| Germantown Times |
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| We get letters... |
To the Editor: Why is it that people who so ostentatiously wave the flag are so often shockingly oblivious to what it actually symbolizes? This is certainly the case with the Germantown Town Council. While the Council members were supporting a plan to festoon a proposed Germantown 9/11 memorial, an event in which most of the victims were civilians, with flags that include not only the American flag but also every conceivable branch of the military, it through its actions has been condoning a flagrant violation of one our basic liberties enshrined in the Constitution, Freedom of Speech. I am referring to an incident last March when an out-of-control group of Germantown policemen, in uniform and bearing guns, moved aggressively to silence through intimidation a citizen presenting his opinion at a Town public hearing. I was that citizen and I was speaking as a near victim of the 9/11 attack and arguing for a less militaristic memorial. Not only has there been no official public apology for the incident, but it is still not known, seven months after the event, what if any disciplinary action has been taken against the Police Commissioner and the offending officers, or how else they intend to bring the police under control. Seven months after the event the Police Manual is supposedly still under review. The Germantown Council has since the police incident shown further their strange reverence for the flag by reducing the time that citizens are allowed to speak at public meetings to just 3 minutes, and are very arbitrarily using that rule against any kind of dissenting opinions. Apparently, now that police intimidation cannot be counted on to squelch opinions they don't like it is clearly the hope of the Town Council that the 3 minute rule will. Perhaps, when they reverently Pledge Allegiance to the flag at the next Town Council meeting, our representatives should remind themselves of what the flag actually symbolizes. Peter Davies Germantown, NY |
Congratulations on the Germantown Times -- it's a good idea well-done. Great to see Val Shaff covered. Her books are well-received at Merritt Books, which I manage, and she's a delight. May I suggest some other columns/commentators? From both sides of the political spectrum? And other spectrums (spectra?). Would you like an occasional book column, with a focus on local writers and/or subject matter? How about music, spiritual matters, local history -- there's so much to learn about, discuss and appreciate in our area. Granted, it's your paper and reflects, generally, your point of view -- much of which I share. However, the Times could become truly community-wide and reflect all points of view. In a time of great political and class polarization, it would be one way to bring us together more, in this growing, dynamic small town. All the best, Nan Eliot |
Does anyone care about the ridiculous state of our "downtown business district?" It's pathetic. (Unsigned) |
I would like to say that I am very proud of Austin Sullivan for voicing his opinion about all matters, whether it be personal or political. He was also taught to always sign his name to anything he had written and to never sign anything that he hadn't written. His opinion has always mattered to me and has always been valued by others. He has spent many years serving Germantown and several of its local residents. Whether it be shoveling their driveways or washing an elderly persons windows because they couldn't do it. He never expected anything in return but he earned their respect which has always meant more to him. Opinions always count and can sometimes hurt, but people need to be brave enough to voice them. That is our right to freedom of speech, and you know it is constructive when you get a response almost a year later about it. That part still mystifies me but I guess that is all a part of politics. I know all this about Austin because he is my son and I have watched him grow into the wonderful person he is today and I just needed to voice my opinion. Let's use this open forum in a positive way to help Germantown, not take down the people who really care about it. Thank you. Sharon Nordfors |
nice job arthur; now I really feel great about my higher and higher school taxes. What is a germantown citizen to do about the poor performance of so many students? JA |
but I can't find anything about it..Thanks, Ann |
why dont u go back to the city were you belong the election should have told you we dont want you here you or your dirty politics your no good everyone |
I think you are a one sided left winged asshole who comes here saying how beautiful Germantown is but all you and the other democratic dickheads want to do is change it with your comprehensive plan and trying to take over the town board and become fire commisioners but you wont lift a finger to help anyone else in this town just to try and make it harder for the people who dont have the money you have and cant afford to start off... And your the one who wanted the trains to not have to blow their horns when they went past the railroad crossing at Cheviot... real smart so i think the best thing for you to do would be to pack up your crap and go back to the city casue like the vote showed when you ran for the seat on the town board your not wanted here....
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Interesting newsletter. Do you cover Livingston as well? Margaret Davidson |
Any idea of the total # of students in the Germantown school, and amount alloted/spent per student based on current as well as proposed school budgets? Are same #'s available, for comparison sake, for schools in say Red Hook, Catskill, Hudson, Rhinebeck? Susan |
Thanks for putting the 2007 compensation on the website. However, it appears that only page one is there. Can you put the rest of the document on the website? |
I would like to find out if you know of any lifeguard training classes available in the near future. Zack Jackson |
Arthur, have been meaning to tell you how much I enjoy the GermantownTimes.com. Based on your review, we took some friends of ours who have young kids to see Peter Pan, and all of us thoroughly enjoyed it. Gil |
I have lived in Germantown since first grade, left it after graduating… to travel and go to school. I lived in Ulster County for 13 years, before returning back to Germantown to buy my home and settle here. I went to school for two years in NYC commuting back and forth to Ulster County. I find it pertinent to point out I have experienced living in different areas. What confuses me is why some people come here for weekend or retirement homes and want no industry to move in. We ‘could’ have a small mall built with the country ambiance we all love. I am sure there are plenty of architects that could draw up plans for such an endeavor. We lack cultural events, movies, music, art, photography, dance, for entertainment. We lack a drugstore. A grocery store would be a god-send with the gas situation. Traveling 26 miles for fresh produce is tiresome; a waste of fuel, and its time Germantown pulled that dark veil away and tried to see there are ways to make a town utilize what it needs without being ostentatious and gaudy. It is time we gave our residents what they need, advertise the Main Streets and where businesses are. Perhaps even create a tour guide to the historical sites and docks we are so lucky to have. So next time someone says let’s open a grocery store in Germantown, or a drugstore let’s not think immediately of neon signs and Wal-Mart, we could have a very rustic, but beneficial mall in this town. Barbara |