"He who exercises government
by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar
star which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards
it."
Day 23 of our
Annual
Fund Drive
(Time is
running out!)
We want to thank our supporters so far and wonder
why the majority of readers are still sitting on
their hands!
Perhaps it's all the breaking
news? Maybe it's the non-partisan political
reporting? I suppose it could be the listing of
local events you won't find anywhere else?
I don't know what it is but the same people are
helping out this year while the same people are
not... And I know you're reading so
come on and
show your support,
your thanks or just to get
me to shut up already!
Yeah, it's tough being the
only independent media outlet here
in Putnam County but someone
has to do it and
YOU need to support
it.
|
- Confucius
Good Wednesday Morning,
This is a mammoth issue that combines the usual PLUS the
weekly Things To Do Edition.
The NYJN reports
this morning that Lake Carmel resident Ruth Austin
was struck and killed by a car on Holmes Road last evening.
Our hearts go out to her family.
American long-term unemployment is now breaking
records. 40% of the unemployed have not had work in
more than 6 months. In the meantime, the House has promised
not to extend unemployment benefits claiming that jobs are
out there if people would just take them. And just
coincidentally, US corporations marked
record profits this past quarter. (See story below.)
We now know the Town of Patterson is run by tax and spend
Republicans (with one disgraced Democrat) who think
nothing of giving your tax dollars to Putnam County's
favorite developer for no other reason than that he's a nice
guy. And we know they voted unanimously to do just that. But
is the battle over? It could be, but maybe not. Maybe
there's something you can do to make the sailing not as
smooth as Paul Camarda and his political allies would like.
Today, while you're taking a break from setting
the table for tomorrow or packing the diapers for the trip
to the inlaws, call
William Gorton the Acting Regional Director for
NYSDOT Region 8 at 845 431-5750 and calmly explain
your opposition. He may send you to someone else or say
there's nothing he can do and that's fine: your call still
matters. And if he gets 20 or so over the next week... ya
never know!
While we're talking about the State DOT, if your child
rides a school bus that crosses the Taconic Parkway at
Pudding Street, reconstruction of that interchange will
commence in the summer of 2014 and be completed by the
winter of 2016.
Bill Hustis, the guy who runs the Putnam County
Office of the Aging and is the director of Kent's recreation
program has been suspended from his town responsibilities
for what amounts to years of negligence and bad record
keeping, a move many in town say is a long time in coming.
He's suing.
In any case, it's ugly over there these days.
Bill says he may retire and run for public office which is
not new(s) as his name has been tossed around for the past
year as a possible candidate for Supervisor. We hear that
past town justice Joe Esposito would be running
and Bill Noel (the younger) has been positioning
himself for the same by joining the Kent FD's police unit
to earn himself some community creds. It's also been
rumored that John Greene, a close ally of Greg
Ball, and narrowly elected to the town board last
year, may also consider tossing his hat into the
Supervisor's race.
Is it possible Kent is slipping back to the olden days
when it was the laughing stock of the county? Based on the
rumored candidates for town office, the evidence is there.
But, it's all just rumors.
People keep getting shot in hunting accidents in the
area. A few weeks back a guy out mushroom hunting was
shot on Mt. Nimham, his attacker never found. This week, two
men were shot in the Catskills with one able to confront his
shooter the other, who was airlifted to Albany, was not.
If you go out this weekend common safety
rules apply: stick to State Parks where
hunting is generally not allowed and carry a whistle with
you giving it a couple of 'toots' each time you near a
rise on a trail to announce that you're in the area. It's
safer to hike mid-day than early mornings or evenings.
Wearing blaze-orange is not a bad idea and if you have
your dogs with you, deck them out in the same, call them
*loudly* from time to time - and keep that whistle handy.
''Building
freeways in cities is like loosening your belt to deal
with obesity.''
