Tuesday's Thunder

Quite the storm this morning.  All the necessary elements for a classic thunderstorm.  Kind of hard to be sitting out on the deck though with no canopy thanks to the last storm.  Well at least it is suppose to be warm enough so that the seat cushions will dry out today.

Enough chit chat.

It would seem that must see T.V. is back.    If it wasn't a must see for you last night, catch the tape.  I speak of the Board of Health meeting.

Nothing earth shattering.  No awe and shock.  Down right civil.

What made this a must watch meeting?

The DEP Deputy Regional Director Laurel Carlson.  She is the person in charge of conducting the study.

I watched last night's Board of Health meeting, and it was clear to me that the star of the night was The Deputy Director.

There were attempts here and there to slip her up; derail her, argue with her, etc. They couldn't land a blow.  

Honestly, I absolutely cannot believe at this point what some people are actually thinking when they go about trying to make a point.

Folks let me tell you something, once more.  The biggest disservice going on in this debate has been tactics.  While last night was extremely mild compared to the past and down right civil in tone, the tenor of some was another matter.  The attacks may have been masked, but not well hidden.

Not everyone who asked questions falls into this category, but alas more than there should have been did.

You got to like the non-Fairhaven guy bringing up the Wood School. 

Let us put Wood School in the light it should be.  We have one selectmen with a legal opinion that puts Wood School farther outside the zone than the selectman is.  Maybe that fact was not known to the speaker.  I doubt if it would have mattered.

The study is going to get done.  Unless there is a violation found, there are going to be some unhappy people.  There will be accusations of an inadequate and flawed study.  Not the right equipment, not the right locations, not enough locations, not the right "sound".  It is that simple.  We all know it.  

And just as simple, if the study finds a violation, it must remedied immediately.  

No if, and or buts.  We were promised turbines that would comply with applicable noise standards.  

While the town level may be higher, the state level is what it was at the time, and is what it is now.  The town and developers knew or should of known they have a legal obligation to comply with the stricter state level.  

If not in compliance, than no excuses, no arguments about this or that.  Again, it should be that simple.

The study is going to get done.  The audible noise will be measured, the results will in fact be the beginning of the end on the matter.  Again, from my personal perspective, it is that simple.

On another matter, not so simple ...

Some of you might be surprised to know that I am not a personal supporter of the death penalty.  It is a personal decision.  Quite frankly it has nothing to do with the "cruel and unusual" arguments or the "civilized world" positions.  

I can make strong arguments that it is neither.

First, the cost of "imposing" the sanction of death isn't worth it.  In most cases it is cheaper to lock them up and throw away the key. 

I suppose fundamentally, the true basis of my argument is the fact that there are just too many examples of executing or imposing the death sentence on individuals who are found to be innocent subsequently.

It is a matter that will be debated forever I think.  I only bring it up because periodically something happens that sorely tests one's belief in such matters.  This being the mass murders in Colorado.

However the good people of Colorado decide to deal with this man, is a decision rightfully in their hands.

An article in today's S-T details the pay raise for the City Councilors in New Bedford.  Interesting read.