There For Them

By CURT CLARK

Published: Oct 31, 2008 12:00 am

There For Them

To The Editor:

Â My name is George Taborsky from Long Island, N.Y. I was injured in a diving accent in 1992 that left me paralyzed from the chest down. I have been skiing at the Leaps of Faith Disabled Water Skiers for the past 2Â½ years. I always have been a water person growing up â swim team, life guard, boating, fishing, and water skiing. After my accident I never though that I would be able to do a water sports again, so I did the typical wheelchair sports that were out there, which was great. But it wasnât until I found out about disabled water skiing 2Â½ years ago at the Leaps of Faith Disabled Water Skiers that getting up in the morning felt so well. It only took that first time to get that great feeling of being on the water, behind a boat, and water skiing â what a great feeling. The whole event is a great time. I get to meet some great people of all ages and disabilities, and the volunteers that give up their free time to help out is just awesome. Now I get up at 5 am and dive 2Â½ hours from Long island â because there is no other program like this around â to take part in these great events. Physical exercise, pure fun, and the confidence that this program give me is awesome.

The nonprofit Leaps of Faith is located in a great location on the last north part of Lake Zoar with only two other homes above it so no need for boats to go past, which makes it a very safe location. For the last 12 years, the Leaps of Faith Disabled Water Skiers and Lake Zoar Authority were able to work together and run a fun, great safe program that they should be proud of. But for the past year and a half the Lake Zoar Authority feels the need to change this good partnership. I would think that the Lake Zoar Authority would be proud of being part of a great program that helps disabled people to enjoy a great sport and do what ever they could do to help this program grow and not hurt it or even shut it down by imposing high fees. Knowing that the Lake Zoar Authority does not charge other people that water ski on Lake Zoar, I feel that the Lake Zoar Authority is discriminating against me and this whole disabled program.

I hope the Lake Zoar Authority can see how they are hurting this program and change their discriminating thinking and try it embrace this program as something good and be proud of it and be able to say, âYes, Lake Zoar has a great disabled water program and we the Lake Zoar Authority are glad and proud to be a partner of it, and that if ever my friend or family ever need it, I know it would be there for them.â

George Taborsky

Smithtown, 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 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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Dan was a real gentleman. I had the honor of knowing him for about 10 years from high school and into early adulthood. He was always upbeat and amiable. His love of golf was boundless. I remember him droning on about the type of wedge this or that professional golfer was playing at any given time. He loved to play also. Dan made the winning putt that clinched a championship for NHS men’s golf in 1984. It was a snaking, downhill putt that few people would have had the nerve or imagination to have holed at such a critical moment. It was magic!! You are a true gem, Dan. May your eternal reward be endless days of long, straight drives and the sound of difficult putts finding the bottom of the hole.

Daniel R. Baker

Congratulations John! This is quite a feat & shows a lot of perseverance, endurance, & commitment while becoming more healthy & having fun! The ultimate achievement! Wishing u a long healthy life!

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“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The 1st Amendment does NOT say "except when there's a budget problem, or when some people wish things would quiet down." There is no way a proposed ordinance can be construed as other than singling out RockthisDemocracy, and also no way the town does not get expensively buried in court should it be foolish enough to go down this path.

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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.

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.

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There For Them

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