My letter to the editor....

I have been reading about three different articles that have held me intrest. One being about the Frank Sottile Boulevard extension, the new plans for the old Costello Motor Court on U.S 9W and the planning of Kingston's second roundabout.

First off, the extension of Frank Sottile Boulevard to Route 199 sounds good, but it wouldn't need to be done if Kingston's road system was planned right in the first place. Route 9W is a traffic nightmare during parts of the day, and the clutter of retail stores between Miron Lane and Route 209/199, is simply not needed. Developers should be building out, not cramming everything in between a 1 mile space. The existing Frank Sottile Boulevard does not address the traffic situation. Motorists simply do not use it enough, because its easier to get to everything on 9W. To address this problem, new sinage should be installed for particular businesses, including the mall and Hudson Valley Plaza. If you do extend the road, it should continue back to Route 9W, not end at 199, so it could provide easier access to the mall and other businesses.

Secondly, I am all out for the plans for the old Costello Motor Court, but again, the existing road infastructure needs to be addressed. U.S 9W is wide enough for a center turn lane, and this should've been addressed when they repaved the road back in 2004. There is definately enough room.

And finally, the plans that the City of Kingston has for a second roundabout to be built RIGHT NEXT to the existing roundabout should not happen. It is said that it will improve traffic flow, but this will simply make it worse, not better. It will create more traffic headaches and confusion. The current roundabout that was built or "improved", from the old one, doesn't help the current traffic flow ethier. If traffic flow is a problem, simply add a center turn lane, or left turn lanes to Washington Avenue in that area to improve acess to both Sawkill Road, and businesses along that stretch.

Traffic flow through Kingston and the Town of Ulster has always been a problem. The right steps are not taken to prevent these kinds of traffic headaches. Millions of dollars are spent each year to "fix" a problem with traffic flow in the area when in reality, it makes it worse. Take the right steps, even if it costs a little more money. Money isn't as important as the lives that could be saved with better planning and safer roads.

Jack Thomas
Kingston, NY

I-587 in Kingston

Just to give you a little bit of history, this "Interstate" spur of I-87 in Kingston, NY was built in the 70's to alleviate traffic off of local streets. Alas, it should not be an interstate for these reasons:

- It is only 1.21 miles long. Too short to be an intersate

- No exits whatsoever. It begins at a traffic light and ends at a traffic circle.

- Some parts not up to interstate standards(Notably the bridge over the Esopus Creek)

- Does not connect to its parent interstate(I-87), and is not agknowledged by its parent interstate. (Guide signs on I-87 for Thruway Exit 19 only have Route 28 posted. Many people don't even know 587 is there until they get off the exit.)

It should actually just be Route 28, but if they wanted to be technical, they could name in NY Route 587.

Waterbury Connecticut Howard Johnson's trip 09-24-05

I went to the Waterbury Connecticut Howard Johnson's restaurant on the weekend of September 24th with my good friend Brian, his girlfriend Mary, and my Dad. I had a great time. The Waterbury restaurant is the last of the 5 remaining restaurants to have a full orange roof. The exterior still remains authentic as well. The inside however(save for the dairy bar, complete with the last Hojo mirror backdrop in existance), was completely remodeled to give it a "diner" type feel. The original layout was still apparent though. For food, I had the Macaroni and Cheese(which unfortunatly wasn't authentic, but they had the flavor down pretty good), and the cheeseburger(which was good. Reminded me of Burger King a little bit..hehe). The only authentic food item Waterbury serves is the clam strips(which I cannot have. Learned that the hard way at the Springfield Vermont Hojos..hehe). Also, Waterbury still has authentic ice cream! I had a scoop of Peppermint Stick, and Chocolate Chip. They also had an old postcard of the Bangor Maine location in its prime! All in all, I had a good time, and hopefully I can go back again sometime.