"New York must expedite renewable energy projects' Letter to the editor Ted Millar

 Last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo handed New York the distinction of climate policy leader when he signed into law the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

This act establishes the ambitious clean energy target of sourcing 70 percent of New York’s electric energy from renewables by 2030, with the objective to fully decarbonize the state’s grid by 2040

 However, the state will be hard-pressed to meet these climate targets if the state Legislature does not act this session to remove barriers to site and build renewables, which under the current process takes 8 to 10 years for a single renewable energy project.

Last month, fortunately, Cuomo explained plans to simplify and expedite the process by which solar and wind energy developers are sited and approved. This will minimize bureaucratic hurdles and increase projects’ pace while continuing to maintain rigorous environmental standards. Local communities will continue to set policy through local zoning laws for renewable energy development.

In addition, proposals to provide discounted electricity will help ensure local communities are getting the most benefit out of renewable energy projects, not least of all millions of investment dollars and the creation of family-wage jobs.

 Investing in clean energy helps keep our energy dollars here rather than using them to import energy from other states and Canada.

Transitioning to a 100 percent renewable clean energy grid is the first step in moving to a carbon-free economy, protecting us from local air pollution and climate change’s increasing threats.

Gov. Cuomo’s proposal should be celebrated, and we must call on state senators Jen Metzger, James Skoufis, and Assemblymen Jonathan Jacobson and Kevin Cahill to to pass meaningful renewable energy reform in this year’s budget.

Publishing history

"An Accurate Census Count Is Vital for Ulster County" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

An Accurate Census Count Is Vital for Ulster County

Residents will soon receive forms for completing the 2020 U.S. Census, most likely via email.  We should all understand the importance of an accurate Census Count to our quality of life in our communities.  Ulster County’s population was dramatically underreported in the 2010 Census, so residents were hit with underfunding for an array of grants and services:  maintenance of our roads; support for police and fire services; Head Start and public schools funding; small businesses; wildlife; housing and Section 8; family services; health care and Medicaid. 

Property taxes, too, are directly affected by Census numbers.  Underfunded services inevitably will be plugged by local tax bills.  Where else will the money come from?

It’s critical that all of us complete the 2020 Census questionnaire and make sure our neighbors, friends, and families do so. Let’s be sure that our second homeowner neighbors get the message, too.  They spend time here because they, too, love Ulster’s outdoors, its communities, its people.  Must second homeowners spend the majority of their time here in order to designate Ulster County as their households for the census?  Not necessarily.   They might envision spending even more time here in the next ten years.  They might even plan to retire here before 2030.  Those second homeowners are fully entitled to choose Ulster if they can anticipate spending greater amounts of time here and want to help enhance the quality of life here. If your neighbors are renters in New York City and own a home in Ulster County, choosing Ulster for their primary home for the 2020 Census has the most direct impact on our school and property taxes. 

Using census data for grants and reimbursements, New York City benefits from its high-density demographics.  Ulster County does not.

The best means of publicizing the importance of a complete population and housing count for the 2020 Census is neighborhood by neighborhood.  Spring is coming soon.  Let’s get out and talk over the fence, knock on a few doors, and give Ulster County a boost that comes only once every ten years.

Publishing history:

Daily Freeman

NP Times

Shawangunk Journal             3/5/20

Letter to the editor Hal Chorrny

P.T Barnum of Barnum and Bailey Circus fame ( “The Greatest Show on Earth) called himself the “Prince of Humbug”. He lied easily and often, making his way as a con man. One of his early businesses involved showing a phony mermaid for a price. She was created by sewing together an orangutan, a baboon, and a salmon. By hook and by crook he convinced newspapers to provide widespread coverage. Barnum believed there was no such thing as bad publicity since getting recognition was all important. He staged false controversies to catch the public's eye. He believed the public was willing, even eager, to be conned, so long as it was entertaining. He considered running for president and would have chose someone from Indiana as his running mate. We have a current “Prince of Humbug”, more dangerous because he occupies a more powerful stage with larger fish to catch than false mermaids.

Hal Chorny