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Sound Off Readers Talk BackReplies To RepliesOn Ociober 25th %u201cThe Phoenix%u201d featured an article from Mr. Carlos C. Huerta entitled: %u201c Mayor Replies To EnergyConcerns But Constituent is not Satisfied.%u201dI am writing this letter to support the Mayor%u2019s efforts to improve communications between the public and City Government.A letter from a taxpayer can and frequently does make an impact in New York City%u2014particularly if it is clear and specific. A city the size of New York cannot adequately address every individual citizen on controversial issues%u2014but 1 can assure you that, speaking for energy conservation%u2014we try our best.I hope that you will publish my attached response to Mr. Huerta.%u2014George C.Weiner, R. A., Director, Office of EnergyConservationThis is in response to your letter of October 25th which appeared in the Phoenix. New York City has been very active in energy conservation, and we are continually looking for ways to improve our program.The New York City Office of Energy Conversation (OEC) coordinates and implements conservation programs for some 3800 buildings and facilities eitywide. Expense to the City in Fiscal %u201980 will approach some one quarter billion dollars for heat, light and power. Since a single utility rate change can result in millions of dollars of increased costs for our schools, hospitals and local government facilities, utility consumption is carefully monitored.Our energy conservation programs range from utility bill verification to the performance of building energy audits and boiler efficiency optimization. A cash incentive award program has recently been developed for city agencies showing superior results in saving energy over the next six months. The OEC has also developed a newsletter: The EnergyManager, to communicate information on energy conservation to some 3000 city conservation volunteers.Clearly, owners and occupants of residential buildings in New York City have a justifiable gripe at their escalating utility bills. Wc arc paying more today for energy and with the current international oil situation, this is likely to be an increasing trend.LARGE USERS PAY LESSUtility rates arc set by the Public Service Commission and adjusted when the local utility can justify a change. One of the determinant factors in high cost of utilities to the average New Yorker is the use of the %u201c declining block rate\mine energy costs to the user. Large users pay less on a unit basis than do small users. Since this policy creates a system that encourage waste, there is a reduced economic incentive for large users to save energy.A landmark decision in the State of Wisconsin was reached which may indicate a change in this billing procedure. This decision would effectively balance out the unit costs for utility bills with a flat rate under which utility customers pay a charge io cover fixed costs, plus a rate for all unitsof electricity consumed regardless of quantity. The fact is that the area of utility regulation is a literal battleground in which special interest groups can speak with more iegai impact titan smaiier users.However, there are many actions which can be taken by New Yorkers in their owm self interest. Apartment dwellers can challenge rate programs and utility clauses in their lease agreements. Groups of icnnams and lanlords can work together io come up with ways to save energy, such as i icing energy conservation measures by cnanis to reductions in rent. Wc must find ways to break down the disincentives o saving energy bv landlords who can pass along rate increases, and tenants who, with rent inclusion, show a complete disregard for energy conservation.The entire American energy system has been built during an era of abundant energy, and our attitudes must change. There arc many who arc working on making this change and 1 suggest that you join with us.In the final analysis, wc get the kind of government wc deserve. I therefore challenge you to continue to develop your ideas for energy conservation programs for all of us here in the City who are grappling wi h real problems every day.1 would like to extend the invitation to you, Mr. Huerta personally visit with us and learn more about our program%u2014specifically, what w'c are doing to save your tax dollars lirough energy conservation. Our offices arc in die Municipal Building, Rm. 2134. NY. NY.