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Water Search Troubles Plains Road Residents By Anthony DeRosa News Editor | N02385288@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
The Freshwater Exploration Project being conducted by the Village of New Paltz in search of a temporary water supply for when the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) closes the Catskill Aqueduct for repairs in 2016 has amassed claims of contaminated wellwater from some residents of Plains Road in the Town of New Paltz. In May, exploration project coordinators determined a potential source of groundwater located at a privately owned gravel mine at 101 Plains Road, New Paltz, according to Village trustee Tom Rocco, who is overseeing the project on behalf of the village board. A test well was drilled, which ground layer of water-bearing soil from which groundwater can be extracted, also known as an aquifer. Test pumping was conducted for a continuous 54 hours, at which point word that an area homeowner’s well-water levels had dropped and resulted in a burned-out well-pump reached project workers, Rocco said. The pump was later replaced and paid for by the DEP. From then until after a June meeting with the residents of Plains Road where concerns were voiced, site testing was postponed to determine and address the issue that the aquifer pumping may impact area residents’ wells, Rocco said. Project administrators meanwhile sought the proper protocols from the New York State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation to conduct formal site testing for the possibility of the Plains Road aquifer being used as the temporary water source. “There was very much more in the way of resident fear and concern about the consequences in their wells, to which they attributed to the May test,” Rocco said. Plains Road residents were asked to volunteer to have their wells monitored for when the test pumping was
scheduled to resume in mid-July, of which 57 homes participated. According to Rocco, the well observation was conducted to determine if indeed there was a direct correlation between the underground groundwater at the test site and the water used by area residents’ wells. The wells were tested for water quality and measured for volume before and during the pumping was recommenced on July 12, Donna Liebman, a Plains Road resident whose
ing showed 19 coliform present wells and three E.coli positive wells. Some wells also saw an increase in sulfur and lead. “People are wont to say ‘I never had a [contaminate] problem before,’ which does not mean that they had their well tested,” Rocco said. “And even if they’ve had their well tested before, this doesn’t mean [the project testing] caused it.” Rocco said homes with very shallow wells or wells that bore into rock
People are wont to say ‘I never had a [contaminate] problem before,’ which does not mean that they had their well tested and even if they’ve had their well tested before, this doesn’t mean [the project testing] caused it.
TOM ROCCO well was among those monitored, said. The wells were again tested and measured near the end of July, two weeks after the pumping was completed, she said. “Here’s where things get problematic. In order to [conduct this assessment] properly, a baseline, or pre-test, measuring quality and volume of homeowner wells, must be established before any drilling is done. This didn’t happen, since the wells could easily have been affected by the May test,” Liebman said. According to a report released by the project administrators at the end of August, the test results of the July well monitoring during the pumping revealed that 17 of the 57 resident wells showed the presence of coliform, a bacterial indicator of unsanitary waE.coli, a bacteria that comes from animal excrement. The test results from after the conclusion of the test pump-
’
for water are not a part of the enclosed aquifer of the test site which is located under 150 ft. of clay sediment. The only resident wells that can accurately be shown to be part of the aquifer are those wells whose water volume was shown to have decreased during the test pumping. A connection could not be made to the contaminated wells because the test site did not show any results of coliform or E.coli in either water quality test, he said. Liebman, whose own well-water was determined to have coliform, said homes found to have contaminated well-water were deemed unsafe for drinking and were provided with bottled water. However, when she a notice of claim against the village – a document that reserves an individual’s right to sue at a later date – they were no longer provided with bottled water “even though their well-water cannot be used for drinking.”
Thursday, October 9, 2014
At a village board meeting in August, Plains Road residents also called for the consulting engineer of the project David Clouser to be replaced, citing inadequate adherence to procedure the Town of New Paltz’s engineer but & Associates, has been contracted by the village for the exploration project alongside hydrogeologists from Chazen Companies and land engineers from Brinnier & Larios. “Plains Road residents believe that Mr. Clouser intends to use the data gathered from the two July tests as part of the rationale for choosing 101 Plains Road as an appropriate water source. This has been demonstrated by statements he has made at public meetings and reports he has submitted,” Liebman said. “The May test and its possible effects are not mentioned or acknowledged. Mr. Clouser as the pre-test, as if the May test never occurred. In addition, Mr. Clouser is the Town Engineer. Town residents interests of the town. However, in this case, Mr. Clouser has been hired by ter source. He has earned a great deal of money doing this work. The site at 101 Plains Road is in the town. How can he protect the quality of life on a town road and simultaneously earn a huge fee by destroying it?” Plains Road residents requested that a new study and search should begin, implemented by a different en“suffering damages now or in the future resulting from the May and July tests” should be compensated in full. The village is continuing to explore all possible options for a temporary water source while litigation has stalled further project development in the Plains Road area. Rocco said alternative potential water sources include treatment of the Wallkill River depending on the results of a year-long test which will conclude in December, as well as talks with the Town of Lloyd to pipe water in from Highland.
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Senate Discusses App Implementation PHOTO BY LIZZIE NIMETZ
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US, ALLIES CHAFING AT TURKISH INACTION ON SYRIA As U.S. generals and Secretary of State John Kerry warn that a strategic Syrian border town could fall to Islamic State militants, the Turkish military has deployed its tanks on its side of the frontier but only watched the slaughter.
ISLAMIC STATE GROUP DOWNS ANOTHER IRAQI HELICOPTER Militants with the Islamic State group on Wednesday shot down an Iraqi military attack helicopter, killing the two pilots on board in the second such incident in a week and raising concerns about the extremists’ ability to attack aircraft amid ongoing U.S.-led airstrikes.
ON CAMPUS IN EGYPT, A HEAVY SECURITY CLAMPDOWN At Cairo University’s campus, new, black steel walls have gone up. A prilance cameras. Guards have bombdetection devices. Just outside, heavily armed riot police have permanent positions.
SIERRA LEONE: EBOLA BURIAL TEAMS GO BACK TO WORK Sierra Leone burial teams have gone back to work one day after organizing a strike over pay and abandoning the dead bodies of Ebola victims in the capital.
PROTESTERS JAM ROAD DEMANDING MEXICO FIND STUDENTS Tens of thousands of teachers, activists and residents marched and blocked a major highway in the Guerrero state capital Wednesday to protest the disappearance of 43 teachers college stuthem. Compiled from the AP Newswire
By Russell Hartman Copy Editor | Rhartman@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
The 58th Student Senate met Wednesday night, Oct. 8, for their weekly meeting. To open the meeting, President Osatohamwen Okundaye facilitated a presentation for a program called “Check I’m Here.” Andy Gould, a senior engagement specialist for the program, presented a presentation (via a Skype call and the Internet) on the program. Check I’m Here can help manage organizations and events. It tracks students using their mobile device and can conduct polls, elections and waivers. It can assess live attendance at events and provide real-time analysis. It can also engage organizations by using it as a web portal. Additionally, it provides a mobile app for students to gather data. Gould also said that Check I’m Here can help market things that have to do with the college as well. By using the app, students check what events are happening on campus and check into events as well. For clubs and organizations, it can keep track of members. The service would require an annual subscription fee to use but the student app would be free to download if the service was bought. A year of the service for a campus our size would be roughly $9,300 a year, but with a two or three
year agreement the service will go down in price. A trial for the campus would run about $5,500 for six months. The senate asked Gould questions about the app, including how many schools use the program, if events need approval before being posted on the app and if students would be able to see all the information the app gathered or if there were levels of access. The senate discussed the program after the presentation. They discussed the pros and cons of the program, if it would be worth the investment and how it would impact the campus and the Student Association (SA). Mike Patterson also commented on the program by saying that there would be many factors going into either purchasing or testing out the Check I’m Here program. Okundaye said that he supports the app because it can promote campus engagement between clubs and students. He did note that since that a lot of student information will be contained within the program and app, he believes students should have control over what is and isn’t available for people to read about them. E-board reports were next. President Jesse Ginsburg. He spoke about various
Thursday, October 9, 2014
things going on with UPD and other organizations in town including the fact that police are gearing up for Halloween since it is on a Friday this year. He also spoke about how the town council is trywithin the town. Senate reports followed and senators spoke about recent occurrences. Senators that spoke included Sen. Zach Grossman, who spoke about how he wanted to gain student representatives for a committee for the center for middle eastern dialogue. Sen. Brienna Parsons then spoke about how she wants the president of the college to send out an email about the school saying that it recognizes the Columbus Day break as North American Indigenous peoples’ day in order to honor Native Americans. Affairs and Governance Jordan Taylor talked about Greek life organizations and how the school determines how much and from where they receive their funding. They also discussed various topics about their funding, mentioning that they want it on record to know how much funding they senators offered their advice on the issue, which included getting more research on the issues before it was discussed further.
