When I read the article in the Shawangunk Journal of July 30 about the dire needs of the pool, it transported me back to 1952 when I arrived in Ellenville at the age of 11, from the big city of Berlin, Germany, where I never knew that anything larger than a bathtub filled with water existed.

It was at the School Pool (as we referred to it) that I learned to swim and took diving instructions, too. For my brother Reinhardt and me the pool was the highlight of the summer. We looked forward to receiving the tag with the number that corresponded to the wire basket which contained our clothes after having changed into our bathing suits, then went to take that brutally cold shower-rinse before being allowed to get into the pool. We would spend so much time in the pool that our fingers got as wrinkled as prunes. What fun that was!

So I am hoping that funds will be found to properly repair the Ellenville Pool because not only is it "history" and speaks of an Ellenville that nurtured over 50 years of children who can trace their childhood to "the beloved home town," but if it were a car, it would be lovingly maintained and paraded to show it off. Why not make the effort to give the future children of Ellenville that wonderful joy of summertime fun and a skill that lasts a lifetime, learning how to SWIM.

Dagmar Mielisch Yaddow
Rhinebeck

Last Monday, August 3rd at 5 pm, I went to a local Ulster County court to see what would happen to the woman who left a dog in a hot car. She was given 10 hours of community service, but that is not what this letter is about. When I got to court, I told the security cop that I was a reporter and showed my press card, which I did not have to do.

The officer became excited and asked, "Why are you here?"

I said, "I want to sit in on court."

"What are you here for?" he asked.

"I want to hear the case of the dogs in the hot car, " I said.

"What name is it?" He asked.

By this time I was feeling very annoyed as I did not have to tell him why I was there.

"I am allowed in," I said.

"Take it easy, take it easy," he said and then, "Wait here."

All this was said with an air of interrogation.

He then asked the clerk if I could come in. She said that after everyone was seated, I could. I have as much right to a seat as anyone.

Then he did the scan and checked my purse, which I expected.

I am so mad at this, because in the United States of America, any citizen can sit in on a court case.

If you know me, do I look like any kind of a threat? I have never, ever been treated like that before.

Lucy Muller
Cragsmoor

In light of last month's massacre at the church in South Carolina, I would have hoped that our politicians would have the chance to re-evaluate their stance or opinion as to the relevance of the Confederate Flag that formerly flew over the Charleston, South Carolina state house. Thankfully the good and decent people of South Carolina prevailed in having the Confederate Flag (symbol of racism and hatred and oppression) removed from the state house flag pole.

Sadly the most uneducated among us and the South Carolina populace still want to hold onto this symbol of hate, along with swastikas as their prized anti-Semitism. Such a sad reality.

That these people would hold onto this deep hatred for over 150 years after such an unholy war is mind boggling. The insanity of the situation is that in truth most of the southern soldiers of the Civil War were dirt poor individuals manipulated by the church and southern politics. God forbid the south had won the war; southern elites would have kept these same people enslaved, circumstances would have remained the same. The soldiers would have returned from the war and remained dirt poor while the wealthy landowners prospered and kept them in their place, one small step above the slaves.

I am writing this letter because I've been a resident of New York State for more than 60 yrs. Until last week I've never personally seen anyone actually display this outrageous flag in person, either at home or on the back their pick-up truck. Now there seems that one individual has started his own insane crusade here in the Village of Ellenville. A large black pick-up truck with dual rear wheels and tractor trailer style exhaust standing upright is riding thru Ellenville displaying this racist symbol.

I thought this insanity was for southern racists stuck in the 1800s. I sincerely hope the Ellenville police department is keeping track of this individual. We all know anyone carrying this sickness around day and night is a problem waiting to happen.

I'd advise anyone who comes in contact, especially minorities, to be on the lookout for this individual. Use your phone camera to take his photo and post it on Facebook. From a safe distance.

It is so sad that these people with this type of attitude still exist. The year is 2015. That war is over, 150 years and counting.

Kenneth Jeter,
Civic Engagement Officer
Ellenville NAACP

Many of us seniors need to choose a rehabilitation hospital after a fall, joint replacement or other health issues. What you may not realize is that we have a real gem in our own backyard. I speak from experience since I've spent several weeks at various rehabilitation units since 2007 including Field Home in Cortlandt Manor, Helen Hayes, Park Manor in Middletown, and Ellenville Regional Hospital.

After a short stay in June, I needed once again to choose a rehab to regain my strength and mobility. Ellenville Hospital's Rehab unit was my first choice because it has a 24/7 staffed ER with a helicopter pad, and it's small enough to foster a family-like atmosphere. There is unrivaled teamwork and communication among the entire staff to provide excellent care with the emphasis on physical and occupational therapy. An added bonus was a beautiful view of the mountains from my room and the garden patio where I ate lunch while watching the hummingbirds feed.

Check it out for yourself, a family member or friend. You won't be disappointed.

Marcia Allen Hamill
Ellenville

I wanted to add to last week's letter about Jeff Kaplan and Brian Schug, attesting to their highest ethical standards. I have lived in the Village of Ellenville for the last 7 years. I have known Jeff Kaplan since 2002 when I bought the 27 acres that we still also own in the town of Wawarsing. Jeff and I are both members of the Congregation Ezrath Israel and I have previously served on the board with him.

