To the Editor:
I was struck by two recent articles regarding the sorry state of things in the town of Berne, one detailing proposed Local Law # 1 (“Some Berne residents question ATV bill”), the other reporting on how proposed county funds for the Switzkill Farm were refused, to deleterious effect (“Berne rejected county’s offer to help preserve Switzkill Farm buildings ….”).

In the former case, a bill is being introduced to service a minority of the Berne population who enjoy riding ATVs, causing traffic hazards and noise pollution for the majority of local residents. Public roads are meant for vehicles (including farm equipment) and citizens (often elderly) who enjoy walking on them, sometimes with pets.

Of course people are free to ride ATVs on their own land, or a neighbor’s land with that neighbor’s permission, but Local Law # 1 is so clearly a recipe for disaster. My sense is that the powers that be are attempting to shove the bill through with little interest in what their overall constituency truly wants — which is, of course, a quintessentially undemocratic move.

As for the Switzkill Farm, a tremendous asset in the town of Berne has been allowed to decay due to Republican hostility to its purchase under a Democratic administration. What a pity that county funds appear to have been spitefully declined and vulnerable buildings allowed to collapse.

These two stories about the goings-on in the town of Berne meet at the unfortunate juncture where partisan politics creates a whopping disregard for protecting the beauties of the environment we all share in the Hilltowns. Hopefully voters are paying attention, and will in the future elect officials who realize the value of preserving our area’s natural assets, very much including peace and quiet.

Katherine Dieckmann

Westerlo