Local Race Relations in the Catskills: A Letter in Response by Sandra Cuellar Oxford

by Sandra Cuellar Oxford

soxford@ufcw888.org

Editor's Note: This letter is a response to an op-ed published last week inThe Writer's Workshop of Sullivan County and the New York Section of The Huffington Post by Steven Kurlander.  If you would like to continue a written dialogue of this sort on this topic, please feel free to contribute your words (try to keep them to between 500-750 words). - SK

Dear Steven:

I want to thank you for your vote of confidence and kind offer to assist the Sullivan County Branch of the NAACP.   I reposted your thoughtful op-ed letter on race relations, I believe it is worthy of a community-wide conversation.

The NAACP is the oldest Civil Rights organization in the United States; historically great leadership has been present throughout the continuum of the struggle for Human Rights for all Americans. The NAACP is a membership organization, annual dues are $30 per year, and our membership drives are on-going in order to meet the benchmarks put forth by the NAACP.

The work of our branch is clearly defined by NAACP National and theNYS NAACP's executive leadership. Each NAACP Branch must have 5 standing committees: 1. Economic Sustainability, 2.Education, 3. Health, 4. Public Safety and Criminal Justice and 5.Voting Rights and Political Representation.

The community is welcome to attend our January 8th meeting, 6:00 pm at the Ted Strobel Center in Monticello, NY.  

Our newly elected Board of Directors will be installed and we will be appointing committee Co-chairs from the membership to our five committees. I am joined by a remarkable group of neighbors who have made the commitment to serve on the Executive Committee.

First Chair-Sandra Johnson Fields is has raised her family for over a decade in Sullivan County. She has provided her unique brand of governance as a school administrator and is a constant voice of empowerment and encouragement to parents and students. 

Our new Treasurer-Gladys Walker is a treasure and recently retired after three decades of service and leadership of the largest anti-poverty, multi-service organization in Sullivan County.  Aside from the multitude of professional experiences, her family's rich history in Sullivan County is equally cherished.

Reelected Secretary-Elaine Williams brings a life time of civil rights activism, leadership and NAACP organizational experience to our executive board.  Her knowledge remains a constant driving force today as it has been throughout the various social movements she has contributed to. 

Lastly our Second Vice Chair-David Ryan lives between Sullivan and Chenango County, he is a civil engineer and offers diversity of experience and skills to our newly elected executive board.  

As the Sullivan County NAACP Branch proudly enters a new year; our county is in the midst of transformation.  It is essential to ensure to that our members and our community have a seat at the table.

I have never owned a copy of Saul Alinsky's  "Rules for Radicals" but I get your point about representation and diversity in our government, areas of employment and various community boards.  

The concept really should not be viewed as "radical" but "fair and just".  

A bird's eye view offers a glimpse into the disproportion and gap we see in Sullivan County.  A recent example brought to my attention is that it appears in the Monticello Government Center there is only one African American male employed in the entire building.  That in itself is stunning to me. And to add insult to injury it is not even a full-time position. 

Economic sustainability and access to stable employment should not be a privilege nor should political patronage ever play a part in deciding employment, but it does.  

Looking at the various agencies and offices in our County and Municipal Governments reveals a lot about the organizational culture of each one of those departments in Sullivan County.

If we are going to take pages from anyone's book let it be those departments, agencies or municipalities in Sullivan County who have made a sincere and honest attempt to build bridges across the racial and cultural divide.

On the surface without specific data it appears that local diversity and representation is stronger in Law Enforcement agencies locally than other governmental agencies.  Two examples are Sullivan County Sheriff's Department and Monticello PD both agencies have cultivated a cadre of law enforcement professionals from diverse backgrounds.

With the introduction of Casino Gambling into our local economy it will be imperative that this industry not mimic the failed employment practices of the past that limited or excluded diversity from the ranks of their leadership; this is an area I anticipate our Sullivan County Branch will be vigorously involved in.   

  

Steven, your observation about our local system of justice is not lost on me, I get it and in the spirit of diplomacy I believe a place to begin is with an examination and collection of information to tell our story of the impact of federal, state and local criminal justice system practices in Sullivan County.

If there is an overrepresentation of minorities among Sullivan County arrests, convictions, and sentences to state prison or other harsher treatment within the criminal justice continuum, locally our branch must be engaged and prepared to make recommendations for change.  

Also very little local attention has been given to chronicle the overwhelming impact the criminal justice system has on individuals and communities most affected by crime.  Are we really putting resources back into these communities to repair those most distressed by crime?  

