Published: September 28, 2008 01:29 am            

LETTERS: Sept. 28, 2008

Candidates, please support energy conservation



I am writing to urge the candidates in Indiana’s 9th U.S. Congressional District to take a strong position supporting energy conservation and clean, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

The thousands of petitions we delivered to Baron Hill and Mike Sodrel supporting the Greenpeace Global Warming campaign demonstrate growing support for an energy policy that looks beyond oil.

Global warming is here; we can only hope to minimize the effects through immediate reductions in greenhouse gases released by fossil fuels. Fortunately, conservation and renewables make good economic and security sense in addition to lessening global warming.

Higher efficiency standards can help, as can changing our driving habits (illustrated by the recent reduced demand for fuel). Once you invest in the equipment to generate electricity from the sun or wind, it is essentially free from that point. Every dollar we spend on domestically-produced renewable energy strengthens our economy and technological leadership, rather than unfriendly governments overseas.

All candidates should join with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support: reduced air pollution, increased energy efficiency, and clean, renewable energy.

Learn more about Greenpeace and global warming at projecthotseat.org.

— Bryon R. Lovett, New Albany



Open letter to Harvest Homecoming



Dear Harvest Homecoming board, vendors, patrons and friends,

As the weather cools and we turn our sights on New Albany’s greatest celebration, Harvest Homecoming, I thought I might take a moment to welcome you to my neighborhood and the site of many of this year’s festivities, downtown New Albany.

Since your last visit you may notice some changes, such as new landscaping and fresh paint. My neighbors and I are very proud.

If you haven’t met them I would like to introduce you. They are the old and new residents of this beautiful historic district, the business owners, the artists, the chefs and servers, the karate kids, the bikers, the skaters, the Greenway walkers, the Farmer’s Market shoppers, the bankers, the lawyers, the community organizers, the musicians, and the sidewalk sitter to name a few.

We have worked very hard in the past year to bring a bit of life back to our neighborhood and we hope that you will visit more than once this year.

So when you come see us in October be sure to stop and say hello, have a wonderful time at the Festival, and please — be respectful of our front yard.

— J.T. Bergman, downtown resident, New Albany

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.