Year 2007 plans for the Town of Ledyard, Village of Aurora and the major farms in Ledyard probably don't have consideration for the impact of outside world activity. Worldwide political situations are forcing attention on the short supply on oil for energy, and casting about for a solution to the problem.

Like all good TV reports, our Syracuse channels all shriek the news as though it were doomsday incarnated. I find it annoying, although it is a large amount better than the continuous wartime stories from New York City streets or from our Middle East military operations. But, Syracuse TV, and other media, is full of stories about corn biomass as decreasing dependence on Middle East oil. I believe there is a whole cadre of flacks generating tons of copy for these media outlets to use. And I believe this is coming from politicians who are jumping on a bandwagon, which seems to be the only out. It certainly is not coming from Big Oil or the electric companies.

Consider this: corn biomass, as a reduction agent is questionable at best. There are many studies, old and new, on converting corn to energy, and nothing is conclusive. At best, there is never an energy consumption reduction, as it takes more decatherms (energy) going in to the process, than decatherms coming out. So, we should hope that something other than corn could be used for fuel.

This comes home to little Ledyard, because most of our corn is converted to milk after going through our cows. Aurora needs to be aware of the trend, and to think pro environment. So, we haven't gone this route yet, but it could be in the near future. And, Ledyard (and southern Cayuga) needs to take steps to be sure that we do not have corn planted from Cayuga to Owasco shores if bio fuels take off.

On a lighter note: Canada Geese. It is well worth a trip south on Route 90 to peek at the Canada Geese at the northern end of the Lake and in Aurora, just past the powerhouse.

William Dugan is former supervisor for the town of Ledyard