Keep moving forward
What is the status of New York State moving forward with unconventional shale gas drilling which is horizontal high volume hydraulic fracturing popularly called fracking?
The big step: For years medical professionals and scientists have been pressing for a comprehensive and independent study on the short and long-term cumulative impact of the entire shale gas development (from extraction to transportation) on public health. The governor asked his Department of Health (DOH) to conduct such a health review and last week they selected three high level public health professionals from across the country (Washington, DC, Denver and Los Angeles) to evaluate this document by February 2013.
Concern #1. Has this panel of experts been asked to examine only the state›s health review or also create their own Health Impact Assessment (HIA)? There must be transparency at every step and the public deserves to know their agreement.
Concern #2. Is there a plan for public involvement? In a position paper written for New Yorkers Against Fracking Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., stated « . . . a comprehensive Health Impact Assessment is participatory throughout the process, it includes elements of public participation in the form of hearings, public reviews, meetings, and stakeholder consultations. Concerns suggested by members of potentially affected communities are included in the scope of the study.» Her full paper can be read at tinyurl.com/bhqrati .
Our role now is to make sure transparency and public involvement, two key components of an independent and rigorous document, are incorporated by the panel. Please call and thank Gov. Cuomo for hiring this panel of experts and inform him about these two key concerns.
Call him at 800-566-5020. Call another time if voicemail is full. Or leave a message at his web site www.governor.ny.gov (see Contact) or write him at Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224.
Rosalyn Cherry
New Paltz
Storm exposed our fragility
As our neighbors in the Greater New York region to continue to struggle with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, we know that many also suffered Upstate, particularly along the Hudson River. The flooding damaged homes, businesses and public structures, leaving many without power for days. In many cases, Sandy impacted homes and businesses still recovering from the impacts of hurricanes Lee and Irene in 2011, and brought into sharp focus the anxieties and challenges our region continues to struggle with as a result of those storms.
For our friends and neighbors downstate who continue to suffer, we have a statewide obligation to provide intensive support and help them recover as quickly as possible, even as we continue to rebuild here at home. We offer our continued thanks to the many emergency responders and other volunteers, who continue to sacrifice their own comfort and safety to protect the lives and property of others.
All of us are also grateful to the many federal, state and local officials who prudently took steps before, during, and after the storm to protect our communities as much as possible. We are sobered by the fact that, with all of our advanced technology and relative abundance, these events emphasized how fragile we are as a state and nation. As nature continues to prove its unpredictability, we must wisely adjust to ensure continued health and safety in the face of future events. All of us must play a role in ensuring needed reinvestment in our communities, and rebuild them in ways that strengthen them for the future. As an assemblyman and member of this community, I remain dedicated to this cause. We still have much to do.
Assemblyman Pete Lopez
127th Assembly District
Dump local
Six of Ulster County’s 20 towns live below the national average income poverty level. This at a time when the UCRRA (Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency) spends $8.5 million annually to enrich the township of Seneca Falls through host town benefits by shipping our 140K-ton waste stream 250 miles to their landfill, Seneca Meadows. This scenario will get progressively more expensive as time goes on and out towns will continue to lose unless we act to stop it.
So, you ask, how do we stop the cash drain to Seneca Meadows and direct it to our needy towns? The process is well laid out in the 1991 resolution 390, the original solid waste stream agreement between Ulster County and the RRA…flow control as the first step and finally siting a county landfill is the answer.
While we quibble over taking the first step to waste stream insanity, joint venture Oneida/Herkimer’s flow control/landfill program is so successful that their RRA is considering lowering their tipping fee from $79 to $55 to avoid generating a profit, while we are considering raising our tipping fee from $80 to $100 just to meet our expenses. Faced with this scenario it is disheartening to us to read that “flow control doesn’t sit well with legislator John R. Parete” and that he thinks “flow control is the worst possible scenario…” He should ask one of the six towns supervisors who struggle to balance their budgets on peanuts, while Seneca Meadows swims in our cash, which is the worst-case scenario. Sorry legislator Parete, “poorly thought out” would be not to pass flow control. We strongly urge the public hearings and the Ulster County Legislature to pass flow control and then to urge the environmental, energy and technology committee to immediately start to lay the ground work to site the Ulster County Landfill to stem the cash drain to Seneca Meadows.
Charles Landi, Albert Teetsel
RRA board members Kingston
Buy peaceful gifts
For several years Pax Christi groups in New York have campaigned against the common practice of purchasing toys and video games that glamorize violence as gifts for children during the Holiday season.
This year we urge you to take a minute to think about the toys you are buying for the young people in your life. We wish each other holiday joy, we talk about peace on earth, Christians call Jesus the “Prince of Peace” and yet often purchase toys that encourage violence and war.
Many video games glamorize violence, encourage discrimination and make killing seem exciting and fun. Be careful to avoid such videos for the young people on your list. Toys and games that encourage group play, cooperation and old-fashioned fun will offer hours of quality time. Dolls, trains, blocks, music and musical instruments are still great values and favorites for the younger set. How about tickets to a theatre, concert or sporting event for the others? Spending quality time together is a simple gift that will bring many hours of enjoyment.
For something different and truly meaningful take part of your allotment for each child and donate it to a worthy cause. Tell your child what you did and why. Organizations such as Heifer International will send a card depicting the animal you chose to send to a family in a developing country, or give to the Arbor Day Foundation and have a tree planted in their name.
Make a contribution to the regional office of Pax Christi Metro NY (www.nypaxchristi.org) or other non profits working for justice. Your generosity would help them continue their work in the development of a culture of peace. There are also many groups who need your donation of even $10. They provide help for families suffering from natural disasters and war. In this way the Holiday Season of Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza will become a true celebration of peace.
Madeline Labriola
Pax Christi Hudson Valley. Highland
Join the family! 
