

Transition Town initiatives include grassroots movements and all efforts made to create resilient, vibrant, sustainable and just communities for the future survival of all citizens.

We believe this legislation is urgent for this city as it moves toward increased justice and equitability. It is based on common-sense thinking and relevance to all citizens and is the result of much hard work and commitment to police accountability on behalf of everyone.

Jenny Bates Kingston, N.Y. The writer is a member of the Transition Town Kingston.