%u2018Brooklyn Day%u2019It may be of interest to your readers to learn that the Linda Rose League for Cerebral Palsv raised funds one recent Sunday in November for United Cerebral Palsy of New York by celebrating %u201c Brooklyn Day%u201d , in keeping with the Brooklyn Rediscovery program, in Brooklyn Heights. The 70 members and guests from Flatbush, Midwood, Boro Park, Bay Ridge, Bcnsonhurst and the Heights first attended a delicious Champagne Brunch at Minimax Cafe Galleria on Montague Street and then heard a presentation on Brooklyn Heights by Bob Side, an authority on that unique community, at the Alfred T. White Community Center on Willow Place. His presentation was highlighted by the surprise appearance of Norman Rostcn, the %u201cpoet laureate\delighted the audience by reading from his new book, %u201c Selected Poems.%u201d The day concluded with an entertaining production of %u201c Fiorello%u201d by the excellent resident theatre group, the Heights Players.In addition to thanking those already mentioned who contributed their efforts towards the success of %u201c Brooklyn Day%u201d , the Linda Rose League expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the following organizations who also cooperated in this worthy effort:Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn Museum Gallery Gift Shop, Brooklyn Center for Performing Arts, the Brooklyn Savings Bank, the Brooklyn Union Gas Company and Dover Publications.%u2014RuthJacobs, Linda Rose League, CerebralPalsy.For The RecordThe Executive Board of the Kings County DemocraticCoalition is urging delegates not to endorse any candidate when they attend the present endorsement meeting of the coalition on Dec. 9.Mayor Koch has announced a city-wide program to help senior citizens on fixed incomes meet their increased fuel and utility costs. Information about eligibility is available at senior centers. Dept, for the Aging borough offices, or by calling 577-0800.Congressman Leo Zeferetti [Park Slope-Bay Ridgej hasendorsed a joint proposal for the funding of a United Federation of Teachers and Board of Education program called %u201c Mental Health Approaches to School Safety,\would train principals and UFT Chapter leaders in dealing with %u201c aggressive behavior\in the schools.The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the United Farm Workers boycott of Red Coach Lettruce, grown by Bruce Church, Inc., the third largest lettuce grower in the world.Councilmember Abe Gerges, [West Brooklyn] has written to Police Commissioner Robert McGuire urging that downtown Brooklyn receive a share of the 55 officer General Vendors%u2019 Strike Force, currently stationed entirely in Manhattan. Gerges has also requested additional hearings by the Department of Consumer Affairs concerning a possible designation of Court St., Montague St., and Joralemon from Adams to Court as %u201c areas of exclusion of general vending.%u201dCongressman Fred Richmond (West Brooklyn) has introduced a bill to establish a National Center for Alternative Research within the National Institute of Health which would promote alternatives to the use of live animals in research and testing.Congressman Leo Zeferelti (Park Slope-Bay Ridge) has sponsored a resolution in the House of Representatives requiring that Iranians no longer receive training in the U.S. military. Zeferetti said that 274 Iranians are currently in the programs.Councilmember Abe Gerges (West Brooklyn) has calledCharles M. Smith Jr., a Cobble Hill resident, was appointed by Mayor Ed Koch as the new Director of the City%u2019s Office of Construction. The office establishes liaisons with the construction industry and coordinates major projects involving more than one agency.Anne Sebba, a Brooklyn Heights resident, is the author of Samplers: Five Centuries of a Gentle Craft,\published by Thames and Hudson.Lukas Foss, composer and conductor of the Brooklyn Philharmonia will present a lecture at the 92nd St. Y in Manhattan on the relationship of poetry and music, January 14 at 8 pm.on the State Legislature to prohibit the eviction of tenants from buildings being converted to co-op or condominium forms of ownership if the tenants do not wish to buy into the plan.The New York Public Interest Research Group, Inc. (NYP1RG) and its Bank on Brooklyn anti-redlining chapter have denounced a proposal by the State Banking Dept, to allow %u201c rollover%u201d mortgages. NYPIRG says that the mortgages, which would allow banks to change the interest rate on such mortgages every five years, adjusting them to market rates, are %u201c blatantly anti-consumer.%u201dA play written by Gail Kriegel Mallin, a Park Slope resident is being performed at the American Place Theater on 46th Street in Manhattan. The play, about a woman who jogs in Prospect Park, is directed by Victoria Rue and will run through December 16.Philip Kaplan, President of Community School Board 15 and President of the New York City School Boards Assoc, will be speaking on WABC Radio (770 AM) Dec. 9 at 10 pm on a program called %u201c School Scene.