Sullivan County may have its fair share of "issues" we also have great strengths and assets that are unique and exclusive to our region.Sullivan County will 'break out from the bottom' of poor health indicators.  I am particularly optimistic in this area because of the leadership found on the frontlines of addressing these health disparities.  

As the Department of Family Services continues to address internal and external fraud and waste in the system, I believe that it is crucial to support courageous leadership and rank-and-file workers locally that are willing to confront, speak out and blow the whistle on the corruption.  

Backing good leadership is just as crucial as cultivating new leadership. Creating opportunities for emerging leaders in various capacities will be foremost in moving Sullivan County ahead.

A few personal comments on some of the cultural observations you have made regarding diversity and the absence of it as it relates to lack of African American DJ's on the air of our local commercial radio stations.  As a proud supporter of the work and inclusiveness of WJFF Radio in Jeffersonville, our NPR affiliate offers diverse locally produced programs which include African American hosts and some bilingual English/Spanish programming.  Because of the station's inclusiveness and commitment to promoting our area's diversity WJFF provides a local model for others radio stations to reflect upon. 

Another personal point I wish to address about diversity and our County Legislature is the fact that our County Legislature has a Latina who is bilingual and biliterate currently representing District 6.  Like me, she has a strong Colombian-American heritage and most Spanish speakers in Sullivan County know exactly who she is, because she never hesitates to reach out to constituents or residents in English or Spanish.  

In closing I appreciate your time spent in making recommendations and thank you again for sharing your views on these matters in your OP-ED piece.

Our NAACP in Sullivan County can become a State and National model...anything is possible.  Our strength is in on our membership and our members will move the agenda forward.

I am honored and humbled by the support I have received from so many friends and allies.  

I would like to invite everyone reading this to re-double your commitment and join us in creating a blueprint for uplifting Sullivan County in 2015, it is time to welcome our destiny.  

In Unity,

Sandy Cuellar Oxford

Local Race Relations in Sullivan County & the Catskills: A Letter to Sandra Cuellar Oxford

by Steven Kurlander

kurly@stevenkurlander.com

Dear Sandra:

As we discussed last week, I am writing this letter (ok, its really an op-ed) to not only congratulate you on becoming the new Sullivan County NAACP president, but also to offer you some of my insights on race relations here in Sullivan County

The purpose of this letter is not only to encourage you to increase the influence of more people of all races in our politics and community, but also to help preserve and grow toleration here.

The state of race relations in our country now centers these days on the divisions created by very unfortunate events in Ferguson, Missouri and New York City.  

In Sullivan County, I believe there are other immediate concerns to be addressed by you and the NAACP as well as police relations in our communities (which I believe are relatively good at this time).

First, messaging at this juncture is critical for the NAACP.

While I believe that we live in a very tolerant community, continuing problems and issues should be obviously highlighted. Just as important, what is good and positive already needs more emphasis in the press too.

For example: It sickened me recently to see Mayor Gordon Jenkins seize the headlines when he led a failed, truly insignificant demonstration against alleged local police brutality. The wrong message was again being sent about Monticello and Sullivan County by our Middletown daily looking to accentuate the negative in Sullivan County and sell papers.

At the same time, there was no reporting of a brilliant, ad hoc community Holiday dinner that was organized by spirited people of all faiths and color which drew hundreds of people and evoked community cooperation and spirit which made me and other proud to live in Monticello and Sullivan County.  

Second, a new effort should be spearheaded for more inclusion of minorities in our political system and as employees in our municipal halls and DPWs.

To the best of my knowledge, a minority has never sat in our County Legislature and very few have served on village and town boards.  Except for Judge Josephine Finn, how many minority judges have sat in our various village and town courts? 

The time is here to start incubating and encouraging minority candidates to run for these jobs.

Culturally, when was the last time you heard a Afro-American DJ on a local commercial radio station here or programing specifically for minority ethnic communities here in Sullivan County?  How many minorities are members of local community organizations boards that serve minority populations? Not enough.  

As we discussed, taking a page of Saul Alinsky's “Rules for Radicals,” its important at this juncture to place Sullivan County NAACP members on as many volunteer boards, political, religious, or not for profits, to promote inclusion and increase the say of the minority community in Sullivan County.

Third, while there’s concern over police relations, an examination of how the poor are represented in our local courts and how judges are meting out punishment toward them is long overdue here in Sullivan County.  

Also, while there’s a new effort to reduce welfare fraud, there’s no one talking for those locals unfairly discouraged from applying or questioning the true efficacy and cost of these harsh policies.

