ECO THIEF

One views the construction in Cohocton - the hardhats, the construction crews and trucks driving 40-50 mph at 6am on once quiet dirt roads. The machinery, the concrete, the grading, the UPC chump pointing to a metal ring with some "aw shucks, isn't this cool" rethoric for the newspaper (can anyone say "well cooked ham?")

One views all this with awe like being in the Twilight Zone. Awe that anyone with double digit IQ actually stood up in front of a crowd and said these things aren't industrial. Awe that anyone justifies this construction with a "now we can work and live here" pretzel logic. (thankfully they don't allow this to happen outside of NYS - or these same people would dig up our beaches and put in factories so they can live and work in the same place) Awe at how easy it was for these folks to rationalize doing this to Cohocton's sleepy rural environment was a "good" thing - a slam dunk we were all told.

Throughout history there are those that have taken advantage of a situation, at the expense of others. After the civil war, the carpet baggers. After recent hurricanes, selling water for punishing prices to thirsty storm victims. Now we have a new breed of opportunitist: The ECO Thief.

Playing on the issue of the day, climate change --- Carbon neutral, pay some money and the ECO Thief sends you a piece of paper that says you are a better citizen. Playing on the guilt of modern living. Sign a lease when there was no law or zoning to do this, and then tell your neighbors to shove it, your rights trump all of theirs. The arrogance is mindboggling.

Sleepy town, nothing growing but grass and trees? Let a developer come in and industrialize the area, all in the name of "green" energy. Concrete, steel, industrial construction, industrialize the ridgeline? No problem! It's good for you. It's not industrial, it's "green". The ECO Thief tells you are a better citizen for it. He'll pay you some money to boot, it's a new crop (really?)

ECO Thieves = Modern day carpet baggers.