The Nyack Villager's Letters to the Editor is an open forum for our readers.
As such, the views expressed are those of their writers and not necessarily those of the editors of The Villager.
On the School Budget
To The Nyack Villager-
I read Rick Tannenbaum's article about the school budget (The Nyack Villager, April '08) with great interest. As a Nyack resident of 17 years with two children in the public schools, I am also very concerned about issues of quality, cost and accountability in our schools. It often appears that the system operates with very little oversight or public input. I also heartily agree that the current salary structure is unsustainable, leading to the level of property taxation that forces homeowners to leave the county. I want to be involved in a citizen oversight committee; perhaps involved in setting up a website monitoring teacher/administrator quality, effectiveness and use of public funds-something that has been done successfully elsewhere. As public servants on public payroll, school system employees are accountable to the community.
-Eric Parker, PhD : Licensed Psychologist
To The Nyack Villager-
In regard to Lament for Nyack's Trees and Tree vs. Sidewalk letters (April, 2008), there is no great mystery about how-or why-many excellent, healthy trees have been selected for removal. The decision is contained in a flawed, cursory report entitled Tree Inspection for the Village of Nyack dated November 6, 2007, obtainable at the Village Clerk's office.You can see in that report that tree removal is based on "a windshield survey" conducted by an arborist who was hired by the town. In that report the arborist states "No trees were measured with any device, no trees were drilled or sounded to determine decay. In many cases only the part of the tree that could be seen while driving by was the basis for the evaluation of that tree."
The arborist further explains that he was "limited by financial constraints placed on the arborist by the Village."Penny smart, pound foolish-and as a result of this incredibly sloppy "windshield survey," we will never know how many beautiful and healthy trees have been lost. Unfortunately, it is now too late to bring them back. And if you stop by the Town Cerk's office, you will learn that there is currently no plan to replant the trees that were destroyed.
What is the cost of removing trees that could have been saved if the town had invested in a more thorough inspection? The destruction of these trees was based on a report that is shockingly casual. And the lack of a replanting program means that nothing is planned to repair the damage.
-Edward Claflin[Editor's note: Mr. Claffin mailed us a copy of the report, listing the 39 trees slated for removal based on the "windshield survey." The Villager urges Nyack residents to hurry over to the Village Clerk's office at Village Hall, 9 North Broadway and ask to see "Tree Inspection and Evaluation for The Village of Nyack, November, 2007." Pay special attention to pages 5-7, fingering the trees slated for immediate removal.]
To The Nyack Villager-
I hate to throw cold water on my friend Gini Stolldorf's excellent article about the origin of the name for Ackerman Place, but she has an error in a detail about the Ackermans.
Clifford Ackerson was the member of Jackson Hose Company No. 3 for all those years. In addition Cliff was a former longtime secretary of the Nyack Fire Department. I also believe that C. Raymond Ackerman's family lived on that short street. Gini is correct that C. Raymond made Nyack famous among emergency services people with his blanket fold-by the way, still in use today in the Nyack Fire Patrol.
Warmest regards from the South,
-Jim Leiner, author of the monthly column, Remember the Days in The Nyack Villager
To Nyack Villager & the Sanitation Dept.:
The otherwise very prompt and efficient sanitation / recycling employees make one important mistake: they drop the blue and green containers and garbage bins in the driveways. For example, when we leave for work at 6am,
in the dark (and it's still dark these days), we drive over them while backing out of the garage. The result is damage and major frustration. Can you please ask the workers to avoid doing this-daylight or not-and drop the receptacles where they're out of a car's path?Otherwise happy in Upper Nyack,
-Diane Miller
To The Nyack Villager-
I recently moved from one part of South Nyack to another and am delighted that I now get the Nyack Villager. This made me recall that about a year ago I corresponded with Jan Haber at the magazine over its lack of delivery to my former address. In the year between those e-mails and my moving around the corner, no Nyack Villagers were delivered. Perhaps you could follow up with USPS about the lack of delivery there? The two apartment buildings are at 170 & 190 Piermont Ave in S. Nyack.I like the magazine very much and feel that I was missing out all the time that I lived in the apartment!-Andrew Goodwillie
[Editor's note: We pay for a Nyack Villager to be placed in the mailbox of every single resident in all eight river villages every month. And yet, some carriers dump stacks of them in apartment building lobbies, give two to the downstairs neighbor, none to those upstairs or skip an address here or there. Please-if you're not getting your Villager, (1) complain to your Post Office (2) complain to your letter carrier-leave a note if he / she comes when you're not at home and (3) tell us.
The Nyack Post Office number: 358-2225
Nyack Villager's numbers: 735-7639 or e-mail info@nyackvillager.com
To The Nyack Villager-
First of all, please know how much I enjoy reading your magazine each month. I read it cover to cover and always pick up things that are worth knowing or doing.Last night I went to the figure drawing session at Hopper House and was delighted. It is most professionally run. We had an excellent model who took few breaks. We even had coffee & cookies included in the price. Nyack can use this worthwhile facility and the women in chatge deserve to succeed.
Kind regards and thank you for giving all the Nyacks such a delightful & insightful paper.Sincerely-Harriet Vanderheide
To The Nyack Villager-
I received the best birthday present last week from my son: The Nyack Villager Reader! It has all those funny stories and essays that I've loved over the years. The drawings are fun too. I can't say I have a favorite one because I'm enjoying them all. I've been in Nyack for over 36 years and you really capture the Village and the people. I only I wish my copy was autographed. Maybe you could pre-autograph copies before they go to Pickwick? I may even start a reading group at the library to discuss your book! Sincerely,
-Grace Pezzotti, Nyack
Dear Jan and Shel-
I am a native Nyacker and, although I am no longer a resident, I love to read The Nyack Villager when I visit my parents house and my childhood home. I have really enjoyed the wood block prints chosen for the covers of the March 2008 (Study War No More) and April 2008 (April Showers) issues. Wonderful work and artistry!Are prints of the March 2008 cover image available for purchase? If so, who might I speak to about making such a purchase?
Thank you for your efforts and consideration.All the best,-Rachel Goddard Griffin
(daughter of John and Mary Goddard)[Editor's note: Thank you! We appreciate the good words. Villager covers with artwork by Shel or Jan are available, printed on heavyweight glossy stock, signed, ready to frame, for $40.
All we need is your mailing address e-mailed to info@nyackvillager.com ]
To Nyack Villager readers:
I am excited to announce that I am running for a seat on the Nyack School Board this coming May 20th. I hope to champion positive change by questioning the budget, looking for cost savings by maximizing resources, reviewing academic policies, and addressing athletic & building needs.I've been passionate about community issues since my husband, Joe, and I moved to Nyack nine years ago. I have served as PTA president of Upper Nyack Elementary School for the past two years. We have three young children who will be in the school system for many, many years. I want Nyack to be the best school district for them and for all in our community.
To help me understand your concerns, e-mail me at jenmarraccino@hotmail.com
-Jen Marraccino, Nyack
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