United Nations Day is Oct. 24

To the editor:

UN day is Oct. 24. It was, indeed, a great blessing for the world and the promise of a future peaceful-cooperative global community, when the United Nations was formed.  The actual name, United Nations, was offered up on January 1, 1942 by our president, Franklin Roosevelt. It was during World War II when 26 nations pledged their governments to continue fighting against the Axis power. The United Nations officially came into existence on Oct. 24, 1945. The Charter was ratified by 51 nations including; China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

While some may be critical that the UN has not brought about a peaceful world community and, according to its’ charter: “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” it is wise to remember our own nation’s slow social-moral evolution from its founding in 1776. In these early years slavery was legal until 1865. Until the late nineteenth century, non-land owners couldn’t even vote. Until 1920 women could not vote nationally. There were no child labor laws until 1938.

It is a historical reality that evolution is not only present on a biological level, but it is also happening on a social-moral level. In this hope we can take comfort. The UN’s vision; “to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors” will, in time, prevail.  It is a vision worth everyone’s commitment in our generation and in generations to come.

Timothy Hume Behrendt,

Cold Brook

Enforcement in Old Forge is selective

To the editor:

I have always adored Old Forge. As a child, I grew up with an idealistic view of small towns, like Mayberry on “The Andy Griffith Show.” Old Forge was my Mayberry, and purchasing my home on Grove Trail made it possible for me visit my small town whenever I pleased. Little did I know that the child-like love and appreciation I had for my town would soon be stripped from me.

The first time I went to look at my Grove Trail house with the realtor, our new neighbors, Bob and Michele Hipkens, surprised us by joining us on the beach. I thought how nice it was of them to take interest in us, especially without previously meeting them. However, it soon became apparent that their interest in us was less than benign. Their unhealthy desire to know everything we conducted on our property became overwhelmingly obvious, and soon their interest turned into action.

For instance, Michele told me that she was the police of our little area, and she’d maintain it the way she saw fit. She wrote documents specifying which side of the beach renters were to occupy and which side owners were to occupy. She had no legal right to do this, since we are all equal quarter owners of that beach front. At the time, my wife, kids, and I still had a good-natured relationship with our neighbors, so we decided to ignore the matter to avoid trouble. We also chose to ignore our neighbors’ mini auto repair shop and tractor trailer that closely abutted our backyard. Although these problems bothered me, my wife and I figured, “Live and let live.” Plus, our neighbors were the caretakers of our property and I didn’t want to make waves—I just wanted to get along and enjoy our slice of Mayberry.

The situation took a turn for the worse when I thought about building a second little house. I approached Chief Zoning Officer Andrew Getty with my proposal and told him I wanted a little house that I would be able to stay in on occasion so that I could come up and cut my lawn and stay overnight when my main house was rented. I drew up some general plans, and Andy told me I could proceed with the project, never indicating that what I was proposing was against zoning regulations. He did, however, tell me that the house would be called a “bunkhouse” — the legal description for the small house I’d be building.

About a week passed when I noticed both Andy and Steve on my property. I asked what brought them there, and they informed me that my neighbors did not want me to build the proposed bunkhouse. Andy also told me at that time that if I were to build this house, I could not stay there while renting my main house. Confused, I asked him why he didn’t tell me this before I started the project. He simply said he was telling me now. I then asked how he would know if I was renting my main house or not. He said he wouldn’t. I then asked how he could possibly enforce this rule, and again, he said he couldn’t.

So I went forward building the house, believing from my conversation with Andy that although it was an infraction of the town’s ordinance, it was minor and unenforceable. Furthermore, there are many violations of town ordinances going on all around me— obvious violations such the house at the top of my street that is in ill repair that for some reason no one is making a fuss about. I came to believe that Old Forge enforces two sets of rules: those for residents, and those for people who reside elsewhere. I believe you could call this selective enforcement.

I thought as long as I maintained my property to a very high standard—which I have—and ensured that my renters were respectful to my resident neighbors—which they have been— that my family and I would be able to enjoy our property freely. Unfortunately, in the past five months my family and I have been repeatedly vandalized and harassed, with people taking grates out of my barbecue grill; taunting me from outside my window while looking in with a flashlight; and making false accusations against me in court about what I was or wasn’t doing in the privacy of my own home, to name a few examples. One freezing day in the middle of winter, I came to Old Forge to realize that someone had come in and turned off the propane tanks, ensuring that the water pipes in both houses were frozen. The local police can attest to and have verified the fact that I am constantly under my neighbors’ surveillance. I strongly believe that if every other member of the community were scrutinized to the same extent, no one’s property would survive.

My intentions have always been to mind my own business and to enjoy what I consider to be my little slice of paradise in Old Forge. But now, visiting my home has become a living hell.