- Former Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist
National Grid, a British company who owns NYSEG among
other utility companies, is seeking
a rate increase of $391 million. They had originally
asked for $403 million but removed some they called
"misallocation of costs" because it included private school
tuition for their executive's children, transportation in
slave-drawn golden chariots, and other similar expenses.
However, administrative judges hearing the case
have suggested
they be granted a rate increase of $99 million instead.
What are the odds that the NY Public Service Commission
who has say over these things will say, "No!"? HAHAHAHH!
AHAHAHa! hhahhah! Snort. Chortle. Ahem. (See story
below.)
"Historians at the University of Pennsylvania announced
the discovery this week of a personal diary from the
late 18th century that reveals the first U.S. flag sewed by
Betsy Ross was originally intended as a shirt for her
flamboyant gay friend Nathaniel." Read
More
FEMA reports that for every single day this year the
national security alert level has been at YELLOW (ELEVATED).
What do Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Newt
Gingrich all have in common? That's right! They're all
either announced or rumored to be in the running for the
White House in 2012. And you know, they can have it.
 The
Brooklyn-Queens expressway is about to undergo a
renovation of sorts. The city of New York is going to make
it disappear or, at the very least, disappear under a cover
of "green". On Monday, November 15th, a final meeting of
interested public and public agencies accepted three
proposals to do just that.
One would cover the expressway with a metal grid
covered in solar cells and vines which would generate
roughly $312,000 a year in electricity. Another adds wide
boulevards that cover the expressway at intervals
connecting neighborhoods long split apart. The last also
adds crossings but not as elaborate nor wide as the
former. You can read more about all this here.
If you're a Palestinian living in Israel and you sell
land to a Jew, you're found guilty by the Palestinian
Authority of conspiring with the enemy. It is illegal,
according to the PA, to sell land to foreigners. If, on the
other hand you're a Palestinian living in Israel and you
sell land to an Iranian, you're cool. Go figure.
There was an interesting news report yesterday about a
daily pill that can significantly reduce the risk of
contracting HIV if taken every day. But that's not the
story. The story is that it would cost $35 a day here in the
US but in the developing world will cost $0.40 a day. Read
that again and then tell me what's wrong with that picture.
Chuck Norris
is God. Or, so some people think. Others feel
differently:
- Chuck Norris attempted to count to infinity.
Backwards. He didn't know where to start.
- Chuck Norris fought Mr. T, Rambo, Tupac, Bruce Lee,
and the pink and yellow Power Rangers and lost, then
vowed never to return to the nursing home on Halloween
again.
- Chuck Norris once attempted round house kicking Jet
Li. His leg broke when it connected with the television,
then he fell and broke his hip.
- Chuck Norris is trying to bring back the "fanny pack."
- Chuck Norris wears a size 2 ballet slipper.
- Chuck Norris always judges a book by its cover.
- Chuck Norris gave Mona Lisa her smile. It happened
when she saw Chuck naked.
"If you touch my junk I'll have you arrested" - John
Tyner
Hey, is that a bomb in your pocket or are you just happy to
see me? If you're flying this weekend have a good
time! And when
the man touches you, smile and whisper 'sweet
nothings' in his ear and just hope he buys drinks.
In the meantime, here's a special
holiday travel message from TSA.
Drive carefully tomorrow. Drop a check
in the mail or visit Paypal to support what we're
doing here and have a nice weekend.
What's
going on?
Friday,
November 26 - Buy Nothing Day
Hike to
Wonder Lake State Park
11AM - Hike with us to see Wonder Lake and burn
off some calories. The Kent CAC is sponsoring a hike to
Wonder Lake on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Hikers will
meet at 11:00 AM at the Wonder
Lake State Park parking area on Ludingtonville Road.
