today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! Today’s Weather!   Today in History!

Quote for today… “The role of the teacher remains the highest calling of a free people. To the teacher, America entrusts her most precious resource, her children; and asks that they be prepared … to face the rigors of individual participation in a democratic society.” – Shirley Mount Hufstedler 

• Kerry Collins back in the NFL – (York Dispatch)
• It’s not guns that kill people; it’s the irresponsibility  and/or inexperience of people using them. It’s not a computer destination that leads to rape; it’s the irresponsibility of parents abdicating their roles as parents and the inexperience of some of the people using the site. “Police: Florida man raped teen he met on Facebook.” – (York Dispatch)
• “Marcellus Shale drilling to blame for Virginia earthquake? No fracking way, industry officials say” – (Harrisburg Patriot-News)
• Marcellus Shale informational panel discussion (click here for a program/agenda from the discussion forum) … Last Friday’s “today’s news” posting here contained an announcement about a public forum which would be held on August 23. We that attended that meeting last night with about 250 other people. A large number of boaters, fishermen/women and outdoor enthusiasts were in the audience. The practice of hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’, in the drilling for natural gas requires the infusion of “lots of water.” Much of the water supply comes from the Susquehanna River. Last night’s panelists cited the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) business/industry usage of 563 million gallons of water; mining and drilling water use is 28 million gallons. According to the SBRC, “the Water for energy purposes and public water supply comprise roughly 85% of water use in the Susquehanna River Basin.”
• [EDITOR’S NOTE: We noted good meeting practices last night. (1) State Representative Ryan Aument hosted the forum and introduced each panelist; Representative Aument and each panelist had a microphone in front of them; as a result, everyone could hear the comments. (2) Each of the speakers had their salient notes included in a PowerPoint presentation that was shown on a big screen in front of the audience. Facts, opinions and numbers could be seen by everyone. (3) The entire forum was videotaped; Representative Aument said the video record would be posted at his Website. This provides a record of documentation that can be reviewed by those in attendance and those who have an interest in the discussion but were unable to attend. (4) All audience participants were given the opportunity to submit questions to each or all of the panelists following their presentations. (5) Each of the panelists and Representative Aument provided avenues to get more information: contact information and Website URLs. This public forum was an excellent example of how all public meetings ought to be held. Public agencies need to keep in mind that the inclusion of microphones, an adequate speaker system and projection of shared information are requirements to attend to the needs of special needs populations which include hearing-impaired; cognitive-disabilities and visually challenged are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, it’s just plain courteous to your citizens. 
• Follow up to yesterday’s earthquake reports. What to do after an earthquake!