To the Editor:
In a recent Letter to the Editor in the Eastwick Press on May 3, 2013, Jim Martinez highlighted four main points that he would like readers to believe are facts instead of the gross exaggerations that they actually are.
Point One: He mentioned in his letter to the Editor (Eastwick Press) that I, as Supervisor have overspent the Highway Fund by the tune of $377,268 – per State Audit.
Did he read the entire report? In December 2009 a wheeled trackhoe was purchased after being rented during that summer for a grand total of $156,000. A vibrating roller was also purchased in December of 2009 for $13,000. The rest of the money was designated in that very same month (2009) to purchase a dump truck which the Town did in the summer of 2010. Let me take a second to clarify something for him. I did not designate the money for the dump truck, nor buy the trackhoe, nor buy the roller in 2009. As a matter of fact none of the current Board Members were even in office in 2009 except for Mr. Surdam.
Point Two: He stated that I likely trespassed or illegally entered an area not leased by the Town per a local police report.
There were no illegal actions. If there were, why weren’t there any arrests made and charges filed? All the residents have to do is to read the recent article in the Eastwick Press, and it will be clear what actually happened.
Point Three: He mentioned because of the shoddy treatment towards our highway employees expenditures for negotiations have increased from $0 to $10,000 to $15,000.
Doesn’t he know that Town Boards cannot stop a union from forming? Did I sign a card inviting the union to come? Would you or he sit back and give your employees the world and at the same time punish the taxpayers? Do you or he think it’s cruel and unusual punishment making an employee pay only $56 every two weeks along with receiving a $2,500 debit card to cover prescriptions and co-pays for a family plan? How many of our hardworking taxpayers only pay this much towards their healthcare and get a $2,500 debit card to cover the medical co-pays? If this is unreasonable treatment how come the entire Board, (minus one), agree with me? Does he really feel this Board’s intentions are to harm the employees or their families? Companies around NYS are looking for creative ways to reduce health insurance costs, usually forcing employees to contribute more. Are these companies wrong too? As a public servant, I work for the taxpayers and not just our employees.
Point Four: He stated I used *69 to harass the Credit Union.
At the time, the Town Clerk had just hung up her phone and told me that Jim Martinez had called inquiring if there was a meeting that night. Wanting to see if I could answer any questions he may have had, I used Verizon’s *69 callback feature instead of waiting for the Town Clerk to finish what she was working on so I could use her phonebook. He and I had a very cordial short conversation. Nothing like he described in his Letter to the Editor where he said I made a follow up call to harass a local business, the Credit Union. In fact, there was never any harassment during our call on my part.
It’s ironic that Mr. Martinez accuses me of “smoke and mirrors” in his letter, when that is the exact tactic he uses to try to discredit me. Why he would take facts and turn them into gross exaggerations is anyone’s guess. I can only attribute it to the fact that it’s spring and it’s an election year, something I have grown accustomed to in my position as Town Supervisor.
Keith Cipperly
Hoosick Town Supervisor
Hoosick
Hoosick Grange News
It was history night at Hoosick Grange on May 8. We had Eric and Jenna Schnitzer as our guests. He is the Park Ranger Historian of the Saratoga Battlefield. They showed clothes from the years 1760 – 1780. These clothes were reproductions they sewed. They had one original piece of clothing. It was interesting to learn that men would wear the flax shirts they worked in all day and then went to bed with it on at night. The common man, if lucky, had two shirts. Tailors made most all men’s clothes. Some men wore corsets that laced up in front and back – which gave them great posture. They looked like ice cream cones. Men would wear waist coats and vests – some wool and some linen – with covered buttons.
Women wore flax shirts, also with a scoop neckline. They had to put their stockings and shoes on first, then put their corset on because they could not bend over. They also wore a string with cloth on it that was pockets – also a bum roll on their rear end to make it stick out. They wore three under skirts and an apron, usually checkered, and the dress, olive green, was put on last. This dress was heavy and was sewed quite differently. Can you imagine how long it would take to get dressed?
