Anti-fracking rally
In just a few weeks, it is expected that Gov. Cuomo and the DEC will come out with their plans on hydrofracking for natural gas. It has been leaked that the plan may include permitting fracking in five Southern Tier counties in New York. We await this announcement with much concern.
The people of New York have spoken out loud and clear in their opposition to hydrofracking in New York State. New Yorkers are concerned about the impact hydrofracking will have on the quality of their water and air, the long- and short-term health effects, the rural nature of their communities, the roads, the pipe lines and compressor stations, the spills, the toxic and radioactive waste water, the negative impacts on the important industries of tourism, farming and small business. New Yorkers want investment in renewable energy and conservation which can bring long term jobs to our state
Frack Free Catskills as well as all the major anti fracking groups throughout the State reject a plan which would create a “sacrifice zone” of some of the most vulnerable counties. Fracking is not safe and New York should take a leadership role in banning the practice statewide.
We want the governor and the DEC to hear our outrage IF the announcement is a go ahead to begin permitting fracking anywhere in the state.
Please join us. On the day of his announcement, we will gather at 5:30 p.m. in Kingston with signs and red armbands signaling danger. Our plan is to meet at the empty parking lot between the Mobil Gas Station and the old Davenport Farm Stand on Washington Ave. From there we will walk towards the traffic circle. If you cannot make it, please wear a red armband wherever you are. (If the announcement is made after 3 p.m., we will gather at 5:30 the next day.)
For more information you can go to Frack Free Catskill Facebook Page or www.frackfreecatskills.org or call Sue Rosenberg at 845-246-3449.
Sue Rosenberg
Saugerties
Hinchey picnic plans
Music has now been added to the free, non-partisan picnic in Saugerties on Sunday, July 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the large pavilion at Cantine Field to thank Congressman Maurice Hinchey for his 30-plus years of service. The musicians, who are generously donating their time, include: Josh Tyler, Bruce Ackerman & Dave Hanzl, Paul Luke & PJ, Dorraine Scofield & Thunder Ridge, Too Much Fun, and Manly Footwear. In addition to the music, Stone Pony Deli is catering the picnic and providing hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and more! Beverages will also be provided. How often do you get a Congressman who’s from your hometown? And how often do you get to thank him for his service at a free event? Please come out to thank the Congressman and have a great time!
Beth Murphy
Saugerties
Suggestions for HealthAlliance
It’s been painful watching the HealthAlliance consolidation story unfold. Fingers are pointing, jobs are at stake, state dollars wasted and mistrust everywhere. And still no long term community health care master plan for the future.
While the HealthAlliance partnership remains the logical entity to lead county-wide planning efforts, one begins to wonder if the weight is too great or the resources lacking. Perhaps it’s time for a grass-roots effort to take planning into our own hands. Ulster County does have a history of health care and human service boldness (first 24-hour emergency hotline; early leader in the family practice movement; first HMO in the Hudson Valley and first to enroll Medicaid recipients (now mandatory enrollment in New York State); first facility for domestic violence victims in NYS; early leader in breast cancer treatment).
Isn’t it time for Ulster County to be bold again?
Here’s some suggestions for our HealthAlliance leaders:
– Don’t become passive with health reform. Become part of a regional Accountable Care Organization (ACOs) network. Global and risk-based Medicare revenue programs can help balance our unfair fee-for-service MSA rates. Also, partner with our primary care physicians to increase utilization of prevention services (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and help form a county-wide Patient Centered Medical Home (performance-based mini-health systems).
– Partner with our business community to be prepared for Regional Health Exchanges and cost containment activities. Communicate to our regional health insurance companies what help our community needs to expand public health initiatives, to bring in new primary care physicians and to demonstrate health-care performance outcomes.
– Carefully evaluate the success of rural health care leaders Geisinger Health System in PA and Imogene-Bassett Health System in Cooperstown. Yes, they have become mature systems, but they are on the track that we need to be on. Let’s not re-invent the wheel.
– Don’t underestimate our strong community’s understanding and support for integrative health care and natural healing modalities.
– Help plan model 60+ communities with medical services, residential housing, communal dining, community garden and training/educational resource center for mentoring (inter-generational living).
– Apply for grant assistance or join a national/regional alliance to study promising growth fields like cellular medicine, longevity and the treatment of opioid-dependent individuals.
Health reform is now a reality. Reimbursement pressures will continue. Our need for less inpatient and more outpatient/wellness/preventive services has been trending for decades.
As a community, we can either sit back and hope that the streamlined HealthAlliance team will successfully direct our health care future or we can get active, start-the creative juices and help the Health Alliance team plan a health care system that matches our achievement in artistic and cultural endeavors.
Ed Ullmann
Mt. Tremper
Donate back-to-school items
When you are out doing your back to school shopping perhaps you can think of the children living in the shelter and pick up some school supplies for them. We need help for our children starting school in September. We are collecting:
School supplies & backpacks
A gift card to purchase new sneakers / shoes
A gift card to Old Navy or Target for new school clothes
A new back pack
A new lunch box
Aluminum water bottles
Markers
Folders
School Snacks – individually wrapped
Binders|
Please call Kathy Moretti, director of The Washbourne House, at 845 331-7080 ext.327 if you can donate or mail your gift card or donation to :
Kathy Moretti -The Washbourne House
PO Box 3817
Kingston, New York 12402
Items are needed not only at the start of school, but throughout the year ahead as families enter shelter seeking safety. Thanks for your help!
Kathy Moretti
Kingston