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granola bar, cookies, a bottle of water and
By Andrew Lief Alief@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
Paltz will be hosting their annual Make
in New Paltz collecting food that will be
New Paltz is having their event a -
Patterson said the purpose of the event is to recruit students to volunteer at “The goal with this program is to
MORE EBOLA SCREENING TO BEGIN AT FIVE US AIRPORTS
Patterson said the students will be doing farmwork, helping local centers in town and helping Hasbrouck Park set up
The government will begin taking the temperatures of travelers from West Afof a stepped-up response to the Ebola epi-
-
DiRusso said the residence hall with the highest percentage of residents par-
DiRusso said being involved with
supplies, programs or their end-of-the-
JUSTICE KENNEDY ALLOWS GAY MARRIAGE IN NEVADA
After the event, DiRusso said the site leaders will be recognized one week more about themselves and then realize a week before the event, Patterson said he
-
there will be a collection drive on campus CONSERVATIVE STATES BALK AT GAY MARRIAGE ACTION
dents will be bussed to their locations and receive a t-shirt and snack pack donated
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can further increase student participa-
Campus Programs Combat Social Violence By Sam Manzella
others to not be afraid to speak up in the victims often feel scared and unable to
Manzells1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
THREE NOBEL
situations of discomfort or wrongdoing The most important aspect of these
Three researchers won a Nobel Prize
their programs to the members of the survivors being brought to our attentools to cease the culture of acceptance
people to act in these situations, to help -
The prevalence of such incidents and the failure of institutions to penalize perpetrators have prompted preventative measures across college campuses duction of these programs was prompt-
much sharper vision than was thought possible, letting scientists peer into living cells with unprecedented detail
reach of these programs, which aim to encourage people of all ranks of life to “What is important to know about
grams, calling them vital opportunities to educate and “mobilize all of our cam-
WIN CHEMISTRY FOR SUPER-ZOOM MICROSCOPES
mobilize all of our campus — including
OBAMA CLAIMS PROGRESS COMBATTING ISLAMIC STATE
the statistical and most-often-blamed perpetrator, cisgender males, to act up one, across all genders, across all races and demographic backgrounds and in
Compiled from the AP Newswire
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Congressional Candidates Discuss Environmental Issues By Melanie Zerah Copy Editor | Zerahm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu An assembly of various ages and backgrounds joined together in Lecture Center 100 on Wednesday, Oct. 1 to hear Congressman Chris Gibson of the 19th District of New York and incumbent challenger Sean Eldridge address environmental issues. A panel consisting of the Director of Public Policy for Science Hudson Andrew Bicking, WAMC’s Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Alison Dunne and President of Hudson Riverkeeper Paul Gallay asked the candidates’ positions on environmental issues and how their intended plans in of-
money away from political campaigns. Chris Gibson is the current representative of the 19th District of New York. Born on May 13, 1964 in Rockville Centre, New York, Gibson grew up Columbia County, in the town of Kinderin the 20th District of New York and has had a 24-year Army career, currently holding the rank of Colonel. In Congress, Gibson serves on the House Agriculture Committee, the House Armed Services Committee and the Republican Policy Committee. Moderated by Associate Vice President for Regional Engagement at SUNY New Paltz Dr. Gerald Benjamin, the event allowed candidates a by questions by the panel, expected to be answered in a 90-second time frame. After questions from the audience, the candidates could make a two-minute closing statement. Candidates were not on stage at the same time, opting for a forum style event. “We are living literally with the least productive Congress in the history of our country,” Eldridge said. “We are kicking the can down the road on pretty much every major issue you can think of.”
PHOTO BY LIZZIE NIMETZ
Issues discussed included sustainability, hydraulic fracking, renewable energy, the Keystone Pipeline — a project which calls for crude oil to be transported to the United Sates — and other issues concerning the well-being of the community. Twenty-eight-year-old Sean Eldridge was born on July 31, 1986 in Canada, later on moving to Ohio to grow up in the town of Toledo. Eldridge is the founder and president of Hudson River Ventures, an investment fund that works to help small businesses in the Hudson Valley thrive. The young candidate’s political experience includes being the communications director and political director of Freedom to Marry — an organization dedicated to winning marriage equality nation wide. Eldridge is also director of a super
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the current Congress, Eldridge said that there is very little care for environmental issues from those in the “Tea Party House.” Eldridge offered his respects to Gibson, mentioning that the current congressman did in fact have a record of voting 33 percent yes on environmental issues. However, Eldridge did not hesitate to make it known to the audience that Gibson favors fracking and has received thousands of dollars in contributions from companies that support fracking. Eldridge also reported that Gibson signed the Koch Brothers Climate Pledge. The Koch Brothers are an industry that has been monetizing fracking. “It is a promise that he [Gibson] has made to the Koch brothers to take no action, no vote on climate change that would hurt their bottom line,” Eldridge said. “A lot has been written on how this Koch Brother Pledge is why we’ve seen no action on climate change.” Eldridge then addressed regional priorities for “the development of trails and conservation of open spaces,” in contrast to Gibson’s view.
to renewable energy, let’s do it now,” Eldridge said. “We have to do whats right for the people, not for the Koch Brothers.” According to Eldridge, many of these isof the county and town. He said he believes the federal government should be a partner in helping this. These issues also included the concern for small farms, the lack of young farmers and the conservation of farmland. Eldridge maintained a caring captivation for these small, family-owned farms, as he continued to outline his plans for change. In opposition to Eldridge’s view that there is not enough being done for the environment, Gibson appeared optimistic and positive that we are already halfway there in making real change. “When it comes to reducing admissions of power plants, I think we actually have an achievable goal there,” Gibson said. “We are a country that can do hard things. The coal industry has even improved because we pressured them to im-
Thursday, October 9, 2014
prove.” Although met with discontent from the audience, Gibson said that as a member of the Republican party he has the capability to change the party’s ideals toward environmental support. Alongside issues concerning the region privately was Gibson’s concern for the environment and his support for policies such as the Safe Drinking Water Act and projects such as the democratization of renewable energy. Gibson added that Eldridge’s talk of antifracking and criticism to those who support fracking, was “talking the talk, but not walking the walk.” “For [Eldridge] to say that he’s opposed to fracking, when he’s part owner of the major companies that do fracking — he’s the part of owner the companies that move it,” Gibson said. “With all his concern for fracking, why is it OK for him The general election for Congress will be held on Nov. 4, 2014.
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Climate Action Coalition Talks Environmental Improvements By Melanie Zerah Copy Editor | Zerahm1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
The New Paltz Climate Action Coalition (NPCAC), an organization dedicated to making a difference in the way environmental issues are heard and handled, met on Thursday at New Paltz Village Hall to discuss issues concerning the environment. Present at the meeting on Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. were participants Holly Shyder, Jo Gangemi, Anne Guenther, Miriam Stroust, Anna Ray Budding, Dan Guenther, Andrew Dalton, Orelle Feher, Marie Young, Joe Barbarito and Megan Spoth. “I think a lot of people seem to think environmental concerns are out of our hands, but every person has the passion to have the ability to help make a change,” Budding said. According to Budding, little participation of the general public stems from a hopeless mindset many have. This mindset is that people have no power in making legitimate changes
in the way environmental issues are being handled in government. Part of the NPCAC mission is to inspire about their ability to make a change, Budding said. Raising awareness for organizations like the NPCAC is important to inspire the masses, Stroust said. As the support from the community grows, more people are aware that there is a group looking to make a change and anyone who does not against climate change can join in she said. “Make A Difference Day” was also discussed at the meeting. It will bring a hands-on experience for participants in making differences in the community, Stroust said. The event will be held at SUNY New Paltz on Oct. 18, 2014. Also discussed at the meeting was the growing issue of local farming and the sustaining of locally grown food. According to attendees,
the community’s economy, but also the environment. The discussion then turned to the issue of fossil fuels and the hope for corporations to divest from fossil fuels. “We wrestle with [the question of] how do you stop things that we consider bad for the environment, when we all wake up to the fact that money is what everyone is dependent on,” Guenther said “Corporations look to make money off the necessities.” A realistic approach is always present in the meetings at the NPCAC and issues as big as fossil fuel burning can be helped by small changes, Stroust said. Attendees brainstormed suggestions such as turning down the heat in the winter and switching to indoor hats to conserve energy. Attendees even discussed creating a project that inspires and encourages knit hats and other warm accessories being worn indoors for purposes of conserving energy while still being com-
fortable and stylish. This continues to be the spirit of NPCAC. Creativity and determination lead them to create new ways of encouraging the general public to make small changes to help the environment, Stroust said. “Here comes war, what makes you think its going to work better than the others?” Dalton said, referring to the fact that wars are the culprit for the most detrimental fossil fuel burning, and that peace goes hand in hand with helping the environment. “A lot of the environment, I think there is a paralysis of what to do.” According to Feher, basic necessities of life will soon be unavailable to us and people from all walks of life, whether they enjoy the outdoors or not, should be concerned about the well being of our environment. “Biodiversity climate is plummeting,” Shyder said. “If we want to remain on this planet, something has to happen now.”
