New York Health Act: Malick—Yes, Bonacic—No

At a recent healthcare forum discussing ways to improve Sullivan County’s overall health and quality of life, Democratic senatorial candidate Primilla Malick emphatically affirmed her unqualified support of the New York Health Act, a revolutionary health insurance program that will provide vastly expanded healthcare coverage at greatly reduced cost to all New York residents, regardless of their age, income, pre-existing medical conditions, employment, or immigration status.

New York Health expands healthcare to cover everything Medicare does, plus dental, hearing aids, eyeglasses, prescription medications and more, while saving billions in healthcare costs. The Assembly has passed New York Health, but it remains stymied in the Senate.

Unlike Malick, the incumbent, Sen. John Bonacic did not state his position on New York Health at the healthcare forum, but his record speaks for itself. Over the years, he has consistently declined to co-sponsor the bill, help move it out of committee for a vote, or support passing New York Health into law in any way.

In a letter dated January 27, 2016, Bonacic declined to endorse the Sullivan County Legislature’s resolution supporting New York Health, stating he had “strong concerns... regarding patient choice and quality healthcare.”

As New York Health will cover all New York residents with vastly expanded healthcare at greatly reduced costs, with no out-of-network restrictions on medical service providers, it is hard to understand Sen. Bonacic’s reasoning here. It is not hard to choose which candidate will best serve the people of New York’s 42nd Senatorial District. On November 8, vote Pramilla Malick for New York State Senator.

Kathie Aberman

Liberty, NY

To FERC: No place for the pipeline upgrade in Sullivan

[The letter below was addressed to Kimberly D. Bose, secretary at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, DC.]

Re: Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C

On July 29, 2016, Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (“Millennium”) filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission “Commission”) in Docket No. CP16-486-000 an Abbreviated Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“Application”) for its proposed Eastern System Upgrade Project (“Project”). The Project generally consists of the installation of approximately 7.8 miles of 30- and 36-inch pipeline loop in Orange County, NY; a new compressor station in Sullivan County, NY (Highland Compressor Station); additional horsepower at the existing Hancock Compressor Station in Delaware County, NY; additional pipeline appurtenant facilities (e.g. pigging facilities) and modifications to existing meter stations.

I am a resident of Bethel, NY residing not far from the proposed Highland compressor station. I am a member of our town’s Green Committee and I strongly object to this project. We are a progressive community seeking to reduce our carbon footprint through smart zoning that encourages renewable energy, and does not subsidize obsolete fossil fuel infrastructure, particularly when there is zero benefit, and known detriments, to us locally. Harmful human health effects have been proven many times elsewhere, and demonstrably nearby at the Minisink and Hancock compressor stations. In light of this information, it would be unconscionable to allow this project to go forward. We take science seriously here. Our local economy always has depended and continues to depend on our pristine air, land and waterways. This proposed project constitutes a threat to all of the above, as well as the health and property values of surrounding residents and those downwind. Allowing this project to go forward would be an unacceptable insult to our community. Thank you,

Jennifer Young

Bethel, NY

Teachout: the ‘people’s voice’

Voters of the 19th Congressional District, we have the opportunity to elect a candidate who will be the “people’s voice” against big corporations and powerful D.C. insiders by electing Zephyr Teachout.

Zephyr Teachout is recognized nationally as a leader in the fight against corruption in Albany and D.C. She advocates for public financed elections and to overturn Citizens United.

Zephyr Teachout has worked to protect our water, opposes hydrofracking and is a tireless advocate for renewable energy investments. She wants to strengthen our local public schools and support locally-owned small businesses as well as continue to push for pay equity, women’s health issues and to enhance the life of all working families.

Her opponent, John Faso, while in the Assembly, has a record that leaves much to be desired. While in Albany, he voted against pay equity (four times), opposed legislation protecting women’s health, gave lip service at best to our public schools, voted against campaign finance reform and opposed a commission to investigate Albany corruption. Then, after leaving the Assembly, he served as a lobbyist for special interests and his firm had to pay over half a million dollars for its role in a “pay-to-play” scheme to avoid charges.

Given John Faso’s strong support of hydrofracking, it is evident that he is NO friend of clean water and air.

Our voices need to be heard in Washington. Vote Zephyr Teachout for Congress on Tuesday, November 8.

Patrick McCarthy

Smallwood, NY