Films on gas impacts to be shown at Tusten Theater

RIVER VALLEY — Josh Fox, a filmmaker from Milanville, PA, traveled 8,000 miles to record interviews with people in Texas, Colorado, Wyoming and Pennsylvania about the impact of gas drilling activities on their lives and health. The interviews are being incorporated into a documentary, portions of which will be shown at the Tusten Theater in Narrowsburg, NY on Saturday, September 27 at 7:00 pm.

The evening will begin with trailers from several other films that depict the impacts of natural gas drilling in other regions of the country.

After the screening, Fox will talk about his work and take questions from the audience.

The event, entitled, Films on Fracking, is a benefit for Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS).

Barbara Arrindell, the chief science officer of DCS, said, “This film will open people’s eyes to the devastation that has taken place where the gas industry has worked-—they have taken over and destroyed communities. There are many examples across the country and Josh Fox has zeroed in on some alarming stories.”

Gunther announces public hearing on natural gas

MONTICELLO, NY — Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther announced that the New York State Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation will hold a public hearing to solicit input on the environmental impacts of natural gas and oil drilling.

The hearing will take place in Albany on Wednesday, October 15 at 10:30 a.m. in the Roosevelt Hearing Room C of the Legislative Office Building.

“As a member of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, we are responding to the concerns of many citizens and groups across the state regarding the increased interest in the natural gas reserves,” said Gunther. Oral testimony will be accepted by invitation only since time is limited. Persons wishing to request time to present testimony at the public hearing on oil and natural gas drilling should contact Gunther’s office in Monticello at 845/794-5807 to request a copy of the Public Hearing Reply Form. Written testimony will also be accepted.

Bonacic receives Farm Bureau award

ALBANY, NY — New York State Senator John Bonacic has once again been named by the New York Farm Bureau to be a member of the bureau’s “circle of friends” for his support of farmers and their issues.

Much of our region’s economy is based on agriculture,” said Bonacic. “I am honored by this recognition.”

Bonacic is one of five senators who serve on the senate budget subcommittee that oversees funding for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

“Farming remains the state’s largest industry. Supporting our farmers means jobs, not only on farms, but also in transportation, food processing and at the retail level,” Bonacic said.

Hinchey helps introduce Medicare Hospice Protection Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In what he says is an effort to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries do not lose access to hospice services, Congressman Maurice Hinchey on September 11 joined Congressman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Congressman Jim Ramstad of Minnesota in introducing the Medicare Hospice Protection Act. The bipartisan bill seeks to block a new Bush administration rule, scheduled to go into effect on October 1, which would cut Medicare reimbursement rates for hospices by $2.2 billion dollars over five years. Hinchey said if the new rule goes into effect, patients across the country could face the loss of their hospice care.

“At a time when hospice patients should be made to feel as comfortable as possible during the last phase of their lives, they are facing a great deal of uncertainty about whether they will continue to receive the care they need or be forced out of their hospice facility as a result of the Bush administration’s planned cut in funding,” Hinchey said. “Congress must act swiftly to pass this bill so that we can beat the October 1 deadline and ensure that hospice patients across the country will continue to receive the compassionate, end-of-life care they deserve.”

Meeting to be held on fire department pension program

GLEN SPEY, NY — The Lumberland Fire Department will hold an informational meeting regarding its proposed Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) on Sunday, September 21 at 1:00 p.m. This will be the only meeting on the plan before it will come up for a vote in the November election.

The town voted down an earlier version of the plan that was on the ballot in the February primary election.

Revisions in the new plan include a reduction in the amount awarded for previous years of service from $30 to $20 and a cap in the monthly payment at $400 compared to $1,200 for the earlier plan.

Labor Day tourism better than last year

NEW YORK STATE — According to a survey conducted by the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association, this year’s Labor Day weekend was a busy one for innkeepers when compared to the same weekend last year. Despite a sluggish economy and high gas prices, more than 71 percent of respondents said business was the same or better than last year.

That was consistent with a trend state-wide that showed that two thirds of owners in the lodging business said that the 2008 summer as a whole was better than 2007. This year, travelers were making plans on short notice and staying closer to home.

Daniel Murphy, president of the association, said, “This summer, the New York State lodging community capitalized on its diversity of venues and the fact that 80 million people live within a three-to-five hour drive of the state.”