The Schnitzers showed us the breeches – to the knees – the men wore and the stockings. Sailors wore trousers, big and full to the ankle. Clothing was very valuable – nothing was thrown out; they used it over and over. Ladies wore kerchiefs around their necks. We saw the shoes, no right or left, hats, woolen and felt. Women wore white caps – even boys and girls. During 1770 they wore bonnets. They could be huge. During the 1800s women wore flat hats that tied in back. Eric showed us the men’s clothing and modeled it. Jenna showed us the women’s clothes and modeled some and put others on a form she had. It was very interesting. The Lecturer thanked them for their very interesting program. Refreshments were root beer floats and goodies.
The Grange discussed some business. The Lecturer gave out some pamphlets on Sharing the Road with Slow Moving Vehicles. Our next meeting is May 22 at 8 pm. Kendal Baker is in charge of the program. We will have the Baking Powder Biscuit Contest. We hope to have lots of entries.
Giffy’s Chicken Bar-B-Q
The Town of Hoosick Republican Committee will host a Giffy’s Chicken Bar-B-Q on Thursday, May 23, at Liporace’s Getty Station (next to Blue Flame) on Route 22, Hoosick Falls. Meals will include a half barbecued chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, roll, dessert and beverage. Pick up will be from 4 to 6 pm.
Tickets cost $10 each and can be purchased from any Committee member or by calling 518-322-8685 or 686-5992. A limited number of extra tickets will be available on the day of the barbecue. Call now to reserve your tickets. Giffy’s makes dinner quick and easy with the busy Spring schedules we all have.
120gallery90 Opening Reception May 24 At The HAYC3 Armory
Come to the 120gallery90 on May 24 between 6 and 8 pm at 80 Church Street in Hoosick Falls for the opening reception of “In the Sanctuary of the Bird’s Nest,” by the Hoosick Artist Guild. This show is a series of transformed, abandoned bird’s nests from Hoosick Falls in The 120 Gallery. [Read more…] about 120gallery90 Opening Reception May 24 At The HAYC3 Armory
Taste Of Hoosick Raises $5,842 For Food Pantry
by Bea Peterson
Chowders, roast beef, pizza, pasta, wings, subs, shrimp, ice cream, cookies and much, much more were available for the sampling at the Hoosick Area Church Association Taste of Hoosick at St. Mary’s Academy on Sunday, May 5. While tasting the delicious food, folks enjoyed an excellent musical program presented first by Bill Gaillard and The Stardusters, followed by The Word of Life Singers from The Word of Life Bible Institute at Schroon Lake and winding up with show tunes by Bill Brown on piano and Martha von Schilgen on violin.
[Read more…] about Taste Of Hoosick Raises $5,842 For Food Pantry
State Of The Art Pittstown Town Garage Opens
by Bea Peterson
After more than 15 years in the planning and three different sets of building plans, an Open House was finally held at the new Pittstown Town Garage on Route 67 in Johnsonville on Saturday, April 27. Set up on a hill and back from the road, the 11,956 square foot building sits next to a 3,840 square foot salt shed and eight rows of 50 kw of solar panels. It is an impressive arrangement. The salt shed was required to prevent runoff into nearby waterways. It was built in two and a half weeks.
[Read more…] about State Of The Art Pittstown Town Garage Opens
Hoosical Furnishings And Auction
by Bea Peterson
A Celebration of Community and Art is the theme for HAYC3’s Hoosical Furnishings Exhibit and Auction. From armoires to benches, from chandeliers to dog houses, from mirrors to mailboxes, there certainly will be something, or many things, for everyone. [Read more…] about Hoosical Furnishings And Auction
Drug Drop Off
West Hoosick FD Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast
The West Hoosick Fire Department will hold an All You Can Eat Mothers Day Breakfast at the firehouse on Sunday, May 12, from 7:30 to 11 am. The menu includes pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
It’s time to pamper your mom so start the day off right and give her a great breakfast. The firehouse is located on Pine Valley Road near the intersection of County Routes 109 and 103. For more information, please call the firehouse at 686-1814.
The Johnsonville Rescue Squad BBQ And Open House
The Johnsonville Rescue Squad located at 4 River Road will be holding a Chicken BBQ/Open house Saturday, May 18, from 4 to 7 pm for National EMS Recognition Week. There will be free blood pressure readings, pulse, blood glucose testing, ambulance tours and fun for the kids. You may eat in or take out. The price is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12. For more information call 753-4590.