Monitors from the NAACP need to be appointed social service interviews and attend court sessions, both in County Court and local justice courts.  

Also, a commissioned study should be called for to see how bad the differentiation is between sentencing for those represented by Legal Aid and those by paid private attorneys and to calibrate the severity of sentencing on felonies of the poor.

Fourth, as one of the sickest communities in the US, Sullivan County is not doing enough to truly address nutritional concerns at the grassroots level.  

I would suggest the NAACP spearhead developing a program to ask grocery stores and convenience stores to sell less crap in the form of sugary caloric  sodas, snacks, and cakes.  Another suggestion: The development of community gardens in our “urban” areas, maybe through Cornell Cooperative, to teach our kids how to grow food and how good it is to consume can be explored.

Finally, and most importantly, building your membership in the various communities in Sullivan County is critical  

A NAACP with a strong voice that draws from all in the community guarantees more tolerance and understanding in Sullivan County.

In closing, I hope you use your stewardship of the local NAACP to build an organization that is not only effective in its work, but serves as a model for other communities in future race relations in our country.  

I believe that you have the skills and we have the right community to do so.  I am here to help.

True Expectations in the Catskills: Casinos means jobs, PERIOD.

by Steven Kurlander

kurly@stevenkurlander.com

Once upon a time, there was a popular slogan in the Catskills that summed up the reason why most residents living the antithesis of the American Dream in the region favored the building of casinos in the once renown resort area.

“Casinos mean jobs.”

Those three words defined the dream of the building of casinos in Sullivan County.

The building of casinos in the Catskills has always been couched not as a cure-all in rebuilding our region, but instead a new beginning in resurrecting a once bustling tourist industry.  

That dream not only entailed hundreds of thousands once again enjoying our natural beauty, fresh air, and various amenities in the area, but also that destination resorts would once again provide hundreds, if not thousands of jobs that in turn would rebuild a new middle class in our area.

Last week, there was an article in the New York Times entitled In “Faded Vacationland, Gambling’s Promise Falls Short - Poconos Casino Offers Lesson as New York Weighs Proposals in Catskills.”  It was a very negative hit piece that chronicled how casinos there did not live up to the promises made before they were built.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/07/nyregion/casino-bust-in-poconos-could-be-a-lesson-for-the-catskills.html?_r=2

Noting the high expectations created with the prospect of great economic impact from the building of casinos in the Catskills were very similar to those raised when the Pocono facilities were proposed, the article stated:  “The promises sound equally grandiose: oceans of revenue and taxes, and thousands of new jobs — enough to give a depleted community a sharply different outlook.”

One observation about the times article surmised that the article was maybe an harbinger of disappointing news about whether we get a casino in the region. http://leftatthegate.blogspot.com/2014/11/times-pours-ice-cold-water-on-catskills.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLATG+%28Left+at+the+Gate%29&m=1

“From reading this article, one would think that the only person in the entire town who is happy is some dude, a.k.a. The Goldfather, who is apparently an unlicensed pawnbroker.”

The author of the article obviously does not have any understanding about how cynical we are here in the Catskills. We have endured decades of being the stepchild of New York State, high taxation, a dearth of economic development, and a brain drain of people to states to the south.  

We don’t really have high expectations anymore and don’t take any promises of sustenance and wealth very seriously.

Now that the election is over, we are all waiting for that fateful announcement that will tell the world whether there will be a casino, or even two, at the former Concord Hotel location in Kiamesha Lake.  Hundreds, if not thousands of temporary and permanent new jobs in Sullivan County, are hanging in the balance with that decision.

We have waited half a century for this decision, and will probably wait a few weeks more to find out whether or not there will be one or two casinos overlooking Kiamesha Lake in a year or two.

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/224248/ny-casino-reviews-will-continue-at-least-11-more-days/

Those supposedly in the know are saying we are a lock for one, and its only a matter of speculation whether a second casino gaming destination facilty is built in Monticello.  

As the national economy continues an alleged recovery, as the price of gas and heating fuel continues to plummet, and as the gaming industry begins to recover from a significant downturn in profitability, there is indeed great promise that Catskill casinos would help revitalize our area.

Despite the grandiose  promises of casino developers, after 50 years of waiting, and of struggle, our expectations in the Catskills are not high at all.  Casinos don’t mean an end to our struggles, but just a new beginning to rebuilding our economy.  Realistically, its like they said years ago, casinos mean jobs. Period.

