On fire training center, Hein did the right thing

Dear Editor: The online article regarding the new plans to find the proper site for the Ulster Fire Training Center has a misleading headline (“Bending to opposition, Ulster County Executive Michael Hein proposes new sites for fire training,” Oct. 25, 2017).

Far from “bending to opposition,” County Executive Mike Hein did what used to be called “the right thing.”

As one of the organizers of the effort to have the training center relocated, I know for a fact that Hein listened to a broad spectrum of citizens who were directly affected by the site. He then showed that rarest of personal attributes — he revisited his position. Admitting there could be a better solution, he created that better solution with the help and cooperation of several individuals. This takes courage, especially given the hyperventilating politics of the day.

It’s said that success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan, so I suspect in the days ahead many people will be coming out of the shadows to claim credit for this creative outcome. A few courageous public figures listened and took the political risk to be on the right side of a difficult issue, one that most folks did not understand.

And then there are the real heroes, the more than 1,200 people who stepped up and signed the petitions our group organized. Too many times people make up reasons not to get involved, not even to put their name to paper. However, change only happens when people have the courage of their convictions. In the end these are the folks who stand up to be counted. Thanks to them, more than 50 acres of pristine woodland will be preserved, while our first responders will have better training facilities properly located. Carol Meyer High Falls, N.Y.