Published: April 19, 2007 06:26 pm      

LETTERS: April 20's letters to the editor

Speak up for Great Lakes

It is time, once again, for concerned citizens to act to protect our region.

Last year, a bill was introduced in the state Senate and Assembly to protect the Great Lakes. It stated that no licenses could be granted for any commercial toxic waste landfill facilities wastes that have potential to leak into the Great Lakes. There is a toxic landfill application pending in Niagara County.

This legislation passed virtually unanimously in the Senate and Assembly last year. Sadly, Gov. George Pataki vetoed it despite huge support for the law from citizens, newspapers and many groups. We are very grateful to Sen. George Maziarz and Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte for their effort on this legislation. We continue to believe that the Great Lakes Hazardous Waste Bill is the most effective legislation for our community and the state.

Now we have a new governor whom we think may sign this law and protect us. The Great Lakes is a tremendous asset for our region and, in fact, for the world, with 20 percent of the fresh surface water on the globe located here.

The bill has been re-introduced in the Assembly as bill number 248 by Assemblywoman DelMonte. But it has not yet been reintroduced in the Senate.

Senator Maziarz has introduced a different bill, number 2726, which does not provide the protection of last year’s bill or strengthen existing law.

We need Senator Maziarz to withdraw 2726 and we need to give him the support and courage to re-introduce 248 in the Senate.

So, everyone’s help is needed. Phone Senator Maziarz today. Ask him to withdraw 2726, introduce 248, and then work hard to get it passed. He can do that for us if he knows that’s what we want and need.

You can call him at 731-8740 or, in Albany, at (518) 455-2024. Call him today.

April Fideli, president

Residents for Responsible Government Inc.



A plan to reunify Ireland

Ireland must have a new future. The fact is the country should be reunified. Reunification would be a good thing for northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It would end the years of strife and ill will between Catholics and Protestants.

I favor a united Ireland with four small assemblies, one each for the Irish provinces of Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connacht under the Irish Dail in Dublin. In other words, a federal structure of government for a united Ireland.

The first step is an all-Ireland convention to discuss possible solutions for Ireland. The second step is a joint British-Irish referendum on reunification.

The final step would be negotiations between the representatives of the British, Irish and northern Irish governments toward the reunification of Ireland.

John W. O’Day

Forestville