Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Richard Brignoli: in memoriam, 1-29-1939--2-14-2006

entering into the unknown


the endless order

 the spirit lives but  the finest is transmuted into gold

the sun sets

light is weightless

Richard and the book of life

Monday, February 11, 2013

Green Acres, Tenafly, N.J.: a letter to the editor of the Suburbanite, Tenafly


 To the borough of Tenafly and its residents concerning the construction of a science center, to be located in what has come to be known as Green Acres. 

When the land was set aside, the state of New Jersey and residents of Tenafly pooled resources and established a "park" that was to remain pristine in perpetuity. No construction, parking lots and other additions were to destroy the wildness of nature. That was in the 1970s, when a "green movement" was becoming a force in this country. Today environmentalism is recognized and is regarded as essential to the well-being of the United States of America. As Climate Change occurs with increasingly destructive events, such as the behemoth storm "Sandy," the environment is recognized as in need of protection. A tract of pristine forest, a habitat for fauna indigenous to this region as well as its flora, is seriously being considered for destruction through construction that is masked under the rubric "education." What has been overlooked in this discussion, among many other matters, is the importance of forest land to cleanse air. The mayor of Tenafly and its Council members may argue that there are a considerable number of trees in the borough and in the county of Bergen, but the landscape of trees and lawns and bushes have been sprayed with so many chemicals that it is not safe to inhale the air. "Pretty as a picture" to some, but to health educators the air is polluted. More people than ever before in this region have developed rashes and asthma due most likely to the increasing use of herbicides and chemicals. Green Acres obviously cannot stop this health problem, but it does ameliorate it. Do not flagrantly tear up an agreement that is inviolate. The costs of such an action will be felt immediately. Tenafly does not need this expensive shell which does not have a constituency. It does not have ccurricula for all its residents, old, young and in the middle. It does not have degreed environmentalists or even a rigorous process to hire them, and the costs of constructing and maintaining the structure, anticipated programs-(no curricula have been presented)-and salaries for the persons who are in this new bureaucracy are not announced. 
Enough said. Pictures to follow.  

To the Editor of the Suburbanite, "Tenafly Edition" 

I am opposed to building a new Nature Center for several reasons. First: the new plan erases the intent of the founding document-- Green Acres, as it is referred to-- is intended to be pristine, undisturbed nature. Trees are to be left in place; habitats for fauna and flora are to remain untouched. Only marked trails guide the visitor through the landscape. The original agreement did not allow for the construction of a new structure and expanded  parking lots.  Nature itself was to be the instructor, as is the norm in national and state parks, for instance,  Tallman State Park, 20 minutes north of Tenafly and directly off 9W. Second: For those who have argued that a large Nature Center is imperative at the Green Acres site have not given an outline  or curriculum of the subjects that will be taught or how the forest, as it is currently--nature pure-- , will contribute to instruction. And additionally, no mention has been made of what plants and animals would be impacted by this structure. Whenever roads and structures are built, states and the federal government require impact studies. This issue has not yet been addressed. Bona fide scientists are called in to advise in this matter. To my knowledge none have been hired to write reports. 
To date, in the more 40 years that I have resided in Tenafly, no consistent coherent program was in effect. All members of the community, from the oldest to the youngest, would have to be included in instructional matters. In all the arguments for new construction, there has not been an explication of what will be taught in the hollow shell of a new structure and who would teach curricula, to whom, and for what purposes and goals. Furthermore, it is obvious that no thought has been given to who would hired, and what degrees would be required, and what application and selection process would be used to hire instructors. And salaries? Who would pay for the personnel? Third: costs of maintenance have not been cited; so far unnamed contributors have paid for aerial surveys and other actions, such as clearing trails. Here is where government transparency is required. Who is paying for what now, and who will pick up costs in the future, such as annual salaries, maintenance, and whatever else is needed? For the sake of open good governance, transparency is required. Unnamed donors should be named; if such persons exist, their identity should be declared to the voters of Tenafly to determine if  a conflict  of interest exists, and this information should be given to the public to make informed decisions. Green Acres rightfully does not exclude persons from outside the borough of Tenafly, nor should it. All persons, be they borough, state or out of state visitors are welcome to visit Green Acres. After all, state funds were contributed to the acquisition of the lands when these lands came into being. Therefore, it follows that Green Acres is open to the curious who want to experience and learn about "pure"nature. 
A fable for the moment
 "Trust me said the fox in the hen house. I am only interested in benefitting you. And then the hens went to sleep certain that their interests would be protected. In the morning the fox was gone and so were the hens."

I am opposed to building a new Nature Center for several reasons. First: the new plan erases the intent of the founding document that Green Acres, as it is referred to, is intended to be pristine, undisturbed nature. Trees are to be left in place; habitats for fauna and flora are to remain untouched. Only marked trails guide the visitor through the landscape. The original agreement did not allow for the construction of a new structure and expanded  parking lots.  Nature itself was to be the instructor, as is the norm in national and state parks, for instance,  Tallman State Park, 20 minutes north of Tenafly and directly off 9W. Second: For those who have argued that a large Nature Center is imperative at the Green Acres site have not given a coherent outline of the subjects that will be taught or how the forest, as it is currently--nature pure-- , will contribute to instruction. And additionally, no mention has been made of what plants and animals would be impacted by this structure. Whenever roads and structures are built, states and the federal government required impact studies. This issue has not yet been addressed. Bona fide scientists are called in to advise. 
To date, in the more 40 years that I have resided in Tenafly, no consistent coherent program was in effect. All members of the community, from the oldest to the youngest, would have to be included in instructional matters. In all the arguments for new construction, there has not been an explication of what will be taught in the hollow shell of a new structure and who would teach curricula in there and to whom, and for what purpose and which goals. Furthermore, it is obvious that no thought has been given to who would hired, and what degrees would be required, and what application and selection process would be used to hire instructors. And salaries? Who would pay for the personnel? Third: costs of maintenance have not been cited; so far unnamed contributors have paid for aerial surveys and other actions, such as clearing trails. Here is where government transparency is required. Who is paying for what now, and who will pick up costs in the future, such as annual salaries, maintenance, and whatever else is needed? For the sake of open good governance, transparency is required. Unnamed donors should be named; if such persons exist, their identity should be declared to the voters of Tenafly to determine if  a conflict  of interest exists, and this information should be given to the public to make informed decisions. Green Acres rightfully does not exclude persons from outside the borough of Tenafly, nor should it. All persons, be they borough, state or out of state visitors are welcome to visit Green Acres. After all, state funds were contributed to the acquisition of the lands when these lands came into being. Therefore, it follows that Green Acres is open to the curious who want to experience and learn about "pure"nature. 
A fable for the moment
 "Trust me said the fox in the hen house. I am only interested in benefitting you. And then the hens went to sleep certain that their interests would be protected. In the morning the fox was gone and so were the hens."



a storm that stirred ocean and sky







The Cosmos Roared and Blazed when it burst

 cosmos
into being at the beginning, at the beginning of our time
when 
earth and water
air and fire
separated

Leo Steinberg: abstraction without gravity

ceaseless motion
a lesson learned from a friend and mentor