Free Republic

<p>ITHACA -- Red, green and purple balloons floated overhead as supporters gathered Saturday in the lobby of the new, 17,500-square-foot home of Alternatives Federal Credit Union.</p> <p>"This event is about crossing a threshold," said Bill Myers, the credit union's chief executive officer.</p>

<p>"Is it too late?" a Cornell undergraduate asked me as we marveled at the Red-tailed Hawk climbing the thermals over the levee bordering Southwest Park.</p> <p>"It's never too late to change a decision," I told the touring Eco-Design class. "The real issue is the fear of our government officials and the people who elected them to take a risk and try something different."</p>