disgusted, down and out in upstate NY

I am not quite sure the real reasons I stopped posting here... the subject line may or may not be exaggerated. It is not complete.

So why have I stopped posting? Those of us that live in Central NY are saying just "why?". Why do we live here?

The year 2006 statistically meant that over 250,000 NY people left the state. Oh but from where, it is asked. The city of New York has been increasing in population, so it is not from there. The suburbs of NY are upbeat and although people are thinking the big real estate boomlet is over, they are reluctant to beat it out of town.

So where is the people drain and where are they going?

Central NY -->>>>>>>> North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia. Any state but NY and anyplace but central NY.


Goodbye NY.

binghamton rates! in the best environment category

In Friday's paper it was printed that Binghamton rated 9nth as one of the greenest (eco friendly) cities in the US. Hooray, I said-- we get some recognition beyond our early St. Patrick's day parade!

It is from the magazine Country Living. Does anyone read this magazine? Actually, I subscribe to this magazine and never noticed Binghamton being mentioned in the pages. Most of the magazine is about the great second homes that dot the country from New England to Montana to the Hamptons. Yes, mostly second homes. If they are first homes, then they are the homes of people that no longer need to work for a living. I like reading the magazine, despite the focus on the wealthy. "Living in the Country for the Rich and Sometimes Famous" could be the title of the magazine.

So, why does Binghamton make the list? I would expect them to say "Burlington, Vermont" or "Ithaca, NY for the most obvious reasons. But Binghamton?

Now, I know we have some things going on here that are good for the earth -- like our great recycling programs. But, Oh shucks... I mean why would Country Living notice?

I am hoping to find out a little more about it!

Does anyone from Country Living want to stop by my house? I am a long term subscriber. I would like to tell you more about the NYRI powerlines that threaten our area and neighboring areas. I would like to tell you about the RR trains that are parking in Chenango Forks along RT 12 -- they certainly look like they are full of deadly chemicals.

I would like to show you some good stuff, too. But really, how did you make the decision? We ranked 9 out of 379?




THE TOP 10 'GREEN PLACES'
Country Home magazine will publish a list of the "Best Green Places" in its April edition. The top rankings among 379 metropolitan areas are:



1. Burlington, Vt.

2. Ithaca

3. Corvallis, Ore.

4. Springfield, Mass.

5. Wenatchee, Wash.

6. Charlottesville, Va.

7. Boulder, Colo.

8. Madison, Wis.

9. Binghamton

10. Champaign-Urbana, Ill.

Too few transmission lines to generators outside the state limits access to renewable power

The subject says it all! NYRI is using just this in their public relations campaign in Washington for the 200 mile HVDC electrical transmission line they plan on building from Utica to Orange County. And now they are saying their powerlines are green and will carry renewable power, like power from wind farms.

It turns out there is some truth to the reality that wind farms may need more electrical transmission lines if they are to deliver the power to urban areas (like Los Angeles or New York City). The target areas may not be capable or willing to generate their own wind power. There have been offshore projects that propose generating wind out in the ocean, requiring some kind of transmission lines to be built in the ocean to the shore. These projects are very controversial on Long Island and Massachusetts. Mostly they are controversial on the grounds that wind towers will spoil the waterfront and spoil recreational ocean use. I have not read too many objections to the transmission lines to land, but maybe these are secondary concerns.

In the meantime, Central NY has a power line project on the table. NYRI wants to build a new powerline that will start in Marcy near Utica) and end up in Orange County. Its purpose is to bring power to the northern suburbs on NY. They may need more power to continue their suburban growth.

NYRI is using some studies that show the metropolitan region will need more power within the next 10 years. Since this area has been incredibly slow building power generating plants, this investment group sees an easy profit in providing a quicker solution. Money can be made in the short term selling energy to this growing market of electrical hogs. (NYRI calls the city one of the largest users of electrical power in the world).

Will NYC care about where the electricity is generated or mind paying too much for it? Probably not, if no other sources are available. Will they build their own power generation plants if they can get the power from upstate or Canada via transmission lines? The incentive of building their own plants will be lessened if they can just buy the power.

