Apparently, the evil Mohonk Preserve has acquired another
innocent neighbors land (this time near Bonticou Crag)
as part of their nefarious plan to create a Shawangunk
empire:

See this linked article on theuberfall.com

It is truly a shame that this parcel could not be developed
to maximize the ROI for the owner.

But as long as the worst has happened, doesn't this
possibly reopen access to the AI Wall?

Apparently, the evil Mohonk Preserve has acquired another innocent neighbors land (this time near Bonticou Crag) as part of their nefarious plan to create a Shawangunk empire

The Preserve, in buying the land, did a good thing here. If they were to always negotiate with landowners and buy the land they want, they would undoubtedly have good relationships with all of their neighbors, not just some.

What's interesting about this though is that the MP's purchase of 5 acres warranted a press release which resulted in a newspaper article. Their untold payments to Peter Fairweather of Fairweather Consulting along with their significant role in the adoption of a local a zoning law that confiscates the development rights on some 2600 acres of land, on the other hand, are somehow unworthy of a similar press release and article.

It is truly a shame that this parcel could not be developed to maximize the ROI for the owner.

No one has advocated developing to maximize the ROI for owners. Although I do realize that characterizing ridge landowners, who have objected to the zoning law, as villains of some sort may help you rationalize, and thereby feel better about, the screwing of retirees, widows, and widowers, some of whom are living on fixed incomes.
But as long as the worst has happened, doesn't this possibly reopen access to the AI Wall?

Nope. But you could always collaborate with socialist1 to organize a protest. After all, in these politically and environmentally troubled times, a protest to demand climbing access on private property, seems most appropriate. As the middle east burns, as 50 million Americans (more every day) go without health insurance, as the Bush Whitehouse negates the balance of powers in the constitution, and as the Bush administration also refuses to engage in any talks about reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this country, let's by all means organize to protest the closed status of Skytop and the AI Wall.

How could the same Preserve that claims the likes of
Darth Fairweather among its ranks have done anything
you could characterize as "good"? No, with
Lord Fairweather advising them, I am sure this is a
plan which must serve some greater evil purpose.

No doubt he is plotting even now to throw widows out of
their homes and starve the children of the ridge,
unless they sign over their souls in blood to the evil
Mohonk empire...

May the force be with you.


Lord Fairweather Plots . . .

On several occasions I have said the Preserve does good things. That doesn't mean everything they do is good. That the Preserve, in an open and respectful way, negotiated for and purchased five acres of land on Cragswood Road doesn't nullify their skulduggerous use of quit claim deeds in Clove Valley or the Nears, nor does it compensate for their role in the adoption of the zoning law which has and continues to hurt land owners along the ridge.

For some the Preserve is either all good or all bad. The all good view, and blind support of the Preserve, must make it easier to justify the otherwise unjustifiable position of supporting the screwing of those in the community too few, too old, and too weak to wield any political clout or defend themselves.

The devious nature of the Preserve is revealed.

They have co-opted the democratic process and forced
their pro-zoning proposal candidates to be elected by an
open vote of the people. Using the secret Fairweather
mind-ray system, they are controlling the majority of
voters in the Township to essentially negate their own
best intersts.

Scoundrels, I say.

Of course if a politcal candidate promises to "rob Peter to pay Paul" they will get the vote of Paul. That doesn't make it ethical or moral or just.

And pda, while you might not think their behavior is worthy of the term scoundrel, a lot of people do. Also, I thank you for again drawing attention to the Mohonk Preserve, their quiet payments to the Town of Gardiner's envrionmental consultant, and their role in the writing of both the town's master plan and ridge zoning law that benefit them so greatly at the expense of their abutting downslope neighbors.

You misunderstand me - I'm on your side here.

It is only through drawing more attention to these conspirators that we can hope to thwart their
evil plan, which is now exposed as nothing less than the protection of the ridge from further development so it can be enjoyed by future generations.

Sarcasm can be funny, if done well.

Of course it would be great to prevent development on the ridge for future generations. The question is how to apportion the burden of doing so. Is it best for all to share that burden or is it best for the many to disproportionately burden the few? The latter divides communities and leads to political counter measures, that are sometimes very extreme.

Are you willing to share the burden pda? How much have you contributed to open space preservation? Please tell us you are willing to contribute more than just hot air. Otherwise your words have no meaning, and you no credibility.