MOSA garbage deal is trash
Why should we recycle when we could substitute our time and efforts for a cleaner environment by creating enough garbage to balance someone else's checkbook? Americans currently recycle 38 percent of all trash annually, either directly or through companies like Waste Management, which separate trash to recover recyclables. It sounds great, but we could be doing so much better.
It is commonplace in schools, both grade school and secondary education, in local businesses, in our homes and in our fundamental understanding, now, that recycling is not only a great thing for the environment but a necessary obligation we have toward sustainability today and every day.
I read in the Aug. 14 edition of The Daily Star that our garbage "deficiency could cost county $200K if trend continues." In response to yet another annual article on Otsego County's possible garbage shortage and its potential cost to taxpayers I ask this: Why? Why should we worry about not creating enough garbage? What response do you expect from a community that is facing one of the worst summers to get a job in the past 50 years, mirroring a recessing economy and soaring gas prices?
As someone who has a lot of respect for our communities at home in Otsego County and for our neighbors, I'm concerned by how everyone stands by to watch as taxpayers are burdened by contracts that force us to place emphasis on creating more garbage instead of less. Our community will for only a short time let our local government or the Montgomery-Otsego-Schoharie Solid Waste Management Authority take control of our aspirations for a sustainable future and tell us without speaking directly to us that the ideals of this community are not the ideals of our governing bodies.
Kyle D. Beckley
Oneonta
Beckley is a senior theater major at the State University College at Oneonta.
Speak out against drilling
I live and farm in Delaware County, and as a young mother of two, I am haunted daily by what is going to happen to the Catskills if we let the oil and gas companies into our backyards.
Do not be fooled by the dollar signs: evidence from five other states proves that this drilling destroys water supplies, contaminates air and introduces hundreds of toxic chemicals into the soil, water and air. We are one of the last areas in the Northeast that can grow our own food, provide unfiltered clean water to the entire New York City area, and also support a growing local economy.
I have been reading stories from all over the U.S. about how communities have been destroyed from this drilling. If you want to read the stories, look online at www.
earthworksaction.org/oil’and’gas.cfm.
To learn more about natural gas and oil drilling please come to the Walton Theatre at 7 p.m. Thursday. Two documentaries will be shown, with the chance for some questions and discussion. Admission is free.
It is up to us to tell our political leaders and the gas and oil lawyers: "We will NOT allow drilling in this area." We have too much to risk: the cleanest water in the country, good soil to grow food and a growing local economy. These things cannot be replaced or cleaned up or bought!
The wind, the sun and water _ these are all sources of power that promise to be here on Earth for as long as we are. Oil and gas will run out! Let's start investing in energy sources that promise to be here for our children and their children and their children.
Help my small voice be heard!
Kate Marsiglio
Walton
Thayne showed disrespect
I am writing to voice my disdain for Myrna Thayne's recent independent decision regarding health insurance coverage for Otsego County employees. While her decision was, "within her authority," I feel she demonstrated poor judgment and flagrant misuse of power by making this important decision independently.
Her decision to deny health benefits to same-sex couples without any discussion with her colleagues is inexcusable. Her weak rationale stated that this move would save the taxpayers money, but proceeded to state that this wouldn't really affect too many employees. I am not sure where Thayne receives her proclaimed knowledge of the lifestyle choices of Otsego County employees, nor do I care, but I can assure her that homosexual relationships are alive and thriving in Otsego County and the world.
One might presume by this flippant decision on her part that Thayne has a negative opinion of homosexuals. She is entitled to that opinion, except when it so obviously interferes with her ability to make important decisions regarding people's health and their very lives.
We live in a world where people are free to live their lives in limitless ways. We need leaders who respect those choices and work to honor all people.
Anne Killian-Russo
Cooperstown
Judicial system unfair to many
One thing I have experienced about a small-town judicial system, (from just about 31/2 years of experience as of this time), is that it always seems to favor the "evil-doer" and not the law-abiding citizen who pays his taxes, keeps up his property, has control of his animals and cares about his neighbor's property.
To sum it up, be a nuisance to your neighbor, let your dogs bark 24/7, use a generator at all hours of the day and night because you're too cheap to pay your electric bill, park your garbage truck filled with garbage overnight in your driveway, mow your lawn about twice a year, whether it needs it or not, and let your house look like a Halloween house of horrors and nothing will ever be done about it.
Grace Ives
East Worcester
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