Letters to the Editor - December 15

We can light the memorial trees

Over the past month, sufficient funds have been raised to light the memorial trees in front of Town Hall in Amenia. Nearly 60 individuals and businesses contributed  to make this installation possible.

These lights are not just for the winter holiday season. People may make a request to the Town Board that they be turned on for any special occasion throughout the years to come.

The town is planning on holding an inaugural tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, and hope many of you will attend. There will be music, cookies and hot chocolate to celebrate this very special occasion.

Many thanks to all who contributed to this important project.

Kevin Cassone 
Diana King
Amenia

 

 

Nice story about the yule tree

Thank you for your nice article in last week’s paper about the lighting of the Community Tree at the intersection of Route 22 and Main Street in Millerton.  

Townscape would like to extend a big thank you to Tim Berlinghoff of Berlinghoff Electrical, who generously donated his firm’s time and all the electrical work, including new fixed wiring, underground conduit and all outdoor receptacles.  

It was important for Townscape to step up and get this tree decorated, since it’s such a focal point for the village and enjoyed by so many. Though we’ve received many generous contributions toward the work and the new lights, we have not yet recouped our expenses for the tree, and would welcome anyone who would still like to make a tax-deductible donation to Townscape, PO Box 835, Millerton, NY 12546

Happy holidays!

Chris Kennan
Townscape of Millerton and North East
Millerton

 

 

Why the censorship at Sharon Town Hall?

 

I went to the Sharon Town Hall last week expecting to see a new exhibit by the artist and editorial cartoonist Dianne Engleke. I was disappointed to learn that her exhibit had been canceled. However, my initial feelings of disappointment turned to outrage when I learned that the reason for the exhibit’s cancellation was censorship.

I find it troubling and completely unacceptable that staff members or officials of the Sharon Town Hall should engage in artistic and creative censorship, and I am deeply concerned about the consequences of this form of censorship on our community.

Here is my message for the town officials in Sharon:

As town officials who are dedicated to public service and elected by the people of Sharon to serve the public interest, you must certainly share our country’s commitment to freedom of expression and imagination. Not only is it supported by the First Amendment and a long line of Supreme Court decisions, it is in our DNA as a free people.

I would expect you, as public officials, to demonstrate your respect for the intelligence and maturity of the citizens of Sharon by enabling them to view art, cartoons and/or opinions created by serious artists and thinkers — even if some citizens may or may not agree with or like it. In a free and democratic society, each and every one of us has the right to decide what art or creative expression we want to receive and engage with.

 “Once you allow the government or any public institution to censor someone else, you cede to it the power to censor you, or something you believe in. Censorship is like poison gas: a powerful weapon that can harm you — when the wind shifts. Freedom of expression for ourselves requires freedom of expression for others.” (Reprinted from article number 14, “Freedom of Expression in the Arts and Entertainment,” from the ACLU, 2002, https://www.aclu.org/free-speech/freedom-expression-arts-and-entertainment)

Although I do not currently reside in Sharon, I am actively involved in many civic, cultural and educational organizations in our community. I also have many friends and colleagues who are residents of Sharon — all of whom were appalled by the actions of your officials.

I strongly urge you to reverse this decision, and show both the artist and our community the respect they deserve. I also encourage you and the town officials of Sharon to refrain from any further censorship. The future of our beloved community depends on it.

Joan Daidone
Millerton

 

 

A memorable Christmas show

 

Many thanks to those who made Amenia’s Dance Recital on Sunday a memorable Christmas show in the high school auditorium.

Marc Molinaro, newly elected Dutchess County Executive, introduced his lifelong friend, dance instructor June Kaufmann, and thanked the parents and children for completing the 10-week After School Dance Program. Their hard work paid off as they performed a ballet (to Michael Jackson music!), the hustle, pasodoble, and the foxtrot. Highlights included second-graders performing the tango (there is nothing cuter than that!), and a Viennese waltz solo by James Wheeler and Abby Hoke who have mastered some of the most difficult dancing techniques by working with Ms. Kaufmann for six  years.

We couldn’t have done it without funding from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Northeast Dutchess (NED) Fund; Dutchess County Division of Youth Services and NYS Office of Children and Family Services; Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley, and the town of Amenia. Thanks also to dance assistants Karen Storms and Sue Pomeisl; Gary and Maureen Bonds for videography; Judge James Devine for the sound system; and Webutuck High School Principal Ken Sauer. Most of all, thanks to instructor and choreographer extraordinaire, June Kaufmann, for the extra time and devotion she gives each student so they can shine for us each year!

Vicki Doyle
Amenia Town Councilwoman
Wassaic

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