(Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to Governor Pataki, Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Hillary Clinton, and State Senator Tom Duane.)

Oppose the NYRI

To the editor:

I urge you to oppose the NYRI Power Line project.

My greatest concern is the link between these huge power lines and childhood cancer. One of NYRI’s proposed routes comes very close to our property here in Cochecton Center, NY. We moved here five years ago from New York City for a healthy, simpler life for our family. The NYRI proposal is a clear threat to our well being.

After decades of economic depression, our area has seen some growth recently. More people have been vacationing here, recreating on the beautiful and relatively clean Delaware River and nearby Catskills and Poconos. Due to the rural beauty and affordability, city people have been buying second homes here, and many have moved our families here full-time. Several have started small businesses. We have found a community of decent, hard-working and compassionate neighbors. There are many working farms and family farms here. There is real community spirit and civic-mindedness. It’s a good life. This deal will benefit some rich Canadians but destroy the natural beauty here and crush our budding economy.

I understand that the power needs of NYC are great and that we need alternatives to fossil fuels. We already have the soon-to-be-built “Millennium Pipeline” in our backyard. However, far from being a good, mutually beneficial solution, this proposal simply rapes the poorer provinces to feed the city’s insatiable appetite for cheap, instant power.

Motivated purely by profits, this proposal is another shortsighted, quick fix energy grab. I and my neighbors are interested in clean, sustainable, renewable energy programs in New York State and the whole country.

I am certain you perceive the connection between the United States’ ill-conceived energy policies and reduced health and quality of life for people here and around the world. I hope you can lead the transition to more intelligent, healthy and humane energy policy.

Chamber offers support

To the editor:

We, here at the Tri-State Chamber office and the chamber board of directors, wish our best to all of our members and other businesses and persons affected by the flood.

This office stands ready to lend our support to the municipal governments of this affected area in their quest for federal monies and support for reconstruction.

On July 4th, the independence of my land will be celebrated. My people, through blood shed by past and present patriots, have enjoyed freedoms not exhibited or enjoyed by any other. Yet, this very freedom and your lack of responsibility and complacency has expanded government’s control to a pseudo dictatorship. The present administration‘s attempt to control all aspects of life is a prime example. Also, the fear factor of a probable attack like 9/11/01 was pounded into your brain, which set you up for submission of your freedom for security. Your congress, misguided by party loyalty, surrendered itself to the executive branch, which used the increased power to further take away freedoms. They, the congress, allowed the imposition of regulations, laws, new surveillance agencies, that in effect, have erased rights and freedoms previously guaranteed by my United States Constitution and my Bill of Rights.

You, my citizens, have a slim chance to regain your guaranteed freedoms. The U.S. Supreme Court is not on your side! If you do not move now in unison to grab back your freedoms instead of accepting the elusive security touted by your present government, you will lose both your freedom and your security.

Use common sense and see the devious means that your government and judiciary has used to divide and conquer you. Every piece of legislation offered and asked for by your administration divides us further. This in effect will bring back various forms of segregation and bigotry. The so-called amendments will further enhance the gap between the wealthy and control over the common man. Look my people, look for the good for all my people, not for the benefit of a few of my people! Be of free thought and not be of lock step when that lock step is the wrong path. You still have a chance to regain your freedoms. Don’t throw your freedom away for fear of being called un-patriotic. Descent of corrupt government is a most patriotic and honorable action by my people. Long may my flag wave. I thank you!

I am The United States of America.

Down with smoke

To the editor:

Thank you SUNY Chancellor John R. Ryan, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret.) for leading the fight to save lives in New York State. On the same day that Surgeon General Richard Carmona stated that secondhand smoke “is a serious health hazard that can lead to disease and premature death in children and nonsmoking adults,” Commissioner Ryan directed his staff to enact a policy making SUNY’s dormitories smoke free by the fall of 2007.

The implementation of smoke-free dorms will ensure that our students will all be able to breathe easier and live in healthier environments.