Some questions about that “science”

To the editor:

According to TRR, information packets, distributed to the Upper Delaware Council by the Northern Wayne Property Owners Alliance, contain a report declaring that “water use is important, but an overblown issue” in gas exploration and drilling.

“Understanding and Fixing the Gas Exploration Paralysis,” written by Mike Uretsky, a retired professor of Information Systems at NYU, also argues that “Water related problems are questionable or addressable.”

I have three questions:

1. If “water related problems” (including safety from chemical pollution) are so “addressable,” why did the gas industry, in 2005, convince the Bush administration to exempt it from requirements of the federal Clean Drinking Water Act? (The exemption remains in effect.)

2. Why does Chesapeake Appalachia, a potential gas driller, propose to transport wastewater from its drilling sites to “treatment” facilities in West Virginia and western PA?

3. How much credibility is owed a professor of Information Systems—and a potential recipient of a gas exploration lease—who appoints himself to instruct us about hydrology and water chemistry?

Ed Wesely

Solid facts

To the editor:

Good public policy rests upon three legs – solid facts representing all relevant factors, informed policymakers and open dialogue. The solid facts should be peer reviewed; that is, critiqued by experts who have reviewed their basis, reviewed the methodology used, and reviewed the conclusions drawn. Materials provided to the Upper Delaware Council were an attempt to further raise the level of the dialogue taking place. They were thoroughly reviewed for the above by groups of experts.

The article suggests that they are less valuable because some of the originators take money from industry sources. This suggestion is wrong for several important reasons. First, the organizations involved do contract work for groups that are on all sides of the issue. Second, some of the people who worked on the papers come from and are closely tied to organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency. Third, because the originators have done work for industry organizations, they are more knowledgeable than they might be if their work was totally one-sided. Most significantly, prior to publication, the data, methodology and conclusions were reviewed by a broad range of experts representing various points of view.

Again, my primary objective is trying to make sure that we have good policy decisions on important matters by raising the level of discussion.

Two outstanding individuals

To the editor:

The Western Sullivan Public Library Board of Trustees extends it sympathies to the families of Jean Kerrigan and Eva Boyle. Both Jean and Eva were invaluable in creating and sustaining public libraries. Their legacy lives on in the countless contributions they made to their communities. They will be missed.

Susan Scott, MLS

Just ask Jean

To the editor:

I’ve liked Jean Kerrigan since high school days. Hers was always a friendly, smiling presence to all her fellow students.

My husband and I moved back to the Narrowsburg in 1986, and when I began to consider seriously the possibility of a library, I decided to look for a few “positive thinkers’” to join me in the endeavor. Jean’s upbeat outlook was a perfect fit, and our group of six worked together as though ordained by the universe.

We also worked together for many years at The River Reporter. Always ready and eager to help, she accepted the position of treasurer for Tusten Historical Society, after the unexpected death of Bud Stranahan.

Reliable, with perspective and with a great sense of humor, she added her own special talents to the group.

There were times when someone’s name would elude me or my family. My solution always would be: “I’ll ask Jean.” She knew everyone and everyone knew her.

I haven’t begun to realize how much I will miss you, Jean. I’ll miss joining you for lunch, I’ll miss laughing over some silly thing or other, and I’m sure to forget and when in need of info, I’ll automatically say, “I’ll ask Jean!”

Bless you, Jean, for eternity

With love, always,

Grace Johansen

Criticism warranted

To the editor:

After reading Joyce Kelly’s letter to the editor in last week’s River Reporter, I felt I needed to respond.

First of all, I was taught, both in school and in the business setting, that it was best to focus on a single topic if one wished to make a point clearly. Therefore, my initial response to Ms. Kelly’s letter was one of confusion that she would combine some kind and well deserved words for Jean Kerrigan with her outrage at The River Reporter for printing a puzzle which slammed Fox News. (Having known Jean for a few years and having an inkling of her political views, I suspect she might cringe a bit to be mentioned alongside praises for the folks at Fox.)

Furthermore, I was appalled at Ms. Kelly’s criticism of The River Reporter for its apt description of Fox News. I am very thankful for The River Reporter’s ability to express views that are not always popular in this part of the country. Fox News, in my opinion, is the organization that deserves criticism, especially after this past week’s vile comments from Glenn Beck about our President being a racist. It is this kind of rhetoric from these people that incites and promotes hatred and bigotry in our country. And to refer to this presidency as “fraudulent” seems totally absurd to me, particularly in consideration of the previous presidency.

Thanks again, River Reporter, for being the kind of newspaper I look forward to reading every week—the kind of paper Jean Kerrigan was so happy to work for!

(Publisher’s note: The River Reporter purchases its crossword puzzles from independent puzzlemaker David Levinson Wilk. And while, ultimately, we’re responsible for the content, it is not exactly accurate to either damn us for our insensitivity and political bias or praise us for our fortitude and political statement, in terms of the puzzle. (I’m thinking Suduko might be simpler.))