Checking in with the Cell Tower

Cell Tower Pine Tree Appears to be Dying


Recent visit to the Woodstock Cell Tower-lots of downed "plastic branches"  and little green plastic "pine needle things" littering the landscape. What a waste the "frankentree" has been-at a cost of $250,000 to the town in lost revenue. Should also note that there is still no cell service to the west of Woodstock-5 years down the road. Going to be hard for candidates Wilber, McKenna and Magerelli to explain this away-all on their watch. In Jeremy's case, he signed the original agreement for the cell tower.

And Here Comes The Push For Gambling!

There is a lot of talk in the papers from State Senators and other officials about the move forward with gambling in Ulster County and New York State!

 Here are a few links to a website from State Senator Jamie Eldridge from Middlesex/Worcester Mass District on the negative effects of gambling on the local economy: Lots of pressure in Mass for gambling too!

http://www.senatoreldridge.com/issues/expanded-gambling-casinos-and-slots/expanded-gambling-is-bad-for-local-businesses

And check this out:

http://www.senatoreldridge.com/issues/expanded-gambling-casinos-and-slots/the-house-always-wins-how-the-gambling-industry-preys-on-addiction


Will a casino in Ellenville "help" the local economy?

http://www.senatoreldridge.com/issues/expanded-gambling-casinos-and-slots/predatory-slots-hurt-families-and-local-communities

Doesn't look like this is a win for locals at all. 

Biking in Our Nation's Capital

Washington, DC. Bike lanes heading north and south. Streets clearly marked. Both lanes on one side of the street. Parking moved out away from curb so bikes are not mingling with the traffic.

 

A sign for the Capital Bike Share Program. These stations are all over the city and are very popular. Note there are only two bikes left to share from a stand of about thirty.

 
Here's the pay station. Cost is $7 per day to rent the bike. 

 The bike locks into the stand. I think the way it works is they have your credit card in case the bike gets stolen and you use the locking stands (which are placed all over the city) to leave your bike for work or shopping.

 This was taken early in the morning, before the rush. 

 Here's how the DC meter maids get around.