Senate votes for fracking moratorium

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate passed a bill to place a moratorium on hydrofracking in drilling for natural gas in a midnight vote taken on Tuesday, August 3. The moratorium would be put in place until May 15, 2011, “to afford the state and its residents the opportunity to continue the review and analysis of the effects of hydraulic fracturing on water and air quality, environmental safety and public health.”

There were 48 “yes” votes, including that of Senators John Bonacic (R-Mount Hope), versus nine “no” votes.

The bill had been considered dead until a few weeks ago. Momentum was turned by pressure from a number of parties including actor/director Mark Ruffalo of Callicoon in Sullivan County and folk singer Pete Seeger of Beacon.

The state assembly is expected to take up the bill in September.

Endocrine act gains support

WASHINGTON, DC — Senator John Kerry has sent out a letter to members of the Senate asking them to join him in support of the Endocrine Disruption Prevention Act. The act may have pertinence to natural gas drilling regulations to the extent that natural gas drilling operations are one of the principal sources of endocrine disruptors in the environment, according to The Endocrine Disruption Exchange ( www.endocrinedisruption.com/home.php ). Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that adversely affect the glands and hormones that regulate such vital functions as body growth, response to stress, production and utilization of insulin, rate of metabolism, intelligence and the ability to reproduce.

The act would authorize the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to conduct endocrine disruption research in order to develop assays that will identify endocrine disrupting chemicals and determine their safety. The program would rely on a panel of scientific experts, free of conflict of interest, to evaluate the findings and determine the level of concern. This information would be passed on to regulatory agencies such as the EPA, which would be required to propose a course of action in response to the findings.

For more information visit www.endocrinedisruption.com/endocrine.edlaw.howhelp.php .

Port considers whitewater park

PORT JERVIS, NY — The possibility of establishing a whitewater park at Port Jervis will be considered by the Port Jervis Town Council at the town hall meeting on Monday, August 23 at 6:00 p.m. at Port Jervis City Hall (20 Hammond Street).

Whitewater parks are centered around enhanced riverbeds that create waves for kayaking, tubing and rafting. Fishing holes, viewing areas and walking trails are also created. A PowerPoint presentation about the park will be given at the meeting.

The project is part of the Port Jervis Waterfront Revitalization Proposal, which contains plans for biking trails and riverfront activity.

Award offered in burglary of NWPOA director’s home

TYLER HILL, PA — Sometime between 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 23 and 12:00 noon on Monday, July 26, intruders entered the home of Edward and Marian Schweighofer in Tyler Hill, via an unlocked door, and removed jewelry and an undetermined amount of cash. State police are investigating the burglary. A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Marian Schweighofer is the executive director of the Northern Wayne Property Owners Alliance (NWPOA), an organization of property owners in northern Wayne County formed to negotiate advantageous leases with natural gas drilling companies.

Training grants available

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — SUNY Sullivan has access to training funds to support the start of a new business, expansion of an existing business or increased productivity. Sullivan County Community College (SCCC) will work with applicants to prepare and submit proposals for training. The maximum award is for $50,000. Proposals for training projects must be postmarked by Friday, August 27.

The employer must contribute at least 25 percent of the total project cost in matching funds, and at least 10 percent must be in the form of cash. The remaining 15 percent may be comprised of in-kind commitments such as training materials and trainee release time. Employers must be able to document the benefits and impact of training upon completion of the project. Projects may be scheduled to begin on October 1 and continue until August 19, 2011.

For more information email smitchell@sullivan.suny.edu or call 845/434-5750, ext. 4337.

Library upgrades broadband with state grant

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The Western Sullivan Public Library has received $244,500 from the New York State Library Broadband Technology Program (BTOP) Grant Project. As a result of the grant, the library will be increasing computer access in the Jeffersonville, Narrowsburg and Callicoon branches.

It is the library’s goal to help advance digital literacy, job opportunity and career advancement through newly developed Public Computer Centers. By increasing public access to high speed internet, the library will be able to provide not only technical and educational support, but other resources related to enhancing skills for future employment. Library director Susan Scott said, “I am pleased and grateful that we were be able to successfully obtain the grant; it is an enormous project that will most likely have a ripple effect bigger than we now know. The digital education component is something we truly wanted to realize, as it is the one of the skill sets most desired by prospective employers. Libraries have always benefited by providing for their communities in need, even when in need themselves. We are happy to be assisting in this way.”