[vsnet-chat 2200] (fwd) Dark Future for Stellafane?

[Taichi Kato <tkato>]

From owner-vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp Mon Aug  2 22:00 JST 1999
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Date: Mon, 02 Aug 1999 08:53:48 -0400
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Subject: Dark Future for Stellafane?
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Hello all -- on the 'ASTRO list', and those just interested in the night
sky --

	It seems the idealists have made progress. Once in a while, they succeed,
you know?

	There may be a re-vote regarding construction of the light-pollution
facility (also known as the new Vermont State Prison) southeast of
Springfield, Vermont. The petition has been revitalized worldwide so as to
be fattened up in preparation for the public hearings preceding a re-vote.

	The locals are truly in need of financial revitalization. This is a
legitimate point. A very legitimate point. However, the prison is likely to
hire few locals, or for very much income. The longer term drawbacks of this
approach well outweigh the short term 'gains'. The more the local
population reads about the project, the more they are understanding the
point, being an uncommonly thoughtful people. Also, there is great
potential (in this architect's eyes) for optimal revitalization of existing
historic buildings in downtown Springfield, which would make far, far
greater use of local employment. That's a long term solution with superb
potential that would nevertheless maintain local character and be far less
light polluting. The existing lighting could be refined to full-cutoff
fixtures in the existing downtown area, for example. Etc.

	But, the supporting local population could use our help.

	If you are a physics-fearing astronomer/enthusiast who loves universe,
country, family, and "The Simpson's", please consider moseying over to this
web site and venting your militant intellectual insights. Or just 'sign'
shyly. The wider the spread of geographical origin of the signators, the
more impressed the local Vermonters will be with the potential impact on
the astronomy tourist income (considerable). Surprizingly, few area
Vermonters were aware there were so many astronomers in the area or who
visited so thickly and often (astronomers are a quiet, meek sort of people,
as you all know......ahem...). The new-found local knowledge has had a huge
impact in favor of darker skies...it appears very likely that the prison
construction decision will indeed be overturned. But it is not certain. It
remains a knuckle-biter at the moment. Therefore we all need to toss a
couple more shrimp on the barbie.

Claudio

Here's the site:

http://vsnet.stellafane.com/index.html

- - -

	"Strokes by which O.J. Simpson
		reports that his golf handicap
			has improved since
				the murder of his wife: 4."

			Harper's Index  -  June, 1999


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