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Good Saturday Morning,
Over the past few weeks I have received many comments about this new format and every one of them has been positive. I appreciate those who have taken the time to write. This takes much more time each morning than simply posting news articles, but on the upside we can be more coherent, more thorough and the best part is that you only get one email each day. If you're still getting the digest from Google groups let me know and I'll help you change that so you can receive News That Matters in its entirety. You can read and comment on News That Matters articles here and pass the link around for others, too.
Summer is finally upon us today. The temps should top out in the mid 90's by 3PM this afternoon with a chance of thunderstorms through evening. An Air Quality Alert has been issued both for ozone and particulate pollutants for today and tomorrow meaning those who are active, those with lung problems and the elderly should reduce outdoor activity and seek cleaner air. The ozone pollutants are our issue, the fine particulates largely come from coal fired power plants in the near-Midwest granted pollutant waivers by the administration's EPA.
On Monday night the Suozzi-Galef Circus comes to Putnam County with their sideshow barkers promising immediate property tax relief. But after you pay your two-bits and step inside the tent you won't be seeing an elephant-faced boy or a bearded woman, and you will be asked to swallow your own sword.
No, they won't apologize for their lack of vision and yes, they will spin their "findings" as a step in the right direction. But after the APCT (Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Taxpayers) folk get done with their questions you might have a better understanding of why the state has taken the easy way out here by appeasing the political and monied interests over yours, and why they will call this a victory and why they still have their hands deep in your pocket while you are selling your home and moving out of state. The fun starts at 7 PM at the Putnam Valley High School on Peekskill Hollow Road between Oregon and Adam's Corners. Be there! It's the Greatest Show on Earth!
 There's another great show traveling to Putnam County is tonight and this one will be a bit more fun. Check out Arts on the Lake's "Project Mercury" show at the Cultural Center on Lake Carmel (the old firehouse on Route 52). Hudson Valley Magazine called Project Mercury a "Best New Band". They will bring a mix of original modern folk and acoustic rock to town. Project Mercury's live sound is rich in vocal harmonies, haunting violin, mesmerizing cello, and acoustic guitars. The music kicks off at 8PM and yours truly will be working sound and lights with Put Lake's Jim Nowak. Admission is $10 ($9 for AotL members).
A New York State Appeals Court has ruled that police can track your car without a warrant so long as they don't "hide" the tracking device. The ruling does not define "hiding" other than to say that the device needs to be in "public view". Considering the size of these devices (getting smaller every day), and what might constitute "public view" expect lawsuits out the wazoo from citizens in the future if this sort of thing should become common.
Thankfully, we need to end this edition of News That Matters with one more story. Yes, it's about the Town of Southeast and no, it's not about Greg Ball being run out of town. This time it's about Supervisor Rights and the shenanigans going on out there. According to reports that are too complex for my aging, feeble mind to fully comprehend, it all has something to do with an attorney, the town's zoning codes, a large contributor to the Ball campaign and an apparently threatening letter written by the Supervisor. Oh, there's more, but read the report here. It's days like this I miss Lois Zutell.
As always, PlanPutnam is the place to be.
And now, the News:
- California Water Law Curtailing New Development
- Harnessing Microbes To Meet Our Future Energy Needs
- New Homes Rise From Rubbish
- NOAA Confirms Caribbean Monk Seal Extinct
- School Loses Its Cool Over Pony Drive
California Water Law Curtailing New Development By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
PERRIS, Calif. — As California faces one of its worst droughts in two decades, building projects are being curtailed for the first time under state law by the inability of developers to find long-term water supplies.
Water authorities and other government agencies scattered throughout the state, including here in sprawling Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, have begun denying, delaying or challenging authorization for dozens of housing tracts and other developments under a state law that requires a 20-year water supply as a condition for building.
California officials suggested that the actions were only the beginning, and they worry about the impact on a state that has grown into an economic powerhouse over the last several decades.
The state law was enacted in 2001, but until statewide water shortages, it had not been invoked to hold up projects.
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Harnessing Microbes To Meet Our Future Energy Needs ScienceDaily (Jun. 7, 2008) — Perhaps there is no greater societal need for scientific know-how than in finding new ways to meet future energy demands. Skyrocketing gas prices, an uncertain oil supply, increasing demand from around the world, and the looming threat of climate change have made identifying and developing realistic energy alternatives a national priority.
For Biodesign Institute researcher Bruce Rittmann, the threat of global warming also presents a significant opportunity for innovation and fresh solutions to today's energy challenges.
"Beginning with the Industrial Revolution, the unprecedented expansions of human population and economic activity have been based on combusting fossil fuels," said Rittmann. "Today, fossil fuels provide 80 percent of the energy needs to run human society worldwide: 34 percent petroleum, 32 percent coal, and 14 percent natural gas." Read More
New Homes Rise From Rubbish ScienceDaily — Imagine if you could turn old rubbish into new houses. That's exactly what civil engineer Dr John Forth from University of Leeds wants to achieve with the invention of a building block made almost entirely of recycled glass, metal slag, sewage sludge, incinerator ash, and pulverised fuel ash from power stations.
Dr Forth, from the School of Engineering, believes the 'Bitublock' has the potential to revolutionise the building industry by providing a sustainable, low-energy replacement for around 350 million concrete blocks manufactured in the UK each year. "Our aim is to completely replace concrete as a structural material," he explained.
Rea More
NOAA Confirms Caribbean Monk Seal Extinct Other Monk Seal Populations Struggling
June 6, 2008
After a five year review, NOAA’s Fisheries Service has determined that the Caribbean monk seal, which has not been seen for more than 50 years, has gone extinct—the first type of seal to go extinct from human causes.
Monk seals became easy targets for hunters while resting, birthing, or nursing their pups on the beach. Overhunting by humans led to these seals’ demise, according to NOAA biologists.
The last confirmed sighting of the seal was in 1952 in the Caribbean Sea at Seranilla Bank, between Jamaica and the Yucatán Peninsula. This was the only subtropical seal native to the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
"Humans left the Caribbean monk seal population unsustainable after overhunting them in the wild," said Kyle Baker, biologist for NOAA’s Fisheries Service southeast region. "Unfortunately, this lead to their demise and labels the species as the only seal to go extinct from human causes."
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School Loses Its Cool Over Pony Drive Westport (AP) -- Westport police have charged a Staples High School senior and her father with breach of peace for bringing a pony to the school.
The girl, Sarah Friedson, 17, walked her chocolate-colored pony, Cocoa, to the school Friday, to celebrate the last day of classes before final exams. She held sign that read ``Save Gas'' on one side, ``Staples 2008'' on the other. Her father, Ronald, drove behind them with his blinkers flashing.
The school called police, saying they were concerned for the safety of students.
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