My question is, is this the kind of community Old Forge wants to be? Can’t we live and let live, as long as we maintain our property to respectable standards and don’t interfere with each other’s business? I consider myself a creative person, and I built a piece of art for myself and others to enjoy and appreciate. I would imagine if the founding fathers of Old Forge—pioneers and creators themselves—knew how restrictive and petty things have gotten, they’d shudder in their graves. And I’ve had nothing but aggravation and trouble.

I will say that while I am extremely upset by the people who refuse to let me enjoy my property, I’ve also met wonderful people who have understood my situation and tried to help.

I don’t know what the end of my saga will be. But by bringing my story to light, I hope others who have experienced similar tactics will be encouraged to speak up. Full- or part-time resident, Old Forge is our town, and we should be able to enjoy its beauty together.

Anyone who wishes to contact me or see the bunkhouse can reach me at mtremodelinginc.com. Thank you for your consideration.

Mark Frateschi,

Syracuse

Make some noise, Old Forge

To the editor:

Old Forge could put itself in a win/win situation—if only it would make some noise. You could be at the beginning of a fantastic recreation trail straight through the Adirondack Park AND you could be at the end of a tourist rail ride.

Where do people stay when they begin or end a journey? Where do they park their cars, eat their meals, arrange their pick-ups, spend a few days? At the beginning and or the end.

I grew up in the Old Forge schools. I always looked at Old Forge as a pretty forward thinking place, vibrant businesses, lots to do. Have you lost your spunk? I now live in a town in California where the old RR bed was turned into a recreational trailÖit is packed all year long. It has been so successful it is being extended.

Make some noise. Don’t let your town get stuck in the middle where you just get passed by.

Shelley Risko,

Carmel, Calif.

Polka festival forced to cancel

To the editor;

As the event Director and well known polka promoter, I sincerely regret to inform our polka fans that the annual Adirondack Polka Festival also known as Polkafest USA, historically held on Memorial Day weekend, will no longer be held in Old Forge. Adirondack Special Events, the hosts of the event, and I are forced to make this decision for the following reasons.

Although attendance of the festival has increased yearly to more than 500 people daily, the Town of Webb and Old Forge along with the Central Adirondack Association has now initiated charges for daily hall rental, and stopped providing insurance for the event and on the facility. We were never charged any of these expenses over the 15 years of history at the Hiltebrant Recreation Center. These added expenses make it nearly impossible for anyone to continue.

We understand that there are discussions regarding the pavilion use fee, however, we had informed the town and CAA that time was of the essence and we have lost major promotions at other Polka Events. Without being able to give definitive answers to our bands, radio stations, and other promoters we cannot wait for these decisions to be finalized. We have also not received any official response to our previous correspondence from the CAA regarding table and chair rental.

We are disappointed that town officials and the Central Adirondack Association do not see the value for to the local economy of this event and the loyalty of polka people that have filled motels, dined in restaurants and spent money at various businesses in the Old Forge area.

Disappointment letters are encouraged and may be directed to Town of Webb Supervisor, Ted Riehle, PO Box 57, Old Forge New York 13420.

Dave Sychtysz,

Goldsboro, N.C.

No response from the town board

To the editor:

This is an edited copy of a letter sent to the Old Forge Town Board in August, to which I have had no response. I offered two comments in the letter.

1. Expanded cell phone service is sorely needed throughout the Old Forge, Eagle Bay and Inlet area. While those in charge of tourism actively encourage numerous outdoor sports and activities, many of which are potentially dangerous, they fall short by not ensuring that adequate cell phone service is available in the event of an injury or accident. The EMT services reputedly are excellent, but they do no good if an individual is unable to use a cell phone to summon them. I typically need to drive some distance from my house to find an adequate cell signal. Obviously, if one is incapacitated, whether in one’s yard or out on a trail, driving or even walking to find a cell signal would be impossible. With so many people now relying on cell phones to communicate, the town government needs to work harder to get adequate cell phone service to the entire tri-town area.

2. Somebody needs to revisit why there is no area at Water Safari where people who escort kids to the park can sit, not use any of the water facilities and wait for them. This summer, I drove my three visiting grandsons, ages 13, 13 and 10 to Water Safari to enjoy an afternoon of water amusements. Their admission cost me $85.58. I cannot tell you how disgusted I was to learn that I could not enter the water park unless I paid another $26.95 for “general admission” to sit somewhere, collect dust and wait for the boys to finish their fun. That said, (a) since the boys were not old enough to drive themselves to the park, I had no choice but to drive them there; (b) I am 72 years old and had absolutely no interest in using the water facilities; and (c) I was fully clad and it was clearly evident that I had no intention of swimming.

That kind of charge is, simply put, a rip-off. Saying that it would “be difficult to enforce” a special category of chaperones, as I was told by one of the park attendants, is unacceptable. The attendants would have no difficulty spotting people who are in the park without admission stamps on their hands; therefore, the simple act of using a different color and type of stamp certainly could be noticed without further ado. Five bucks, I would have paid. Twenty-six ninety-five? I don’t think so. The boys will not be returning in the future.

Rosalyn Toper,

Eagle Bay