THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013
A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL
Fracking Presentation Stirs Debate DEBATE/From A4 there’s no gas in NY, then let us drill. I was at a regional oil and gas summit a few weeks ago, filled with lawyers and fractivist leaders. It was almost unanimous that this road-show is a terrible idea. If I had some free time I’d write a critique, but we have a pipeline to stop. That’s the pipeline that Cooperstown was ready to oppose until Lou Allstadt spoke, saying that the connection between pipelines and fracking is nonsense... • From: rnied@ruralcommunities.org Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2013 11:42:32 -0500
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agree with Anne Marie. This presentation is highly flawed and ignores historical evidence that geo-political instability can dramatically alter oil and gas markets, spike prices and make marginal fossil fuel sources attractive to those wishing to leverage that instability for the sake of short-term profits. It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of shale gas extraction was not considered feasible. I am not comforted or should you by claims that NY State is not a viable target for fracking. It may not be this week but it certainly may be next year or the year after. Fracking is a reckless practice that is a real global threat... Any presentation that claims fracking will never happen in Upstate NY while people are losing land to pipeline companies through eminent domain, or facing late night evacuation orders because of compressor station accidents can only be viewed as myopic and ignorant of any holistic understanding of the gas/land exploitation scheme. Bob Nied • On Dec 8, 2013, at 9:37 PM, Ron Bishop wrote:
any of them suggest that we should relax our vigilance regarding the petroleum industry in any way, and I don’t share that part of your concern about their collective message. They have attempted to describe current realities to the best of their considerable abilities, now to face criticism from you and others who are inclined toward speculation about what could happen if... maybe.... I don’t find fault with anyone who is convinced of petroleum industry operators’ nefarious intent (there is plenty of evidence for that), or those who are troubled by the many unsolved problems with petroleum transportation infrastructure – which, as I recall, Lou mentioned in his presentation as an ongoing threat. I find fault with the idea of boycotting an event dedicated to presenting current facts on the ground because they may be inconvenient truths for your cause. Ron Bishop • On Sunday, December 8, 2013, Carole Marner wrote:
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hank you. This divisive episode has been very troubling and I deeply appreciate your thoughtful and constructive comments. Carole Marner To join the debate, sign up for the listserve at www. sustainableotsego.org.
EDITORIAL: Don’t We Love ‘Birthplaces Of...’ EDITORIAL/From A4 about a “translation” into the vernacular? – but that Daniel Day-Lewis’ 1992 movie is an enduring hit demonstrates its modern-day power. Bruce Shipman of Columbia’s emergence as senior spokesman for the many Natty Bumppo (David Shipman) descendants underscores how “The Birthplace of Natty Bumppo” lives, paradoxically, even in his Toddsville burial site. There’s eternal Glimmerglass; there’s Natty Bumppo’s celebrated cave somewhere on its eastern shore; there’s Sunken Island of “Deerslayer” fame; there’s The Freeman’s Journal,
the mantra, “Heads in Beds.” The effort, no doubt, will look to the Internet to fulfill its mission, but there’s work – content, it’s called these days – to be done at home. Otsego County – with the Hall of Fame, Glimmerglass Opera, the NYSHA museums, Hyde Hall, Ommegang, etc., etc. – is already “sticky.” But our historic “birthplace of” headlines – of IBM, of Natty Bumppo, of the Morse Code – would make it even moreso. Dare we mention “The Birthplace of the Fountain Pen”? Decatur, here we come!
Village Board To Review On-Street Paid-Parking Inputs PARKING/From A1 “I don’t get the impression the board will end paid parking, but that’s always a possibility,” said the mayor the day before the meeting. “What I get is tweaking, to make it work better.” The idea is to decide what revisions, if any, may be necessary going into the second season. Then, at the trustees’ regular meeting – this month on Thursday the 19th – a public hearing can be set for the following month’s meeting – Monday, Jan. 27 – after changes for the 2014 season can be approved. Since Wednesday’s meeting came after this edition went to press, those interested in the outcome may
find it at this newspaper’s website, www.allotsego.com Because the launch was highly debated, Katz said he expected “500 or 1,000 pieces of feedback” from the questionnaire posted on the village website and available at the Village Clerk’s Office. That only 30 questionnaires were filled out at first surprised him, Katz said, but it occurred to him that people are constantly giving him feedback at meetings or “on the street.” Thus, “since it’s started we’ve heard feedback from hundreds of people,” he said. In the questionnaires, one respondent suggested expanding paid parking to other village streets, near
AllOTSEGO.homes
Bassett Hospital in particular. Others asked that obtaining a $20 parking permit, which allows drivers to avoid the P&D machines, be simplified, he said. While the questionnaires didn’t ask specifically whether on-street paid parking should simply be abolished, the mayor said respondents figured out a way to make that point.
Still, only three called for outright abolition, one from the village, one from Gilbertsville and a third from outside the area. During the initial outcry about the P&D machines, merchants brought a suit seeking their abolition. State Supreme Court Judge Kevin Dowd heard the case, but has not yet issued a decision, Katz said.
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riends, I have known Lou Allstadt and Chip Northrup for a while now, and I have yet to see either of them ignore evidence (historical or otherwise) in any discussions or presentations. I haven’t known Jerry Acton as long, but his research approach is solid and his conclusions are appropriately conservative. I have never seen or heard
founded by Cooper’s father. (Admission free; copies $1.) • The Morse thing is almost completely ignored, (even though he, along with James Fenimore, was featured in David McCullough’s “The Greater Journey: Americans In Paris,” published just two years ago.) Also a noted painter in his day, Morse’s most famous work, “Gallery of the Louvre,” hung first in Hyde Hall. And “The Birthplace of The Morse Code” is just a few miles up the road. With the new year, Otsego County’s tourism effort will be privatized under
Joe Valette 607-437-5745 John LaDuke 607-547-8551
Major price improvement! Nice 1,288 sq ft ranch in a private location situated on 2.35 acres close to Cherry Valley School. 3 BRs, 2 baths, full basement, 2-car attached garage. Nice starter home or great home if you are down-sizing. Convenient 1-level living! Home needs some updating to your own personal preferences.
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