The trail is easy-to moderate and the hike will last about
3 hours, including a break for lunch. It's late fall and
hunting season, so wear warm, bright clothing and
comfortable hiking boots. Bring lunch and a beverage.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate, but if it turns
miserable we'll have to cancel the hike. In that case,
I'll send you an e-mail and post the
news on the programs page about an hour before the
scheduled start. For further details contact hike leader
David Ehnebuske by phone at 878-7592 or by e-mail <mailto:webm...@kentcac.info>
Saturday,
November 27
PAC's
Annual Juried Craft Sale
Noon - 5PM Our 2010 Craft Showcase & Sale
will be on display in our beautiful, re-built Gallery
space at 521 Kennicut Hill Rd. in Mahopac. Join us for
this 16th annual juried collection featuring fine crafts
from 40+ regional crafts artists including pottery,
jewelry, wearables, candles, soaps and lotions, ornaments
and more, more, more. A limited number of framed
photographs and matted prints will be available. Great
gifts for everyone, you, and your dog, too!
Also featured is our 2011 Art Calendar, a great idea for
everyone, so be sure to stock extras for unexpected
giftees – 13 original works are featured and remind you of
the Arts Council and Center all year long. Another popular
gift of Art could be a one year gift membership
encouraging participation in our programs and special
events, while supporting the arts.
Our Craft Sale offers free parking and free admission, we
accept Visa & MasterCard and best of all, you support
local artists, local economy and your local art center.
Hike
Overlook Mountain
Near Woodstock, NY. 1400’ elevation gain on
steep but easy carriage/jeep road to a fire tower with
great views of the Hudson River Valley. See the ruins of
the Overlook Mountain House. Rain or snow cancels. Contact
leader Brenda Harding at oreo...@aol.com or
845-565-8566.
Into the
Future
Tuesday,
November 30
Design and
Energy Issue for Planning and Zoning Officials
7PM - 10PM Information and ideas to incorporate
green design principles and technologies in new commercial
and residential development. Offers continuing education
credits for planning and zoning board members to help meet
state requirements of 4 hours/year. Ellipse Room,
Technology Center Building, Rockland Community College,
145 College Rd., Suffern. Free. Contact: Arlene Miller,
Rockland Municipal Planning Federation, 845-364-3448
mil...@co.rockland.ny.us
Thursday,
December 2
The
Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries,
7:00 PM The Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic
Discoveries, Titanic Storms, and a Vast Ocean of a Million
Stories. Join Simon Winchester, the author of the
bestselling Krakatoa, at Cary Institute for Ecosystems
Studies for an armchair expedition around the shores and
the islands of the Atlantic Ocean. Winchester chronicles
his journey across the vast expanse of the Atlantic to
report from the places that dramatize the story of
mankind's relationship with this immense sea. Spanning
from the earth’s geological origins and the age of
exploration to modern pollution, his narrative is epic and
awe-inspiring. Events are free and open to the public. For
additional information, please contact Pamela Freeman via
phone (845) 677-7600 x121. Location: Cary Institute's
Auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Route 44) in
Millbrook, New York.
Friday,
December 3
Follow the
Waters: Educational Workshop
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM You are invited to an
educational workshop about laws and regulations related to
water resources, designed to provide an introduction to
the legal framework surrounding water in NY State. This
workshop will provide an overview of selected Federal,
state and local laws affecting water resources
management. This information will be presented in the
context of several case studies about local watersheds
illustrating challenging water resources management and
protection issues in the mid-Hudson region. It is
designed for an audience of interested decision-makers and
citizens who do not have formal legal training. The
results of this workshop, including feedback from
participants, will be used to guide future development of
related educational programs and online resources. We will
trace the flow of water through local watersheds to
examine which laws and regulations apply at various points
along the way. This project was made possible through
financial support from the New York State Environmental
Protection Fund. Space is limited. RSVP to Simon Gruber,
sgrub...@verizon.net.
There is no charge for this workshop. Location: New
Windsor, New York
Saturday,
December 4
Lecture
with Art Cohn
5PM Lecture with Art Cohn, the co-founder and
Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.