%u201dAlice Owen, a Boerum Hill resident is acting in %u201c Grandma%u201d a new play by Wayne Pease and directed by Jan Cohen playing through Dec. 15 at the West Park Theater on 86th Street in Manhattan.Names Make NewsN e w s b r i e f s :Consumer Library Set UpIf you are interested in saving money in the supermarkets, obtaining information about protection provided by New York City%u2019s debt collection regulations, or following the stipulations included in an energy package, the opportunity will soon become available as The Department of Consumer Affairs begins to set up mini-libraries consisting of booklets and brochures covering a wide range of consumer information.The libraries, according to Commissioner of Consumer Affairs Bruce Ratner, have already been set up in high schools in Brooklyn and Queens and will continue to be set up in places where people meet, such as waiting rooms and employee lounges, throughout the New York City area. Theinformation is free and will range from a booklet on %u201c Helpful Hints for Taxwise Shoppers%u201d to %u201c New York%u2019s Generic Law.%u201d If interested call 566-6047 or 566-0414.BUG Readies for PipingBrooklyn Union Gas Co. is participating in plans to get synthetic %u201c pipeline quality%u201d gas from the garbage in landfills on Staten Island by 1981. Reserve Synthetic Fuels, Inc., intends to build the %u201c first large-scale gas recovery' 1-1 ^ * ' %u2019 %u2014 %u2014 -1 T 1%u00ab%u00ab/\\M Ullll prOJCU UI1 111c L-aat cuaot, cmiu j l ~ **%u2022-** %u2022 %u25a0 ***purchase the gas produced for distribution to homes on Staten Island.Robert B. Catell, Brooklyn Union Vice President, says that the gas will supply about 16,000 homes on StatenIsland. Though the product will probably not be used in Brooklyn, a Brooklyn Union spokesman, Bob Loftis, says that the company is looking at %u201c many other landfill stites%u201d for the same kind of project.Loft us reports that recovery of gas from landfill has been done successfully in California, and that it %u201c solves an air quality problem%u201d by getting rid of many of the smells of decaying landfill.--L.H.Doctor School AccreditedThe Physicians%u2019 Assistant Program at Brooklyn Hospital, the only one in the borough, was granted a three year accreditation and functions in association with Long Island University. The program, awarded accreditation by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation, is a two year full-time training program for students who are in their Junior and Senior year at LIU. However, other qualified applicants have also been accepted. At the termination of the program a test is required in order to become a New York State certified Physician Assistant. Currently there are 130 participants in the program and many are continuing their education in Health Administration and are sought after by institutions nationwide.%u2014V.C.HnsDital ODens Archives %u2014 - mWhile it may not reach quite so far back as Hippocrates, the history of medicine in Brooklyn enjoys rather a vaunted past, and in recognition of such the Brooklyn Hospital has collected and compiled its archives, from the date of itsfounding in 1845 up through to the present. %u201cThe names of the founding trustees read like an atlas of Brooklyn history,%u201d notes Brooklyn Heights resident Dr. Edwin P. Maynard Jr., the hospital%u2019s archivist, describing the newly-restored volumes that were recovered from a locker three years ago. %u201c Pierrepont, Augustus A. Low, Packer (as in Packer Collegiate Institute and Cyrus P. Smith, the first mayor of Brooklyn and first president of Brooklyn Hospital, are all there.%u201d Access to the archives is by appointment; for information, call 270-4421 or write Dr. Maynard at The Brooklyn Hospital, 121 DeKalb Ave., 11201.%u2014LZGMethodist Construction BeginsConstruction is finally underway for Methodist%u2019 Hospital%u2019s Modernization Program and anyone interested in the plans may attend a meeting on December 6 at 7:30 pm. According to the hospital%u2019s planning director, Robert Burgess, work presently being accomplished is the remodeling of the operating suite, (including preparation for an ambulatory-surgery center), building a new sub-acute emergency room, (walk-in clinic), and creating office space for departments that must be moved when the Residence Building%u2019s 1915 wing is demolished which is scheduled for early 1980. These activities, along with detailed plans concerning construction of the nine-floor tower which will have a 334 bed capacity, will be discussed at the December 6 community meeting. Persons wanting additional information about the meeting, which will be held in the hospital%u2019s Kennedy room, should telephone, 780-3462.December 6. 1979, The PHOENIX. Page 9