1. | Dec 14, 2013

Hi, Mickey I found you through the ineviertw you did with Daphne Grant-Grey. Your website is fun to read. This piece drew my attention with the title "Brain Work" and then your sentence "it is Ukrainian New Year's Day" stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb. I need to be picky and accurate: January 14th is NOT Ukrainian New Year's day. In 1582 Pope Gregory issued a decree, basically dropping 13 days from the calendar in use since Julius Caesar's time (aka Julian calendar) and created a new calendar, since adopted by most of the western world now known as the Gregorian calendar. The Russian Orthodox and other Orthodox Christian churches refused to follow Pope Gregory's example, insisted on remaining with the Julian calendar which calculated Easter using siderial time, vs Pope Gregory and friends who calculated it using solar time This is a simplified explanation of a complicated subject I am not qualified to go much deeper. Anyhow, as a Russian Orthodox Christian, I am familiar with the 13 day difference in the two calendars. When I was young, my friends and I, looking for an excuse for a party, would get together to celebrate the "Old" New Year. Folks in Ukraine and living abroad probably do the same thing, for fun. In short, it is not an exclusively Ukrainian tradition. You have a beautiful blog, otherwise. Best wishes, Elena

2. | Dec 13, 2013

Hi FredWith or without PSE&G spnrsooing the luncheon those lines will be built. They will be built with or without approvals from the BPU as well. PSE&G has skipped the local municipal process because, rightly so, it is useless. How many elected officials would take an objective look at the real issues knowing many voters are upset. The idea of conducting informational meetings in all towns affected is fine. It is also always good form to listen to concerns and address issues presented. Again, to think that any town would publicly endorse this project is pure nonsense. Now while the BPU is being represented as the approval entity the reality is they to could very easily by bypassed and over ruled by the federal agencies. So this brings me to the nagging question in Montville Township as I sit as a township Committee member. Why don’t towns focus on the safety concerns and clear cutting issues? Even PSE&G has stated they are willing to take EMF measurements to bench line EMF on the existing 230KV line. Of course my 2 cent opinion is our BPU should mandate these measurements for all towns and force PSE&G to document the test equipment and methods used as well as taking those measurements in the summer months when usage is at its highest. The reality is that the possibility does exist the EMF levels could be lower with the new transmission line because some of the EMF would cancel out since two transmission lines will be operating on the same towers.Art Daughtry