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LT. DAN CHOI SPEAKS ON EQUALITY IN MILITARY By Abbott Brant
Managing Editor | n02167035@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
West Point graduate, Iraq War veteran and LGBT activist Lt. Dan Choi promoted a message of love and courage in his lecture to SUNY New Paltz students and staff on Oct. 6. These two internal characteristics helped propel Choi from his position as a go-to Arabic negotiator in Baghdad and asset in the New York National Guard to the face of LGBT rights in the military. Choi, a gay man, was ‘honorably discharged’ after he came out. He became a huge advocate of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the military’s policy on banning gay and lesbian service men and women openly declaring their sexuality which was repealed by Congress in 2010. Choi was in Baghdad when speakers projectedwhat he thought would be the call to prayer, as he had heard so many times before, instructing the Muslim faithful to join together and worship. Instead what came over the megaphone was a Shiite political rally cry; a group who had been religiously oppressed for centuries and was encouraged to stay in hiding was claiming their identity outside of a Sunni mosque. “‘Better that you live, better than you do God’s work on earth,’” Choi said the common belief was. “‘Don’t share your identity. Don’t be stupid,’ they would say. So it was surprising to the hear this identity speech. Hundreds of years of discrimination, in this time and those people were standing up for themselves. I looked up to that.”
Choi said this message continued to resonate with him as he would speak to war lords and tribal conservative South Korean parents that he was in leaders and tell about a poem by a famous Iraqi poet love with a man was like “going home to a different Mutanabbi. war, without the body armor.” In the midst of the “The horses and the night and the desert, they passing of Prop 8, his mother pushed him to marry know who I am, they know me,” Choi recited in the a nice Korean girl – a reality he let her know was English translation. “The sword and the spear, the not going to happen. His father, a southern Baptist pen and the scroll, they know who I am, they know minister, said that his homosexual relationship was me... they shall know you.” the number one sin. Choi said he would “Love your neighbor then explain to them that as yourself,” Choi said. they were there to help “That’s the number one establish a democracy Unconditional [love] means command. But to love othestablished in the belief regardless of how you treat ers, you have to love yourthat no matter what your me, I’m going to tell you political or religious know about hate, you must identity, you should be the truth, even if it hurts hate your neighbor as you you. seen as who you are and hate yourself. Hate and vihave access to full rights olence comes from hating in a federal government. But he said he was not LT. DAN CHOI This realization furadvocating in his own life the message he was pro- ther exposed the faulty ethics in both his religious moting. He was not standing up to the intolerance and military experiences. As a cadet at West Point, and inequality he was experiencing being a gay man in the military. truth and integrity – a lack of truth could put your He found his voice to do so after he returned soldier’s life at risk because of your lack of courage to be transparent. The act of honor, in family to life like they had never before when Choi fell in love with his partner, Matthew. He said he became never before, having the support system of someone he loved so deeply.
’
straight people, Choi said. He honored his family, so he told them the truth about his sexuality. And he honored his sexuality and who he was, so as the face of Knights Out, comprised of LGBT West Point graduates, he came out to the nation on the “Rachel
Maddow Show” in 2009. “Honor means you love someone enough, you believe in their leadership enough, to tell them the truth, regardless of the outcome,” Choi said. “It’s about unconditional love. Unconditional means regardless of how you treat me, I’m going to tell you the truth, even if it hurts you. And I am going to tell you because I love you.” Because of this, Choi urged everyone to tell their parents their sexual orientation, even if they may not accept it. Loving people who may not understand or accept you and having the courage to tell them is a key element in changing minds and demonstrating your equality, he said. “In 50 years the world will learn its lesson,” he said. “We are going to win because ours is a valuebased movement to increase love and understanding through courage.” Choi said that the feared king who hired Mutanabbi to write that poem wanted his greatness and longevity captured through Mutanabbi’s word. But we don’t even recall his name, Choi said. It’s 700 years later, and all that is remembered is Mutanabbi, son of a servant women, no rank or stature to his name, with a skill for the written word. “Whatever skill you have, wherever you come from, you are here and you have skills and you have that potential to be remembered, if you have the courage to put those skills into use,” he said. “You have just as much moral conviction, you have just as much moral virtue and knowledge, all of the instruments that you will ever need. And you are most moral right now ... you know who you are.”
Don’t Self-Hate, Appreciate
BODY PEACE PROJECT PROMOTES POSITIVE BODY IMAGE
By Sage Higgins Staff Writer | Higginss1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu Everyone should be comfortable with their bodies. This is the belief of The New Paltz Body Peace Project, a club started by Emily Ferencik, SUNY New Paltz’s Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, to promote and improve people’s self image. The club provides a safe, judgment-free space for people to come together and share or vent about whatever they need to. Students give and receive support and perspective from their peers, according to Ferencik. Ferencik originally wanted to create an eat-
ing disorder support group, but then sensed the need to create a group that was more inclusive. ter at SUNY New Paltz had a distorted view of
food and especially to themselves. She said she hopes the club can aid in her goal of turning normal negative self-talk into a “compassionate self-accepting and loving attitude.” At meetings, members discuss issues they are currently facing in regards to body image or any topic that is causing them trouble. Meetings begin with something Ferencik calls “new and good,” where members are able to speak on positive oc-
currences in their lives. “I think that most people don’t feel comfortable sharing their innermost feelings about these issues,” Ferencik said. “As a result they begin to feel like there is something inherently wrong with them, when in reality nearly all of us can relate.” Katherine Zink, a fourth-year sociology major at New Paltz, is a member of the New Paltz Body Peace Project and also helps behind the scenes of the club. To her, it’s important to be able to attend a safe space where she is able to speak up about the issues of body image and share experiences. In the future, Ferencik hopes to create events
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that promote the New Paltz Body Peace Project and its overall message of self-love. She wants to breakdown the stigma that many students have about their bodies within the larger campus community. “I hope that our meetings and discussions path to self-discovery,” she said. “That they will come to truly know their own innate worth and beauty and that of others and leave meetings with a renewed sense of self love and acceptance.” The New Paltz Body Peace Project meets every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Athletic and Wellness Center Conference Room.
