Letters to the Editor for May 9

National Grid plan OK for stockholders, but not ratepayers

In the interests of energy consumers throughout upstate New York, the Public Service Commission should reject National Grid’s recent proposal to enter the energy-efficiency business [May 6 Gazette].

Without question, we need to significantly increase our investment in energy efficiency here in our state and throughout the nation. However, I believe our state needs to implement programs that are proven and do not unnecessarily burden energy consumers.

Currently, New York is fortunate to have the most cost-effective energy-efficiency programs in the nation, which are administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority [NYSERDA]. For a decade, NYSERDA’s award-winning programs have delivered tremendous benefits to consumers without the financial “incentives” monopoly that utilities like National Grid require from ratepayers. Incentives will needlessly raise consumer rates and enrich the profit margins of utilities.

Additionally, utilities need to focus on delivering electricity in a safe and reliable fashion before venturing into new, profit-making endeavors. Last fall, National Grid was penalized because it failed to meet critical service reliability measures for three straight years. Customer service has also eroded due to significant reductions in work force. These reductions have also impacted the response time of emergency personnel.

Finally, there is already a proceeding under way at the PSC to examine the future road map for delivering energy-efficiency programs in New York state. National Grid should work with stakeholders in that existing process to best serve its customers — rather than skirting the process in order to enrich its shareholders. A comprehensive energy-efficiency program, which is being developed through the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard proceeding, will best serve the needs of energy consumers throughout New York.

Paul D. Tonko

Amsterdam

The writer recently resigned as CEO of NYSERDA to run for Congress in New York’s 21st district.

Scaffold law saves by reducing injuries

New York state’s scaffold law protects workers by putting the onus for safety where it belongs — on the contractors and property owners who are in charge of and profit from the work sites.

In a recent Court of Appeals decision, the focus of the May 2 Daily Gazette editorial, the bench rejected the “Sgt. Schultz” defense of a building owner who claimed to know nothing about work contracted by a tenant. A hoist failed, and a worker was injured when struck by a falling one-ton air conditioner. If the court had absolved the defendant of all liability because a tenant violated a clause in a lease, that would have created a loophole for thousands of other owners to escape the consequences of safety violations and dangerous conditions by conveniently signing away their responsibilities.

Laws and regulations that promote safety often cost money — just like seat belts and air bags in automobiles. But in the long run, worthy measures such as the scaffold law save lives, prevent injuries, cut medical costs, reduce insurance premiums and improve the quality of life in New York.

Jeff S. Korek

New York City

The writer is president of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

Change library plan to avoid long closure

We are dismayed to learn that the main library in Schenectady will be closed for 18 months while being renovated. This is an unacceptable decision. Library services can’t be denied to the 1,400 people who use them every day.

The downtown library attracts many people from both within and outside the city. We use that library for materials not available at our Niskayuna branch. The fact that the downtown library attracts people to the city is one of its primary assets. We frequently combine a visit to the library with shopping at the stores on Jay Street, buying vegetables at the farmers’ market or getting a latte at Villa Italia. The financial impact of this decision on Schenectady’s economy cannot be overstated.

We also are aware of many downtown library users who use library services within the facility but may not be actual borrowers. These people depend on that library for computer access, a location for tutoring and a place to read newspapers and other materials. They may not have transportation to one of the branch libraries — you can’t assume that they have other options for library service.

The plans for the library should be reviewed from the perspective of maintaining downtown library services throughout the construction process. If it’s impossible for the library to remain open throughout the construction process, then another suitable temporary downtown location must be found. If this involves additional expense, then the library plans must be adjusted. For example, the cafe should be eliminated. (A cafe would compete with existing commercial establishments in the neighborhood and isn’t part of the library’s mission.) Furthermore, we aren’t convinced of the need to destroy the McChesney Room.

It’s clear that the planning process hasn’t been as thorough as it should have been. As much as we are eager for the library to be improved, this project must be put on hold until a suitable plan for downtown library service is developed.

David and Patricia Gosda

Niskayuna

Y should welcome seniors’ Silver Sneakers

Your May 3 editorial, “YMCA would be great fit at Center City,” and article, “Legislators take home millions in pork funding,” have prompted me to draw to your attention to the fact that tax dollar grants — “member items” — do not benefit all taxpaying citizens, especially senior citizens.

For example, four years ago an award-winning fitness program, “Silver Sneakers,” was offered to Medicare seniors by an HMO in our area. Now this program is offered by five or more HMOs.

The Capital District YMCA has steadfastly refused to cooperate with the insurers to provide their facilities for this fitness and health program. This program is offered at the Saratoga and Fulton County YMCAs, the Jewish Community Centers in Niskayuna and Albany, and now the YWCA of Schenectady.

It’s imperative for senior citizens to have access to aqua-exercise facilities because exercise in water is low-impact and, according to the Arthritis Foundation, osteoarthritis affects up to 80 percent of the elderly population.

Why, then, do the Capital District YMCAs (Albany, Schenectady, Troy, East Greenbush, Guilderland, Glenville, Bethlehem and Southern Saratoga) receive so many member-item dollars and not offer their facilities for the “Silver Sneaker” program?

A.F. Hiris

Clifton Park

Sausville fights good fight vs. development

Sometimes being a great public servant means standing up against powerful special interests. In Malta, Supervisor Paul Sausville has stood tall in the face of big development and its allies on the town board. He has faced fierce opposition and been the subject of many political attacks because he has stood with the residents against out-of-control growth. An example of this is the planned mega-projects of the out-of-touch land brokers and developers who would line Route 9 with five-story big-box condos and parallel parking on Route 9! We don’t need a city-like downtown.

A key goal in good government is assuring the public that government decisions are made based on the public’s interests — not narrow private or self-serving ones. Paul has nothing to gain by standing against developers (who often fund political campaigns). He is doing the right thing by standing with the majority of residents in Malta, who want big developers to slow down in Malta. He may take political hits for this, but I think he stands with the most important special interest in our community — the hard-working families who call Malta home.

As a longtime resident of Malta, I’m proud of the stand Paul has taken on development.

Claudia J. Smith

Malta