Letter to the Editor
On Monday evening, July 11th, a very nice neighbor lady stopped by our home. Mr. Jay Huff had asked her to get voter signatures on a petition for him to run for one of the Brewster Council seats available in the November election.

I told her that Mr. Jay Huff was not up for re-election. he still has over two years of his term left as a Brewster Council member. Therefore, I would not sign his petition.

Why would Mr. Jay Huff want to run for a Council seat when he already has a seat? It is my understanding this is legal. You may run for a second seat. If you win the election then you must vacate the first council seat. At that time another person is appointed to the vacated seat, not elected to it. Perhaps this is his motive??

I want to vote for independent thinkers and those who will make decisions based on what is best for our Village. I will not waste my vote on a person who already has a seat! I think it is important that all Brewster voters are aware of this situation.
Concerned voter, Cinde Pepper

Dear Cinde,
Thanks for the letter. I don’t know the motivation for such an action, so I called Mr. Huff. Below is his response.

To the Citizens of Brewster,
A few of you are upset that I am running for Council when I already hold a seat.

The reason I am doing this is because now I am an appointed member to Council. I want to be an elected member to Council. IF elected I will be able to say I was elected to Council. As for saying I would appoint one of my followers, is untrue because there are five other members on Council. I think the person to be appointed should come from those running for the election. IF I AM ELECTED!!!

I do not understand why you would write to the Editor or to the Mayor when all you need to do is ask me!! We may not always agree, but at least I am willing to listen. I hope you are too.
Signed by Jay Huff

From the Editor,
There seems to be alot of controversy in the Brewster Council (and in other villages) these days. Maybe sometime before the November election, we all should reflect on our elected officials’ job.

Are they doing a good job representing you? Or do they have their own agenda? Maybe they feel they are there to “make the village a better place to live”, but are they going in the direction you want them to go? Are their priorities the same as yours? Do they KNOW what you want or expect of them? What do you think their priorities should be? What sort of changes do you WANT for your Village? What sort of things do you NOT want changed? How do they know if you don’t tell them? And if you don’t tell them how can you legitimately complain? Don’t forget we live in a democracy; the majority should rule. And if it doesn’t, then, it’s time for new elected officials.

Letter to the Editor
Once again, the Historical town of Zoar is in danger of being flooded. The Army Corps of Engineer is finding faults with the levee they had repaired 2 years ago.

The people of Zoar work hard to take care of their homes, the town, and preserving its History. This year, on Sept. 17th and 18th will be the Civil War Encampment and Reenactment in Zoar. If you haven't yet, seen this Battlefield and what life was like in the 1800's, then I urge you to do so. It’s a "must see" for everyone. It will make you more appreciative for what the people of Zoar are doing---keeping the ERA of the Civil War Alive.

Lets show our support to the people of Zoar by signing the Petitions in the following businesses: Brewster Wandle House Historical Building, Brewster Branch Library at Fairless Elementary School, Gristmill Antiques and Lucas Market of Beach City. El Ducko in Strasburg and Strasburg Antiques Mall. Bolivar Antique Shop and Burts Bike and Hike Bicycle Shop in Bolivar on Canal St. Wilkshire Laundromat and Zoar Market.

Thank You in advance for your support. Lets show the "Zoarites" that we got their backs! This has nothing to do with voting. It does not matter what county you are from. It is just to give support to a handful of dedicated people. The Zoarites.

Vicki Willis, Brewster

Letter to the Editor
Dear Citizens of Brewster,
I would like to start off with a question. Has anyone been to a Brewster City Council meeting in the past two years? Well if you’re looking for some comedy relief you should attend. Yeah, remember this is the town where the City Council demanded the Mayor resign or they would find a reason to get hime thrown out. This is the town who worries about shut-ins moving their vehicles in snow storms and when they don’t - ticketed them. Yes, this is the town that plants trees where they cut them down because they have grown too big downtown. Yes, this is the town that buys new vehicles for the city workers like they own stock at the manufacturers. Yes, this is the Council that did not get a renewal for streets passed - that has never happened before, research it. And, yes, this unfortunately is the town we have come to know here in Brewster, where they have no problem funding who or what they deem to be in their best interest, but other programs go underfunded. There’s not a lot about Brewster left that brought me here to live all those years ago. But there is one shinny moment to this... these people running this town will most likely be one-term councilmembers. As citizens it is our job to reform our city, make the changes we need to make or we will just be like all the other little towns - not like the village we once were and can be again! I strongly advise people to run against our current Councilmembers when the time comes.

