Letters to the Editor

Educate Congress about Cape Wind now

What you can do today to help to ensure a clean air tommorrow

By Barbara Hill and Jennifer Filiault

With clean energy legislation on the horizon and the end of the permitting process for Cape Wind looking nearer each day, there has never been a more important time for citizens to continue the practice of civic engagement.

Educate YOUR congressman

Soon Members of Congress will return to their district offices for the Spring District Work Period, when they will be available to meet with their constituents. As part of a coordinated action, CLEAN members will be setting up these meetings all over the country. This is an important chance to advocate for clean energy policies with our elected officials and make certain they understand where people stand on these issues. They need to hear that citizens expect them to move decisively towards a clean energy economy.

Here in Massachusetts, we have constituents setting up meetings with 6 of our 10 Representatives: Barney Frank, Niki Tsongas, John Tierney, Mike Capuano, Stephen Lynch, and William Delahunt.  We are hoping to have two CPN members attend each of these meetings (as well as set up meetings in the other 4 districts of Massachusetts). 

If you are available to attend or lead a meeting, please contact Jennifer Filiault at 617-243-3514 or jennifer@theCLEAN.org.

You can also visit www.theclean.org/edcong3.html for more information about this coordinated action.

For a clean energy future,

Barbara Hill, Executive Director
Jennifer Filiault, Field Organizer

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Yarmouth Chief of Police responds to Judge O'Neill's comments about Yarmouth police officer

January 30, 2009

To the Editor:

Being a police officer is extremely dangerous. A police officer is killed in the line of duty on the average of every 53 hours in the United States. Without protective body armor, force protection training, and the availability of outstanding emergency medical care, the number of police officers killed in the line of duty in the United States would be even greater.

More than 56,000 police officers are assaulted each year. Many of these deaths and injuries to police officers occur during so-called “routine” traffic stops.

Here are some lesser-known facts regarding what was stated in open court recently by a District Court Judge regarding the arrest of a drunken driver by Yarmouth Police Patrol Officer Christopher Van Ness:

• No one has ever filed a complaint in this incident.
• Patrol Officer Van Ness has never been the subject of any discipline.
• Patrol Officer Van Ness followed all proper procedures and laws. Some important aspects of the traffic stop include:

1. The traffic stop was made at 2:48 AM.
2. At the time of the stop, Patrol Officer Van Ness was alone and had no back up protection.
3. The windows of the vehicle were excessively tinted black and were non-transparent. Patrol Officer Van Ness could not see how many subjects occupied the vehicle, or whether the occupants were armed. 
4. All of the vehicle’s lights were suspiciously turned off before it came to a sudden stop on the front lawn of a random home in an unlit area.
5. Rather than staying behind the wheel and waiting for the Officer to approach, the operator unexpectedly flung open the driver’s door. 
6. The operator was intoxicated and impaired. The operator subsequently failed the breathalyzer test with a reading well above the .08 legal limit and was charged with her 2nd offense of drunken driving.

Patrol Officer Van Ness is an outstanding police officer and has never had any official complaint filed against him. He has had no disciplinary history or actions during his employment with the Yarmouth Police Department.  He is a dedicated family man who is committed to his duties, his fellow officers, and the citizens that he has sworn to protect. He is a man of great courage and honor, a truly outstanding and devoted police officer. We are all extremely proud to serve with him.

The District Court Judge’s comments regarding the Officer Survival Tactics used by Officer Van Ness were directly contrary to professional Officer Survival Training.

Everyone in the media is encouraged to help educate the general public by learning more about what it is like to actually patrol the streets while making quick and steadfast decisions.

Michael J. Almonte
Chief of Police
Yarmouth Police Department

28 comments »

For a scenic sound

A Modest Proposal

Before just calling Sen. Ted Kennedy a blatant hypocrite, I'll tender him a modest proposal.

If he first demands that all those ugly, oversized McMansions that line northern Nantucket Sound be razed, including his family's compound, to preserve the pristine views that Bart Gosnold had when he first sailed these waters, I might just believe him when he says he is interested in preserving the scenic value in the public interest, and not just to protect property values of obscenely wealthy families like his who block so much of our Cape Cod shorefront from public views and public access.