Join Putnam County Historical Society for a lecture with
Art Cohn, the co-founder and Executive Director of the
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum at Basin Harbor Vermont.
Cohn's talk will outline the significant chapters of the
region's history and illustrate what is currently known
about the collection of shipwrecks in Lake Champlain and
the just emerging story of shipwrecks in the Hudson River.
The Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School
Museum is located at 63 Chestnut Street in Cold Spring.
Free for members and donors, and $5 for the general
public. Space is limited; reservations are strongly
suggested. Please call 845-265-4010 or email.
Sunday,
December 5
Sterling
Forest Hike
Hike the entire Sterling Ridge Trail from Route
511 to 17A at fast pace, about 9 miles. Visit the fire
tower with great panoramic views. Leader: Barry Skura
914-779-0936 Bsk...@optonline.net
Memorial
Concert for Art Kamell
2PM - 5PM With David Amram, Pete Seeger, David
Bernz, Chris Ruhe and Howland Wolves and others yet to be
confirmed. At the St. Lukes Episcopal Church gymnasium,
Rte 9D, Beacon. A Memorial concert top benefit the
organizations Art Kammel loved: Doctors Without Borders,
Pastors for Peace, School of the America's Watch and the
United Farmworkers. We are working on the details, the
musicians' line-up, etc. but the flyer won't be ready till
next week and I wanted you to know NOW about this very
special event. So please put Sunday, Dec. 5h, 2-5 pm on
your calendar and come out to enjoy great music and
memories of one of the most wonderful people it has been
my pleasure and privilege to know. Contribution: $20
(though no one will be turned away.) Contact Judy
Allen for more information.
Saturday,
December 11
Phil Ochs
Night
 7PM -
Phil Ochs, born in El Paso, Texas on December 19, 1940,
grew up in a non-political middle class family. He formed
his political beliefs while in college and started putting
them to music, eventually dropping out and heading for
Greenwich Village. In 1966, after years of singing at
open mikes and passing the hat, he performed a sold-out
solo concert at Carnegie Hall. Most of Phi's topical
songs were very political, some humorous and some very
serious. Among the best-known are: "Changes," "There But
For Fortune," "I Ain't Marching Anymore," "Draft Dodger
Rag," "Small Circle of Friends." and "When I'm Gone."
Phil performed and traveled around the world. While in
Dar Es Salaam, he was mugged and lost the top three notes
of his vocal range. This event seemed to send him on a
downward spiral. His last years were troubled ones. He
suffered from manic depression plus an affinity for the
bottle. He committed suicide on April 9, 1976 at the age
of 35.
Come hear performers- John Flynn, Joe Jencks, Magpie (Greg
Artzner and Terry Leonino), Nancy Tucker, and Pat Wictor
as they keep alive the music of Phil Ochs.
Contact Walkabout
Clearwater for more information.
Monday,
December 13
Conference
on Water Resources and the Regional Economy
The NYS Department of Environmental
Conservation and the Hudson River Estuary Program, in
partnership with the SUNY New Paltz Center for Research,
Regional Education and Outreach, the Hudson River
Watershed Alliance will host a conference on Water
Resources and the Regional Economy. Confirmed Speakers are
Maurice Hinchey, Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck, and
NYSDEC Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources James
Tierney. Expected audience: Municipal staff, engineers,
planners, environmental groups, and volunteers involved in
green infrastructure and low impact development planning
projects. For more information and regular updates visit:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html,
or email hr...@gw.dec.state.ny.us
and put "Water Conference" in the subject line.
Location: SUNY New Paltz, Student Union Building,
Multi-Purpose Room
Saturday,
December 18
Breakneck
Ridge Hike
Difficult. Hosted by Scenic Hudson. The most
rigorous rocky routes up Breakneck Ridge. Please contact
leader for details: Skip Doyle at in...@EsopusPreservation.org.