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A Kale Tale In New Paltz
DINING OPTIONS INTRODUCE BENEFITS OF KALE
By Nathaniel Sheidlower Copy Editor | Sheidlon1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu The purple-veined, curly, bittersweet, leafy green that is kale was inserted into the diets of many SUNY New Paltz students last Wednesday. It was National Kale Day on Oct. 1 and from lunch through dinner, various dishes containing the nutrient-packed vegetable were enjoyed at Hasbrouck Dining Hall and the Student Union. This was a trial to see if students would be interested in kale being incorporated in dishes more regularly in the future, according to Lisa Mitten, the campus sustainability coordinator. “We want to get students to think seasonally,” Mitten said. “Kale is the perfect vegetable for fall.” Along with samples of curry kale with sweet potatoes and a kale smoothie at the Farmer’s market outside the Lecture Center, the dishes served in the dining halls made kale a huge hit, according to second-year bio-chemistry major Christina Georgalas, a local food and vegetable awareness educator and the student coordinator for the event. According to the National Kale Day website, one cup of raw kale has 33 calories and provides 134 percent of daily Vitamin C need, 684 percent of daily Vitamin K and 204 percent of daily Vitamin A. Georgalas said that a massaged kale salad may soon be regularly served on campus and the next
event promoting local agriculture will feature a wide variety of local apples in certain dishes and will be available for tasting at the farmers market. According to Georgalas and surveys completed by students, the most popular dish was the kale and bacon pizza served in Hasbrouck, followed closely by the kale pierogies, an Italian potato dumpling. Sean Yeackel, a fourth-year accounting major, was not a fan of pierogies until he tried one accompanied by some kale sautéed in garlic and oil. Second-year anthropology major Erika Popolla said, “Kale is a great ingredient because you can blend it so well.” And she is not the only one who thinks that. “Today is a good way for students to see the many ways kale can be integrated to meals and still taste good,” Max Fuller, the resident dining director said. who enjoyed penne alfredo with sautéed kale said collard greens.” To all the students, Georgalas said, “Thank you more events like this in the future.” The event was part of the combined effort known as Farm-to-SUNY, a group of SUNY schools working together with the American Farmland Trust
Fresh Paltz
Pizza Chief Tony Pettway holds up his kale and bacon pie.
and the Farm-to-Institution New York State to bring more locally grown fruits and vegetables into the dining halls of colleges, Mitten said. They work together with Sodexo, Campus Auxiliary Services and Campus Sustainability to maximize the use of New York crops and develop a better understanding of the difference in cost be-
PHOTO BY NATE SHEILDLOWER
tween local and non-local agriculture as well as seasonal menus for the dining halls. Founded by Dr. Drew Ramsey and Chef Jennifer Iserloh, National Kale Day is celebrated on the according to their website.
Thursday, FRESH PALTZ’s mission is to document what some stylish peopleSeptember 15, 2011 are wearing around the campus of SUNY New Paltz. #FreshPaltz Name: Jillian Nadiak Age: 22
Major: Journalism Hometown: Ellenville, N.Y.
tage dress in an uptown Kingston thrift shop for only $5. This is not a drill. Jillian just got back from style as a hobby. Those tan wedges she got at JCPenney for just $28 (with a $10 coupon). She says she wears these shoes not to impress boys, but because they’re suprisingly comfortable. As she puts it, “This is all for me.” Work it, girl.
By Jennifer Newman, jnewman46@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
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CHECK OUT oracle.newpaltz.edu TO SEE MORE OF WHAT NEW PALTZ IS WEARING! Thursday, October 9, 2014
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Features
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Take The ‘Factory’ Out Of Farms
NEW PALTZ TALKS RAISE AWARENESS ON FARM ANIMAL CRUELTY
By Jennifer Newman Dominguez said. Features Editor | Jnewman46@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu But these efforts are often muted due to inImagine not being able to turn around or even creased public meat demand. Brian Shapiro, the New York Director for the move for an entire lifetime. That’s why the Humane Society of America HSUS said cutting meat out of diets or even reducteamed up with the SUNY New Paltz Environmen- ing meat intake makes a difference. “We don’t even think,” Shapiro said. “Before tal Task Force to raise awareness on factory farming. Advocacy groups spoke about the dangers of World War II, we did not have this obsession with a factory farming in the Lecture Center at the New meat-based diet. We can all make choices on what we buy.” Paltz campus on Sept. 30. Shapiro said it doesn’t matter if you’re vegan Factory farming, or intensive animal farming, is a system of keeping livestock using intensive or do eat meat, if everyone did just a meatless Monday, it would make a big difference. It may cut back on the 10 million animals under strictly controlled conditions. This practice is seen as inhumane by advocates who cite high slaughtered every year. The campus event drew in a large crowd, with There are currently no federal laws protect- representatives present from the New York Public ing farm animals, according to Matt Dominguez, Interest Research Group, the Zine Club, recycling the Public Policy Manager of Farm Animal Protec- club, Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, Students tion at The Humane Society of the United States For Sustainable Agriculture and Hudson Valley For (HSUS). He said to the large New Paltz crowd that No GMOs. Barbara Upton, co-founder of Hudson Valevery state has an anti-cruelty law for animals like pets but not farm animals. Dominguez showed the audience examples of make factory farming factors even more dangerHSUS efforts to stop abuse against these factory ous. According to Upton, 95 percent of the feed farm animals. He said in their investigations they found factory farms that grounded up baby piglets that factory farm animals eat are genetically modithat had died and were fed back to their mothers. “These are factories, these aren’t farms,” he has demonstrated growing evidence of harm. Upton said the issue of factory farming and said. “[The companies] don’t want you to see anyGMOs go hand in hand with climate change and thing.” Utah, Missouri and Iowa are three states that other environmental issues. “They’re two sides of the same coin,” she have anti-whistleblowing laws that prevent investigative efforts by organizations like the HSUS, said. “Both are disastrous for human health and the
Conditions of factory farms outrages local advocates.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FARM SANCTUARY.ORG
environment. GMO ‘super weeds’ and bugs have developed resistance and we’re just drenching our countryside in more and more poison.” Switching to organic farming practices nationally could sequester 100 percent of current carbon emissions, according to Upton citing a Rodale
ally, according to Moran. A medium sized farm has 300-699 cattle. A large one has over 700 cattle. These cows excrete 120 pounds of waste per cow, per day, further affecting the environment. Professor Michael Boms from the Biology Department spoke about the dangers of overuse of antibiotics in factory farms. He warned that the antibiotics that keep factory farm animals from getting sick are then ingested by meat-eaters. Boms said in the future certain antibiotics simply won’t work anymore and that even strep throat could become deadly for children. There will be a march in New Paltz protesting the use of GMOs at Peace Park on Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.
farming. On top of the human health dangers, there are environmental considerations to factory farming, according to SUNY New Paltz alumn, Elizabeth Moran, the water and natural resources associate for the Environmental Advocates of New York. There are over 37,000 factory farms nation-
It’s All About The Kids NEW PALTZ YOUTH PROGRAM CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY By Nathaniel Sheidlower Copy Editor | sheidlon1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu New Paltz Youth Program (NPYP) to hang out with their friends after school. Last month marked a whole quarter century that the program has been providing service to the teens of New Paltz from their white and blue house on Main Street. The program provides kids with a safe, supervised environment to hang out after school according to Director Jim Tinger. Tinger said the NPYP started in St. Johns church across from the SUNY New Paltz Lecture Center, before his time. It then moved to
a room in the middle school before making its home at 220 Main St. on Sept. 2, 1989. According to Tinger, parents sign a waiver determining if their children can come and go from the house. Kids can play basketball, skateboard the half-pipe, play video games or just chill out, Tinger said. The center also provides counseling and tutoring for students. But in the end it is the people that make this a great hangout as tenth grader Jade Horton said, “I like coming here because my friends are here. I like spending time with my friends.” Tinger began working with the program in 1995, after starting up a rec program at New Paltz Middle School called “Games.” Going on its 21st season, the “Games”
program holds Saturday pick-up games for children in sports like basketball and dodgeball, as well as arts and crafts and musical events. Kelly Jackson became assistant director in 2011 after working with NPYP for two years. “When I started here I had no idea what I wanted to do in life,” Jackson said. “But after one week in, I knew I wanted to work with kids.” Tinger said the most popular time is right around the beginning of the school year, when a lot of kids return and bring new friends. Children from grades six through 12 are allowed to sign up and drop in when they feel like during the programs operating hours of 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday.