Getting Rid of “Ghost” Structures: Perceiving the Catskills as a Place of Renewal, Not Decay

by Steven Kurlander

kurly@stevenkurlander.com

With or without the siting of one or two casino gaming destination resorts, it’s certain that the Catskills encompassing both Sullivan County and southern Ulster have turned the corner and are on their way back to economic viability.

It’s also certain that such a statement would be met with great skepticism and disdain from those who live here and  endured an unreasonable economic hardship for the last two or three decades.  

That negativity, which defines a common demoralization, in turn has fostered a lack of pride in our region in terms of aesthetics-in both how we preserve our landscape and how we enforce our building codes.

Last week, there were a number of photojournalistic articles published nationwide showcasing the rundown buildings and properties that “haunt” our region.  Reuters entitled their piece: “Catskills in Decline.” http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/17/life-idUSRTR4AM5N  A Hudson Valley Real Estate Blog posted: "Halloween Prep: Abandoned Catskills" http://upstater.net/halloween-prep-abandoned-catskills/.

This is not the first national display of our disregard to rid our landscape of decrepit structures.  Our own talented Rock Hill native Photographer Marissa Scheinfeld has made an art form in photographing abandoned hotels and displaying them - her most current exhibition is taking place at Yeshiva University entitled “Echoes of the Borscht Belt.” http://www.marisascheinfeld.com/Exhibitions-and-Lectures-/Current-and-Upcoming/1/

Perception is everything-and now is the time to start cleaning up our act and getting rid of the numerous eyesores that dot our landscape-and obviously now define where we live throughout the world. The resort industry’s death and their long standing ruins not only defines our cynicism and struggles, but now our economic viability in the near future

We are too accepting of them, our demoralized psyches allow them to blend into the scenery as we all drive to and from work or school everyday. Over time, we have been too oblivious to these eyesores.

Obviously, those coming from suburban and city landscapes see them and shake their heads, and reporters write articles about them.  

Even as we come back, our blighted landscape festering with abandoned buildings and decrepit bungalows ruins our image as a beautiful mountain destination to visit and a place to escape to live a better life.

It’s just not about planting flowers in our decaying villages and hamlets to make them look better anymore. It’s not enough.

The towns and county governments need to team up to begin cleaning up these eyesores by sending out crews to tear them down, or give tax breaks to their owners to rebuild them to their former architectural grandeur.  The DEC in New Paltz also needs to become part of this effort by loosening regulations that have stopped fire departments from going in and burning down these eyesores.  

The time is ripe for an initiative for our governments to start this concerted cleanup effort that also encompasses strict, no tolerance, code enforcement against absentee landowners, seasonal residents, and slumlords feeding off of lucrative, and decaying Section 8 housing.

The Catskills are coming back, and they need to be perceived now as a place of renewal, not decay.

Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, & Lying Too in Monticello School DIstrict

by Sean Rieber

sean@rieberappraisal.com

A few weeks ago an article came out in the press referencing the NYS Comptroller’s Audit of Monticello Schools and the fact that they had a fund balance of $16.5 million when only 4% of their budget, or $3.3 million, was allowed by law.  

Several days later, in typical government fashion, the district administration released a statement essentially blaming prior administrations.  

What is extremely bothersome about this whole saga is the information I found after further research and the total downplaying and/or ignorance of it by sitting board members.  

When I questioned one long time board member about it the response was “I can safely say that our board first learned how much there was actually in the fund balance when the report came out.  We are not pleased with the information either.”  

A follow up remark to that was then “We rely on the people we pay to give us the information to make informed decisions.”  

I then spoke with another long time board member who indicated that he didn’t believe that the figures were that high and that the comptroller is a political animal (which is very true).  That board member went on to state that they now have a great superintendent and this will never happen again.  

Let’s hope that is true…but who is going to be held accountable for what went on?

Let’s correct the first board member’s comments first.  

After analyzing her two quotes I did some digging, namely filing a FOIL request for the last 3 years internal audits.  Those are the pesky little documents required by the State and performed annually at great cost to taxpayers.  They are also a perfect example of “information given to board members so that they can make informed decisions” and the auditors would be an example of people “they pay.”  Each and every board member receives a copy of the audit.  

June 30, 2012 Audit:  Page 38, NOTE 2 – STEWARDSHIP, COMPLIANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY:

         The district’s unassigned fund balance in the General Fund is in excess of the amount permitted by law.  New York State Law limits the unassigned fund balance to 4% of the ensuing year’s budget.  As of June 30, 2012, the District’s General Fund unassigned fund balance is approximately 16% of the ensuring year’s budget.

