Published: July 19, 2008 04:00 am         

Letters for July 19, 2008

Board didn’t follow law



On July 8, the Town Board of Meredith held a Cable TV franchise renewal hearing for Time Warner Cable (TWC) and Delhi Telephone Co. Cable Inc. (DTC). I had been researching the field for several months, including the franchise agreements themselves and the related laws. I noticed some discrepancies between what was written in the agreements and what was occurring in reality with DTC.



Most notably were requirements of cable franchises as given in 16 NYCRR §895: “A franchise will be confirmed or approved by the commission only if it contains provisions in substantial compliance with the following: (b) A description of the system as constructed and as will be expanded or enhanced during the term of the renewal.”



In the DTC agreement, there is no description of the system as constructed. There is no description of how it will be expanded or enhanced. In fact, there is only a map that the town board apparently somehow thinks satisfies those requirements.



I brought a copy of the law that I printed off and gave it to the town board. It still passed the DTC agreement. I recorded most of the hearing, which can be viewed at www.DoesTheLawMatter.com for proof that the requirements had not been filled by DTC, and that the town board still progressed on the matter.



The state Public Service Commission has been communicated with regarding the issue; however, I have some questions. Why would a town board pass an agreement where the requirements by state law were not filled, and it was even given a copy of the relevant law? Why would TWC not send a representative? Could there actually even be a “hearing” with one party missing? Does the law matter?



Russell Burnham



East Meredith



CNY Radio deserves thanks



As a community person who was raised and schooled here in Oneonta, and attended Fourth of July and many other functions in Neahwa Park for many years, I felt it was time for someone to speak up.



I read your detailed reporting of the events in The Daily Star. I could not let this pass for another year.



For the past three years, CNY Radio has been in charge of the entire preparation and the organization, which is extensive to say the least. The scheduling of not-for-profit groups requires hours of paper work and telephone contacts. The fireworks do not just happen. The food vendors, also nonprofit, begin reserving months in advance. The bands, superb this year, are booked, and then confirmed a year in advance. Fireworks and the paperwork required are extensive.



My point is that we take this yearlong preparation for granted. All of this would not happen if CNY Radio had not stepped forward and given us this wonderful community day.



Our thanks should go out to George Wells, general manager; Carla Balnis, business manager; and the radio staff who support them and their community on this day. Without this community support from our local radio station, Fourth of July in the Park might not happen. It takes someone to organize everything from the booths, fireworks, bands and even the wedding we had this year. Thanks, CNY Radio, again.



Madolyn Palmer



Oneonta



Bashing U.S. not leader-like



The Bushwacking on the part of much of the media, some politicians and the public over the past several months on the state of the economy and other things has left me wondering about something. Would they and our economy possibly still be in existence if we had more bombings like the Oklahoma City Murrah Federal Building and the World Trade Center experience?



Do you suppose there might possibly be something good about President Bush’s policies and the brave actions of our servicemen and servicewomen in Iraq and Afghanistan that have prevented the repeat of these horrible experiences? Also, perhaps these policies may have kept this type of experiences from wiping out the neighborhood where the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s church, formerly Senator Obama’s church, is located.



I just wonder if these thoughts entered their minds in the light of their anti-American statements. I also have wondered if this country was as bad they and Michelle Obama have said, why do we have an illegal alien problem? I have not heard of anyone forcing people to stay in the United States.



The denigration of this country by those who would seek to be its leaders really bothers me.



David R. Scudder



Roxbury



Don’t disturb young robins



This is the robin-fledgling time. These young birds can be recognized with their speckled breast and are rather large for a young bird.



When they leave the nest, they are not fliers and drop to the ground near their nest. Please do not bring them into the house. The mother is nearby and she will feed her young on the ground for the next 24 hours. They will then be able to take off from the ground and are considered fledglings.



People should only move them if these birds are on a road or sidewalk. They should only be moved a short distance to a grassy area. The mother is nearby and ready to feed them. If a young robin is in someone’s yard, do not move it. If there is an outdoor cat, the cat should be brought indoors for the next 24 hours. Move the cat, not the bird!



We get a few calls each year from people who have picked these birds up and think they need veterinary attention, which is not the case at all. The bird just needs to be put back where it was found, and predators need to be kept away.



Dr. David Leahy



Oneonta