Location: Route 9D, Beacon
And
Now, The News:
Brewster
sophomore to march in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade
By Michael Risinit
SOUTHEAST — Thanksgiving Day will start early for Ben
Bisogno, 15, a Brewster High School sophomore.
No, he's not sliding a turkey into the oven during the
pre-dawn darkness. But there is his uniform to don, his
parade flag to gather and rehearsal on a Manhattan street in
the wee hours of the morning before entertaining more than
50 million people.
"A little bit," Bisogno said, when asked if he was nervous
about being part of the 84th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day
Parade. "I'm mostly afraid of the (school) work I'm going to
have to make up."
Bisogno is the only male student in the Brewster High School
marching band's color guard. He's also the only student from
Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties who is part of the
Macy's Great American Marching Band (and still the solo male
in its color guard).
Read
More
Preservationists
split on Adirondack fire towers
Associated Press
KEENE, N.Y. — To some preservationists, the rusting skeleton
of an abandoned fire tower atop Hurricane Mountain in the
Adirondacks is a blight on the wilderness landscape, and the
sound of wind moaning through its metal limbs disturbs the
natural peace.
To others, the 35-foot fire tower is a beloved relic
intimately connected with the history of the American
wilderness. It's also a fun place to drop your rucksack and
take in the view.
 The
Hurricane Mountain fire tower southeast of Lake Placid and a
tower on St. Regis Mountain are the only two of the dozens
that once dotted the six-million acre park that do not fit
today's state land use plan.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation
recommended tearing the two towers down, labeling them a
"non-conforming use." But the Adirondack Park Agency, which
enforces land-use regulations in the region, voted in
October to designate a half-acre under each of the towers as
"historic" — an unusual move that would allow the structures
to remain.
Adirondack Architectural Heritage and other groups that
lobbied hard to keep the towers in place and eventually be
restored applaud the decision. But wilderness preservation
groups fear it signals a weakening of APA's commitment to
uphold protective land-use rules.
Read
More
Philadelphia
Eagles going green with wind, solar power
The team said Thursday that it will add wind turbines, solar
panels and a cogeneration plant at Lincoln Financial Field
over the next year, a combination that will make the stadium
self-sufficient and let the Eagles sell some power back to
the electric grid.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said the plan was part of the
Eagles commitment to be a socially responsible organization.
"Owning an NFL team, I think you have an opportunity to lead
the way," Lurie told The Associated Press. "It's a public
building seen across the country and, sometimes, the world."
Under the plan, approximately 80 spiral-shaped wind turbines
will be mounted on the stadium's roof and 2,500 solar panels
attached to the stadium's facade. Together, they will
contribute an estimated 30 percent to the total energy
production.
Read
More
Electric
Rate hike a tough sell
By Larry Rulison Business Writer
ALBANY -- National Grid faces a tough road to get the $361
million electric rate increase it seeks from state
regulators.
The administrative law judges overseeing the case before the
state Public Service Commission have recommended that the
company be allowed only a $99 million increase -- $262
million below what the British utility company says it needs
to provide reliable service while still being able to
achieve a reasonable profit.
National Grid, which serves large parts of upstate New York,
including the Capital Region, says it needs to raise
electric rates as it replaces large portions of the state's
aging electricity infrastructure.
National Grid spokesman Steve Brady said the company had
just started to digest the nearly 200-page document known as
a "recommended decision" that was released Wednesday
afternoon by the PSC. The utility and other interested
parties have until Dec. 8 to file a reply with the PSC.
"Certainly we're going to be responding," Brady said. "It's
a long process. This is one step."
The five-member board doesn't have to adopt the
recommendation of the law judges and can vote on its own
figures -- or not increase rates at all -- although
Wednesday's filing could be used as a starting point in
internal discussions.