June 30, 2013 Audit:  Page 39, NOTE 2 – STEWARDSHIP, COMPLIANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

         Identical wording as above…..but….As of June 30, 2013 the District’s General Fund unassigned fund balance is approximately 18% of the ensuing year’s budget.

June 30, 2014 Audit:  Page 39, NOTE 2 – STEWARDSHIP, COMPLIANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

         Identical wording as above…but…As of June 30, 2014 the District’s General Fund unassigned fund balance is approximately 21% of the subsequent year’s adopted budget.

Are we seeing a pattern here folks?  

The board members have the information, the administration has the information….the question is ARE THEY BOTHERING TO READ IT??

Now…what are the consequences?  

Was the public misled?

I’d sure say so.

I then reviewed the budget presentations for this past year on the District’s website.  Strangely, not a single mention of the fund balance in the powerpoint.  I guess if I had $16 million that I didn’t want to tell anyone about I wouldn’t put it in there either.  Unfortunately for the administration though, that’s not their money.  That’s our money.

The worst part of it is the doom and gloom stories told to the public, apparently told to the board and the deceiving way in which budget votes happened.  

Take these excerpts from the May 12, 2013 Town of Forestburgh meeting in which a member of the administration (person still in the position, can’t blame the last guy) attended and gave the following remarks:

         “….reduction in staff of 38 persons.  All programs and athletics are intact…”

“We do have a healthy fund balance, but it will be reduced quickly and it is not just us, it is state wide.”

“We feel this is a fair budget, but if it is defeated at the polls, we will go to our contingent budget which is 2.06% no new equipment will be purchased and the community will be charged to use our fields and facilities.  We have no choice but to do that.  ALSO, WE WOULD HAVE TO DECREASE OUR WORKFORCE BY ANOTHER 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS.”

“With everything that the Governor has put on us, it is becoming more difficult to do a budget, this is a very fair budget – WE FEEL WITHIN FOUR YEARS OUR FUND BALANCE WILL BE DEPLETED.”

Meanwhile, per their own internal audit, the fund balance increased by another $3.4 million dollars since then.  

So, essentially, the administration was going around scaring the public into voting for a budget and never informing them of the fact that they had a fund balance of FOUR TIMES the amount allowed under the law and easily could have hired more teachers rather than threaten to lay them off.  

This isn't the only place they are irresponsibly hoarding money.

Per the NYS Comptroller audit the district has a worker’s compensation fund balance of three years of expenditures or $2.6 million and an unemployment insurance reserve of 7 years of expenditures or $1.1 million.  

We all believe in saving for a rainy day….but 3 years and 7 years worth of expenditures in the bank???  

Don’t let the district blame prior administrations.  

Many of the board members have been there for years.  The current superintendent was hired as a Deputy in July 2012 and the Deputy Superintendent for Business (formerly known as Business Manager) has been there since August 2011.  

There is no question that they inherited a pattern of abuse and a bloated fund balance….but what has been done since and why wasn’t the Board informed (if the Board member who said they had no idea was being truthful)?  Why wasn’t the public informed?  Did they stay quiet based on the orders of the prior Superintendent or on orders from the Board?  We as the taxpaying public are owed answers.

What about the teachers?  Downsizing has occurred and was clearly unnecessary.  Countless young teachers have had sleepless nights and knots in their stomachs wondering if the pink slip was coming.  Many parents still complain about the quality of the education.  There are or were overcrowding issues.  Our teachers are the lowest paid in the area and in the largest school district.  Their contract is coming up for negotiation.  Certainly the district can’t cry poverty in these contract talks.  All this is going on while there is a money hoard in the bank.

The end result is a person or people MUST be held accountable.  

The public was lied to, plain and simple.  

The taxpayers are owed a refund, the students are owed a better school system, and teachers are owed fair pay.  

And most importantly, the voters are owed explanations and/or resignations.  It is unfathomable how you can have an extremely expensive audit handed to you each and every year but not even bother to read it.  

A suggestion to the present administration.  Tell the truth.  

If a 4% fund balance is an antiquated law and not reflective of the current state of economics in education then simply say so.  Put the fund balance out to the public and publicly state that you don’t think 4% is enough and you are going to hold back 8% regardless of the state law.  Any reasonable member of the taxpaying public will respect that, including myself.  

But we can all agree that 21% is outrageous and borderline criminal.  

Finally, a question to the Board….if you were not getting accurate information from the people that you pay, what have you done about it?  

Millions were bilked from the taxpayers….simply saying “now, now…don’t do that again” isn’t good enough.  

Simply put…he who is complacent is complicit.