OIL SPILL - A Double Standard ????

Here is an interesting article from CNN comparing "our" Gulf spill to the environmental disaster that has existed in Africa's Niger Delta.... for the past 50 YEARS...yes YEARS!....double standard?

Nigeria's Niger Delta is one of the most oil-polluted places on the planet with more than 6,800 recorded oil spills, accounting for anywhere from 9 million to 13 million barrels of oil spilled, according to activist groups. According to Amnesty International, people living in the Niger Delta have experienced oil spills on par with the Exxon Valdez disaster every year for the last half century. In over 50 years since oil production began in the Delta, this environmental disaster has never received the attention that is now being paid to the oil-spill catastrophe hitting the U.S. Gulf coast.
... the fact that Nigeria has been going through such issues for the past 50 years with little or no concern even from the U.S. government goes a long way to show you that they look at the Niger Delta as an oil field that people don't need to live in." - Honna Bowen

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/06/29/nigeria.oil/index.html?hpt=Mid

STATE Budget: 4% Property Tax Proposal PENDING

STATE GOV'T: 4% PROPERTY TAX CAP PROPOSAL 2010-11 BUDGET....will it survive the teachers' unions and the state "education" bureaucracy???

ALBANY -- Gov. Paterson has recommended a 4 percent property tax cap (for school and county taxes) in his recent 2010-11 budget plan. The idea has been around for several years and been implemented with success in other states, but it has been fiercely opposed by teachers unions as well as the schools in New York.

Also included in the $136 billion plan: a two-year sales tax on clothing and shoes; allowing wine to be sold in grocery stores; and $250 million in cuts to state government costs. Not included in the plan was a sugared beverage tax.

Although roughly 70% of the budget has already been approved by the piece-meal "extender" bills, passed weekly by the legislature, to keep the state operating. Lawmakers and the governor have been stuck on closing the $9.2 billion deficit. Paterson is still to work out details so changes could emerge on Monday. See ALBANY TIMES UNION Article:
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=945083

BROOKFIELD: Town Park - ALCOHOL POLICY

At last night's June 14 TOWN BOARD MEETING we learned that ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED in the Brookfield Town Parks…. and certificates of insurance are NOT required for ANY private parties hosted in Town Parks. DeWitt Head defended the policy, stating that underage are not served alcohol and the North Brookfield Park sign clearly states that people use the park "at their own risk". It had been my understanding that there were rules put in place by each of the Town Park committees governing use of the parks for both public, school & community events; and "assumed" alcohol was prohibited and find it highly unusual that certificates of insurance are not required. Perhaps there are park committee members or party givers that could give us some pros/cons…. Particularly with respect to the Town's liability issues. Maybe the Fair should move the Beer Tent to the Town Park and have a shuttle service…? Would be interested in hearing input from all sides …please use SPEAK IT FREE "Forum" Link on the Town website to post your input.

BROOKFIELD TOWN BD: Meeting MONDAY - June 14 - 7 PM - LEONARDSVILLE

Please don't forget the REGULAR Brookfield Town Board Meeting scheduled for tomorrow, MONDAY, June 14 at 7 PM in the LEONARDSVILLE FIRE HALL.

MADISON CO: Employee BONUSES..???

2009 COUNTY EMPLOYEE "PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE" BONUS
I would like to know why the County is paying $54,500 in "bonuses" to over 50 employees who simply "contributed to the betterment of Madison County". Isn't that their job?...... I am referring to MADISON COUNTY RESOLUTION #8 from their June 8 meeting which includes a list of the positions and 2009 "bonuses" ranging from $500-$1,500. When will this nonsense stop...????

ALBANY: State SHUT DOWN Pending, Monday

The Paterson administration is preparing state agencies for a potential shutdown of state government that could begin as early as Monday at midnight. Paterson expressed more dire concerns. During a radio blitz, he said a shutdown would cause "anarchy literally in the streets" and "unimaginable chaos around the state."
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? Paterson, grappling with a $9.2 billion deficit and lawmakers who fear for their re-election, has been funding state government with “weekly budget extenders” since failing to win passage of a state budget on April 1. The battle turned brutal in recent days with threats by legislators to reject next week’s “extender bill” which includes massive budget cuts proposed by Paterson that would slash $327 million from human-services and mental-health spending. Legislators voting against the cuts are essentially voting to shut down the government.
HOW WILL IT AFFECT US ? Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli warned of a cascading collapse of essential programs and services -- a breakdown would impact millions of New Yorkers -- should key lawmakers follow through on shutdown threats. Unemployment benefits would be among the first to run dry. Other services that could be stopped under a shutdown would include safety inspections, lottery games, parks and campgrounds, courts and unemployment offices. Locally, officials said the shutdown could affect everything from Regents exams to municipal governments’ budgets. Education experts were uncertain how a shutdown would affect local school districts. Among the things that could be affected: Regents exams scheduled to begin next week, some summer school programs and districts’ ability to pay bills. Construction projects that have not yet been approved by the state also could be impacted.

GAS DRILLING: The Hidden FINANCIAL DANGERS

WARNING: GAS DRILLING LEASES - Hidden Financial Dangers
Talk about environmental dangers!!.... How about the FINANCIAL DANGERS !!! Do you -- or your neighbor -- have a gas lease on your property? You may be in for a rude awakening if you go to sell your property or take out a home equity loan. Not only are more banks refusing to lend against these properties, but insurance companies are declining coverage or increasing premiums on properties located on or near well sites. That's right - just "near" - within 300 feet of the PROPERTY LINE from an active or "planned" drilling site….not 300' from the well ….but 300' from the PROPERTY LINE! So your neighbor's lease could render your property unmortgageable or uninsurable….! Attorney Randy Marcus notes that a number of insurance companies will not insure leased properties, or else substantially raised their premiums. The bigger question is this...will Fannie MAe, Freddie MAc or Ginnie Mae buy loans of this description. Bank & Lenders refusing leases: Bank of America, FHA, Fidelity, First Liberty, FNCB, HUD, Wells Fargo Check out this link for more details: http://lizjbucar.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/cochecton-zoning-to-allow-widespread-drilling-mortgage-troubles-on-leased-properties/#comment-1289