I have also dealt on many occasions with Brian Schug. I have observed both these men to be of the highest ethical standards. Both these men have put significant time and energy into the well being and success of this area. I personally believe both of these people are looking after the best interests off all of their constituents.

Larry Schacher
Ellenville

I read about Rep. Chris Gibson's survey on the Iran nuclear deal and question its intent and veracity. It was conducted only on Facebook, where only subscribers who view his pages would know about it.

Gibson, R-Kinderhook, said he was an original sponsor of the bill to reject the deal. If the results of the survey were different, would he have voted against it? I doubt that. He was looking to validate his and the Republicans' foreign policy of bombing and invading. As we know from other congressional situations, "negotiation" is a dirty word for them.

If the deal goes through, Iran would be kept years away from getting nuclear weapons. If the U.S. rejects it, other countries will end the sanctions, there will be no inspections, and Iran will be less than a year from having nuclear weapons. Then what? Bomb and invade?

All negotiation involves some give and take. Neither side gets everything it wants, and this deal is no different. The agreement at least includes strict limits on enrichment, robust inspections and a quick return of sanctions if Iran cheats. Republicans almost sound as if they want regime change from this deal.

If Rep. Gibson were serious about this "survey," he would have mailed one out to all constituents before signing on as a sponsor.

William Stamm
Rosendale

Lately, I've read about additional funding being appropriated to fight the Lyme disease epidemic, which I believe is necessary. I believe an equally important expenditure should be made to control the number of ticks in the area, including in my township, Greenville. I've been taking my yellow lab (who happens to be pure white) on daily walks. His white coat allows me to easily spot ticks and crush them. We walk along the town roads and I keep him within two to three feet of the paved road on the area routinely mowed by the road department, and don't let him into the higher brush or grass farther off the road.

During the peak tick season in mid-summer it's become scary how many there are. We usually walk about one-and-a-half to two miles round trip and I've removed as many as 29 ticks in one day! We have been averaging about 15 daily.

I've used many different kinds of repellents, including ones from the veterinarians, along with a flea and tick collars, to no avail. I've been at the town hall to see if anything could be done but was told there isn't any way to treat such a large area because more would just move from the woods.

It's scared me so much that I don't walk him around here, and we drive to a New Jersey dog park.

I'd rather walk locally because of health benefits and socializing with the neighbors, but until there is some kind of tick eradication, we can't.

John S. Rapole
Port Jervis

Well, it's summer in the Catskills again. And as usual we have an influx of summer residents. We welcome all to our pristine county — we would just like to keep it that way.

On my way into work today, in Monticello, I passed a bungalow colony on Route 42. It was just littered with trash, a total pigsty.

Three seasons a year, our communities are clean and litter-free. We have volunteers that adopt sections of road to clean.

Do these summer visitors realize that when they leave for the summer they leave their litter behind to blow into our yards, onto our roads and make a general mess of the countryside?

It is time for our visitors to clean up their environments. It shouldn't be left to the local residents to have to deal with their trash. Let them adopt a section or road or at least clean up the areas where they stay. It would be the right thing to do and it would make for good relations with all the people that call this home 12 months a year.

Cindy Osborne
Greenfield Park

Today, President Obama put forward a strong plan to address climate change, which is one of the defining challenges of our time. The President's Clean Power Plan is a visionary step forward for our nation, and it provides a robust and equitable approach to reducing America's carbon pollution. Here in New York, we have embraced the challenge of climate change with a commitment to cut harmful carbon pollution by 40 percent by 2030, and I look forward to working alongside our partners in the federal government to bring about a cleaner, safer future for all.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Albany

So often we hear negative comments about our area. I would like to take a moment to say something very positive. Ellenville and Wawarsing are very fortunate to have so many community members who step forward to serve our area, often with no recognition for the services they provide.

I am fortunate to be the current president of the Hunt Memorial Preservation Committee. I hope that everyone who visits the downtown area of Ellenville has noticed how the Hunt Memorial Building has come back to life. It didn't happen by accident. It didn't happen with taxpayer money. It happened because a group of dedicated volunteers have spent many long years raising money, and putting in more hours than I can count to breathe life into the Hunt. A special thanks goes out to all the members of the HMPC board of directors, past and present, for their dedication and hard work. Thank you to the community for always supporting our efforts. Thank you to the million dollar committee for recognizing our efforts and providing funds that will allow us to bring the inside back to life. And thank you to JB Gillette, TJ Briggs, Robert Berger and Jim Hyatt for coming forward and doing the plantings and landscaping along Canal Street. None of these people had to volunteer, but all had a vision and were willing to work toward it.

By next spring we will be almost there, but the mission will continue having as its purpose "to restore and preserve the architectural integrity and historical significance of the Hunt Memorial Building" and "to return it to a combined community/business use in keeping with John R. Hunt's original purpose."

As I sat outside the Hunt at the Blueberry Festival and watched so many people using the building, it brought a smile to my face. This is what the Hunt was originally built for — to be used by our community.

I sincerely hope that in the near future, the interior space can be completed and it too will be opened and available for our citizens to enjoy. A special thank you to all who have made it possible.

Kathy Butler, President HMPC
Ellenville