Read it and weep

The energy bill is a disservice to America. It puts the interests of big oil over the national interest in matters vital to our nation’s security, our economy and our health. This energy bill leaves America more dependent on foreign oil, does nothing for rising gas prices and lets other countries lead in the green markets of the future.

While President Bush and the congressional majority might hail this bill as a success, it is in fact a shameful failure of leadership. Instead of addressing America’s oil addiction, the big-oil energy bill passed on Friday gives billions in tax incentives to oil, gas and nuclear conglomerates. Amendments that would have required utilities to provide 10% of their energy from renewable sources and made a modest reduction in American oil consumption of one million barrels of oil per day (representing a mere 4% of our projected oil consumption) by 2015 were removed. The bill takes away oversight on utilities and consumer protections, allowing more Enron-type activities. It increases drilling incentives for oil and gas companies, who will be spoiling our off-shore and wilderness areas looking for that last bit of oil or gas. It fails to tackle the fundamental problems of supply and demand now causing ever increasing prices at the pump.

With Americans dying in Iraq, oil prices rising, climate change of growing concern, America desperately needs new energy: a bold program for energy independence that can create good jobs here by investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources while mobilizing American science and technology to free this country of its dependence on foreign oil.

This is a national security issue and an economic opportunity to capture the markets of the future, not an impossible dream. The Apollo Alliance, named after President Kennedy’s Apollo initiative that took Americans to the moon in ten years, a ground-breaking coalition of labor, environmental and urban activists has detailed elements of a bold plan for energy independence. This initiative would generate over three million jobs here in America through investment in alternative energy and energy efficiency. It would help the U.S. capture the growing green markets of the future, from super-efficient appliances to the next generation of automobiles. It would help counter global warming and help reduce the spread of respiratory ailments. Most important, it would free America of its dependence on Persian Gulf oil.

I ask Pennsylvania residents to write to their representatives in Washington if they want them to realize there are many of us who want to follow a new, sustainable path for energy in the United States.

Vina Miller
Honesdale, PA

An awesome outpouring of support

I would like to take the opportunity to update the residents of Lumberland, Highland and the surrounding areas on the extraordinary project that is underway in our community.

Last year a group of citizens approached the Lumberland Town Board with the idea for a town park/playground. The community had recently suffered a terrible loss, and the group felt this project would bring people together for a positive purpose. The town board generously allocated a parcel of land next to the town hall for the project.

The committee originally comprised eight members. Since that time hundreds of people have volunteered to make this project a reality. It has been truly awesome to witness the outpouring of support from the community. The funds for the project have been raised through grants, donations and various fundraisers, with no expense to the taxpayers. The work has been completed by volunteers and skilled labor donated by local businesspeople. It is nearly impossible to calculate the amount of time that has been devoted to this task. Through the hard work of all these individuals, the project is well on its way to completion, and I believe the results have exceeded expectations.

The original plan has grown to include a courtyard made with personalized pavers, a picnic area and a nature trail, all part of a park that can be enjoyed by everyone for years to come. I would like to invite all the area residents to stop by the park and see what can be accomplished when a community comes together.

Conserving American rights

Have you ever wondered what some conservatives are trying to conserve?

Those conservatives advocating the repeal of a woman’s right to choose are, in fact, advocating the repeal of a woman’s right to vote. They want to rewrite our Constitution to suit their ideas about privacy, religion, science, segregation, etc. The Constitution was written to save the people from an intrusive central government. It was written to protect the people from a central government that might try to invade the private lives of its citizens.

“Liberal” and “progressive” are not dirty words. We liberals and progressives are fighting to defend democracy, the Constitution and your freedoms.

We who are “liberals” and “progressives” are not the enemy.

Go to the library. Borrow a copy of the United States Constitution.

Read it.

Upheld, the Constitution guarantees our freedoms.

Rhoda Shostal
Jeffersonville, NY

A bad idea for Mamakating

Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development (Sustainable Sullivan) concurs with residents of the Town of Mamakating and the Basha Kill Area Association who oppose approval of Yukiguni Maitake’s mushroom plant.

The massive 80-foot high, 825,000 square foot facility would be built within 500 feet of existing residences and the historic D&H Canal. Contrary to what Yukiguni claims, the proposed plant—almost twice the height allowed by the zoning code—would have an adverse impact on the D&H Canal Linear Park and the view of the Shawangunk Ridge from Route 209 and from trails atop the ridge. It also would adversely affect the Basha Kill, the largest fresh water wetland in southeastern New York. The town’s master plan calls for protection of these important eco-tourism destinations. The county recently invested over one million dollars in grant money to develop the D&H Canal Linear Park.

Both County Planning Commissioner Dr. William Pammer and U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey state the mushroom plant is inconsistent with Mamakating’s master plan, which recommends preservation of the town’s rural character and its natural resources. We agree with Town Planner Alan Sorensen that the Mamakating Zoning Board should request elevation drawings and actual floor plans for its review of the variances Yukiguni has requested because still in question is whether the plant will be four or five stories. Town code allows only four stories, even for industrial buildings.

In addition the facility would draw on average 425,000 gallons of water a day, and it has not been proven that, over time, this would not compromise the town’s water supply. Both the town’s master plan and a new county plan recommend studies of our aquifers in anticipation of future development. An independent study was not required for review of the Yukiguni project.

Yukiguni will be eligible for tax breaks but create only 210 jobs, of which about 170 would entail unskilled labor at entry level wages of $20-23,000 a year. While more than minimum wage, this salary scale does not provide a living wage in our area.

Because the Yukiguni project is inconsistent with the Town of Mamakating’s master plan, because substantial variances would be needed to build the project, because the completed plant would alter the ambiance of the Town, negatively impact major eco-tourism destinations and possibly put the town’s water supply at risk, and because the project would create mostly low paying jobs, the Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development does not support this project.

The Board of Directors,

(Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development (Sustainable Sullivan) is a network of individuals, businesses, and organizations whose goal it is to raise public awareness, foster responsible community planning and support the growth of healthy communities.)