Much Ado About Milk

It's amazing what a little thing like free coffee can lead to. 

A few weeks ago, there was a to-do in Orange over a grievance to let town workers have free coffee at town hall. The workers have their java back, but now, there's a new controversy brewing. 

PETA is unhappy with the milk selection at the coffee table. They have written to First Selectman James Zeoli, urging him to switch from cow's milk to soy, almond or rice milk. 

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have long used attention-grabbing stories to shift that attention to PETA issues, and this is no exception. 

PETA's letter, written by executive vice president Tracy Reiman, said dairy-free milk products would actually save the town money, by cutting down on health care costs. They claim cow's milk has been connected to "cancer, weight gain, diabetes and even acne."

Plus, PETA  said in the letter, making the switch would constitute "taking a stand against animal abuse."

Zeoli told The New Register that while he welcomes the thoughts of PETA, he has no plans to take up their suggestion unless he gets a request from the union.

“Although there’s no love lost between James Zeoli and the union, they can at least agree on holding down taxes, promoting good health, and taking a stand against animal abuse,” Reiman said in a statement.

As for the union, they're focused on their other grievance -- getting back their dress-down Fridays and not on dairy-free milk. 

"Don’t we have more in life to do than worry about this?" United Public Service Employees Union Regional Director Wayne Gilbert told the Register. "The country is facing some serious issues.”

Gilbert said the union's actions against the town are not about coffee, or clothing but rather, that the first selectman has "basically been a bully." 

They say they want to end this all without any cost to taxpayers. 

In that regard, the town spent $10,000 fighting the coffee grievance and the coffee costs about $200 per year, the Register reports.

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