Buying the power from Canada or outside the region has its risks for NY. But then again, NYC has taken these very same risks with their water supply. They have allowed all their water to be supplied by upstate NY and they are not concerned by their lack of resources. They will sleep well in their air conditioned apartments with power from upstate NY, too.

NYRI is smart to make the wind power tie in. I tip my hat to their logic.

But, in reality, NYRI is not supporting wind power, coal, hydro power, tire burning, methane gas or any particular means of generating power. They are just building a power line and their bottom line is the price they buy to the price they sell at. The profit margin is what they care about. Is their investment profitable?


The subject line for this rant was taken from an article about wind generation and power lines in a different state -- California. It is interesting only for the comparison, which is scary.

A patchwork of powerlines to cities in the US is just a bandaid. Cities need to start solving their future energy needs with more than a 10 year plan. Building transmission lines long distances to pull in energy generated by another area or another country will be creating more future problems for the next generation to solve.

LA needs powerlines from distant places to solve their local energy consumption needs. Because the local power grid is a mess, and the utility companies are irresponsible, solve the problem with transmisson lines and buy power from profit making investment firms that build them. (Not exactly a summary -- but one of the points made in the article)

War with Iran?... US supporting terrorists to promote more war in the Middle East?

I am trying to keep up with the developments in the Middle East. Although I am doing this daily, I am not posting much of it here -- most of the stories are covered well in the news sites (not the network new sites).


I am very worried about the neocon plan to involve Iran in the conflict -- we are in Afganistan, Iraq, next is Iran and Syria according to the long range plan I have read about for a number of years. Sure, we are not winning yet -- but maybe winning a clear war is not the strategy of our current administration. Stirring things up so we have the most influence in the region is a goal in itself.

I am disturbed by Dick Cheney's talk in Australia saying that war with Iraq is an option. I am concerned with the comment of Prez Bush that nuclear war could be an option with Iran if they try to develop their nuclear weapons. Did you know that Nobel Laureates from Cornell have petitioned congress for a binding resolution to prohibit the use of nuclear weapons against a country that does not have nuclear weapons? This petition came about after Prez Bush's comments about the possibility of a nuclear strike.

Here is another disturbing link in today's paper. I will go out and buy this week's New Yorker to read the whole article but it is posted at the New Yorker web site.

Here is a link to a summary of one of the issues in Seymour Hersh's article. Watch the video and read the transcript. If you are still interested, visit the New Yorker web site.
Cornell Physicists against Nuclear Weapons use against non-nuclear nations
U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups
The New Yorker original article The Redirection by Seymour Hersh

lots more snow on the east coast

I was thinking the area was like the North Pole this morning as I drove along Rt 79 W to Ithaca, NY. Here is proof from the scientists.

The picture is from the NASA observatory.
The link for the original is here

is the end of winter near?

The news of the week was the I-76 fiasco that held up traffic. The road looked like a very bad version of rush hour (for 14 hours) or the traffic to a music festival (The phish concert in Florida comes to my mind).

Years ago, I travelled on Easter Sunday from Virginia. When I reached Harrisburg, Pa on Rt 81 the air became "foggy" with light snow. Travelling on Rt 81 North out of Harrisburg is a long hill of miles, changing altitude and weather patterns. No snow plows in sight, but the road became deeper and deeper with the powdery stuff.

Mentally, I was thinking about the length of the drive to Binghamton and feeling fatigued. Suddenly, traffic slowed down and all cars cautiously passed 3 or 4 vehicles that were 180 degrees the wrong way. Breathing a sigh of relief, I thought I needed a break. The snow appeared to be 12 inches deep and no plows yet. Maybe if I get off at the next rest area, it will give the plows some time to make the road passable.

