Read Online No Ordinary Day by Polly Becks - Free Book Online
Authors: Polly Becks
Tags: Fiction
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address every one of them. The reason we are here tonight is because the preservation of Obergrande’s lake and streams is singularly important to the watershed, largely due to the parts they play in the flow of the Hudson, which ultimately ends up in New York City. Should there be a devastating flood, it could damage a great deal more of the state than just Obergrande—and we don’t want to see that damaged, either.”
“You have an interesting definition of Obergrande not being damaged, Sergeant,” said Donna Marquarte, one of the Town Board members who was retired from her job at the local bank. Lucy assessed her as being a strong opponent of the dam project. “I have a bed-and-breakfast in the area that is proposed to be ‘drowned’ by your dam project, and I am looking forward to your explanation of how my property will not be damaged by being submerged under seventy feet of water.”
A hoot, cheers, and much applause followed her statement.
“First, with respect, Ms. Marquarte, this proposal did not come from the Army Corps of Engineers,” the young soldier said patiently. “The New York State Public Benefit Corporation requested our input in the form of drawings and estimates to inform the town should it decide to undertake building a new hydroelectric dam in this location. We provided that information. But there were also other recommendations made—smaller-scale steps that could help offset the potential for flooding that would not require the building of a dam.”
He saw the townspeople looking at each other hostilely, and cleared his throat, rushing into the end of his remarks.
“Obviously, those may not meet with the vision of the Benefit Corporation, and therefore might require funding from other sources—including the town itself. But Colonel Genovese and I are not here to sell you on the dam. We are here to tell you that we are in fear for your safety as a town if you do not undertake some sort of flood abatement program in the near future.”
Lightning flashed outside the hall’s windows, and thunder rumbled through again.
Mayor Tibedeau smiled. “Truly, your special effects are remarkable, Sergeant.”
“In case you folks haven’t noticed, your ground is totally saturated with moisture and cannot absorb any more,” Colonel Genovese said from his seat at the table, under which all the Town Council members had momentarily taken refuge but had now returned, more or less gracefully. “Between the snowmelt, the precipitation, and the potential of a hit from the edge of Hurricane Clarence, we are worried about even more severe shoreline loss than you’ve had in the other two floods this decade.”
“All right, thank you, gentlemen,” said Bob Lundford wearily. “I am now going to open a limited period of public commentary, but I warn you, folks, if there are any more shenanigans like Buzz Cochrane throwing fruit at our distinguished guests, we will be clearing this hall of everyone except the Board and our advisors in Executive Session.” He sighed comically. “Thank the Lord for Town Law 3701-D.”
For more than two hours, the citizens of Obergrande ranted at the Town Board and its guests.
Most of the commentary initially came from residents and business owners from the east side of town, people who worked in or ran sawmills and factories that made furniture in the famous and less-famous Adirondack styles. There were also homeowners, sports tourism business owners and shopkeepers whose stores were in the area that had been designated to “drown” should the dam be built and Lake Obergrande expanded. To the best of Lucy’s knowledge, three of the five board members agreed with them.
On the other side of the room and sprinkled throughout the rest were people primarily, though not always, from West Obergrande, the wealthier side of town where people who could trace their ancestry back almost four hundred years lived. These were the people who favored the idea of the dam and the
“You have an interesting definition of Obergrande not being damaged, Sergeant,” said Donna Marquarte, one of the Town Board members who was retired from her job at the local bank. Lucy assessed her as being a strong opponent of the dam project. “I have a bed-and-breakfast in the area that is proposed to be ‘drowned’ by your dam project, and I am looking forward to your explanation of how my property will not be damaged by being submerged under seventy feet of water.”
A hoot, cheers, and much applause followed her statement.
“First, with respect, Ms. Marquarte, this proposal did not come from the Army Corps of Engineers,” the young soldier said patiently. “The New York State Public Benefit Corporation requested our input in the form of drawings and estimates to inform the town should it decide to undertake building a new hydroelectric dam in this location. We provided that information. But there were also other recommendations made—smaller-scale steps that could help offset the potential for flooding that would not require the building of a dam.”
He saw the townspeople looking at each other hostilely, and cleared his throat, rushing into the end of his remarks.
“Obviously, those may not meet with the vision of the Benefit Corporation, and therefore might require funding from other sources—including the town itself. But Colonel Genovese and I are not here to sell you on the dam. We are here to tell you that we are in fear for your safety as a town if you do not undertake some sort of flood abatement program in the near future.”
Lightning flashed outside the hall’s windows, and thunder rumbled through again.
Mayor Tibedeau smiled. “Truly, your special effects are remarkable, Sergeant.”
“In case you folks haven’t noticed, your ground is totally saturated with moisture and cannot absorb any more,” Colonel Genovese said from his seat at the table, under which all the Town Council members had momentarily taken refuge but had now returned, more or less gracefully. “Between the snowmelt, the precipitation, and the potential of a hit from the edge of Hurricane Clarence, we are worried about even more severe shoreline loss than you’ve had in the other two floods this decade.”
“All right, thank you, gentlemen,” said Bob Lundford wearily. “I am now going to open a limited period of public commentary, but I warn you, folks, if there are any more shenanigans like Buzz Cochrane throwing fruit at our distinguished guests, we will be clearing this hall of everyone except the Board and our advisors in Executive Session.” He sighed comically. “Thank the Lord for Town Law 3701-D.”
For more than two hours, the citizens of Obergrande ranted at the Town Board and its guests.
Most of the commentary initially came from residents and business owners from the east side of town, people who worked in or ran sawmills and factories that made furniture in the famous and less-famous Adirondack styles. There were also homeowners, sports tourism business owners and shopkeepers whose stores were in the area that had been designated to “drown” should the dam be built and Lake Obergrande expanded. To the best of Lucy’s knowledge, three of the five board members agreed with them.
On the other side of the room and sprinkled throughout the rest were people primarily, though not always, from West Obergrande, the wealthier side of town where people who could trace their ancestry back almost four hundred years lived. These were the people who favored the idea of the dam and the
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