Rich Latimer, Falmouth

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It's "elementary" why Barnstable schools shouldn't close

Editor's note: Michael Ornstein sent the following letter to fellow parents after learning about the vote to close the Cotuit and Marstons Mills Elementary School along with the Hyannis East Elementary School.

Dear Friends,

My wife and I live on the Cape with our two young children.

We moved here with our children's quality of life in mind – that they would grow up in a beautiful place and be able to flourish. One of our primary draws in moving to Cotuit was the town's elementary school, which reminded me of the elementary school I attended. The school was something that our realtor used as a major selling point for us. As you know, regardless if a buyer has children or not, a good local school system is always a big plus when it comes to considering property value and community stability.

Needless to say, we were sorry to read a recent article (follow up article here) in the Cape Cod Times stating that Superintendent Patricia Grenier has proposed closing the Cotuit and Marstons Mills Elementary School along with Hyannis East Elementary School at the end of the academic year because of projected $6 million shortfall facing next year's education budget.

At the few public meetings I've attended, I was very surprised to find that issues relating to young people, jobs for working families and education never even came up. When I raised my hand and brought these issues up, it was as if I was discussing cooking a slow beef stew at a Vegetarian convention.

This will mean a lot of changes, but what worries me most is how they will lump 6th graders in with older kids and 8th graders in with high school students – even on the ball field. To me, this seems like a clear disregard for a system that was structured for a good reason – child development. I have never heard of 8th graders being lumped into high schools. Have you? It just seems unhealthy on a number of different levels.

I've spoken to very many young people on Cape who seem to agree that if you're young and living on Cape Cod, you're not exactly the focus - which is an unfortunate way to feel about one's community environment ... Especially if you're in 2nd grade and the elementary school you're attending gets closed down.

And what happens to you if you're being employed by one of these schools? The article I read states. "35 to 40 full-time staff positions would be eliminated as part of the school closures, representing about 7 percent of the district's personnel, Grenier said. Two administration jobs and 30 to 40 support staff positions would also be cut." This is big cut when you consider how hard it is to find work on the Cape and also consider that these are educational professionals that are losing jobs.

At the few public meetings I've attended, I was very surprised to find that issues relating to young people, jobs for working families and education never even came up. When I raised my hand and brought these issues up, it was as if I was discussing cooking a slow beef stew at a Vegetarian convention.

I am concerned that the younger year-round population on the Cape is not making it's voice known on this issue or on many other important issues that effect our constituency. The younger population is the future of Cape Cod and policy makers need to hear from us. It would certainly make life on the Cape more well rounded if the younger year-round population were to have more community involvement with a more effective public voice and presence.

Regardless of whether you have children or not, a healthy and functional educational system is very important to our constituency. And, speaking to those who have retired to the Cape who may have grandchildren who do not live on the Cape, please, think of the local Cape kids as if they were your own grandchildren – a stronger focus on youth issues is so important in benefiting their community environment.

There will be a public meeting regarding the closing of these schools on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 7pm in the Hyannis Town Hall hearing room. The address is 367 Main Street on the 2nd Floor.

As Superintendent Patricia Grenier said: "... We have to remember, it is not the school building that creates the school, it’s the people inside."

If issues regarding the younger Cape population interest you at all, consider yourself one of the "people inside" - come to this town meeting to get involved and better understand our community playing field, ask some questions and let your voices be heard. Each attendance will surely mean a great deal.

Also, I'd like to mention that if you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to call the School Superintendent's office to ask a question or comment on this issue, their phone number is 508-862-4953.

Best,

Michael Ornstein
Cotuit

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Cape Cod: beware the Asian Longhorned Beetle

Editor,

As a resident of West Boylston, within the quarantine area for the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), and a summer resident of Falmouth, I recently commended Falmouth Tree Warden, Brian Dale, for bringing this serious environmental threat to the town’s attention. His call to action bears repeating throughout the Cape.

According to the USDA, this beetle is “one of the most destructive and costly invasive species ever to enter the United States. It threatens urban and suburban shade trees and recreational and forest resources valued at hundreds of billions of dollars,” impacting lumber processing, maple syrup production, nurseries, and tourism. Since August 2008, more than 3200 infested trees have been identified in the city of Worcester. Every infected tree must be removed, chipped, and burned under USDA supervision. In addition, all un-infested host trees within 1/8-1/4 of a mile of every infested tree must also be removed or injected at considerable expense with the insecticide imidacloprid.

