In a journalistic "oh, $hit", Bob Clark of the Hornell Evening Tribune erroneously reported on the infamous Cohocton wind farm in the article "
Power Grid Operator: No Power So Far to State Grid From Cohocton" (2/23/09). The article claimed that despite the fact that the turbines were spinning away, the energy collected would not be harvested until December of 2010. Commenters on the newspaper's website displayed both rage and vindication, blaming the Town of Cohocton, Albany, Congress and
FirstWind, the builders of the turbines.
In a "one-eighty" in
today's edition, Mr. Clark reversed the story, explaining that the power grid operator mistakenly reported information for a different wind farm. The Cohocton turbines were and have been supplying energy to the power grid. Even Eric Massa wants to get to the bottom of things, stating in a news conference, "What you’re saying is it’s hard to get a straight answer out of anybody,” Massa said. “There is a lot of misinformation out there."
To top it off, today the Tribune reports landowner outrage over the noise being generated from the turbines. Regulations state that the turbines cannot generate greater than 50db of sound at the closest non-participating property line. Unfortunately, the most vocal resident at the Town Board meeting was a landowner who sold a lease to his own property. “They’re making so much noise, I can’t sleep at night...The noise is so great that my windows are vibrating.” Perhaps he can stuff his ears with the $100 bills he received in royalties from
FirstWind.
Read the Article
Expenses at the Governor's Executive Mansion jumped 14% last year, according to a NY Post article. This is compared to a similar time frame under Eliot Spitzer's reign. Paterson has purchased new linens, wine glasses, lawn furniture and Turkish rugs, with household expenses topping $60,000 in the last nine months. Thanks to The Empire Page for the link.
Bob Clark of the Hornell Evening Tribune reports that the Hartsville Town Board has issued a moratorium on any wind project development. The move is a sound one by the Board, who have now ensured that German developer E.ON doesn't circumvent the town's interests in the project.
In what should in no way be considered good news, Sen. Schumer announced $8.9 million in school aid for Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties yesterday. This is our share of the $4.7 billion in aid promised to stabilize the State's public schools via the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
It is evident that President Obama has been given a long leash in his attempt to stabilize the economy. His almost constant reminders that our situation will deteriorate before it improves protects him from criticism. Gov. Paterson's situation seems to be the polar opposite. Saddled with an even more dire outlook and an even more inept legislative branch, Paterson has become the scapegoat of all politicians, union leaders, and new york state residents.
The Corning Leader and Steuben Courier have reported two separate instances of broken promises from Albany. In Corning, a $200,000 state grant, secured by state Sen. George Winner Jr,. that was to assist the city in renovation of City Hall, the Police Department and City Court has been rescinded. A $300,000 grant secured by Assemblyman Jim Bacalles for the same project appears to be on the chopping block as well. In Bath, a $50,000 grant for Bath Police Department radio communications has been yanked, after most of the equipment has been purchased. While Corning mayor Tom Reed was stating the obvious, “It’s not good news, not good at all,” Bath Mayor David Wallace told it from the heart, stating, "A promise made to us by the state in my opinion has been broken...It seems to be a strictly political move to punish Republicans in the Senate."
I've received no response from my previous post/emails "Know Your County Legislators." I will attempt a phone call to those legislators in the following days and will post the results. In the interim, I'm going to interview Former Village of Alfred Justice William MacCrea. I'm going to try to ask questions that would be of interest to the everyman, such as how to get out of speeding tickets and jury duty. If you have any questions you'd like me to ask, let me know via email.
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