PRESORTED STANDARD PERMIT #3036 WHITE PLAINS NY

Vol. VI No. III Thursday, January 19, 2012 $1.00 Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly

Creating a Monster Life without Page 5 Indian Point? By ABBY LUBY, Page 10 Creative Disruption Page 8

OCD: THe World Within Page 11

Porgy & Bess Page 13

There’s Life... And Then There’s Living Page 14

Oppenheimer Will Not Seek Re-election Page 15

The Political Losing the Fight Against Crime in New Femme Fatale Rochelle Transparency, Respect, Arrogance, Page 19 Strategy, Honesty Hating Tim Tebow By HEZI ARIS, Page 23 Page 24

westchesterguardian.com Page 10 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, January 19, 2012

ENERGY MATTERS

state’s economy and electrical lines from upstate or Canada include Life without Indian Point? system? And how can we tap into the Champlain Hudson Cable, New York Power the surplus electricity being gener- Pathway, and the West Point Transmission Line. By ABBY LUBY ated by facilities in upstate New Gonzalez warned that replacement York, electricity that could replace NEW YORK, NY -- In Indian Point’s output? a landmark public hearing last Prohibiting the flow of needed electricity to Thursday, January 12, 2012, state the southern part of New York and to New York lawmakers listened to testimony City is known as “transmission congestion.” on the potential effects of closing “The last transmission upgrade was in down the Indian Point nuclear power plants just 1987,” Brennan told NYISO Chief Operating 24 miles north of . In a public Joseph Oates, Con Edison Vice President of hearing that lasted most of the day here in lower Energy Management. , the New York State Assembly Committee on Energy heard from regulatory Gonzalez said NYISO used a model study that and utility brass who support the continued looked at a generic solution to congestion where operation of the twin reactors in Buchanan and the cost ratio benefits were greater than one. “In from experts who want to shutter the 40 year old general, the beneficiaries [rate payers] would twin reactors. have to pay for the upgrade.” The hearing room was filled to capacity. NYISO oversees and operates New York’s More than 16 Assembly members sat on the

Anti nuclear activist at Indian Point public hearing.

resources must be in place before closing Indian Gary Shaw, Croton-on-Hudson resident who Point. “Failure to do that will have serious reli- resides near the Indian Point nuclear power Protesters outside the Indian Point public ability consequences and an increase in rolling plant. hearing held on Thursday, January 12, 2012, blackouts.” at 250 Broadway. Verbal sparring about the reliability of electricity produced by Indian Point to panel led by Assemblyman Kevin A. Cahill, the plant’s safety reliability was initiated by Chairman of the Committee on Energy, and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee from Rockland. Assemblyman James F. Brennan. Testimony, Jaffee intoned a history of accidental shutdowns which was by invitation only, was heard from at Indian Point, including the most recent shut- the New York Independent System Operators down last Monday from a broken pump seal at A crowded room at the Indian Point public (NYISO), Con Ed, New York Public Service Unit 2. hearing held in New York City. “Given an aging plant and its shutdowns, how can you suggest that Indian Point is a reli- electricity grid and plans for future energy needs able source of energy?” asked Jaffee, who received of the state. Brennan pressed Gonzalez on how a round of applause. to get power downstate. “My reliability statement is focused on grid “What could we do more quickly to lessen reliability, not the reliability of the plant,” said transmission congestion?” Gonzalez mentioned Gonzalez. a few programs NYISO was considering to Jaffee referred to the disaster last year at augment the existing transmission system. “It the nuclear power plants in Fukushima, where would get us 300 megawatts,” he said. a major earthquake and tsunami caused the At times panel members seemed to destruction of four plants resulting in a core (L-R): Assemblyman James Brennan, bartering for more electricity to replace the 2000 Assemblyman Kevin A. Cahill, Chairman of meltdown and the large release of radiation. “I megawatts produced by Indian Point. question whether Indian Point is reliable or safe, the Committee on Energy, and Assemblyman Of the current projects geared to bring especially in light of what happened in Japan,” Andrew Hevesi. additional power to New York City, some are she said. Occupy Wall Street environmental group already have the green light; others are in the Gonzalez was questioned for over an hour, Commission, Synapse, an energy consulting activist Luna Scarano. approval process. The already approved Hudson a terse exchange at times only to be ironi- firm, Indian Point owner Entergy and others. Transmission Line is expected to bring 660 cally interrupted by the lights going out for no Environmental groups such as Clearwater and Officer, Rick Gonzalez. “We’ve been talking megawatts from New Jersey to Manhattan. The apparent reason, garnering a moment of humor Riverkeeper were not invited to speak, but the about upgrades for decades. Why is it taking so completion date is 2013. Pending is the Cross in the proceedings. panel encouraged the groups and the public to long?” Hudson Line, which will offer 800 megawatts Activists made their voice heard during a submit written testimony. “This issue is the cost allocations,” said from New Jersey to Manhattan. Other pending break and chanted the benefits of closing Indian Would closing Indian Point impact the Gonzalez. “Who will pay for the upgrades?” proposals to build 1,000 megawatt transmission Continued on page 11 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, January 19, 2012 Page 11