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“Kids who normally might not become friends in school, grow into friends here,” Jackson said. Courtney Springer, third-year psychology major, has been volunteering there since June and loves to work and play with the kids. “They are always on the move,” Springer said. “They love to play tag and they’ll ask anyone to join in no matter your age.” Director Tinger recalled one student who was kicked out of the program for being disrespectful, yet came back to visit a few months ago to tell Jim how much he appreciated the program’s impact on his life. “I tell all my volunteers, ‘The kids may not thank you and tell you that this helps, but it does.’” Tinger said.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“Waning Wolf” Works Its Way Into Festivals STUDENTS’ DOCUMENTARY SHINES LIGHT ON WOLF CONSERVATION By Zameena Mejia A&E Editor | Zmejia09@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
Last year, a group of SUNY New Paltz students set out on a mission to shed light upon the diminishing wolf population and show the wolves’ true nature through a documentary called “Waning Wolf.” Now, the 17-minute cial Selection of the Woodstock Film Festival placed in the “Hudson Valley Docs” category, with its world premiere screenings to be held Friday Oct. 17 and Saturday Oct. 18. The documentary’s tagline is “Hunter. Ambassador. Teacher. Atka.”, describing the characteristics of Atka, an ambassador wolf from the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem, New York, around which the documentary is anchored. According to Executive Producer Sasha Ribowsky, “Waning Wolf” seeks to dispel the myth of the “Big Bad Wolf” that perpetuates a negative stigma of wolves. Through interviews of staff from the WWC among other members of nature sanctuaries, the documentary eradicates preconceived notions of wolves. It also explores the role and moral implications of human intervention in nature and wild populations. Director Ian Todaro, a fourthyear digital media production major, said “Waning Wolf” started out as a project for their seminar in digitaught by digital media production Professor Gregory Bray, but “a few months later it’s clear that it’s become more than that.”
“My role is to guide the process. Seminar is the class where students get to demonstrate what they have learned during the major,” Bray said. “This is the second student documentary to be accepted into the Woodstock Film Festival in its 15 year history...I’m proud of their ac-
“I like to think that we were really able to connect with Atka, Alawa and Zephyr (the other wolves) from our time spent with them at the WCC,” Todaro said. “Wolf conservation is an important topic because not having any wolves or real predators has really thrown our local eco-
this point it’s mainly spreading the word and exposing incorrect stigmas,” Ribowsky said. “That aspect was incredibly rewarding.” Todaro added that the seminar course paved the way for an “incredible” and “humbling” experience overall. “Just last year I was at the Woodstock Film Festival as a volunteer, and now I have to ask to be excused from class so I can go to the festileave the festival, I still have a ton of homework to do,” Todaro said. “Going through the process of mak-
PHOTO COURTESY OF SASHA RIBOWSKY
complishments. It’s a highly competitive festival to get into, and it’s an industry festival—which means it has the potential to be seen by quite a few insiders.” In regards to the production group, which consisted of other recent alumni including Juliana Hedeman, Ryan D’Angelo-Sylvia and Victoria Ottomanelli, Todaro said they “put a lot of heart and soul” into the documentary and believes their hard work “really shines through on the screen.” Each of them played multiple roles in the documentary’s development.
system out of whack. Watching the documentary shows how when deer go unchecked in nature it can really have unwanted effects on the landscape.” Ribowsky, a recent alum who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in French and digital media production, documentary as part of her Honors thesis. mentary was discovering how many people found the content compelling and wanted to learn more about what others can do to help out, which at
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lot, and hopefully I was able to teach other people a few things too.” In March of this year, speakers from the WCC gave a lecture in Student Union Multipurpose Room and brought Atka with them. To date, “Waning Wolf” has won the 2014 Eli Jaffe Film Competition and received a Bronze Telly Award this past June. The documentary has also been accepted into festivals worldwide such as The 9th Science Film Festival: The World Of Knowledge in Russia, Festival Nature Namur in Belgium, Matsalu International Nature Film Festival in Estonia, Early Bird International Student Film Festival in Bulgaria. “I’m so excited to see students in our program gain industry recognition for their exceptional work,” Bray said. “Each year the students in our program just continually set the bar higher, and this project really sets the bar high.”
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Arts & Entertainment
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The New Paltz Oracle
Art Captured Through An Unconventional Lens PHOTOGRAPHER LORI NIX DISCUSSES HER UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY There are different department categories,
By Jessica Napp Contributing Writer|Nappj1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
On Wednesday Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. photographer Lori Nix visited SUNY New Paltz for an art lecture. Nix is a photographer and printer based in Brooklyn, New York who has been building dioramas and photographing them since the early 1990s. She said she works out of her apartment and she enjoys working with the TV on at night and the radio on during the day. The event was coordinated by the Student Art Alliance and the speaker was chosen through an event called the Slide Slam. The group created an interactive slide show of all the potential artists who people selected and a vote was held. Michael Pultz, a fourth-year visual arts major and co-president of the Student Art Alliance, describes Nix’s work as non-traditional “because she creates her own settings in which to photograph.”
available to speak. Nix was number one on their photo list and Pultz said she graciously accepted, Nix plays around with miniature scenes using the most basic equipment. She said she is also very interested in incorporating her personseries of photographed dioramas, she retraces her childhood in Kansas. Her inspiration comes from reading newspapers and magazines and an idea can sometimes hit her when she is half asleep on the subway. Nix also mentioned that television programs and movies from the 1970s, especially “I take everyday experiences and turn them into artwork,” Nix said. Nix said she has pursued this artistic style since she graduated college in 1997. She claims
her style comes from her degree in ceramics and the fact that she isn’t interested in other photography, stating that her style is all based on what she is not. According to Pultz, artists like Nix demonstrate the many ways to “make it” in the art world. “She also offers insight into her creative don’t apply to you, it’s interesting to get another perspective on how a creative person operates and makes their living,” Pultz said. First-year photography major Alyssa Scharf attended the lecture and said she was very inspired by Nix. “I really liked the different perspectives she brings to photography,” Scharf said. Scharf also liked how Nix demonstrated the different ways one can utilize photography for self-expression. Nix is currently working on three other projects but has chosen to wait to reveal them to her audience.
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Arts & Entertainment
“The Philadelphia Story” Portrayed on the Parker Stage
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MUSICIAN OF THE WEEK: Samantha Wahl
SUNY NEW PALTZ STUDENTS PUT ON MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE
By Karl Evers-Hillstrom Copy Editor|
On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Department of Theatre Arts opened the classic play “The Philadelphia Story” at Parker Theatre, giving a glimpse to life in the Philly suburbs during the 1930s. “The Philadelphia Story” is a 1939 comedy play written by Philip Barry. It was made famous by the 1940 movie adaption that starred Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katherine Hepburn. The play depicts Tracy Lord played by fourth-year Brittany Martel, a wealthy socialite preparing for her wedding. Her ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven, played by fourth-year Jeremy Sapadin, arrives uninvited, complicating the situation. Reporters Mike Conner and Liz Imbrie, played by third-year Maurice Chinnery and fourth-year Sophia Beratta, respectively, show up to cover the wedding, and end up creating more problems as well. Adjunct Professor Brendan Burke directed the play and said he felt that the cast did a
great job. “The cast was wonderful to work with,” Burke said. “They’re a hardworking and dedicated bunch. The language of the play (and the style of the period) was particularly challenging, but by focusing on the story-telling we were able to achieve our goals.” Burke has directed at New Paltz, although he has been a professional director for over 20 years. “The casting is an important and enjoyable part of the process for me,” Burke said. “There are the physical traits, of course, but really you are essentially looking for the person who naturally meshes with the spine of the character you’re casting. And the casting must, overall, help tell the story.” Dinah Lord, younger sister of Tracy, was played by third-year Stephanie Caban, and wowed the audience with her youthfulness and energy. Attendees seemed to greatly enjoyed Uncle Willie, played by Matthew Limerick, who constantly provided humor at the right
moments. Assistant Director Casey Morris said she felt the writing of the play was what made the show a success. “Ultimately, the script’s well-developed characters and skillfully crafted plot are what make this play one of the classics still beloved to this day,” Morris said. Attendees to the Oct. 5 afternoon show included students, faculty and Ulster County residents. Margaret Palmer is a Kingston resident who frequently attends plays at New Paltz. “I try to see all of the productions every year,” said Palmer. “I really enjoyed [The Philadelphia Story], it had a lot of character, more than I’m used to seeing. Very impressive.” Palmer also mentioned that she felt Brittany Martel and Jeremy Sapadin put on a “perfect performance” as Tracy Lord and her exhusband C.K. Dexter Haven, respectively. The play lasted about two hours, and ended with a large ovation from the audience. The next showings of the production are Oct. 16 to Oct. 19.
“Turn, Turn, Turn” To The Sound Of Music Therapy
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YEAR: Fourth MAJOR: Creative Writing HOMETOWN: Manhattan, N.Y.
WHAT’S YOUR INSTRUMENT OF CHOICE AND WHY?
WHAT ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH MUSICALLY?
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
WHO HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING TO LATELY?
