GAS DRILLING - Please STOP "Injection Wells"

Interesting article from the COMMERCIAL APPEAL regarding as drilling "INJECTION WELLS" and seismic activity near Memphis, TN. While the seismic activity is certainly in question, more frightening is the discussion on "INJECTION WELLS". Gas companies can and will leave behind their waste water -- they literally dump their leftover salt/waste water & chemicals into a hole (well) ....seal it up.... and leave it in the community. Also, take the time to look at some of the "Comments" which provide further detail and "FACTS" (with references!). This is WHY it is critical for those LEASING PROPERTY to PLEASE: EXCLUDE the companies from LEAVING YOU AND THE COMMUNITY with this waste...exclude INJECTION WELLS FROM YOUR LEASES... PLEASE.

Here is an excerpt....

"...., the companies dispose of saltwater wastes by injecting them under pressure into other wells that are 3,000 to 12,000 feet deep. Of the disposal ("injection")wells studied, some inject more than 250,000 barrels -- or 10.5 million gallons -- of waste each month. [Footnote: The average frac is 3 to 7 million gallons with .5% chemicals, so in reality thats 15,000 to 35,000 gallons of chemicals being injected.]

Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL " Earthquakes Rattle Arkansas Town; Residents Blame Gas Drilling" (Nov. 27, 2010)
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/nov/27/earthquakes-rattle-arkansas-town/

Hamilton Finances Criticized by NYS Comptroller

Thankfully, greater oversight of town government finances by NYS...

The NYS Comptrollers Office was highly critical of neighboring Hamilton's bookkeeping practices -- or lack thereof !!! Here is a link to an interesting article by ALAINA POTRIKUS of the Syracuse Post Standard.

Fortunately, BROOKFIELD has a new,independent accountant (Tackaberry - Hamilton, NY) and we have had the financial information available at each meeting. Granted, there have been errors, but they appear to have been corrected. Here are some highlights from the article and auditor's report:

* Poor financial controls caused Hamilton to accumulate a $1.2 million reserve --that’s larger than the town’s annual budget
* The cash should have been used to benefit taxpayers, by reducing property taxes or paying for one-time expenses
* the town board could not monitor the town’s financial condition because former Supervisor Walt Jaquay did not provide monthly financial reports and failed since 2003 to file annual financial reports with the state.
*Current Supervisor Bob Kuiper said the town has hired an independent accounting firm to provide bookkeeping services, which will produce financial reports for the town’s monthly meetings.

And to think that we actually have better bookkeeping records than Hamilton! We can be proud of that!

LINK: State faults Town of HAMILTON Finances POST STANDARD (Potrikus) 11-24-10
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/state_faults_hamilton_finances.html

POLITICS: Kristen Davis - Candidate for NY Governor...QUALIFICATIONS

You have to hand it to this candidate for NYS Governor. During last night's debate we heard from a little-known candidate, KRISTEN DAVIS, who certainly has the qualifications to take on Albany: ....former madam Kristen Davis, running on the Anti Prohibition Party line and who wants to legalize marijuana and gambling, made no secret of her former line of work running an escort service business.“The career politicians in Albany are the biggest whores in this state, ” said Davis. “I might be the only person sitting on this stage with the right experience to deal with them. And Ms. Davis suggested that her experience running an escort service made her the candidate best prepared to reform the NYCity Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “The key difference between the M.T.A. and my former escort agency is I operated one set of books and I offered on-time and reliable service,” Ms. Davis said to laughter and applause. “Businesses will leave the state,” she added, “faster than Carl Paladino at a gay bar.”.... ...Got to admit....she calls 'em as she sees 'em. Coverage from NYTimes...

A Little-Known Loan Program for Fixer-Uppers

There’s a way to make essential repairs and add other upgrades without dipping into savings or taking out a home-equity loan. The Federal Housing Administration’s 203(k) rehabilitation program provides for loans covering renovation costs as well as the purchase price of a primary residence — investors excluded — and it allows for just a 3.5 percent down payment. Although the program has been around since 1978, it is not well publicized, and many borrowers mistakenly think they have to buy a wreck in order to qualify. “It just has to appraise below market value and then at market value with the repairs.” The program also applies to many historic and older houses as well as short sales and bank-owned homes. HUD outlines the rules on its Web site. Home buyers must put down at least 3.5 percent of the current value of the property and use a HUD-approved lender, appraiser and a contractor approved by the lender for the repairs. See NY TIMES: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/realestate/mortgages/17mort.html?hpw

HISTORY HITLER Exhibit A Cautionary Reminder

Below is a link to an interesting NYT's article on the controversial HITLER Exhibit sponsored by the German Historical Museum. 'The recently opened exhibit explains the early appeal of the Nazis, who demonstrated a keen appreciation for the politics of populism’s creating a sense of unity and purpose. They also promoted the union of church, state and party.....a cautionary exhibit, particularly with the continued conflict between German citizens and Muslim immigrants. Definitely worth a read. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/world/europe/16hitler.html?src=me&ref=general

Norwich Farm Scores NYC Food Deal

The Norwich Sun reported (10/16/10) that customers of NYC gourmet food chain, Dean & Deluca, will be enjoying produce grown in Chenango County as a result of a deal between the food retailer and Norwich Meadows Farm. Norwich Meadows currently sells more than 99 percent of its produce through greenmarkets, community supported agriculture (CSAs) and directly to restaurants in New York City. The agreement should prove to be a lucrative one for the organic farming operation. If the relationship works out, there may also be an opportunity to provide fresh vegetables and herbs to the seven cafés the company also operates in New York City. Link to article: http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2010-10-15/10698/Norwich-Meadows-Farm-lands-Dean-Deluca-deal/

Loan Program for FIXER-UPPERS

There’s a way to make essential repairs and add other upgrades without dipping into savings or taking out a home-equity loan. The Federal Housing Administration’s 203(k) rehabilitation program provides for loans covering renovation costs as well as the purchase price of a primary residence — investors excluded — and it allows for just a 3.5 percent down payment. Although the program has been around since 1978, it is not well publicized, and many borrowers mistakenly think they have to buy a wreck in order to qualify. “It just has to appraise below market value and then at market value with the repairs.” The program also applies to many historic and older houses as well as short sales and bank-owned homes. HUD outlines the rules on its Web site. Home buyers must put down at least 3.5 percent of the current value of the property and use a HUD-approved lender, appraiser and a contractor approved by the lender for the repairs. See NY TIMES: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/realestate/mortgages/17mort.html?hpw