ENERGY MATTERS

Life without Indian Point? management told the panel that on the hottest in the Navy Yard and if it could make about safe evacuation, Hudson River fish-kill by summer day, if the plant wasn’t producing elec- up the lost power from a retired Indian Point. thermal pollution and the precarious location of Continued from page 10 tricity, there would be a 1,000 megawatt shortfall. “Could taking power from a co-generated the plant on a seismic fault. Point. Lead by Luna Scarano, an activist from Cahill asked Oates how they would replace the market in the future be a potentially economical It is unknown at this time how the Assembly the Occupy Wall Street environmental group, power if the state closed down the plant. purchase?” Energy committee will use the information numerous anti nuclear activists echoed Scarano’s “We have not made any firm plans if Oates agreed. “Co-generation is a more effi- from the public hearing. The committee has the shouted words admonishing the plant for threat- the state decides that. There’s been no official cient use of the fuel because we are using it twice. power to enact legislation and amend energy law ening the lives of 20 million people who wouldn’t announcement of a plant shut down – that We are open to good ideas, especially ones that and policies that impact energy availability and be able to evacuate in case of an serious accident process hasn’t been triggered,” Oates answered. will minimize the cost for the customer.” Public Service Law. at Indian Point. “What if Indian Point has to construct Both operating licenses for units 2 and 3 Photos by Abby Luby and courtesy of Abby Luby Indian Point 2 produces 1,028 mega- cooling towers and the plant has to close? Is Con at Indian Point will expire in 2013 and 2015. Photos. watts of electricity and Indian Point 3 produces Ed prepared for that contingency?” asked Cahill. Entergy applied to the Nuclear Regulatory 1,041 megawatts. Currently Con Edison, who “We are preparing generic types of solutions. Commission in 2007 to renew their licenses, but Abby Luby is a Westchester based, freelance jour- purchases 350 megawatts of electricity from If a situation of retrofitting required support, our their application has met much resistance from nalist who writes local news, about environmental Entergy, transmits between a total of 9,000 and recommendation would be to shut only one Governor Andrew Cuomo and environmental issues, art, entertainment and food. Her debut novel, 13,000 megawatts of electricity to New York City plant at a time to satisfy needs in the short term.” groups Riverkeeper and Clearwater. Since the “Nuclear Romance” was recently published. Visit the and Westchester during daily peak periods. Joseph Breenan asked Oates about electricity nuclear disaster in Fukushima last March, the book’s website, http://nuclearromance.wordpress. Oates, Con Edison’s vice president of energy produced by the gas powered, cogenerated plant anti-nuclear movement has rallied with concerns com/. HEALTH

