Sierra Club Hosts a “Post-Carbon Economy” Discussion Aug. 5th

What would a “post-carbon economy” be like? This intriguing climate protection issue will be discussed at the South Central (CT) Sierra Club’s August 5th get-together on Wednesday evening from 6 - 8:30 PM, at the Smart Living Center, 297 Boston Post Road, Orange.

Local, regional, national and international initiatives are underway to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere from current levels of near 390 parts per million back down to a more sustainably appropriate 350 part per million. One such initiative which the City of Milford joined a few years ago is the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Program. “Across the country, voluntary coalitions of municipal officials, businesses and residents alike are making measurable progress towards reducing fossil-fuel-based energy consumption,” says Sierra Club staff member Patrice Gilliespie. “We are learning together about what strides individuals can take, and how community-wide efforts can affect national security, and create more choices in energy resources and new ‘green jobs.’ We invite the public and our municipal officials in the region to come to our informal program at the Smart Living Center, and share ideas.”

Refreshments will be served. Anyone interested in attending should contact Diane Lentakis, chairperson of the South Central group, at deerspirit@sbcglobal.net or 203.783.0686 by August 3rd.

Democrats On P&Z Question Richetelli Land Deal

The Planning and Zoning Board has given its OK to the city’s acquisition of 7.6 acres for open space on Burnt Plains Road, which Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. said will link several tracts. Purchase of the $600,000 tract still requires action by the Board of Aldermen.

Among PZB members present for the vote, Cathy Paterson, D-1, was the lone dissenter. However, PZB Vice Chairwoman Kim Rose, D-3, said several members did have questions about the purchase, especially since it would deplete the city’s open space account.

But Richetelli defended the purchase, saying he worked out a “very favorable” financial arrangement with the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority.

According to the financial terms of the deal, the city would pay $300,000 to the water authority at closing, and the second $300,000 would be paid over a 10-year period, at $30,000 a year. There would be no interest for the first five years and then 5 percent interest the last five years, the mayor said.

Richetelli said he hopes the city can apply for state grants totaling $300,000 for the open space acquisition, so the total cost to the city for the land would be $300,000. Richetelli also stressed that the initial $300,000 would come from open space and various reserve accounts so there would be no bonding for the land.

The water authority performed two appraisals on the land; one came in at $800,000, the other at $600,000. The authority’s board decided to sell the land for the lowest appraisal, and offered it first to the city.

If the city passes, then the land will be offered next to the state Department of Environmental Protection. If the DEP also declines purchasing it, the land would then be sold on the open market where a developer would end up with it, the mayor said.

“It’s a very valuable piece of property,” Richetelli said. “It links up with other considerable city owned pieces of open space. It will prevent development in the middle of some really beautiful open space.”

The property is adjacent to the former YMCA property on Orange Avenue the city purchased last year. The land also is close to fields on Red Bush Lane. A private development there could lead to the construction of at least six or more single-family homes, the mayor said. Richetelli said the city’s plan for the land is that it remain open space forever.

Rose said she didn’t vote on Richetelli’s request because she was serving as acting chairman during the vote. But she said, like Patterson, she had several concerns about the land acquisition. One is about depleting the city’s open space account, because other, more valuable properties may become available, and the city would have no money, Rose said.

She said PZB members voted to approve the acquisition because “it absolutely made sense to own it” and because it will link other parcels, but it puts “the onus of $300,000 on the taxpayers.”

Aldermen are expected to vote at the board’s August meeting.

ORIGINAL STORY BY BRIAN MCREADY

Thank You We Reached 20,000 Hits Today.

Seems just like yesterday Mike and I started this blog board, our goal was to establish a place for alternative views from the mainstream media and the political paradigm so many people here in Milford have come to know.

This year is particularly exciting because our numbers show real growth, that means we are doing something many of you are interested in and the comments and e-mails are arriving with all types of "pro and con" views.

Mike and I do our very best to get all the facts as accurate as possible, however we must confess that we are not perfect and from time to time we've made mistakes that struck the nerve of a group or person who was more than happy to assist us with our facts. Many thanks to those of you who helped us with accuracy as that is a very important part of our mission here at the Milford Daily Blog.

Hopefully the next milestone of 50,000 page loads will arrive even faster, so feel free to spread the word. Visit us again and visit us often, also many thanks to our sponsors who help us with some of the costs of maintaining this blog. Once again many thanks and we eagerly welcome your support and future contributions.

Some Milfordites Suffer From Green Guilt

If you live in a large home, use plastic bags, drive an SUV or enjoy lots of kids you might be suffering from "green guilt." This is no joke there are actually counselors out there who are counseling people who feel powerless to save the planet. It is a feeling of anxiety that stems from an inability to afford solar panels or a hybrid vehicle a feeling that results in a lack of will or courage to volunteer or inflict change in the energy habits of others.

This is a condition that is readily becoming known as "green anxiety." These environmentally inadequate feelings are only made worse through the widespread dissemination of videos by celebrities like Al Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio depicting what looks like the end of the world... and yes it is our endless need to consume that makes you to blame.

Well perhaps I could put all those feelings of anxiety to rest and expose the green fearmongers. First and foremost, (Say this 100 times) "The environmental mess is not my fault." The fault belongs to those people who mislead and pervert the truth, those who refuse to let alternative technology solve our problems. The solutions to these issues are not expensive solar panels, windmills, wave gadgets, mercury lightbulbs, or atmospheric spraying. It is ending corporate greed, stopping those intent on selling carbon credits and keeping cheap clean technologies off the market because they are not profitable enough, or infringe on military patents not yet meant for the public.

The fearmongers also conveniently ignore the largest CO2 emitters which are volcanoes, forest fires, natural methane releases from decaying vegetation and the largest of truths that the Sun is just getting hotter (natural process of the Solar Maxim). Many people are not even aware that just 30 years ago in the 1970's there was fear of global cooling. Today the founder of the weather channel (John Coleman) calls global warming a scam.

Not all scientists are in agreement about global warming, there is no concrete proof that our cabon dioxide emissions are the sole reason for the changes in our climate. Those who listen to Al Gore, however, are certain beyond all doubt that this is an "open and Shut" case that the "debate is over." This coming from a man who uses 12 times more energy at his home than the average American. A man who flies frequently with heavily polluting personal jets; clearly he is not that concerned over his personal consumption. When Gore is confronted with his carbon footprint he often replies that his solar panels are coming and that he purchases carbon credits or offsets, ironically from his own company.

My point here today is lay the guilt aside, fight to bring about the right change which is Hydrogen technology. This is a battle because the big oil companies own many of the patents some expiring or expired. The new frontier of profit has been set by the faux-environmentalists who wish to re-direct personal profits by way of carbon credit scams.

Hydrogen rich (and its free) Water works well as was certified by multiple engineers and U.S. patents. Look at the Stanley Meyers video below, and then tell me if you still feel guilt that the environmental mess is somehow your fault. We can only blame ourselves for not knowing, and now that you know you can blame yourself for not spreading the word.