The columnist Reynolds.
Concerns are widespread among city residents who wonder if selling off half again as much water as they’re already using could cause shortages in case of drought or prolonged periods of minimal rain. Environmentalists have long demanded that water be considered the protected asset, there being no life without it. The fact that the city water system flows out of Mink Hollow into man-made Cooper Lake in Woodstock will add many strident voices to this debate.
And this just in, perhaps apropos of nothing, but a water advisory has been issued to Phoenicia Water District Users, asking for users to conserve it until further notice. Reservoirs are low, according to the announcement.
Under 1895 state legislation that created the autonomous Kingston water system, the decision to go forward with this proposal lies almost entirely with a mayoralty-appointed board of water commissioners. One assumes the state Department of Environmental Conservation input on what will be a closed system will be minimal.
There is reason to expect that city water commissioners, however tempted by the prospect of bonus money, will if only out of conditioned reflex treat water supply as one of its top priorities. Water commissioners, be they from Kingston, Saugerties or even New York, are among the most conservative officials on earth. Their first priority is always the preservation and protection of their water supply. Kingston water commissioners will not, I predict, move forward until they get the kinds of contractural guarantees that protect their ratepayers.
If a prolonged drought occurs and Mink Hollow turns into a trickle, city residents should have first dibs on available water. If not, another kind of parade will descend on the water department, one featuring torches and pitchforks.
Much suspicion has been raised by this process being conducted under the strictest secrecy, despite periodic inquiries from curious media. It’s as though two private entities were negotiating to mutual advantage.
The Kingston Water Department is a public service organization with every dime of its operating budget derived from ratepayers. It needs to begin acting more like a public entity. A series of public hearings, with at least one in Woodstock, would do much to assuage concerns.
And finally …
Condolences to the families on the passing of two old friends who offered valuable advice.
Jean Dolan of Tillson, who retired from the Freeman some 25 years ago, taught me to be more succinct. “Anybody can write long,” she said. “It takes real talent to write short.” She had real talent.
Ward Ingalsbe, one of Kingston’s more prosperous and well-liked lawyers, dabbled in Republican politics — he faced Maurice Hinchey in a 1986 Assembly race — and stayed true to his roots. “There’s nothing better than making a good living in a small town,” he liked to say.
And he did.
Hate to say this, but the campaign literature is a bit more ridiculous than usual, with black and white images of the wannabe Senator, next to color images of the current one, including a photo of what we might imagine a schoolroom would look like after the Taliban got through with it. I’m sort of waiting for the next thing, which is the folks from Oz(in color), including Munchkins, peering in on the folks from black and white(Dorothy arriving with her Dad, Mr. A., at Oz in her tossed house for the next debate). (Yes, I suppose the Lolipop Guild is a Union supporting the incumbent). Frank L. Baum would gasp. We’re SURELY not in Kansas anymore! What OTHER legs(besides the wicked witch of the West) will be seen under the house as a result? Stay tuned–but don’t expect Glinda, the good witch of the North, to announce the results!!