Participants will receive a copy of the new The need for caregivers is at a crisis level “Livable Communities CareCircle Guide: Step today because fewer and fewer family members Training to Start for New CareCircle Initiative Forward and Give Back,” a how-to manual that are available to help Westchester’s growing explains the way to start, maintain and coor- senior population. Today, 20 percent of all county RYE BROOK, NY -- A training session dinate a CareCircle. It also includes general residents – one in five people – are 60 or older. for volunteers who want to participate in the information for caregivers, a listing of commu- People live longer today. Siblings pass away and CareCircle initiative of Westchester County’s nity resources and a glossary. DSPS sponsors children move away. As a result, seniors must Department of Senior Programs and Services the CareCircle initiative with the Westchester turn to their friends, neighbors and other seniors (DSPS) will take place on Jan. 25 at Atria Senior general errands or simply companionship. The Public/Private Partnership on Aging Services. for help. Living, 1200 King St., Rye Brook. The training session will be led by Ellen idea is to create the physical and emotional Registration is required to take part in the training A CareCircle is a group of people who Wright, a licensed master social worker; Robbin support families traditionally provide that session. To sign up, contact (914) 813-6263 or volunteer to share caregiving tasks of daily living Sweeney, an attorney and Better Living Life seniors are able to continue to live in their homes. [email protected]. for an older person in the community that The program will be under way from 5 p.m. Coach; and Colette Phipps, DSPS’ staff liaison cannot be met with public funds. Those tasks to 7 p.m., and refreshments will be served. to the Caregiver Coalition, which developed the may include meal preparation, pet care, laundry, guide. MENTAL HEALTH

As the brain keeps sending out is difficult and embarrassing to air these signals warning of the dangers thoughts in public; maybe they will OCD: The War Within of multiple bacteria from mostly increase ones’ understanding and avail Yorktown Jewelers WHERE QUALITY AND HONESTY COUNTS By GLENN SLABY every source, the mind, almost another’s pain. without second thoughts of Constantly, routinely, other obses- fighting or ignoring such signals, sive thoughts influx the mind such The thoughts begin easily accepts and performs the usually as the loss of loved ones, accidents, simply enough with simple required action. Trying to robberies, various diseases, ailments and our family’s weekly remind myself of how exposure builds disorders. Financial worries, loss of a job, meal at the local the body’s immune and resistance level loss of faith, all point to the illness that diner. They are as common and as has limited success. Strangely, I don’t robs one of a deeper security of Faith in basic or simple as putting on ones coat. mind working in the yard or cleaning the spiritual, Faith in God and faith in First there is the reminder to wash my the litter box. Go figure. others. Some of these may be common hands before leaving and limit what I Then there are further thoughts thoughts but it is the degree, intensity touch. Then my brain tells to keep my that may not have any visible attributes. and frequency of these thoughts that actions and exposures limited, such as I analyze what to order – should I eat confirm and reinforce the disease. I the opening the doors to the restau- very healthy, should I vary the combi- am reminded of the lack of control rant, handling the menu, touching the nations, what did I eat yesterday, what inherent in life; the unease that exists table etc. I use a straw. I use antibiotic am I having tomorrow? What are the constantly, as I am overwhelmed by this soap (only on my hands) and make sure Estate & Antique Jewelry • Engagement & Wedding Rings negative affects of the meal I order – hyper brain. The outsider does not see my utensils don’t touch the bare table. Special Orders Design • Jewelry & Watch Repairs • Appraisals is it farmed raised and from where? this deeper struggle, the more personal When someone passes me an item, I We Buy Gold and High End Watches (Always analyzing, always calculating thoughts too personal to discuss some think, are there hands clean? When HOURS: Monday-Saturday 8:30AM-6:30PM thinking too much about what ifs and times even within a well established the waiter serves, thoughts about germs too little about those gathered around relationship. 914.245.1023 • [email protected] occur for they handle, probably the 2008 CROMPOUND RD. ROMA BLDG. YORKTOWN HEIGHTS the able and the meal we’re sharing.) It dirtiest item around – our paper money. Continued on page 12