To the Editorial Team: I'm urging the Ulster County Legislature to follow through on former Ulster County Legislator Manna Jo Greene’s recommendation:

“We need a facilitated consensus building process to ensure the best possible outcome for Ulster County, its businesses and visitors. Conflict kills solutions. Collaboration creates the best results. We can create a solution that works for all concerned and is cost effective and financially and environmentally sustainable.”

When I was a trustee on the Onteora Board of Education, I learned through first-hand experience and the wisdom of our superintendent that a majority vote does not solve serious, emotional controversies. They continue to simmer and fester and cause bad blood. A lasting solution only comes when all parties have had the opportunity to be heard, to participate, and to see genuine effort towards a cooperative resolution.

The Barton and Loguidice engineering report did not serve this purpose. Short presentations to the Housing and Transportation Committee do not suffice. An example of a successful problem-solving committee is the Rail and Trail Advisory Committee that met for six months in 2015. This bipartisan group of legislators sat around the big table in the Binder Library (a room conducive to constructive conversation) and worked diligently to find common ground and solutions. That can happen again with leadership in the Legislature.

My wish for the new year is for rail and trail to work together, because that’s the only ticket to success!

Meg Carey

Glenford