MID-ATLANTIC PASSAGES CONFERENCE COMING TO SUNY NEW PALTZ By Amya Pinka Copy Editor|
Little can compare to the power of song and its copious powerful effects on the self. On Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Lecture Center, the 11th annual Mid-Atlantic Passages Conference titled “Turn, Turn, Turn” is coming to SUNY New Paltz Student Association and Music Therapy Club are co-sponsoring this event. The Mid-Atlantic Passages Conference is a music therapy forum free of charge for students, professionals and the community of New Paltz to join together and explore the clinical experiences, intervention strategies, experiential music, process. Timothy Gannon and Kristin Ryan, the co-chairs of the conference, said it is “a learning conference.” “This program allows current music therapy students and recent graduates of SUNY New Paltz to experience presenting in front of an audience of peers, new
professionals and veteran clinicians,” said Gannon and Ryan. According to the co-chairs, members of the community and undergraduate students are encouraged to attend and gain a more in-depth understanding of what music therapy is and how music is applied in a therapeutic context for personal or community growth. With over 120 people registered, the community of New Paltz and visitors from all around the country in addition to international visitors. During the conference’s lunch break, attendees can enjoy local restaurants at a discounted price. The conference will begin with a welcoming from Ryan and Gannon, Student Affairs Advisor Conio Loretta and Michael Viega. This is followed by da Richards, music director at Clearwater and lead singer in R&B band Soul Purpose and the second from Kenneth Aigen, an associate professor in music therapy at New York University. “We are honoring the life and legacy
of Pete Seeger and his commitment to in-
WHAT’S YOUR PLAN FOR THE FUTURE?
tal change through the use of music,” Gannon and Ryan said. Seeger’s life and how he used music “as a catalyst for change, a medium for protest and a way to deliver a message of hope.” Concurrent sessions then begin through the Lecture Center. Gannon and Ryan said it is here where students and new professionals present their research, case studies, applications for music in treatment, personal processes in developing as therapists, self-growth experiences as individuals and as clinicians and growth of the client receiving music therapy services. The conference will come to a close with “The Folk Song Assembly: A Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Pete Seeger,” where attendees are encouraged to share and experience folk music from Seeger and other folk artists’ catalogs. In the evening, attendees are invited to Oasis Café to enjoy a performance by Aigen and his band the Stella Blues Band.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
open to anything! ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING MUSICIANS?
CHECK OUT SAMANTHA WAHL PERFORMING BY SCANNING THIS CODE WITH ANY SMARTPHONE!
DO
YOU
WANT TO BE...
MUSICIAN OF THE WEEK? Contact Zameena Mejia at Zmejia09@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
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The Deep enD
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THIS WEEK IN
THE DEEP END NICK STOLA Major: Graphic Design Year: Fourth
Influences: David Carson, Blu, Barbra Kruger, Art Chantry
“The thing I enjoy most about design is its compatibility with other interests I have, like how I’m able to use the movies and music I enjoy in my design work.”
Photos courtesy of Nick Stola | Captions by Maxwell Reide
The New Paltz Oracle
Editorial
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9
SomEthing in thE watEr
CARTOON BY JULIE GUNDERSEN
The Town and Village of New Paltz has been seeking an alternative water source for when the Catskill Aqueduct closes for maintenance repairs in 2016. Their efforts have been ongoing since August of 2013 when the Town and Village Board made a joint decision to shut down this aqueduct for a 10-week period in order to repair leaks and perform routine inspections. Recently the village has tapped into a Plains Road site in search of quality water, resulting in the tampering of 20 households’ well supply in the process. The most recent test pumping involving these households had resulted in nearly 20 complaints of sulfuric tasting and smelling water, loss of water pressure in homes and excessive presence of coliform and lead in the water. Due to the homeowners’ uncertainty about the safety of their well water supply, many have covered the cost of hiring their own geo-hydrologists to ensure that they aren’t going to fall sick due to the tainted water. We at The New Paltz Oracle believe that although these efforts are showing that the village is making progress with this problem, intruding nances and health is very troubling at this point suitable water supply for the community to fall back on in 2016.
Knowing how long of a process the exissue will be seen anytime within the next few months, and even before 2015. With water being an absolute necessity, it is shocking that the nearly $850,000 in grants already presented for this project by New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are not being ter source in a more timely manner. Considering that this quest for securing an alternative supply began back in 2004 when the need was less urgent, we believe that 10 years in the making is far too long to not have a backup plan for an aqueduct that could at some point possibly stop working altogether if it is already in dire need of repairs. By the time 2016 comes around and it is time for the aqueduct to close, who is to say that we won’t already be facing a far larger issue of having to limit water supply because our current supply is diminishing or becomes tainted as well? With this issue, the health and safety of the citizens is our main priority. If these test drills continue to intrude upon entire neighborhoods and put citizens of New Paltz at risk by exposing their drinking water with lead, then the DEP needs to conjure another plan to identify a less
harmful alternative within their efforts. Though lead is rarely found in source water, when it becomes present it can cause a variety of health effects, most notably in babies and children, such as delays in physical and mental devellearning abilities. If test drillings resulting in these problems continue, we are going to have a much larger problem on our hands as a town than just having our water shut down by 2016. New Paltz has always prided itself on being a more “green” and eco-friendly area of the Hudson Valley, thoroughly implementing electric car chargers and solar panels. Even on the SUNY campus alone, students come together often in efforts to stop anything positioned as harmful toward the environment. As a town, we need to follow this initiative and express to the DEP that tainting the water supplies of citizens and being at a vulnerable position for more of this to occur is unacceptable. duct supplies between 700,000 and 1 million gallons of water a day with 70,000 of these gallons allocating to New Paltz’s usage alone. As of right now, a date has yet to be set for when the aquechange. People at this current moment are being
Thursday, October 9, 2014
subjected to runaround tactics imposing on their health and safety and still do not see any progress in identifying a backup source for when the shutdown is implemented. A discussion concerning how safe and ethical these conducted drill tests really are needs to be held. If households have already been subjected to these conditions and a solution has not been found in our water supply crisis, then the efforts may be moving elsewhere into other neighborhoods where more people will potentially be negatively affected as well. The village and DEP need to further investigate the methods that are being used in securing a backup water supply and design a less intrusive way to do so. In turn, this will aid in ensuring that both the citizens of New Paltz are safe and will not be left living off of bottled water for 10 weeks by the time the aqueduct is ultimately shut down. Editorials represent the views of the majority of the editorial board. Columns, op-eds and letters, excluding editorials, are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of The New Paltz Oracle members, the campus and university or the Town or Village of New Paltz.
