Letters to the Editor December 10

Posted 8/21/12

Got Climate Change? Fix FERC!

As the Paris climate talks take place and scientists, politicians, activists and the Pope call for solutions, there is one desperately needed fix that remains hidden …

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Letters to the Editor December 10

Posted

Got Climate Change? Fix FERC!

As the Paris climate talks take place and scientists, politicians, activists and the Pope call for solutions, there is one desperately needed fix that remains hidden under the radar. U.S. energy infrastructure decisions are still made under the direction of the 2005 Bush-Cheney Energy Policy Act, which exempts fossil fuel industries from complying with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, parts of the Clean Drinking Water Act and other environmental protections. It also gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the green light to approve rapid expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. FERC fails to determine climate change effects of projects it approves. FERC fails to consider renewable energy solutions such as rooftop solar. FERC overruns state and local regulations and uses powers of eminent domain, allowing industry to take private property and conservation land. Until FERC joins the effort to stop climate change, FERC will continue to sabotage it. Please go to fixferc.com and sign and share the “Fix FERC First” petition:

“We call on our federal legislators, the President, and the inspector general of the Department of Energy, to:

Conduct an investigation by independent researchers of FERC’s procedures. Based on investigation results, revise and update FERC’s policies to reflect the critical need to decrease fossil fuel reliance and rapidly expand renewable energy technologies. Enact a moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructure approvals by FERC until the investigation is complete and changes are implemented.”

Linda Reik

Youngsville, NY

Make yourselves heard on Common Core

Calling all Eldred parents, teachers and taxpayers! Don’t miss the December 17 meeting of the Eldred Board of Education. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a presentation/discussion regarding Common Core standardized tests and related issues.

This is an important opportunity for our voices to be heard, even above the deafening noise of the corporate-sponsored, politically motivated “education reform” crusade.

Miles away from the corruption and politics of Albany and Washington, sadly even our small school is not immune to this hostile takeover. Our administrators are under a relentless barrage of heavy-handed mandates, veiled threats and disingenuous propaganda. Now more than ever our parents, teachers, school board and administration must stand united in defense of our children’s education. We cannot allow the politicians to dominate the conversation. This meeting is your bullhorn—a chance to empower your school board to fight for your children’s education.

Recent meetings like this have led other school boards to bold and decisive actions. For example, New Paltz issued a resolution opposing “the use of New York’s students as test subjects” and calling for “an immediate moratorium on testing mandates.” Patchogue-Medford sent a letter to parents, explaining that the school is required to “offer” the state tests, but students are not required to take them—even providing an opt-out form.

Now, the Eldred Board of Education, elected by and answerable to the people of our community, has an opportunity to define its own position. Let’s ensure the board’s decisions continue to be informed by the rightful guardians of public education: parents and teachers. Please attend this important meeting on Thursday, December 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Mackenzie Elementary School in Glen Spey.

(Author’s note: I am a parent, taxpayer and individual member of the Eldred Board of Education. This letter is not intended to represent the views of the Board or the District.)

Brian Siegel

Barryville NY

Sauce for the goose

So to continue showing my support for the SRPs [school related personnel] who are employed by the Sullivan West Central School District, I am asking everyone to review the following information from the minutes of the Sullivan West Central School District’s Board of Education’s meeting on August 21st, 2014, submitted by district clerk Margaret Luty:

“Motion was made by Ms. Glase, seconded by Mrs. Meckle that the Board of Education (the ‘Board’) hereby extends the term of employment of the District’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Nancy M. Hackett, until June 30, 2019.

“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the board hereby approves the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX THOUSAND AND NINETY-THREE DOLLARS AND SEVEN CENTS ($166,093.07), less applicable payroll deductions and withholdings as Superintendent’s annual salary for the period from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 and further approves the sum of ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND SIX DOLLARS AND THIRTY-TWO CENTS ($171,906.32), less applicable payroll deductions and withholdings as Superintendent’s annual salary for the period from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016; subject to and conditioned on the rescission and removal by mutual agreement with the Superintendent, of the annual ‘allowance for Term Life Insurance’ in the amount of $2,300 that is currently included as an employment benefit in the Board’s Employment Agreement with the Superintendent (the ‘Employment Agreement’); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE Board hereby authorizes a corresponding Amendment to the Employment Agreement to effectuate these changes in the Superintendent’s term of employment, salary and benefits, and the Board authorizes and directs the Board President to sign and thereby execute the Amendment on the Board’s behalf.

Unanimously carried.”

I do not understand how the SRPs can’t get a contract (it will be two years come July 2016), but yet the superintendant can get a notice of a raise, a year in advance.

Can someone please explain that to me? Once again I feel the SRPs are not respected. Their voice doesn’t seem to get heard or they are afraid to speak up with concerns of retaliation. The SRPs are the gears that make the wheels turn. Without them, you are at a standstill.

Belinda Davis

Jeffersonville, NY

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