Folks,
Sorry to take so long to write regarding the West Deer Twp. meeting about the airport expansion, industrial park, and the Keystone Initiative. Thanks to the strong support from the members that attended. I would like to name them but would feel remiss if I missed someone. I thought the township was very receptive (at least 2 members mentioned how they have been to NEWO many times). Rock Ferrone also in a side conversation after the meeting told me he would be interested in having us work with them as design begins to happen. I gave him a copy of the IDA Good Neighbor Outdoor Lighting Policy and another IDA handout.
I have his address, phone, and fax if anyone wants it. I also wrote down the names of the West Deer board members. All in all I think we did very well and at least have opened the door for further discussion with all involved. Below is a copy of my pitch at the meeting if anyone is interested.....please return comments to me directly.
Clear and Dark Skies,
Bob Mickey
To The Board:
Our concern about the project being discussed tonight is the lighting
and the detrimental effects inefficient, unshielded lighting could have on our
facility. We understand that the vast majority of our over 500 members are
guests in your community and have worked very hard to be an asset to your
area. We not only open our facility, containing a historic 11" Brashear
refractor built in 1908 and a 20" reflector, to the public, (having brought
over 15,000 visitors in the last 3 years), but have also introduced hundreds
of school organizations, Boy scout troops, Girl Scout troops, and other groups
to the wonders of the night sky.
This project concerns us deeply because if responsible lighting issues
are not addressed and airport expansion is approved, our facility has the
potential to be rendered virtually useless. The observatory exists today
because of the hard work of people with a dream to be able to pass the
magnificence of the night sky along with the educational benefits to future
generations·.How would a child know they would want to be a scientist or
astronaut if he/she canāt see anything there?
We also hold the same concerns as many of your citizens regarding
additional congestion, noise, pollution, and potential safety issues. But we
respect your needs as leaders to work for what is best for your community.
We have been working very close with Frazier Township on the lighting
issues as the projects get under way there and would like to be able to work
closely with you too.
As members of the International Dark Sky Association and the Allegheny
Region Astronomy Coalition, we can provide assistance and information
regarding responsible lighting methods and zoning laws.
We would like to invite the board, at its convenience, to meet with us at
the observatory, tour the facility, and allow us the opportunity to provide
you with the information we have available. Hopefully we can work together to
put good and effective lighting laws on the books to save energy, pollution,
tax dollars, and the night sky for future generations.
We, the membership of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh,
and our Light Pollution Committee would first like to thank you for your quick
response to our fax and inviting us to the meeting tonight. As most of you
know, we maintain and operate the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory in nearby
Deer Lakes Park.
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