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OPINION
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COLUMN
ZAMEENA MEJIA A&E Editor
Zmejia09@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
In an interview I recently had with Fine and Performing Arts Interim Dean Paul Kassel, he said something that deeply resonated with me: what you are doing right now in this moment is the most important thing going on in your life. He could’ve been referring to so many things — for a moment, I feared he thought I was checking my phone for text messages and I quickly became self-conscious. I regained composure as I listened to him go on with our conversation, easing my way back
Right Here, Right Now through old journals, introspectively wondering “Why?” and “What if?” With graduation near on the horizon,
over a month into my senior year, and father time has been playing with my state of mind. I’ve spent much of my life being a nostalgic person, always thinking through past memories and looking
seeking answers within myself. I’ve come to treat journalism as a therapeutic trade, because aren’t we all just looking to get a nice quote out or spoken about us at the end of the day? Maybe that’s my public relations concentration speaking. At the end of the day, our majors are mere words on paper. What really matters is the education we’ve extracted from our time at college. Over the years, my larger circle of friends and I have seen each other less and less as we’ve individually become “insanely” busy. What we all really mean is that we’ve really devoted ourselves to the things that truly matter the most to us. I guiltily admit to judging some friends for their lack of presence in my life, a moment of judgement I consider a waste of time because we should
Who has the steering wheel over at SUNY New Paltz? The SUNY NP Foundation is pursuing a lawsuit against the Town of New Paltz and SUNY continues to buy newspaper advertisements challenging the Town of New Paltz Planning Board’s decision to deny approval of Wilmorite’s Park Point private housing project because of the adverse impacts Park Point would have on our community. This comes after the Planning Board spent years reviewing and analyzing Wilmorite’s application and then voted unanimously to deny. SUNY’s ad campaign implies that our community is foolishly forfeiting
new revenue. Unfortunately, this is simply incorrect. In addition to the Planning Board, The New Paltz Board of Education clearly explained their concerns in their December 2013 resolution on Payment-In-Lieu-Of-Tax (PILOT) agreements and in their July 2014 position statement on Housing and Dormitory PILOTs. The NP Board of Education explained that “the funds that are received from a PILOT are not allowed to be used to increase the school budget, even when there may be additional costs to the district. There is no ‘new money’ that the District can use, because the
ing. Though our conversation was about an upcoming theater production, I felt as though all sorts of red
instead be proud of each other’s unrelenting pursuits. Time is all we have. I mentioned this in a past article but losing my iPhone during my semester abroad absolutely allowed me to better appreciate my months of living in another country. Friends, we can only make plans and cancel them a limited number of times before we start to rule out being “friends.” Friends, when we’re together, let’s keep our phones away. Friends, let’s enjoy the last run of months when we’re but a few minutes away from being able to see each other. Let us respect the decisions we make as individuals and support each other as we can. Time is all we have. As I listen to Drake’s evocative outro while writing this, placing this much importance on right now is not a matter of YOLO (sorry, Drake!) This is about worrying less and valuing each and every day we’re given. In balancing my ambition, I’ve unfortunately had to make the decision to step down from my position
OP-ED are offset by decreases in other forms of revenue.” But what feels more surreal than SUNY ignoring our District is that Wilmorite’s own consultant, Camoin Associates, has also explained this problem. Simply search for Camoin’s 2012 presentation to the NYS Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors or Camoin’s 2012 memorandum to the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency and the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation and you will see PILOT schemes are harmful to school districts.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
as The Oracle’s Arts and Entertainment editor. In my past few years of being on the Oracle staff, I learned the art of reporting and have met an amazing bunch of people who have collectively shown me the importance of doing what you love. Most have graduated and are sprinkled across the tri-state area, and whether it’s love for reporting hard news, a love for a worn book’s smell, an infatuation with dogs, an insane love for the Mets and Rangers, a fondness of theater or odd appreciation for cheeseburgers, they have all shown me the power of pursuing and paying attention to what is in front of them. I want to be in the know of what’s in front of me, live in the now, appreciate the present in all its wonder and uncertainty and love insanely. Zameena Mejia is a fourth-year journalism/ PR and Spanish double major who clearly loves writing. A hopeless romantic, she’ll really miss The Oracle and the madness of it all.
Camoin said, “The way the legislation (NYS property tax cap) is currently formulated, school districts and municipalities are materially adversely affected by PILOT arrangements. It is natural to assume that school districts and municipalities may oppose any PILOT agreements.” Our community deserves an explanation, not a marketing campaign. Sincerely, Tim Rogers (Individual Capacity Only) New Paltz
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SPORTS
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SPORTS The New Paltz Oracle
WINNING
WAYS
By Melissa Kramer Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
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SportS
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Cross Country Speeds Through Season
By Amanda Copkov Contributing Writer | Copkova1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
The New Paltz women’s cross country team placed 11th out of 40 schools at the Paul Short Invitational race in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania this past Saturday. The women’s team placed in front of Division I schools such as Rider University, Siena College and St. Joseph’s University of Philadelphia in the event. The New Paltz men’s team continues to make major improvements in their performance as well, taking 22nd place out of 40 opposing teams at the same event. Both teams have been making progress this season, ranking higher in the region than they ever have in New Paltz history. Fourth-year runner Terisa Woych learning race.” At this race, the Hawks had the chance to see how other SUNY
races have been preparation for championship meets such as SUNYACs, and most importantly, regionals.
co-captains, Mike Scher and Dave Lukas, are committed to making a difference this year.” Trunkes said that the men’s team has real potential to be ranked within the top 10 in the region; the women’s
teams,” she said. Woych also talked about the posi-
region. Both teams have been preparing for
that the team has gained this season.
both teams this season is mileage. The women’s team runs between 40-60 miles per week, while most runners on the men’s team run between 80-100 miles per week.
teams and surrounding regional teams have been running thus far.
helps the team get into their best shape possible.
and recovery.” ever looked to be in serious contention
rewarding to get to the meets and have the results to show for all of our hard work.” Head Coach Mike Trunkes said both teams have made plenty of improvements this season and that the men’s team this season is the best that New Paltz has ever seen.
ference this season is that we run more.” The team focuses on a lot of aerobic and anaerobic workouts, tempo progression and sustained mile workouts in order to train for their highly competitive race reason. Scher said that Trunkes
Thursday, October 9, 2014
National Championship,” according to both of his teams this season and plans to keep moving forward throughout the process, he said. Both teams will travel to compete at the Connecticut College Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 18. This will serve as their last event of the regular season before SUNYAC Championships kick off on Saturday, Nov. 1 at The College at Brockport. and just step up to the line,” Woych
SportS
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Women’s Soccer Seeks Consistency
The women’s soccer team has two more home matchups of the season.
Sports Editor |
The women’s soccer team is looking to bounce back after a stagnant series of two SUNYAC matchups on their home turf this past weekend. The Hawks hosted the SUNY Geneseo Knights on Friday, Oct. 3 and suffered a 5-0 loss. This served as the team’s second shutThe Knights held a two-point lead over
did not prevail. The second half of the game provided the win for the Knights with three more goals in the 52nd, 54th and 88th minutes. First-year goalkeeper Katelyn Cordero notched four saves for the Hawks during her 56-minute reign in the net, while teammate The following day on Saturday, Oct. 4 the Hawks tied the College at Brockport Golden Eagles, 2-2. Fourth-year defender Bryce Kristall opened the 24th minute by heading in a corsisted on the goal. The Golden Eagles caught
the score 1-1. Fourth-year captain Eleni Anselmi found the back of the net in the 81st minute on a breakaway to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead. Five minutes later, fourth-year forward Cayli Carmona tied the game for Brockport at two apiece. The game went into a 10-minute overthe shootout 4-2, coming out of the weekend with one point. The Hawk’s spirit and dynamics on the very distinct, Head Coach Colleen Bruley said. To see this drastic change in the team’s attitude from the complete shutout to matching up to a tie was very positive, she said. “On Friday, we didn’t come to play and we made the other team look a lot better than they were,” she said. “Every single goal that we gave up could have been prevented [but] came out of the game playing really, really hard on Saturday. That was against a very good team as well so that just showed [the team] the level of commitment that they They didn’t have it on Friday. And on Sat-
urday, it was a completely different story.” Anselmi agreed and said that the team’s approach to the game really improved by the following day when they took on the Golden Eagles. “A completely different team came out to play Saturday against Brockport,” she said. “You could feel it throughout the team that something was different and we were ready to prove to everyone that the team that played Friday wasn’t the team that we know we are. Although we were disappointed with only receiving one point for the weekend, we learned a lot and proved to ourselves that when we put our minds to it we are capable of great things.” After having a rather inconsistent season thus far, Bruley said reaching that critical point of balance and performing equally as well from game to game is the team’s main focus for the end of the season. “There’s certain players that do well and maybe struggle the next day so we’re looking for that consistency as a whole team,” she said. “I think when we get that, then good things can happen. There’s still time for that.” Cordero said the team is looking to play
Thursday, October 9, 2014
their hardest to honor the fourth-year teamson with the Hawks in the upcoming month. This weekend, she said, the fourth-years helped to raise everyone’s spirits after their loss to Geneseo and put “everything on the line” for a win. serve to win and for everyone to give 100 we did on Saturday,” she said. “We played with our hearts and left everything out on the
SUNYAC tournament begins, Bruley said strong and push their record further. three points,” Bruley said. “If we come out and play like we did against Brockport and be successful. It’s just a matter of them coming out and doing it.” With an overall record of 6-5-2, the Hawks complete their series of home SU-
Oct. 11.
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The New Paltz Oracle
Women’s Volleyball Shows SUNYAC Strength
PHOTO BY LIZZIE NIMETZ
The women’s volleyball team holds a dominant 3-0 record in SUNYAC play thus far.