Thanks, I will be in touch,
Brewster Tax Payer

Letter to the Editor,
Dear Editor,
In response to the letter regarding Brewster Village Council: We invite anyone to attend the “comedy relief” on the first and third Mondays of each month. Admission is free and opinions are welcome. The “comedy relief” is a result of people who are passionate about our town. Yes, there are disagreements but if council members sat idol then the town would sit idol. There would be no growth, no change, and no development.

Yes, it was sad that the road levy failed. Let me remind you that it was the citizens, not council, that voted it down. Fortunately at this time our roads are looking better than most surrounding communities. This levy does need passed in November and we hope that, for the sake of our Village, residents will get out and vote for it.

For your information, Brewster Village Council members make very little money for being on council and some even donate that money. However, they put a lot of their own time and heart into caring for this Village.

Council members welcome anyone wishing to run for council to make Brewster a better place to live. Please be willing to bring positive energy as negative attitudes will only be detrimental to our village.

Another Brewster Tax Payer

Letter to the Editor,
Dear Cheryl,
I was really upset by the letter written by “Brewster Tax Payer”. In replying, it was not my intention to start something or keep this debate on-going, so I will understand if you choose not to print my letter...

In response to “Brewster Tax Payer”: I have lived in Brewster almost all of my life and I don’t think you can find a better place to live. And, yes, I have been to a Council meeting lately. I presented my concern to the Council, it was acted upon in a reasonable length of time and to my satisfaction. So, “Brewster Tax Payer”, if you are so dissatisfied with this Village, have you considered running for Council? or moving? or would you rather just complain? Unlike you, I will gladly sign my name.

Vivian Owens

Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I read the earlier Letters to the Editor and it appears to me that they were certainly entitled to their opinion, but I think they may have missed the point of why the tax issue failed. If our previous mayor resigned because of threats then maybe he shouldn’t have been mayor in the first place. We have a snow removal ordinance. Criticizing the police for doing their job, no matter how distasteful it may be at times, is bad policy. Cutting trees down and planting new ones is not worth discussing. The budget decisions are responsibility of Mayor and Council with input from others. The citizens have a right and a responsibility to influence the structure of the budget. They can only do this by paying attention to the process. The debate in Council may be comic relief to some people, but the debate and questions asked are important. There is no such thing as a dumb question. The criticism mentioned that it was not the Council’s fault but the voters that turned down the money issue is unfounded. I suggest that the Mayor and Council do some fact finding and they may find out the reasons for the refusal was not arbitrary. Making sure the business of the Village is available to the public in the newspapers promotes trust. Other governing bodies in the county publishing their activities. To do otherwise could create the perception of not caring what the public thinks, or arrogance of power. The public may think that there must be plenty of tax dollars because of the oversight of those dollars or the lack of oversight. For instance is the payroll being scrutinized especially in the area of overtime? Does it take two employees to leave town to purchase something for the Village that can’t be purchased locally? Is the police department being criticized for enforcing the muffler and speeding laws of this town? Are their special people that can’t be arrested? Are we buying vehicles and equipment unnecessarily? This is a partial list of concerns and I’m sure there are others with similar questions. Being a village official is not easy. Distributing large sums of money in an equitable way is difficult. The ultimate responsibility for the operation of the Village, which includes employees, is in the hands of Village elected officials and they should be held accountable.

Robert E. Luckring, Brewster

Buy American Made
This works when the dollar is weak and the people are afraid for their jobs. Buy USA....

A physics teacher in high school, once told his students. “While one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train at all, a billion of them would!”

With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good American.

I was in Lowes the other day, and just for the heck of it, I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China.
The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it, I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA.
Start looking.
In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else – even their job.
My son likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I will not buy it any more.
My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest.
You have to read the labels on everything..
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand that I normally buy, was an off brand labeled, "Everyday Value". I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats – they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO!! and the Everyday Value brand was made in – get ready for this – the USA in a company in Cleveland, Ohio. So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.
So on to another aisle – Bounce Dryer Sheets... yep, you guessed it, Bounce costs more money and is made in China. The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA !
I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
Lay's stacked potato chips in a can is made in Mexico. Good old Pringles made in USA.

My challenge to you ~ is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things, and see what you can find that is made in the USA – the job you save may be your own or that of your neighbor!

If you accept the challenge, please pass this on to others so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies! Help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.!

Tell Me About It!

If you have something you want to voice your opinion on write it up and send it to us. If you just want to send a special thanks to someone or a group send it to us. Its your voice that makes all he difference.

This page is dedicated to your rants and raves. Send your letter to the web editor and tell me what you thought was great - or what really stinks. Either way it's your choice.