The exit was Ravine, Pa. The little rest area is aptly named as it feels like it is a little low spot in the mountains. The snow was coming down like a blizzard at this time. I gratefully get on line to buy a soda at the truck stop. Suddenly someone is talking to me on the line. He is saying "
Which way are you going?". I mumble, "North to Binghamton". He says very quietly, "Don't try it as all the cars are at a standstill. You cannot get through". He said this so quietly I almost did not get it. Almost.... Then, I went into robot mode. To the phone booth and call home and say " I will be home tomorrow as I am staying overnight". I get in the car and drive on the side road along Rt 81 down hill. I do not see any place to stay. Back on Rt 81 South to the nearest Hershey, Pa exit. At last, an exit with hotels. I arrive in the Hotel (I think it was a Days Inn) and breathlessly request a room. It looks empty. The room is $45. It is definitely off season. I say to the staff "Get ready! All the Easter Sunday traffic will be here shortly". The staff does not believe me.

My daughter is with me and we quickly go to our rooms. We cross the road and have a nice dinner at the Holiday Inn across the street. We observe the dining room filling up. We get our check and hear the waitress saying they are running out of food. We go out to the lobby -- People are being told "no more rooms". The hotel graciously provides the lobby as the people have no place to go.

Thanks to that quiet spoken trucker in the rest stop at Ravine! I wish I got your name.

It turns out, the people on Rt 81 North of Ravine all drove into a massive traffic jam. The snow plows could not plow the road that day. The people sat in their cars the entire night with whatever they had with them to keep warm and eat. (Did people even have water bottles then?) No rescue came and only a helicopter came through looking for anyone waving them down for medical emergencies.

The next day, the pay loaders and heavy duty equipment dug their way in. People were taken out. Later, their vehicles were dug out, too.

I drove home via Allentown and Rt 76, too. It was open that time although abandoned cars were still on the shoulder.

Lessons were learned by me! Bring blankets and water when travelling in Pa. And most important of all -- don't keep going!!! No one may be coming to get you for a long, long time.

Turn around when you can.

You might think the Interstate should be better than this -- but don't test it unless you are prepared for a long night in your car.

Mr. Foxman -- If Tupper Lake does not glitter, come to Broome for gold

Mr. Foxman:

I have been reading the news articles about your company of venture capitals (I mean, investors) that are purchasing a large tract of logging land in Tupper Lake to reinvent into a recreational hideaway for the rich. You are a resourceful group with a good idea, but you are taking the idea to the wrong area of NY.

In case you have not noticed, the history of the Adirondacks and state politics will both combine into failure for your plans. There is just too much opposition. Do you know your plans are akin to what Walt Disney did to Orlando? Except Orlando was not the vacation homeland for generations of Rockefellers and other wealthy New Yorkers. Disneyworld would have never been started in the Adirondacks and you won't get there either.

Alternatively, I am welcoming you to the Broome County, NY area. We have many of the same qualities of the Adirondack mountains but we can go one step further -- we are a 3 hour drive from NYC and New Jersey and we are connected by the US interstate system (I-88, I-81, and soon to be name, I-86). That spells "WEEKEND RETREAT".

The actual city of Binghamton may not be attactive to your investors because of its urban character. It is improving but it is not what your clientele of people are looking for. The people you want to attract are more interested in skilled hunting, boating, restaurants, night clubs, hiking, snow shoeing, skiiing, bicycling, wine tasting..... Broome County and surrounding areas have large tracts of lands (former farms rather than logging tracts) that can be purchased. True, you probably can't buy 6,000 acres in one piece -- but really, maybe you don't need the size of Rhode Island to get started with your project? Here in Broome County, there are plenty of rural areas with farms to buy. And some of the land is beautiful.


We do not have the large lakes that the Adirondacks have. That could be a problem if people are looking for water experience. Tupper Lake is not very large, however so the water is not the biggest attraction. I noticed that your plans include building a pool and a rec center. You must realize that people from the metro area like swimming pools rather than swimming in lakes that are tinted brown or are not clear to the bottom. If you are going to build pools and a fitness center, you can do that here in Broome County, too. One of the most desirable places in the country is Boulder, Colorado -- a city with little water and no lakes or rivers to swim in. Its fitness centers are primo and are augmented by a wonderful trail system for hikers and bicycles.

I would say that Broome County can be the next Boulder of the East Coast. It has the highway system to get here. It has restaurants. It has a University. It has music (Binghamton Symphony, the Night Eagle, the Tri Cities Opera, lots of bars with good music). We have woods and fields, and farmland. It is beautiful here and there are miles of country roads to drive on. There are deer and some bear. We have eagles and perigrine falcons.

