LETTERS

Letters to editor, 4/23

State budget addresses key environmental issues

The recently enacted state budget is a resounding environmental victory for New York state and reaffirms New York’s leadership role in terms of open space, clean energy and infrastructure investment.

Thanks to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature, the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) is at a historic high of $300 million, including new funds to reduce greenhouse gases and address climate change. Further, the state budget invests heavily in state parks and historic sites, open space, aging water and wastewater infrastructure, electric vehicles and a host of critical environmental programs.

The smart, targeted investments made in the state budget should come as no surprise. Since 2011, Cuomo has worked successfully with the Legislature on tough environmental issues that many thought were intractable. The governor secured passage of overdue brownfield reforms, made historic additions to the State Forest Preserve, established one of the most aggressive targets for renewable power in the country and dramatically lowered emissions from the state’s power plants. Under his leadership, the Department of Environmental Conservation banned the use of high volume hydraulic fracturing.

The budget is a win for the Hudson Valley and the entire state. The enhanced EPF will help protect farmland, upgrade sewage treatment plants, protect water supplies and help the region adapt to climate change. The region’s parks will benefit from EPF stewardship and capital project funds. All of these investments will create jobs and increase tourism.

This is what environmental leadership looks like and we should all celebrate.

Kim Elliman

President

The Open Space Institute

New York, NY

Attending Seder will grant worthwhile insight

With the Jewish Passover starting, now is a perfect time for Christians to get acquainted with their Jewish roots.

How anti-semitism ever arose in the church is beyond me. Paul makes it clear that we are the adopted children. The Jewish people are the natural ones. In fact, it is impossible to understand much of what Jesus said and did without remembering he was a Jew fulfilling Jewish scripture.

The Last Supper is a perfect example. It wasn’t so much the Last Supper as the last Seder.

The mysteries of the gospel come alive as Jesus fulfills Passover from the blood of the lamb on the door posts, so the Angel of Death will passover the matzah or unleavened bread (unleavened being a sign of sinlessness) broken and scarred as Jesus was; the four cups of wine and their meaning; the afikomen wrapped in linen and hidden.

I encourage everyone to attend a Seder if you can. If not, watch one online. Passover is available to all of us. Let the symbolism of the Seder shine the light of understanding on our faith and open our eyes to new insights of scripture like the men on the road to Emmaus.

Jeffrey Mahoney

Hyde Park

Tivoli talent event a success to remember

The 2016 “Tivoli’s Got Talent” event is now part of Tivoli history.

On April 8, more than 20 talented performers got up on stage amidst the beautiful stained glass windows at Murray’s Café and entertained close to 200 local residents.

Local, nationally known actor and director Steve Young was our emcee and he introduced a variety of performers playing musical instruments, dancing and singing. Attendees had delicious food treats donated by the community while they watched the show and caught up with friends they had not seen all winter.

The Tivoli Free Library and the library board would like to thank all the people who made this wonderful event possible.

Linda Legendre

Tivoli