While we are sleeping

The recent presentation by PennDOT in Shohola, PA on the proposed Pond Eddy Bridge replacement is an example of how much community involvement has impacted the latest bridge design project, which is now less expensive, mimics the look of the historic bridge, and is a one-lane structure.

To attendees with no engineering background, it would seem that previous concerns have been satisfactorily addressed. But major questions still remain. Where are the engineering calculations on the mean rise of the water level when a 15-foot-high rock construction platform dams up more than half the width of the river for over two years? Why weren’t the causeways into the river from Route 97 shown on the schematic plans, and why was a construction-equipment staging plan unaccounted for by the engineers and left to the residents to deal with?

The public needs to know the details, including which permitting processes are still incomplete. Otherwise it is hard to determine if this proposal is sound, and exactly where it stands if there are agencies that still have not given their permit. As is often said, the devil may be lurking in the details.

Daria Dorosh

Barryville, NY

This fight can be won

I am disappointed at your defeatist editorial about the Highland compressor station. You might as well have written: “River Reporter to local activists: DROP DEAD!”

Yes, Millenium is an 800-pound gorilla. Yes, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the rogue agency of industry insiders—hated equally by tea partyers and tree huggers—lets them get away with it. But that’s exactly the pessimism we heard five years ago about “fracking:” “It’s inevitable. There’s nothing you can do.” “Must stay neutral.” “Can’t fight it, might as well make the be$t deal you can.”

But, thankfully, a handful of Bravehearts decided to hold an informational forum at Eldred High School to explore options. And attorneys Helen and David Slottje appeared, with a crazy hunch about home rule. Even fellow activists said it would never work. But soon one town enacted a ban. Then another. And another—until a critical mass around the state drove gas companies to places of lesser resistance. Soon, miracle of miracles, the state also had a ban.

It was a combination of educated guesses, dumb luck, serendipity, and a lot of effort by a lot of people. There is no one simple answer this time, either. But I know that accepting defeat at the outset—accepting kids getting sick or neighbors forced from their homes or having their properties devalued—wins nothing. If FERC takes us down, we should at least go down fighting, fighting to defend the will of our residents as expressed by the zoning already on our books, the essence of “consent of the governed.”

There are experts who might help frame that fight. That is why Highland is discussing another informational forum. Maybe another crazy idea will ignite another signal fire. Please, at least try not to throw cold water on it.

Debra Conway

Barryville, NY

Some facts about the minimum wage

It’s good to see a young mind reading and being expressive as David Powers was in his letter in the January 28 issue of this newspaper, regarding the minimum wage. But given that he is quite young, he hasn’t taken into account of and is unaware of reality regarding this issue.

Let’s roll back the time machine to 1965. As a graduating senior from a private (tuition-fee) high school, and while waiting to move into local Sullivan County Community College, I wanted more than my $5 per week allowance, and chose to get a summer job. It was an option, not a necessity. I worked at New York City’s Chock Full ‘O Nuts, an excellent restaurant at that time. It paid $1.25/hr. Then, a slice of pizza cost $.15 and an entire pie cost $1.25, TV was free, tolls cost $.25 and a decent one-bedroom apartment cost $200/mo.

It’s now a half century later and the minimum wage has only increased to around $8. That’s ridiculous. A slice of pizza in Manhattan costs over $1.25, tolls cost $15 round trip on one bridge, cable TV costs on average approx. $150/mo, average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Queens is about $1,300.

Yes David, at age 16, I had no clue what my parents’ other expenses were and you may not know yours either. Take into consideration rent, heat, cooking, hot water, electric, cable, cell or landline or both, maybe two credit cards, gas for driving, groceries, clothing, laundry, homeowner/health and car insurances, high taxes, possible college tuition and, if affordable, maybe entertainment, to name a few. There are PhDs who can’t find full-time professorships or even work in their area of expertise, a growing trend. Many more are educated and when hard times hit, they’ll accept $15/hr. on two to three jobs to make ends meet. Some must support families on minimum wage and there’s no class or education distinction. The truth is $15 is not unrealistic in our expensive times.

Afi Phoebe

Narrowsburg and Jamaica, NY