Thank you, Gravity Ice Cream Shop

I was meandering through the streets of Honesdale, PA, on October 11, and delightfully happened upon a sign that said “free ice cream.” That’s a sure attention grabber!

Turns out the Gravity Ice Cream Shop on 6th Street was closing for the season and, as apparently is its custom, was emptying its coffers of its inventory of soft-serve ice cream. It is their way of thanking their patrons and giving back to the community.

Of course, I got in line and enjoyed a large soft-serve twist. I opted to not enhance it with dip or sprinkles, which were options.

Young and old, all those in line were grateful for the mid-afternoon delight, most expressed thanks, and some even left a tip.

I walked by again later and the line was nearly the entire block long. I noted that the same woman was still twisting the ice cream with the same smile as four hours earlier.

Kudos to the owners of this shop for treating their neighbors and friends, as well as wanderers like me, so generously. In the midst of such unkind times, it is such a kind gesture. 

Susan Wade
Highland Lake, NY

Christa Caceres for Pike Commissioner

On November 7 (or earlier if voting by mail), we have a clear choice in the election for Pike County Commissioner. 

We all recognize that some of the work of the commissioners is to represent the county in official openings, to perform bureaucratic business, to sign contracts, etc. 

When I’ve attended commissioner meetings at the county admin building, it has seemed that the bulk of the attention of the current commissioners is on such paper-pushing duties.

But at a recent commissioner meeting I attended, one of the four candidates for commissioner, Christa Caceres, raised significant issues about the quality of life in the county. 

What a breath of fresh air to suggest that our elected officials should be focusing on the real day-to-day quality-of-life issues facing our citizens. 

This prompted me to look into her background. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she has been doing this at her numerous prior professional positions. She is a person who takes seriously the mandate to actively work to improve socioeconomic conditions for all in her constituency, regardless of political affiliations. 

I will enthusiastically vote for Christa Caceres for Pike County Commissioner.

Ed Gragert
Milford Township, PA

Lake Hills Estates is not a planned use development

As a lifelong resident of Swan Lake and a person who has devoted countless hours of community service to the beautification and historic preservation of the hamlet I love, I am beyond heartbroken by the path Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo is taking us down. 

Much time and energy on the part of many residents and one board member went into the rezoning process. I am, therefore, shocked that the board is willing to even consider Lake Hills Estates as a Planned Unit Development (PUD). 

I am absolutely in favor of responsible development that conforms to the present code, but this does not—nor does it meet any of the criteria of a PUD. 

Liberty Town Code (Section 147-23) states that a PUD must be on a contiguous piece of property, which Lake Hills Estates is not: therefore, the town would have to change the zoning to accommodate the developer. Doing so has very serious implications for all residents of the Town of Liberty, as it will set a precedent for PUDs in any zone. The developer knew when they purchased this property that it did not conform. Did they know something the rest of us do not? 

Sending this on to the planning board is literally kicking the can down the road, when it should have been stopped at the first town board meeting on September 18. The quality of life of current residents should certainly be the board’s primary consideration. Allowing this development to proceed is a serious mistake, and one that the board will not be able to correct.

Nancy Levine
Swan Lake, NY

On preferring lies to truth

Whom do you trust? I’m not thinking of political leaders. I’m referring to people. Whether they go to church is as irrelevant as their political party. What matters is whether they put their beliefs above evidence. 

If they are unwilling to look at evidence, then the answer is “Beware.” We all choose what we believe. But if we’re unwilling to put evidence above ourselves, we can’t even trust ourselves. 

We’re all tempted to do it. You know who I am talking about because we are related to them. They are our friends and neighbors. They are nice people.

Think of someone you know who will believe allegations from their favorite “fact” source, but won’t watch testimony sworn under oath if they think it threatens their belief. 

Telling lies is not against the law. False testimony under oath is. That’s why some people do everything they can to avoid it. Cross-examination makes the veracity even stronger. 

If it’s the truth you fear, don’t watch. Do you know anyone who refused to watch the January 6th hearings, even if they had the opportunity? I know lots of them. Some even send me uncorroborated stories they find on the internet. If it conforms to what they want to believe, they swallow it like the gospel truth.

All propagandists know if you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it. We witness today the ease of spreading lies. Millions believe the last presidential election was stolen based on allegations without evidence. 

Joseph Goebbels once said: “The more absurd the lie, the more people will believe it.” Q-Anon conspiracy, anyone? Voltaire wrote during the reign of terror following the French Revolution over 200 years ago: “If you can get people to believe absurdities, you can get them to commit atrocities.” 

If you have been following the evidence, you know the former president knew he lost the 2020 election while he was (and still is) telling people he didn’t. 

He knows his audience. He actually has two: Those who believe what he says because they need to be lied to, and those who don’t care if it’s true because they want power.

James Tweed 
Ocean City, NJ