To the Editor,
Local Historians' Spirits Slow in Lifting
After over 12 years of vacancy, this County's Adopted 2005 Budget finally
included funding for the office of County Historian.
In the closing paragraphs of the County Executive's 2005 State of the County
Address, he said, "As a final lift to the spirits of local historians and
others passionate about history, I am so pleased this year to be able to
take a step to connect our past, our present and our future."
To date, our County Executive has failed to present a qualified historian
candidate to the legislature for approval. Other issues continually push
our County's history aside.
Our county records management center is in deplorable condition and cannot
accept records for storage, servicing and preservation. Department heads
must store records in their offices. Poorhouse records dating back to the
1870's are with the Commissioner of Social Services; County "Ancient
Documents" dating back to 1755 are with the County Clerk. Our historical
records are orphans.
This County needs a County Historian, a County Archives, and a County
Archivist. This County needs to immediately address the condition of our
records management facility and insure the servicing and preservation of
County Records NOW and in the future in order to comply with our County
Charter and Local Law No. 3 of 1986.
Just when will our County Executive take those steps he was so pleased about
in January "to lift the spirits of local historians and others passionate
about history." ? [This is the Big Question]
Virginia A. Buechele
[Town of Poughkeepsie Resident]
Mail to:
P O Box 243
Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 |