The Asian Longhorned beetle (male). Image courtesy of uvm.edu.

Eradication protocols and financial responsibilities are negotiated between the USDA, the state, and affected communities. It is estimated that the cost of elimination of the Worcester infestation will be in excess of $34 million for the first year alone, and it will take many years to certify eradication. In areas of New York, New Jersey, and Illinois where infestations have occurred, entire neighborhoods have been stripped of trees. Unless this very serious threat is eliminated, many of New England’s “signature” trees could go the way of the American elm and chestnut.

Imagine our hardwood forests without the brilliant autumn accents of all varieties of maple and birch, to say nothing of the economic consequences of such a loss! Other host trees are elm, willow, horsechestnut, London planetree, poplar, ash, mimosa (silktree), hackberry, and mountain ash. It is estimated that this insect has the potential to be more destructive to our woodlands than the  chestnut blight, Dutch elm disease, and the gypsy moth caterpillar combined.

There is no cost to homeowners if trees must be removed from their properties, nor is there an expense for replacement planting of non-host trees. It is important to avoid monoculture plantings, however, in order to guard against widespread destruction of a particular species of tree from new pests or diseases which cannot be predicted. A 3/8-1/2-inch round hole is one sign of a possible ALB infestation, but there are others. With binoculars, look first for holes in upper branches, as that is where the infestation begins. Holes found at eye level probably indicate that the ALB may already have spread to nearby trees. This beetle does not fly long distances and tends to infest trees in close proximity to one another. A pencil inserted into an exit hole may penetrate 1-1.5 inches. Leaf damage, in the form of chewing along the edges of veins, may also be visible. Sawdust resulting from larval tunneling into the tree is not powdery. Rather, it is similar to fine ½-inch long pencil shavings which accumulate at the base of the tree or on branches beneath a hole. The shiny, jet black beetle is 1-1.5 inches long with irregular white spots on its back. Long antennae are black with distinctive white bands and the feet have a bluish tinge.

If a suspected ALB is spotted, it should be collected in a jar and placed in a freezer, where it will not survive freezing temperatures. A call should immediately be placed to your local tree warden or to the MA Asian Longhorned Beetle Cooperative Eradication Program at (508) 799-8330 so that positive identification of your specimen can be made and, if necessary, action taken.

Because there are strict prohibitions and penalties for removing infested wood materials from the 62-square mile Worcester County quarantine area, it is less likely that firewood harboring this beetle will be transported to the Cape this season than may have been done in years past. Cape residents should check old wood piles, particularly if logs are maple or birch, as well as nearby trees. Nursery stocks of host trees (or trees installed within the last 8-10 years) should also be examined.

I hope citizens throughout the Cape will urge town officials to be proactive in providing informational materials to their residents. New England’s woodlands are at risk and control of this threat is dependent upon early detection by alert citizens. More information is available at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA or at the following websites: www.towerhillbg.org or www.aphis.usda.gov. This is one area in which a single person really can make a difference.

Betsy C. DeMallie
West Boylston, MA

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Winds of change are blowing

To the Editor:

This is a time for optimism, for hope. Our country is entering a new era of reasoned judgement spawning policies more sensible than those we have been living through. The Obama administration is poised to invest in clean energy, in one stroke retarding climate change and helping our economy by means of green jobs creation. He has made it clear that it is not just the task of agencies and corporations to bring this new dawning, but all of us must pull together for the common good.

Most of us understand that, and are eager to play our role in this renewal of the national will. There are some, however, who resist the coming of this new day, unwilling to change their ways, stubbornly refusing to alter their positions even in the face of proof that their old arguments are fallacious.

I am, of course, writing this in relation to Cape Wind, our region's most significant contribution to the world's green movement.  We each have to make personal efforts to think and live greener. We are also obliged to do whatever we can to persuade the  obstructionists to become a part of the new wave of progress.

