More Than A Skiing Clinic

By CURT CLARK

Published: Oct 24, 2008 12:00 am

More Than

A Skiing Clinic

To the Editor

My name is Matthew Castelluccio. I am the adaptive sports coordinator at Helen Hayes Hospital. I have been in a chair for five years now and an active participant in the Lake Zoar Water Ski program for the last two years. When the winter weather seems to be breaking, the buzz of going to Joelâs house for the skiing clinic begins amongst all my buddies.

The program they run is important to me, as well as many others. I drive over two hours to participate, and I would drive more if needed. There are not any other programs of this nature on the entire Northeast coast. By not allowing the waterways to be closed temporarily during our clinics, it makes for an unsafe skiing environment. This would stop many from being able to participate. It may also lead to the end of the program. To see a program that has done so much for so many with disabilities, it would be a great loss. This is a well-organized program that has been established for many years. Joel takes great pleasure in offering his skiing services to us and we all look forward to it each year.

More then a skiing clinic, itâs an opportunity to socialize with people with disabilities. When you have a disability, it is very easy to feel isolated and like you are the only one going through this. Activities of this nature opens the door for social situations to see others with disabilities that are going through the same thing and can share their story. It becomes a support group and a place for growth. I get the opportunity to see people that are leading productive lives with a disability. I can ask them for advice and share with them some information that may help them. This aspect is even more important then learning to water ski. This is a program that enables us to all get together.

Please do not stop this program from continuing to grow. Joelâs program does so much good for so many.

Sincerely,

Matthew Castelluccio

Adaptive Sports Coordinator

Helen Hayes Hospital

687 Lakes Road, Monroe, N.Y.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â October 21, 2008

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The Editor suggest a meeting between the "Rock This Democracy " and the Police Commission. As a former Police Commissioner the Chief should have followed the chain of command and discussed this with the Police Commission. The Chief reports to the Elected Police Commission not our Republican First Selection. Can't help but feel this is Republican politics again making an issue out of a non issue.

Assembly Ordinance?

I support Chief Kullgren’s request to explore permitting, and cost-sharing for large gatherings. The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I fully support the constitutional right to free speech and assembly. However, where and how often these protests occur matters. Main Street is not just a symbol — it’s a vital artery for daily life in town. When events are held there monthly, and at increasing scale, they cause disruption to residents, businesses, and traffic. While the Rock This Democracy group may describe these protests as unique or urgent, the frequency — roughly once every two weeks this spring — suggests more of a recurring series than a singular, spontaneous moment of civic expression. This isn’t about silencing anyone. It’s about fairness, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. Every time a protest happens, our police department is forced to assign resources, often on overtime. That expense adds up quickly. If any group wants to use public space regularly, particularly in a way that impacts traffic and requires police presence, then it’s reasonable for the town to consider permitting and cost-sharing — just as we do for other organized events like races, festivals, or parades. Let’s protect everyone’s rights — including the right of the community to function smoothly and the right of taxpayers not to bear undue cost for repeated events. I trust the Council to consider a reasonable path forward that balances speech with responsibility.

David, your passion for transparency would carry more weight if it weren’t routinely wielded like a cudgel. Let's set the record straight: no one is against easier access to documents or better online availability—we all want an informed public. But there's a difference between constructive advocacy and the kind of grandstanding that costs this town time, morale, and taxpayer money. You cite Ridgefield’s practices—great. Let's talk about that like adults. But instead, what we see is a steady stream of accusatory posts, legal challenges, and FOIA blitzes aimed less at solving problems and more at creating headlines. It’s not “slander” to point out that your approach often does more to divide and exhaust than to help. I’ve been at the very meetings you claim are inaccessible or opaque. I’ve seen your group turn logistical hiccups into conspiracy theories. I’ve watched as staff—who already work overtime—are dragged into another fishing expedition while real civic needs are left hanging. You’re not just pushing for access; you’re using the tools of open government to grind its gears to a halt. That’s not progress. That’s obstruction dressed up as advocacy. And the people paying for it—literally—are your neighbors. Let’s stop pretending it’s just about uploading PDFs. The issue here is how we engage. We can have real conversations about modernization without constant accusations, FOIA skirmishes, and Facebook pile-ons. Until then, I’ll continue to call out tactics that undermine, not uplift, our town.

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Its really easy to make assertions and cast doubts from behind a keyboard....a little too easy aparently. You might try conducting the actual research BEFORE doing it next time. If you do, you too will find that there's no need to imagine such a policy to improve public transparency and participation. Take a look at Ridgefield's P&Z meeting agendas on their website for starters. They are just one town that provide links to electronic copies of applications and other public documents, so that their commissioners and residents can easily access them and be well-informed, before meetings and public hearings occur and without making them drive to town hall (during business hours) to ask their land use staff to pull the files and make copies of them, saving everyone time (time is money), and gasoline, and missed work. Most applicants alrleady submit electronic copies, and for those who don't, it's a lot easier for a staffer to scan them once, than to have to make copies every time someone asks for them. And please don't misrepresent or slander those who advocate for smart, low impact & sustainable development policies and practices as 'anti-development'.

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More Than A Skiing Clinic

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