Read
More
20,000
Excess Cancer Cases in 15 Years Near Indian Point
New Report Suggests Radiation Exposure May Be One Cause
Joseph J. Mangano MPH MBA
Radiation and Public Health Project
Cancer incidence rates in the four counties closest to the
Indian Point nuclear plant have risen much more rapidly than
U.S. rates since the early 1990s, according to a report
released today. If trends in local rates had equaled U.S.
trends, over 20,000 fewer local residents would have been
diagnosed with the disease.
“Cancer incidence rates in counties closest to Indian Point
was 11% below the U.S. two decades ago, but now is 7% above
the U.S.” says Joseph Mangano MPH MBA. “There are reasons
for this gap, and one that should be considered is
continuing radioactive emissions from Indian Point.”
Mangano is Executive Director of the New York-based
Radiation and Public Health Project research group (RPHP),
and author of the study.
Counties included in the study were Orange, Putnam,
Rockland, and Westchester, where about 9,000 residents are
diagnosed with cancer each year. Patterns in each county
were similar, i.e. a rate below the U.S. in the early 1990s
that is now above the nation.
RPHP used data from the New York State Cancer Registry (for
county cancer rates) and from the National Cancer Institute
(for national cancer rates). It compared cancer rates for
the 5-year period 1988-92 with later 5 year periods
(1993-97, 1998-02, and 2003-07).
Unexpected rises occurred for 19 of 20 major types of
cancer. The greatest increase was found in the local rate
of thyroid cancer, which has moved from 13% below the U.S.
to 51% above. There are no known causes of thyroid cancer
other than exposure to radioactive iodine, only produced in
atomic bomb tests and nuclear reactor operations.
Read
More (PDF)
U.S.
Corporate Profits Hit Record in Third Quarter
By Catherine Rampell
The nation’s workers may be struggling, but American
companies just had their best quarter ever.
American businesses earned profits at an annual rate of
$1.659 trillion in the third quarter, according to a
Commerce Department report released Tuesday. That is the
highest figure recorded since the government began keeping
track over 60 years ago, at least in nominal or
noninflation-adjusted terms.
The government does not adjust the numbers for inflation, in
part because these corporate profits can be affected by
pricing changes from all over the world and because the
government does not have a price index for individual
companies. The next-highest annual corporate profits level
on record was in the third quarter of 2006, when they were
$1.655 trillion.
Corporate profits have been doing extremely well for a
while. Since their cyclical low in the fourth quarter of
2008, profits have grown for seven consecutive quarters, at
some of the fastest rates in history. As a share of gross
domestic product, corporate profits also have been
increasing, and they now represent 11.2 percent of total
output. That is the highest share since the fourth quarter
of 2006, when they accounted for 11.7 percent of output.
Read
More
There Will
Be Blood
By Paul Krugman
Former Senator Alan Simpson is a Very Serious Person. He
must be — after all, President Obama appointed him as
co-chairman of a special commission on deficit reduction.
| "And everyone knows that these
Republicans oppose the treaty, not because of
legitimate objections, but simply because it’s an
Obama administration initiative; if sabotaging the
president endangers the nation, so be it." |
So here’s what the very serious Mr. Simpson said on Friday:
“I can’t wait for the blood bath in April. ... When debt
limit time comes, they’re going to look around and say,
‘What in the hell do we do now? We’ve got guys who will not
approve the debt limit extension unless we give ’em a piece
of meat, real meat,’ ” meaning spending cuts. “And boy, the
blood bath will be extraordinary,” he continued.
Think of Mr. Simpson’s blood lust as one more piece of
evidence that our nation is in much worse shape, much closer
to a political breakdown, than most people realize.
Some explanation: There’s a legal limit to federal debt,
which must be raised periodically if the government keeps
running deficits; the limit will be reached again this
spring. And since nobody, not even the hawkiest of deficit
hawks, thinks the budget can be balanced immediately, the
debt limit must be raised to avoid a government shutdown.
But Republicans will probably try to blackmail the president
into policy concessions by, in effect, holding the
government hostage; they’ve done it before.
Read
More
|
|
News That Matters