Edward Kennedy, the Senate's most distinguished member, sponsor of so much important legislation, the unquestioned leader of all Massachusetts democrats, influential supporter of President-elect Obama, should now manfully endorse Cape Wind. Then the whole phalanx of his admiring followers like Senator Kerry, Representative Delahunt, State Senator O'Leary, and many other local politicions and bureaucrats would surely do likewise. They could all become born-again environmentalists. Their reward would be our respect. And perhaps they might explain what motivates them to represent 15% 
instead of 85% of their constituents.

The Cape Cod Commission should grant the same approvals to Cape Wind as they did without fuss or delay for the nearly identical cables carrying electricity to Nantucket. Those planners responsible for stimulating job growth here should be actively helping to bring turbine jobs for our young workers, not fighting against such opportunities.

If the Chambers of Commerce really want to be helpful to those in the tourist industries they should align themselves with Cape Wind and begin planning to capitalize on the boon in eco-tourism that always comes to communities hosting seacoast windfarms, an indisputable worldwide phenomenon. Any lingering doubts about that would disappear if they sent a representative on the May 2009 tour of  British and Danish windfarms sponsored by Clean Power Now.

Finally, it is time for the Alliance to gracefully concede that their obdurate campaign of opposition has lost all credibility and acknowledge they cannot stop progress by adding to their string of losses in endless court battles, or by enlisting the aid of convicted Senator Stevens and the remote Minnesotan Representative Oberstar.  Their legal ploys only succeed in transferring coal industry money to the legal industry. Also, they can't be unaware of how silly they look when they claim the permitting process is moving too fast.  Everyone in the area has read ad nauseam reports on all the research that has gone on for year after year after year. There must be some virtue in recognizing that it is tent-folding time.

We Cape Codders have a choice: do we want to be known for leadership or backwardness?

Richard C. Bartlett
Cotuit, MA

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Congressman threatens Coast Guard in effort to block Cape Wind

Congressman Oberstar taking a page out of Senmator Ted Stevens playbook
Threatens Coast Guard in effort to block Cape Wind approval

By Clean Power Now Executive Director Barbara Hill

Reminiscent of Senator Ted Steven's effort to derail the regulatory review process for Cape Wind, Congressman James Oberstar (D-Minnesota) is attempting to block the Federal Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to be released this month.

This extension is clearly a device to create further obstacles for Cape Wind at a time when the country needs and is ready to move toward wind power energy

As Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Oberstar sent a letter to Commandant Thad Allen of the Coast Guard this week 'requesting' an extraordinary review of the Coast Guard's ruling that Cape Wind does not present any navigation hazards. Congressman Oberstar's letter comes at the request of opponents of the project and a number of Massachusetts elected officials who have long used their political clout to fight the wind farm.

Congressman Oberstar asked for this extension at the 11th hour and after 8 years of regulatory review. This is clearly a device to create further obstacles for Cape Wind at a time when the country needs and is ready to move toward wind power energy.

Eighty-six percent of Massachusetts residents support Cape Wind. Wealthy opponents of the project continue to pull every trick in the book to further delay this important renewable energy project. Senator Stevens attempts to intimidate the Coast Guard didn't work in 2005 and we are committed to ensuring that Congressman Oberstar's maneuvers meet the same fate.

Oberstar's actions are in direct conflict with President-elect Obama's commitment to a clean energy economy and the jobs it will create

Congressman Oberstar's actions are in direct conflict with President-elect Obama's commitment to a clean energy economy and the jobs it will create. It is also in direct conflict with Congressman Oberstar's membership on the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, where he has stated that he ‘strongly support[s] the development and distribution of technology that can make energy generation clean and sustainable.' Cape Wind is clean and sustainable technology, and Congressman Oberstar should withdraw his request that the Coast Guard commandant delay the release of its report.

Congressman Oberstar's dealing even threatens jobs in his own district. Offloading of wind turbines is a major growth industry at the port of Duluth, the largest city in his constituency. Massachusetts and Minnesota citizens need the jobs that wind power will create and urge Congressman Oberstar to reconsider this politically motivated

Oberstar's threat an implied threat to the Coast Guard.

Importantly, Congressman Oberstar's threat to hold hearings on the Coast Guard's position constitutes an implied threat to the Coast Guard. This comes at a time when we need to be increasing the Coast Guard budget for national security reasons. Port security is one of the primary challenges we face for homeland security. Even implied threats over the Coast Guard's budget are irresponsible and in conflict with Congressman Oberstar's own record.