By Russell Hartman Copy Editor | Rhartman@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
With a record of 17-4 overall and 3-0 in SUNYAC games, the SUNY New Paltz Women’s Volleyball team has, so far, enjoyed a dominant season. On Sept. 26 and 27, the Hawks played son. The Hawks swept SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Cortland all in three sets. AC play,” said Head Coach Matt Giufre. “We played good defense and showed resiliency
Home Isles Advantage
when we were down late against Cortland.” Giufre said that the strong start to the season has not changed his team’s mindset at all when it comes to practicing and playing games. “Our record doesn’t affect our preparation,” he said. “The team kind of ignores our record but we are proud of it; it doesn’t hamper them.” However, with all the success the team is enjoying, Giufre said they still have things to work on, including a stronger offense play and consistency within. In their most recent game, the Hawks fell
in three sets to Williams College, but look to get back in the win column this weekend. The next SUNYAC games the Hawks will play are hosted by The College at Brockport. The Hawks will matchup against Buffalo State on Friday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m., Brockport on Saturday Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. and SUNY Plattsburgh on Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m. Giufre says these games, as well as any SUNYAC games, bring the best out in his team. “We don’t pay much attention to other team’s records going into the games, there’s a different intensity about them,” he said. “It
Fourth-year right side player Alex Bizub said that the strong start to the season has been great for the team. “I think winning a lot makes us a stronger team,” she said. “It makes other teams work harder against us and we like being challenged.” The upcoming matchup that the team is looking forward to, Bizub said, is going to serve as a reprise from last year. “I can’t wait to play Buffalo State,” she we are ready for retaliation.”
Islanders Ready For The Regular Season
Kramerm2@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
The week was full of action for the Islanders. They closed out their preseason schedule last weekend. The Isles lost 2-1 in a shootout to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, Oct. 2. Kael Mouillierat scored the lone goal for the Isles. Later in the week, Mouillierat did not make the cut for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The Islanders could not capitalize on a late power play in overtime. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak played the full game, stopping 21 of 22 shots in regulation and allowing one goal in the shootout. Ryan Strome had a strong game. He led all shots and 10 total attempts. Cory Conacher had a strong game as well, as he went on a break-
away in overtime.
He traded for two defenseman the same day, the
clear that they want to win.
6-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Friday, Oct. 3. Kyle Okposo scored the lone goal for the Isles. Goaltender Chad Johnson played the full 60
chuk. The Isles traded second- round selections in the 2015 and 2016 NHL Drafts, along with a conditional third round pick to Boston. Next was former Chicago Blackhawk Nick Leddy. The Islanders traded defensemen TJ Brennan, defensemen Ville Pokka and goaltender Anders Nilsson to the Hawks for Leddy and goaltender Kent Simpson. Both Boychuk and Leddy are former Stanley Cup Champions. Leddy won it all in 2013 and Boychuk in 2011. Leddy has 54 playoff games under his belt and Boychuk will bring 79. They know what it takes to win. Both guys will add experience to a young defensive core. Top-
nal 23 on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
their preseason with a record of 4-2-1. The following day, Saturday, Oct. 4, was full of transactions for the Isles. been signed to three-year entry-level contracts. Michael Dal Colle signed his contract last week. This week, Joshua Ho-Sang joined and signed his deal. Both will play for their Junior clubs in the OHL. The same day, the roster was trimmed to 31. That meant nothing to General Manager Garth
Thursday, October 9, 2014
of training camp. He will be an asset to the defensive core. He will become more comfortable every game he plays. Defensemen Matt Carkner, Calvin de Haan and Lubomir Visnovsky were all placed on the injured reserve list to begin the regular season. Conacher is the winner of the spot to play alongside Kyle Okposo and Captain John Tavasecond-line of Mikhail Grabovski and Strome. The puck drops on the Islanders regular season with a back-to-back, home-and-home set against the Carolina Hurricanes, beginning Friday Oct. 10 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Season Preview
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Rangers Seek Return To Finals
Rhartman@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu
In sports, any loss is bad; you never want to come out on the short end of the stick. But when that loss comes in overthe pain is almost unbearable. This season, the New York Rangers look to put that loss behind them and go all the way. The New York Rangers went on a
The fact that he can play center as well as their playoff run and was a big reason they Vigneault about it and tried it out during preseason. The experiment seemed to work well for Vigneault and it now appears that York Rangers and continue to play there
season and brought fans to the edge of their seats. This season the team seeks to it couldn’t last year: Win. It. All. With the core of the team returning, key free agent signings and up and coming prospects, the New York Rangers are primed to get back COACHING Alain Vigneault has coached the Rangers for one season and has proven to be the right choice to lead the team. He saw what kind of team he had and installed a system that utilized the team to its strengths. Mats Zuccarello and Ryan McDonagh ing their speed and McDonagh’s potential on the offensive end of the ice was also realized. Vigneault and his assistant coaches the bench for the Rangers. Players are no longer scared of mistakes in fear of being sent to the minors or benched. FORWARDS Despite some questions down the middle of the ice, the Rangers are set to enter the 2014-15 NHL season with an some new and some looking for a one last chance to prove themselves. With the unfortunate injury to Derek with an interesting group of centers. Derick Brassard and Dominic Moore were round draft pick J.T. Miller has also made the team due to a great training camp and showing great impressive improvement during the preseason. But wait, aren’t there four lines in hockey, shouldn’t there be four centers? And yes, that’s true. Enter
Louis has never played center in the NHL, so this will be an interesting story to follow in the early part of the Rangers season. As for the left and right wings, the Rangers have great depth and are entering the season with solid wingers. Many familiar faces will be back to play on the wings for the Rangers including Nash, all impressive players. There will also be some new faces on the wings for the Rangers this season. Ryan Malone is one of the new faces that will be on the Rangers this season. He is coming off a buyout from the Tampa Bay Lightning due to him being arrested
sion to include him in the opening night roster. Perhaps the biggest addition on the wing is the Rangers third round draft pick, 80th overall from the 2013 NHL Draft, Anthony Duclair. He scored 50 goals last year in juniors and added 49 assists for a total of 99 points. Duclair showed how much of an explosive player he can be. He preseason and scored some highlight reel goals. Duclair will start on a top six forward but will need to prove himself. DEFENSEMEN & GOALTENDING Ryan McDonagh, who was just re-
sion. Rangers General Manager Glen
ber one defenseman for the Rangers. His defensive abilities are second to none and his offensive ability started to come to light last season under Alain Vigneault. He will be a Norris Trophy candidate for the rest of his career. Dan Girardi will continue to be the team’s second best defenseman on the team and will shut down top players along with McDonagh.
es of what he could do in the preseason by scoring two goals, but depth on the wings may force him to be the extra forward.
left for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dan Boyle, who was signed as a free agent, has been a great defenseman throughout
seems to have secured a fourth line role.
He has a booming slapshot that he can unleash from the blue line at any time. Look
was picked 157th in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, made the team out of training camp. After a strong preseason showing by scoring three goals he convinced Vigneault that he deserved to be on the team. He will most likely slot in on the third or fourth-line due to his defensive play. His offense still needs a little work, which is why he may not see many top six minutes this season. agent during the offseason. He spurned The Rangers offered him a shot to start if he proved himself during preseason and training camp and Hayes did exactly that. Hayes proved himself as a solid player.
powerplay unit this season, score some big goals and provide great defensive play. tinue to provide solid third pair defense and will play smart when asked to be on the ice. Henrik Lundqvist has been the “king” since he stepped into the team’s starting goaltender position in 2005. He will continue to be a rock in net and put up great save percentage numbers as well as keep his goals against average way down. He is the best goaltender in the world and he will also prove himself to be a worthy backup again and start around 20 games for the team to give Lundqvist a break during the long season.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Opening Night Predictions Forwards: Anthony Duclair Martin St. Louis Rick Nash Chris Kreider Derick Brassard Mats Zuccarello Carl Hagelin J.T. Miller Ryan Malone Tanner Glass Dominic Moore Jesper Fast Kevin Hayes Defensemen: Ryan McDonagh Dan Girardi Marc Staal Dan Boyle Kevin Klein John Moore Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist Cam Talbot
With the new additions to the roster to complement the core of the team, the Rangers will battle with the Pittsplace in the Metropolitan Division. With this team, as long as everyone stays healthy, the New York Rangers have a real chance to win the Stanley Cup.
SPORTS The New Paltz Oracle
WHAT’S INSIDE
Cross Country on the Right Path PAGE 12
SUCCESS Women’s Soccer Faces SUNYAC Loss, Tie PAGE 13
THAT STICKS
PHOTOS BY LIZZIE NIMETZ
FIELD HOCKEY DEFEATS TWO SUNYAC OPPONENTS : PAGE 11