The Boondocks blog, No. 75 for the week starting June 30, 2008.
Snowmobilers: Restore Depleted Funds
State Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms Provisions
A Couple of Stories on the Open Burning Ban
Heavy Rains Delay Hay Harvesting for Some Farmers
Comparison With Burlington Unfair to Plattsburgh
Year-round Farmers Market Being Discussed for Proctors
DEC Arrests Two in Timber Theft Case
High Gas Prices Threaten to Shut Down Rural Towns
Ford Gives F-150 New Focus in '09
DEC Adds Public Hearings On Proposed Rule to Eliminate Opening Burning Statewide
St Lawrence County to Begin Review of Trail System
Crossing the Country for a Cause
Lyme Disease Creeps North to Saratoga County
State Adopts Pool, Alarm Requirements
Energy looks at high energy prices and our future.
Enviroman looks at man and the environment.
Hayseeds looks at politics and life in our nation.
Individual looks at myself and how I'm changing
Outblog is all about my outdoor experiences.
Transit looks at the changing ways we get around.
Truck gives you stories and trips in my Ford Ranger.
It looks like now that the legislature has failed to restore the trail funds, they are petitioning the governor to do the right thing.
Apparently many states already clearly give their citizens the right to bear arms in their state constitutions, particularly out in the west.
Even Massachusetts does, although their courts have only upheld that as a collective right. Many western states, interpret it as an individual right, and it seems likely the US Supreme Court will eventually incorporate the second amendment into state laws via the fourteenth amendment.
Thanks to HCN's GOAT for the link.
We have Stueben County Legislature Passing a Resolution Against It, Town of Catskill Board Members Speaking Out Against It, Delware County Passing a Resolution Against It, and Columbia County Legislators Speaking Out Against It.
In addition, County Legislators in Clinton County, Allegany County, Chattaqua County, and Renselear County have spoke out against it, with the addition of several prominent Assemblyman like Magee, Gunther, and Parment.
But whos counting?
That's what the PoJo argues today.
Admittedly, this op-ed makes some good points—many that the Supreme Court makes. There needs to be reasonable restrictions on firearms, where there is a public safety threat, much like there is time, space, manor restrictions on public assembly and speech as necessary to protect public safety.
Reading the Heller court decision, it's clear that people have right to own a firearm, unless they are convicted of a felony and have not had the rights restored by a certificate of good conduct, or disqualified by involuntary commitment of a mental illness without a state revocation of that status. The state can put a cooling-off period and require a background check, and even a permit, but people must reasonably be able to clear those hurdles.
It's constitutional to deny felons the right to vote and to limit their right to assemble with other felons (for example). The Constitution has limits based on the potential for immenitent lawless action or a clear and present danger.
All the rain showers that we've been seeing lately has made the first cut of hay more difficult then usual, pushing it back several weeks for several weeks, which causes the hay to lose some of it's nutritional value.
Of course it is. There is no question that Plattsburgh is far more declassy then Burlington and damn proud of it. Plattsburgh also has a far greater share of rednecks then Burlington.
Regardless, Vermonters are generally much more yuppified then New Yorkers. Vermonters, even dirt poor dairyman seem to be so much uppity then even the worst of New Yorkers. The only thing going for all those Vermont yuppies, is that they don't have stupid New York City and all the stupid Sullivan law.
This is interesting.
SCHENECTADY — In addition to matinee tickets, a city committee hopes that this November people will be able to buy locally grown produce, beef, poultry and dairy products at Proctors.
The Schenectady Green Markets Development Committee wants to start a year-round farmers market at the theater. Organizing Chairman Richard Shave said Schenectady officials looked to the success of the Troy Farmers Market for an example.
Great.
Apparently timber rustling is well and alive in the Adirondacks, with two people being prosecuted on felony charges for hiring a timber company to illegally harvest a neighbor's forest.
Small towns where people are dependent on their cars, are suffering the most from high oil prices.
They are delaying the model by 3 months and focusing more on work-trucks with regular cabs, as that's the market that continues with high gas prices.
Just an FYI for those planning to send in comments or speak on this issue.
DEC Adds Public Hearings on Proposed Rule to Eliminate Opening Burning Statewide
Additional Hearings Scheduled for Further Opportunity to Comment
ALBANY, NY (07/02/2008; 1208)(readMedia)-- In an effort to expand opportunities for public input, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has scheduled additional hearings on the proposed changes to extend the ban on open burning statewide.
The proposed rule would ban most open burning statewide. Currently, it is only banned in cities, villages and in towns with population greater than 20,000. In addition, the revised rule will limit agricultural burning to naturally grown products such as vines, branches, leaves and stubble. It will also specifically allow such things as fire training, small cooking and camp fires, and ceremonial fires (e.g., proper disposal of U.S. flags by open burning).
DEC will provide interpreter services for deaf persons at no charge. Written requests for interpreter services are required and should be submitted by July 21, 2008, to Laura Stevens, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3250, 518- 402-8451; email, airregs@gw.dec.state.ny.us .
DEC will conduct a public information session for one hour prior to each of the public hearings listed below. During these sessions, DEC staff will entertain questions from the public concerning the proposed rulemaking. Each public information session will commence at 4 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. These sessions are intended to be informal and will not be part of the official hearing record. Any comments that the public wishes to be included in the record should be submitted during the official public hearing, or by email at the address listed below.
Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, Public Hearing: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Information Session: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Herkimer County Community College, Robert McLaughlin College Center, Hummel Corporate Center, 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer NY 13350.
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, Public Hearing: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Information Session: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. at SUNY Canton, Richard W. Miller Campus Center, Kingston Theater and Lobby, Canton, NY 13927.
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, Public Hearing: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Information Session: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Jamestown Community College, Training Center, Room 117, 10785 Bennett Road (Route 60), Dunkirk, NY 14048.
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, Public Hearing: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Information Session: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Allegany County Office Building, Legislative Board Chambers, 7 Court Street, Belmont, NY 14813.
At each hearing, persons who wish to make a statement will be invited to speak. It is requested that oral statements also be submitted in writing. DEC will give equal weight to written and oral statements, and since a cumulative record will be compiled it is not necessary for interested parties to attend each hearing. Information may be obtained from Robert Stanton, P.E., NYSDEC Division of Air Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany NY 12233-3254, telephone, 518 402-8403; email: 215fires@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
The deadline for submitting written statements regarding the proposed amendments, which originally was July 10, 2008, has been extended due to the additional hearings. All public comments must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., Aug, 14, 2008.
So you get another month to make your comments on this important issue. The Troy Record picked up on this news.
They are looking at building a variety of multiuse trails including ones for ATV use.
St. Lawrence County is taking the first step toward a far-reaching multipurpose trail system.
Legislators recently approved diving into the state's environmental review process for a countywide hiking, cycling, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle trail.
"Before we get into any of that, there's a lot that has to happen," said Legislator Alex A. MacKinnon, R-Fowler.
The trail is the county's lofty goal, but the recreational trail committee is instead looking to develop smaller projects throughout the county that could be connected someday.
Interesting.
Mick Thompson, a 51-year old cowboy from Wyoming was in Amsterdam as part of his horseback trip from Oregon to Maine, to gain attention to the frequent use of obscenity in our society.
What an interesting story and a fascinating person. It must be certainly interesting to travel the country on horseback, and see so much more of the world that you wouldn't see making the whole trip on automobile. My hats off for him.
With climate change it seems like Lyme diease is becoming prevelant in Saratoga County for the first time.
All new swimming pools must have alarms to prevent unauthorized kiddies entering them.
Terri looks at the impact of gas pirces on small hobby farms like her own.
