Unleashed : Ostrich Update - Andrew Cuomo v. Indian Point Nukes

Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York

Previously, we discussed early childhood adventures at Indian Point. Although it is unlikely to bring back the unleashed ostriches formerly boarded there, Governor Andrew Cuomo wants the Indian Point Power Plant closed down after an earthquake report.  This was mentioned today in the Huffington Post and is based on a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists.  

Click to see details.

Cuomo said in a press conference:

The suggestion is that of all the [104] power plants across the country, that the Indian Point power plant is most susceptible to an earthquake because Reactor No. 3 is on a fault [line].

Think this problem is just for the NY Yankees and their fans? Well, number two on the riskiest reactors in the US is in Plymouth MA!!

The full list of top 10 riskiest NPPs in the US:

1.  Indian Point 3, Buchanan, N.Y.: 1 in 10,000 chance each year. Old estimate: 1 in 17,241. Increase in risk: 72 percent.
2.  Pilgrim 1, Plymouth, Mass.: 1 in 14,493. Old estimate: 1 in 125,000. Increase in risk: 763 percent.
3.  Limerick 1 and 2, Limerick, Pa.: 1 in 18,868. Old estimate: 1 in 45,455. Increase in risk: 141 percent.
4. Sequoyah 1 and 2, Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.: 1 in 19,608. Old estimate: 1 in 102,041. Increase in risk: 420 percent.
5. Beaver Valley 1, Shippingport, Pa.: 1 in 20,833. Old estimate: 1 in 76,923. Increase in risk: 269 percent.
6. Saint Lucie 1 and 2, Jensen Beach, Fla.: 1 in 21,739. Old estimate: N/A.
7. North Anna 1 and 2, Louisa, Va.: 1 in 22,727. Old estimate: 1 in 31,250. Increase in risk: 38 percent.
8. Oconee 1, 2 and 3, Seneca, S.C.: 1 in 23,256. Old estimate: 1 in 100,000. Increase in risk: 330 percent.
9. Diablo Canyon 1 and 2, Avila Beach, Calif.: 1 in 23,810. Old estimate: N/A.
10. Three Mile Island, Middletown, Pa.: 1 in 25,000. Old estimate: 1 in 45,455. Increase in risk: 82 percent.

Possible Brush Fires at Willard's Woods on 3/18, 3/24

This is a forest fire in Croatia, not Willard's

The Lexington Conservation Division will conduct two controlled brush pile burns at Willard’s Woods and Parker Meadow conservation areas prior to April 30, 2011 in order to destroy biomass from invasive species that have been cut from the property. Currently, the burn dates are set for March 18 and March 24, but it is possible that these dates may change depending on burn conditions.

For safety, the Conservation Division asks that visitors to Willard’s Woods and Parker Meadow avoid the brush piles while the fires are burning and leash their dogs near the fires. Members of the Lexington Conservation Stewards, a volunteer stewardship organization, as well as staff from the Conservation Division, will tend to the burn. Burn permits have been obtained from the Fire Department, and proper procedures according to the Fire Department will be followed.

Questions can be directed to the Conservation office at landstewards@lexingtonma.gov or 781-862-0500 extension 240.

Xoloitzcuintle (apolitical)

Mexican hairless dogs. Pronounced SHOH-loyts-KWEENT-lee.  Unleashed in Mexico.

More about Nancy Bryant - Precinct 3 Town Meeting Candidate

I'm running for Town Meeting in Precinct 3.  I would greatly appreciate your vote on Monday, March 7!!  It's a contested race for Precinct 3 Town Meeting Members with 8 strong candidates running for 7 seats.  I'm inspired to run because of how unfairly the dog walking issue at Willard's Woods has been handled by the Conservation Commission. More about me at the bottom of this message.

I'd greatly appreciate your vote and your help in spreading the word amongst your friends and neighbors in Precinct 3 to vote for me!

Thank you for your support!

You can contact me at bryantnab@yahoo.com 


All my best,

Nancy Bryant

Nancy A. Bryant

Candidate for Town Meeting Member: Precinct 3

Nancy and Kipper (Kip just became a certified therapy dog!!)

Lexington resident for over 20 years

Lexington Community Activities:

Friends of Willard’s Woods Steering Committee: 2010-present

Elected Town Meeting Member, Precinct 3: 2003-2009

Citizens Against Pay-As-You-Throw: (opposing PAYT due to design/social flaws)

Shawsheen Watershed Stream Team Member: 1997-1999

Child Assault Prevention Project Volunteer, RePlace, Inc.: 1992-1993

Also participate in many other volunteer activities outside of Lexington

Education: Bowdoin College, B.A.; University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.S.; Lesley University, M.Ed.

Career: Executive Director of SuAsCo Watershed Community Council, MA, an environmental non-profit; Sixth Grade Math & Science Teacher, Belmont, MA; Environmental Scientist with AECOM and Gradient; Staff Writer for Earthwatch Radio Program, Madison, WI; Aquatic Biologist for State of Vermont

Special interests: environmental issues, elder care advocacy, rescue dogs, promoting greater respect for the teaching profession, volunteerism

“Disheartened by the Conservation Commission’s mishandling of Willard’s Woods and concerned about the imperious attitude expressed by some of Lexington’s elected and appointed officials, I am motivated to run for election to Town Meeting to try to make a difference from “inside the system”.  I will listen to my constituents and work to restore respect and collaboration to Lexington’s political system.  I would appreciate the opportunity to serve Precinct 3 and I would be honored to have your vote.”

Town Meeting Election on March 7

Please contact your town meeting member candidates and ask them what they think about Willard’s Woods, especially regarding the weekend restrictions and the permit system. If you learn anything, we can publicize it in a message here. Let us know what you find out at friendsofwillardswoods@gmail.com.

Email addresses of all current town meeting members can be found at:
http://www.lexingtontmma.org/index.php?n=Main.Members

Lists of candidates are at:

http://ci.lexington.ma.us/townclerk/electioncalendar.cfm

PRECINCT 2:

There are only 4 people running for 8 Town Meeting slots.  That means that write-ins can get into Town Meeting.  It’s a good opportunity for FOWW members who live in Precinct 2 to write in themselves so we get more dog lovers in Town Meeting.

PRECINCT 3:

Nancy Bryant can be reached at bryantnab@yahoo.com

PRECINCT 9:

In Precinct 9, there's a big race for Town Meeting - lots of candidates. Jeanne Canale supports the FOWW position at Willard’s.

Thanks!

Proposed New Signage for Willard's Woods

Now that the ConCom plans to adopt the Boulder dog control rules, new signs will have to be created to explain these rules to Easterners. The only sign that is necessary is a big one that says


PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG


in large letters.  However, here are some other signs that capture the mood of the dog walkers.

ConCom votes to extend existing rules for 6 more months

A Dean Forest HOOF movement sign in the UK.  The people won.

The ConCom met on 2/22 and decided to extend the current regulations (no weekend unleashed dog walking) for 6 months until 9/1.  There was some discussion of changing the weekend hours to include morning hours, but nothing was changed. They will continue to implement a permit system with input from various parties, including dog walkers. It seems that they will also try to push through some other restrictions before then - like the 2 dog rule, no dogs off leash in the parking lot or first 150 feet, etc. See the report for details.

If you want to hear and see the meeting go to

     http://www.lexmedia.org/ondemand.html

Choose Category: Town of Lexington and select the 22-Feb-2011.  The Willard's Woods part starts at 26.00 minutes (you can slide ahead).