Excellent newspaper
Because we feel that The River Reporter is the the local community newspaper which is of the greatest interest to recreationists and others who visit Innisfree, we have been saving issues for the last three years. , Narrowsburg, NY, 03-06-1986
We are missing the following numbers of Volume XI: 1, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 19. Enclosed is a check for $2.10 to cover the cost of the back issues. Let us know if this amount is not sufficient.
Innisfree has a library of over 2,000 books on the first floor of our dormitory building which, by prior arrangement, local residents are invited to use.
Our recreation hall is also available, at modest rates, for community meetings or other events.
You may contact us at 717/729-7762.
INNISFREE YOUTH HOSTEL
Bud, Ann, & Tom Rue
Milanville
The River Reporter
Thank you, Peri / A job well done
This community owes a debt of gratitude to Peri Ann Hennig for her vibrant and tireless efforts, since last March, as president of the board of directors of the Delaware Community Center. , Honesdale, PA, 09-23-1986
I have seen Peri take on what appeared to me to be much more than her share of the workload in administering and running the daily operation of the center. Her energy seemed to know no bounds.
However, everyone has limits. One mortal body can only do so much.
At last Monday's meeting, Peri announced that she had reached her limit of what she could do and handed in her resignation. Peri said she wants to continue in an advisory capacity, but cannot handle the heavy workload of the presidency in addition to her other commitments.
The center needs more local people like Peri to serve actively on its board. It also needs volunteers to work on fund-raising projects and program activities.
Let me voice my personal thanks to Peri, as well as to all the others whose work over the years has made possible for the Callicoon area, on both sides of the Delaware, a tremendous resource for young people, particularly, and for the entire community.
TOM RUE
Milanville
The Wayne Independent
Sullivan County Democrat, Callicoon, NY 09-26-1986
[and other area newspapers about the same time]
No park? No plan? No way!
When I attended the so-called public "hearing" at my town's old high school on June 4, I was angered and horrified by the travesty of democracy which I saw there. I came to present some constructive criticisms concerning the propose River Management Plan, but was prevented from doing so. The meeting adjourned after an hour and a half of abusive disturbance, during which no one else was allowed to speak either. , Callicoon, NY, 06-13-1986
No verbal comments about the draft plan were entered into the record because of all the hooting and hollering, evidently led and orchestrated by one William Matz, a full-time graduate student in applied psychology at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Matz is a behind-the-scnes leader of the Independent Landholders' Association (ILA.)
Obviously skilled in group manipulation techniques, the way Matz and his underlings worked the crowd into a frenzy that night indicated to me that he knew exactly what he was doing.
I was reminded of a tragic chapter in history, when Brownshirts and storm-troopers began dominating the political scene and bullying the public in similar fashion.
Between his academic schedule and other school-related activities, Mr. Matz, "Esquire" must burn the midnight oil often to continue to churn out his pompous and prolific letters to the editor which an ILA clyer says are mailed to ten newspapers around the region. Doesn't he have enough to do at home and on campus in New Jersey to keep him from coming up here to build a political power-base for himself?
I attended the Calicoon meeting the following night, and witnessed the same bizarre spectacle as occurred in Damascus. That disturbance, too, was apparently orchestrated by Matz, his father Dick, and a handful of others. Unfortunately, my work schedule prevented me from going to the hearings in Shohola or Port Jervis, so I was altogether denied the right to speak.
As a resident of Damascus Township, my rights were flagrantly violated by a few "leaders" who manipulated the local citizenry. Of course, some will reply that the people are afraid the park service may violate their rights by taking their land. At least, that's what some have been telling them is about to happen. The Taking they talk and write so much about, on the Upper Delaware, however, seems to be nothing more than a fabrication of certain liveries, real estate people, and others who would stand to gain financially by the unrestricted rape of the river and her adjoining lands. This is not Tock's Island.
If residents fear condemnation or have other grievances, let them speak rationally and hear the lawmakers' response. And let the people allow me and the rest of their neighbors the same privilege. Breaking up meetings does their cause no good at all. When a few organizers use air-horns, noise-makers, and cheerlead stomping and screeching, they are but sounding brass to the U.S. Congress. Even Charles Cushman knows that. Their voices will not be heard.
It appears that the NPS is on the Upper Delaware to stay. No amount of foot-stomping, hooting, or chanting will change the law. Neither will swastikas or tire-slashings, which have occurred in this area in the past. Someone at the Damascus meeting even yelled, "Burn them out!"
If Bill Matz ever hopes to be a professional psychologist (as opposed to a professional student), I suggest he lend his energy to healing wounds and rifts he has helped to create between the peoople of this valley, and stop attempting to shift the burden of responsibility to others. He and his cohorts pin the blame on the NPS. In so doing, they do the honest, decent citizens of the valley a great disservice.
TOM RUE
Milanville
Sullivan County Democrat
The Hancock Herald, Hancock, NY, 06-18-1986
The Pike County Dispatch, Milford, PA, 06-19-1986
[and other area newspapers about the same time]
Cochecton's all right
On June 11 I attendede a Cochecton Town Board meeting, as an interested resident of a neighboring township.
Despite the few negative comments I have heard and read concerning Supervisor Jean McCoach, I was impressed with her ability to run a civilized, orderly meeting.
Duirng a spirited interchange on the proposed River Management Plan, everyone present (the room was packed) seemed to have their say -- both for and against. The only time the meeting was disrupted was when a stray cat jumped up on the conference table.
If "Cochecton needs a change," I don't see in what area.
TOM RUE
Milanville
Sullivan County Democrat, Callicoon, NY, 06-17-1986
Hitting the nail on the head
Congratulations and best wishes for the courage displayed by the publication of your March 25 editorial entitled "The Time Is Now." , Callicoon, NY, 04-01-1986
Not only did you stand up to the "river crazies" whose letters often dominate the editorial pages of many regional newspapers, but you helped to inform some of those who may have been taken in by the propaganda.
Many of those people who write so many letters, it turns out, have ties to real estate far beyond local land ownership, or other financial interests on the river.
Thank you for bringing the issues back to earth.
TOM RUE
Milanville
The Sullivan County Democrat
A few loud voices
For some time I have tried to remain objective in my evaluation of the controversy surrounding the implementation of a management plan for the Upper Delaware River. Perhaps I have been successful; perhaps not. , Honesdale, PA, 03-20-1986
As a voter and a resident of Damascus Township and the river corridor, I am concerned about the manner in which the approval of a plan -- any plan -- has been mired down by a few vocal special interest groups and people who do not reside in the corridor.
The majority of valley residents, I believe, have been intimidated into silence on matters which are of the gravest, social and environmental concern. The river belongs to all of us.
I have spoken with numerous people on both sides of the river who have described their experiences of being shouted down and ridiculted by the same small group of henchmen who travel from meeting to meeting apparently with the express intent of preventing any sort of meaningful discussion from taking place. They make dramatic and even occasionally articulate demonstrations to th effect that there should be no plan at all. The only problem is, they're wrong. The river towns need a nunified plan to effectively manage the river.
As an American, I resent the attempts of a few disturbed individuals and buffoons, professing to represent "thousands" of local landholders, to stifle a free interchange of ideas at public meetings and undermine the democratic process. I call upon them to sit down.
Let the people speak.
TOM RUE
Milanville
The Wayne Independent
[and other area newspapers about the same time]
03-24-1998
