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Takes Issue With Complaints Of County’s Response To Disaster
Dear Editor,
I’m writing in response to a letter from Maurizio Magnotta in your September 19 edition of the Putnam County News, especially to his statement "the mediocre attitude that has settled into the way of life in Putnam is disgraceful". Evidently he wasn’t able to find any place in Putnam to donate blood or a drop-off site for provisions since the September 11th tragedy at the World Trade Center, the Attack on America.
I want to inform him as to what was going on in the town of Philipstown, the western part of Putnam County, where I live.
Through the media and by word of mouth, people were given a choice as to where to go to give blood in neighboring areas. Right now I’m told they have enough, but they are asking people to sign up, so they can be called when more blood is needed.
The Philipstown Ambulance Corp and the Haldane school were the drop off location for Bottled Water, other Food Items, Medical Supplies, Work Clothes, work gloves, dog food and all other items that were requested by the emergency Relief organizations.
Haldane School and Garrison Union Free School raised and collected funds for the Salvation Army and Red Cross as did the GU Markets, Garrison Golf Club and C&E Paint, to name a few.
Our volunteer Firemen in the community were out raising monies for The Families of the Fallen Firemen & Policemen and also volunteered their services at Ground Zero.
The media has reported on many fundraisings and locations for drop-offs for provisions throughout Putnam County.
Everywhere you look American flags are flying, candle lighting vigils and prayer services are being held.
The Caring and generosity in the community will never be forgotten. We are united and here to help in any way we can in the most devastating attack that our country has ever known.
I beg to differ from Mr. Magnotta’s interpretation of Putnam County and its way of life. Maybe his dilemma was the day of September 11 or the day after when everybody was still in shock and local locations hadn’t been fully set up as yet.
My deepest sympathy goes out to all those who lost a loved one, a relative, a friend or neighbor. May god surround you with his love and help you through these difficult times of sorrow.
Betty Budney
Cold Spring
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