About Clean Power Now
Clean Power Now, a member of Clean.org, is a non-profit organization that informs and empowers citizens to support viable renewable energy projects and policies and to secure their local and regional benefits.

Clean Power Now believes that timely development of such projects, in conjunction with energy efficiency and conservation, will bring about a clean and healthy environment, an improved economy and a more secure, sustainable America. Clean Power's immediate focus is to increase citizen support of offshore wind power in Nantucket Sound.

About TheClean and CSI
TheClean.org is a collaborative movement of state and local organizations and individuals who will encourage and support policy makers at all levels of government to implement new energy policies. TheClean.org campaign and the Civil Society Institute worked with grassroots organizations across the United States to help organize this movement.

The nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute is a think tank that serves as a catalyst for change by creating problem-solving interactions among people, and between communities, government and business that can help to improve society. Since 2003, CSI has conducted more than 20 major surveys and reports on energy and auto issues, including vehicle fuel-efficiency standards, consumer demand for hybrids/other highly-fuel efficient vehicles, global warming and renewable energy. In addition to being a co-convener of TheCLEAN.org, the Civil Society Institute also is the parent organization of 40MPG.org and the Hybrid Owners of America.

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A pet's passing

Allie was a sweet, dignified old lady who lived with us at the office for the past two and one half years after we adopted her from the Brewster Animal Rescue League.  She was very gentle and enjoyed sharing affection with anyone who would let her invade their workspace.

The Rule of Allie

Rest well, m'lady.

Regards to all,

Bob Fellows, Masonic Angel Fund, Orleans.

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Physician Apologies

Physician Apologies

By Bruce Bierhans

The Cape Cod Times recently published an editorial supporting an evidentiary change making physician apologies inadmissable at trial. The following is a copy of my Letter to the Editor, published a few days later.

"The Cape Cod Times Nov.22 editorial "When doctors fail" reflects a basic lack of understanding regarding our civil justice system and the rights of victims to be compensated for acts of negligence.

"Your Nov.22 editorial "When doctors fail" reflects a basic lack of understanding regarding our civil justice system and the rights of victims to be compensated for acts of negligence.

To support your position for an evidentiary change making physician apologies inadmissable at trial, you resort to utilizing figures provided by a physicians "tort reform" (substitute the words "deprive patients of their rights") organization. You ignore the many studies conducted by other organizations such as Public Citizen that indicate that malpractice premiums have risen because of poor financial investments made by liability insurers, not by runaway verdicts.

Our system is based upon the principle of accountability. A professional, whether attorney, physician, accountant or architect, should be held accountable to those who have sustained physical injury or economoc loss. "I'm sorry" is not an adequate response to a family that has lost a family member or a worker who can no longer work for a lifetime as the result of an act of carelessness.

If one adopts the theory espoused in your editorial perhaps we should also let the villians who created the subprime crisis and the resulting economic mess off after a simple "I'm sorry." I don't think so.

Attorney Bierhans has 26 years of experience trying cases in both business and personal injury law. He has been a dedicated advocate for "the little guy" in both areas of the law, perhaps as a result of his Bronx, NYC upbringing. He has been an officer in the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys and has lectured both locally and nationally on issues related to trial practice. He has an AV rating from Martindale , the highest national rating available. Attorney Bierhans has offices in Chatham, Wellfleet and Stoughton. See his website here.

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A thanks to those who helped during successful Harwich food drive

To The Editor:

I use "The Letter to the Editor" to thank the community.

On Saturday, November 22, youth from Christ Church Episcopal in Harwichport conducted a very successful Food Drive for The Family Pantry of Harwich.  While our young people gave of their time to conduct the drive,  it was the compassion and generosity of the community that produced the wonderful results. 

We can't thank the Saturday shoppers enough!   Hosting the Food Drive was the Stop 'n  Shop in East Harwich and having the kind cooperation of one of its managers, Ms. Lynn Strouse.  With everybody working together, The Family Pantry of Harwich was the beneficiary of a lot of food.  It was particularly timely, inasmuch as requests for emergency food have increased over 65% this year at the pantry.

Thank you,

The Very Rev. Malcolm McDowell
Adviser to the Youth
Christ Church Episcopal
Harwichport, MA

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