And most importantly, we have alot of people here that would want you to come. We could use a ski area if you wanted to build one -- but I doubt people would make you promise to keep it open for 50 years. We would hope it would be profitable to do so.

In Broome County, we do not get alot of attention from the NYS DEC and we do not have an APA. None of our land is in the plan called the Open Space Plan for New York State. The government of NY has largely ignored us and has not included our area in their preservation plans. Despite that, we have some beautiful land, much of it private.

Someone in Tupper Lake said that poverty is not beautiful. I agree with that sentiment. Our towns can use beautificaton and more than just cosmetics. Broome County is officially part of the Appalachian (Appalachian Counties of New York: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins) I do not really understand why Tupper Lake wants to claim to be the poorest area of the state. For years, the people of the Adirondacks have wanted to claim this title. Possibly, an official designation of poverty means more funding or locating state facilities such as prisons.

Broome County has had many economic setbacks for the last 25 years. We did not lose a ski area as Tupper Lake did as we never had one here. (There was a small ski area that served the Town of Binghamton that has been closed for 25 years). Our economic setbacks were due to changes when manufacturing plants closed, shrunk or relocated. Many people left and others stayed on. For those that stayed on, the next generation left for better jobs.

Broome County has lost population. Besides manufacturing, the changes have come to the farms in the last 25 years. There are very few farms that are self supporting in Broome County. There is lots of farmland and woods. There is a movement back to farming again and some people are moving here and trying to make a go of dairy farming and organic farming. It is tough to do this and most need another non-farming income to keep their efforts going.

The land is cheap here as compared to the rest of the East Coast. Houses are inexpensive. We are one of the affordable housing areas in the US.

As in the rest of NY, property taxes are outrageous. They are probably not too different that what you are getting in Tupper Lake.

I am sorry about that last statement. Your development will not be paying any property taxes in Tupper Lake because of the deal you are making with Franklin County and the Town of Tupper Lake. That might be an important difference in the Adirondacks, as I am not sure Broome County would just let you come here without paying any taxes at all. I am not sure of that - but nothing is impossible. Just recently, the City of Binghamton acquired the Regency Hotel as the company (Sarbro) did not pay back their federal loans. It turned out the City of Binghamton had backed that loan. If the company defaulted, then the City of Binghamton has to pay back. Now, the city owns the Regency Hotel. (Maybe you would like to purchase that hotel? It is for sale. It has a nice pool, too)

I hope you will come to visit this area. Even if you would not pursue all the opportunities here, I would be happy to show you around. And if you don't come, I will continue to enjoy the swimming pools, rural roads, local wineries, farms and produce, local arts and crafts and just the general upstate feeling that we have here.


And that is the difference between us and Tupper Lake. If things did not work out for a development here, I would not be blaming you, the environmentalists, the towns people or anyone. I would just wait and enjoy what I can from this great area. I would not hate my neighbors or blame some government agency.


So, if things don't work out for you in Tupper Lake, you might want to take a look at the Appalachian Counties in NY.

And one last thing I should mention. I love Tupper Lake and visit there as much as possible in the summer. But if I lived there year round, I would say the same thing to you. I would invite you to come visit and show you around. I would not be begging you to come and develop the land. If you wanted to do that, I would consider very carefully your offer. I would not be pleading and I would not be getting you to sign agreements to keep ski areas open. (Of course, those agreements will be void once your company does not exist). I am not sure how smart it would be for any county or town to promise tax exemptions for your development when they are responsible for roads and infrastucture after construction is complete. We might not have an APA here, but people do not want to be taken for a ride. I hope we can play the game smarter, but I am not certain of that.

I wishing to hear from you *if* you are still interested.

And if you get permission to develop the 6000+ acres of Tupper Lake, please keep in mind that not all the the visitors to the town are rich or even want to be.

And although I think it unlikely, I hope you keep your roads ungated. (Gates seem to be an adirondack tradition brought by the whitneys, litchfields, rockefellers...) Please break with this Adirondack tradition.


If you want gates, stay in the metro area, PLEASE! We don't need them in Central NY either.