{"headlinelight18"/}Barber correct on drilling
Senator Seward's idea for addressing serious concerns about gas drilling in central New York is to ask the state Department of Environmental Conservation to allow municipalities to be heard during the permitting process. Specifically, our longtime senator is advising municipalities to petition DEC to amend its regulations to require it to take their concerns under advisement when issuing gas drilling permits. Big deal.
Even if the DEC were to amend its regulations as requested, which is unlikely without amending state law, DEC would retain exclusive jurisdiction and municipalities would still have no power, other than to comment, which they can do already.
This "feel good" maneuver, which does little to change the status quo, is designed to make it look like Seward cares about landowners. If Seward thinks this is a good idea, why doesn't he try to amend state law to require DEC to include municipalities in the process? If he's truly concerned about landowners, why doesn't he try to do what's really needed, which is to adopt a statewide moratorium on the kind of gas drilling that threatens his constituents, until the Legislature can assure itself that the drilling will be conducted safely?
Farmer, small-business man and Caroline Town Supervisor Don Barber, who is running against Seward in November, has proposed just that: a statewide moratorium. With a moratorium in place, the Legislature will have time to do what it needs to do to ensure that residents will not be harmed by unsafe drilling practices. Until then, towns should be adopting their own moratoria, as some have already done.
Barber has many good ideas that will benefit central New York. A vote for Barber is a vote for someone who genuinely cares about the residents of this region. A vote for Seward is a vote for same-old, same-old.
Edward T. Lentz
New Lisbon
{"headlinelight18"/}Now it all makes sense
After returning from a week in North Carolina, I picked up a week's worth of Daily Stars that the Country Store had saved for me. The letters were very informative. I especially appreciated Mr. Pasquale's observations regarding the biblical flood and time line of creation. Frankly, I've always had a problem with the theory espoused by science that eons upon eons have been invested to bring us to the world we know today.
Pasquale's theory that fossilization occurs rapidly is right on the money. Case in point, my children have called me an old fossil for years. The suggestion that the Sumerian version of creation and the flood definitely holds no water when taught that it predates the Old Testament version. What can I say? One is never too old to learn.
Personally, I believe the world is flat, the sun rotates around the Earth (east to west), and the war in Iraq was justified by God's mandate to President Bush.
Of course, I've already started a savings fund for my next trip. How far away is Megiddo _ the location of Armageddon?
Alan Kirby
Delhi
{"headlinelight18"/}Letter writer right on Thayne
Catherine Lake Ellsworth's letter on Monday, Aug. 18, eloquently pointed out that the decision of the Otsego County treasurer to deny health care benefits to same-sex spouses is nothing short of a blatant example of discrimination.
I would like to thank Ellsworth for putting into words the feelings of many Otsego County residents, including myself, who read the news items but did not take the time or the trouble to protest the treasurer's shameful show of prejudice.
Since Ms. Ellsworth's letter first appeared, others have expressed despair over Ms. Thayne's actions. It is gratifying to see that the county board has overturned her decision.
Maria Tripp
Cooperstown
{"headlinelight18"/}Motorcyclists, put safety first
I am so sad that this year we have lost four-to-six people in motorcycle accidents.
I do think that may be because all of the new riders who are on the roads today because of the high price of gas.
I think before you go out and get a motorcycle, you should take a safety course. I have been riding for about 30 years and have never seen so many accidents. Slow down; you will get there safe, at least.
William Schermerhorn
Portlandville
{"headlinelight18"/}Drop exemptions for oil, gas firms
Congratulations on your well-reasoned editorial urging a moratorium on gas drilling. New York needs a period to study the hazards and implement safeguards.
But the current quandary is largely a result of congressional giveaways, when our elected officials legislated the 2005 Energy Policy Act repealing Public Utility Holding Company Act and exempting the oil and gas industry from provisions of the Clean Water, Clean Air, Superfund and Right-To-Know acts.
Local residents must demand of our representatives _ particularly Sens. Clinton and Schumer and Reps. Arcuri and Gillibrand _ that Congress repeal those outrageous exemptions and restore the protections that govern the operations of other industries.
As for the presidential campaign, there is little encouragement in the facts or the rhetoric that either major candidate will help us. Despite their token support for alternative energy, Obama voted for the 2005 Act, and although McCain voted against it, his mantra to drill is hardly encouraging. Both of them were AWOL for last month's vote to extend the solar and wind credits set to expire in December.
Nick Albaugh
Hamden
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