Moratorium makes sense
I sing the praises of The Daily Star, which is, as far as I know, the only newspaper to call for a moratorium on gas drilling.
The Daily Star is right. We need time to catch up with gas corporate drillers who don't need to, thanks to the 2005 Energy Act, observe clean water, clean air and clean drinking water standards. We need to be able to protect our environment. New York state is behind in ways to oversee natural gas and oil drilling.
We must protect ourselves from the ugly carcinogens used in drilling. We need guarantees that baseline studies will be done on all streams, ponds and other water sources adjacent to drilling operations before any drilling or seismic testing begins. We must demand that our drinking water sources be protected, that our comprehensive plans, zoning and other ordinances be strictly observed, and that disposal of processed water not become a burden to municipalities.
We are dealing with chemicals used to extract gas that can affect our brain and nervous system, our respiratory system, our eyes, skin and other sensory organs. We must be as specific as we need to be in our dealings with gas drilling operations.
Our state senator, James Seward, has drafted a resolution for local governments, saying their views be given "significant weight" when determining drilling permit applications. This is hardly the specificity needed. What is needed is what The Daily Star and Don Barber, candidate for Seward's Senate post, and so many other concerned citizens have suggested: a moratorium while we work on ways to protect our health and see to our safety.
Earl Callahan
New Berlin
Look at their views on nation
In the light of statements that have been made by certain people close to potential political leaders, it seems like they reveal ignorance of some of our country's recent history.
After World War II, the leadership of the Democratic Party, with the support of Republicans, worked to help rebuild our defeated enemies, Japan and Germany, under the Marshall Plan.
Did the people of our country and our government sit idly by after the tsunami hit southeast Asia?
Ever since Hurricane Katrina hit the South, people connected with churches and other charitable groups have reached out and gotten their hands dirty helping their fellow citizens rebuild their lives and homes.
All of these things have been done before certain public figures verbally condemned our country or said they just recently thought our country, to paraphrase them, "maybe was finally seeing the light."
On the other hand, we have a potential national leader who revealed his willingness to suffer with his fellow Americans in the "Hanoi Hilton" rather than taking advantage of his position as the son of a major American military officer.
It seems to me that the stark contrasts in the character and associations of these potential leaders should reveal the type of person we need to lead our country through what could be dark and difficult days in the times ahead.
David R. Scudder
Roxbury
MSG not good for Springfield
The proposal of Madison Square Garden to hold an annual three-day music festival, designed to attract 75,000 people to the town of Springfield site, is totally unacceptable on all counts.
The noise pollution will be unbearable; the traffic and parking problems unacceptable _ particularly if it rains; the people problems are overwhelming for a town with no police force. That is the obvious. What about the environmental desecrations from the romping around of tens of thousands of customers?
I hope the town authorities will dismiss this crazy proposal quickly. Springfield doesn't need such a property devaluation without a semblance of gain.
Victor Salvatore Jr.
Pierstown
Salvatore is a former resident of Springfield.
Treasurer made right decision
I would like to comment on Myrna Thayne's handling of the health care situation with same sex-partners.
I personally applaud Myrna for following the "existing plan" and at the same time saving the county money.
A person's "lifestyle" is their own business. I have several gay friends. However, I don't agree with the county board or James Koury that the decision is "refreshing." As far as I'm concerned, and remember, this letter is written to the "In my opinion" column, I feel that there should be no gray area. A union, according to Bible and Scripture, is between a man and woman _ period.
I have to laugh. Everyone is running scared on this topic. Mr. Powers says the matter is closed. Mr. Fournier tried to stay on the fence, and the list goes on and on.
Bottom line, Myrna, you're my kind of lady. Keep up the good work. You go girl!
Jo-Ann LaMonica
Oneonta
Thayne has too much power
County Treasurer Myrna Thayne strikes again. After a major "oops!" in 2006 with county taxes, Thayne recently made a unilateral and mistaken decision to rescind the health benefits for domestic partners of county employees to "save" money. James Konstanty stated that he believed this would only impact a few people now (let's hope none of them are in the middle of life-saving medical treatment) but would save a kazillion bucks later when the hordes of gay people who want to work for Otsego County come on board. County Board Member Marti Stayton was "distressed."
Last Wednesday night, the county board overturned the Thayne decision. Whether because of public pressure, a stab of conscience or just good political sense, it was the right thing to do.
However, now that the larger issue (discrimination) has been put at bay for the moment, perhaps we should be asking ourselves why one individual, especially one with a history of questionable judgement, has the authority to make a unilateral decision that affects the lives of other people so profoundly.
Is this the way we want our county (or our country, for that matter) to be run?
Susan Moss
Oneonta
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