Learn to listen to the birds

GlidePath executive’s claims are dubious

Dear Editor, The GlidePath chief development officer’s July 2nd letter to Ulster County Executive Michael Hein generates more misconceptions than it seeks to correct.

Peter Rood portrays his business as an experienced, clean energy company fulfilling our local energy needs. Factually, the project would be GlidePath’s first attempt at a fossilfuel plant.

He also conflates downstate energy needs with ours — a misrepresentation. A local energy economist asserts the project would double current levels of residential and commercial pollution in the town of Ulster — not a “minor source of air emissions” — and residents would pay for that dubious privilege.

Rood said, “Zone G does not include densely populated Westchester.” Wrong. Energy maps show that Zone G includes parts of Westchester.

Rood implies that Hein exaggerated the height of smokestacks at 100 feet. GlidePath’s EAF Part 1 identifies stacks being 100 feet. The applicant now proposes to lower them to 80 feet or less. Lower smoke stacks improve an ugly view from afar, but worsens pollution effects to local people and animals. Appearance for Rood trumps health.

Rood suggests hypocrisy of Hein because county agencies store petroleum. Somehow, this strained logic justifies GlidePath storing 50,000 gallons of their diesel in the middle of a 121-acre forest.

Lastly, Rood says that his project is “cleaner than coal or oil.” Maybe so, maybe not.

Thus far, all the GlidePath documents on emissions were either unstated or understated.

Regis Obijiski Town of Ulster, N.Y.

Real ID requirement is really unbelievable

(Editor’s note: New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles recently urged motorists to get a Real ID that meets federal identification standards, when they renew their driver’s license to avoid having to make another trip to the state agency.) Dear Editor, This is just unbelievable. I have lived my last 69 years in New York state in Kingston, N.Y.

Grew up in Kingston, N.Y., since 1949.

Went to school in Kingston, N.Y. Married in New York state . Bought a house in New York state.

Worked in city government in Kingston, N.Y.

Fathered two children in Kingston, N.Y.

Have a license to drive in New York state.

Have a New York state pistol license.

And, now, I have to show you whoIam?

So what are we now? A fascist state. Hello, Big Brother. Heil Trump. David M. Wolff Kingston, N.Y.

Fondly remembering the late Glenn Noonan

Dear Editor, It was with personal sadness that I read of former Ulster County Legislator Glenn Noonan’s passing.

Glenn had called me years ago asking if he could help to advocate for people with disabilities served by the then Ulster-Greene ARC, where I was employed.

Of course, I said yes, but with the trepidation that we might get manipulated by yet another politician just looking to grandstand.

That was more than two decades ago and Glenn until very recently continued to help and to volunteer at ARC’s Brookside School, where he became a bestfriend-forever. Mind you, he had long gone from politics and never asked anything of Brookside other than when he could come and volunteer.

He was the guy at many graduations and parties with the biggest smile on his face and the biggest heart in his chest.

Glenn always spoke with pride and love about his own family while downplaying health issues that he faced. Thank you, Glenn and the Noonan family, for your kindness. He will always be remembered with gratitude. Jo Galante Cicale Saugerties, N.Y. Dear Editor, Are you listening? I am not talking about political discourse often heard today.

Are you listening to birds in your backyard?

I have been listening to birds in my backyard for last 20 years, equal to music that I listen to on Spotify or iTunes. Bird are everywhere and most of my birds are locals, appearing year after year, born and brought up here at home.

Golf courses are another area that I can listen to birds in high canopies without seeing them. That even adds to my surrounding when walking the golf course for four hours.

Each bird sings at a specific time of the day — for example, Carolina wren at 5 a.m., cardinal at 6 a.m., tufted titmouse at 7 a.m., robin at 8 a.m. and mocking bird all day long, etc.

My dogs respond to a great horned owl on my hill that sounds like “Who is awake, me too.”

I plan to teach my grandchildren the great symphony in my backyard. My kids who grew up here and now live in New York City accept this as crazy talk by an old man.

I started listening to birds after hearing Richard Guthrie on WAMC / Northeast Public Radio on a birding program reference buying a compact disc, “Birding by Ear.” It opened a whole new world of music for me.

Today, you can also download an app on your smartphone, “BirdGenie.” You can point your phone at the bird song and it will identify the bird.

This will be a great love affair between the musician and the listener free of charge for the rest of your long life. Thomas Koshy Kingston, N.Y.