The Catskill Chronicle

To the editor:

It was at Tamarack Lodge in June 1945, the night a plane hit the Empire State Building, that my wonderful, late parents, Morris and Ruth Kross (may they rest in peace) met for the very first time.

Surely many others from the Sullivan-Ulster County area and beyond have likewise been saddened to learn the former Tamarack and Browns were destroyed by fire – priceless, happy memories having gone up in smoke. My heart goes out to those whose homes and possessions were lost in the fires. No words can describe the devastation they have suffered, or the challenges they will face in the future.

I also write to thank and commend the hundreds of men and women who contained and extinguished the two hotel blazes. It took great courage, coordination, and precision to keep the infernos from turning into wildfires like those we read about. Were it not for the valiant efforts of these volunteers –heaven help us – a wildfire could well have happened here.

Even on the golf course, eagles and birdies hold no candle to high moral standards. Thus despite Tiger Woods’ career victories, double-bogeys as a human being will keep him off the true championship leader board.

Fortunately, though, the antithesis of Tiger – the  ideal antidote, really – has been found, the remedial force being none other than NY Jets back-up quarterback, Tim Tebow. Brimming with class, gratitude, and strength of character – a generous helping of brawn, too – Tebow is the genuine, charismatic role model society needs, on and off the playing field.

On the governmental front, hopefully the blowing of 823K tax dollars on a Las Vegas shindig by the General Services Administration (GSA) in the face of supposed Federal cost-cutting has alarmed the American public, raising key questions. Why has it taken so long for word of the 2010 bash to surface? Who has been suppressing the revealing news?

As for the Secret Service scandal, thankfully President Obama returned home from Columbia unscathed. Nevertheless, how long have these dangerous shenanigans been going on, and will we, the people, ever learn the unspeakable truth?

Susan Kross

Dairyland