I have been neglecting the Davis Design web page as well as my blog lately. When I started this conversation on the internet I promised to try to update and post on the blog at least once a week. To anyone who cares, I'm sorry I haven't been very attentive lately.
I really enjoyed Converge South. I talked to lots of people there, as well as listening to the presenters. I was especially interested in ways to get a blog or web page noticed. I try to maintain a simple web page for Davis Design Art Supplies. I know that there are lots of art supply stores on the internet. We get some hits and a few sales; but I am looking for ways to get the sight noticed without spending a whole lot more than we will make. So far, not much luck.
When I look at other similar pages I find that our prices on most items are competitive, but we are way down the list if I call up specific items. Most of our sales come from referrals from manufacturers' sites. I don't think that making a "cuter" site will help. Ours is very basic. I am trying to make some improvement on it and add more products. We have a huge supply of art materials in the store; but most are not listed on the site. Some of the products are pictured and others are not. I just added some really good prices for Graham Oil Paints. Maybe that will help when referrals come from the manufacturer; but, when we are so far down the list, it probably won't help on simple look ups. Oh, well. life is hard for small business.
Gotta go now and finish the list. I'd hate for someone to go to the site and think that we only had a few colors.
I'll get back to regular blogging soon. I have a hard time keeping my thoughts about local government to myself. See ya on the radio or at the blog.
RENOVATION LIGHTNING in Greensboro
______
A vacant building on Elm Street is ablaze! My, My, what a surprise. The restaurant that has operated from the location has very recently moved out to another location downtown. (See new comment below. I shouldn't have posted this until I had more information.
Renovating an old building is very expensive, even with historic funds, low-interest loans, etc.
My questions is always the same. How did the fire start? Maybe is should be, who is responsible for the fire? And the other questions is, will the arsonist be found?
Most of these renovation lightning fires are declared to be arson by police and fire departments. Some, like one that happened in a vacant building with no electricity was said to be an accidental electrical fire.
One apartment complex had several fires several years ago before enough damage was done.
I could be wrong this time. But I doubt it.
More at 11.
Added later
Oops. I might have been wrong on this one. This one might have really been an accident.
A vacant building on Elm Street is ablaze! My, My, what a surprise. The restaurant that has operated from the location has very recently moved out to another location downtown. (See new comment below. I shouldn't have posted this until I had more information.
Renovating an old building is very expensive, even with historic funds, low-interest loans, etc.
My questions is always the same. How did the fire start? Maybe is should be, who is responsible for the fire? And the other questions is, will the arsonist be found?
Most of these renovation lightning fires are declared to be arson by police and fire departments. Some, like one that happened in a vacant building with no electricity was said to be an accidental electrical fire.
One apartment complex had several fires several years ago before enough damage was done.
I could be wrong this time. But I doubt it.
More at 11.
Added later
Oops. I might have been wrong on this one. This one might have really been an accident.
what did you do on election day?
-----
I voted early because I worked on election day. I helped people find their voting locations. I told them where to vote, but not how to vote. That's a departure from my usual job on election day.
Tuesday, election day, I answered phone calls for the Board of Elections. The volunteers from LWV were in a room with a door at each end and a table running down the middle. There were four telephones on each side of the table and one on the end. Each place had a computer. The room was barely big enough to walk behind the chairs (a really tight squeeze for some of us.)
Most of the calls were from people who wanted to vote but were not sure about the location of their voting place. After getting the name of the person calling and an address, I looked up the name on a computer and told the caller his or her precinct number and the location. Some had moved since they last voted and I told them to go to their old precinct and get a transfer slip and take it to the new location. Some wanted to know if they could vote on the bond issues. I told them they could only vote if they lived within the city limits of Greensboro. Some thought they were in the city, but when I looked up their address, it was not in Greensboro. Only one person seemed a bit upset. He had gone to his regular polling place and the bond issues didn't show up on the ballot.
I hope every eligible voter who called got to cast a vote. I would like to see people able to vote at any polling place in the county. There would have to be a central secure registry for that to happen. It could be done so that the appropriate ballot choices would show up for each voter like it does in early voting machines and a way to ensure that each voter could only cast one ballot.
I love early voting. It is so convenient. I think that more people would vote if they could vote early and close to their workplace or their favorite restaurant. We Americans are a bit lazy. The only thing I don't like about early voting or anywhere voting is that I have always enjoyed going to the poll on election day and seeing people that I haven't talked to in awhile, maybe since last election day. It is always fun to chat a bit while waiting in line or even outside after voting.
The strangest call I answered was from a person who wanted to know if she could cast a vote in Greensboro for a candidate in another state. The last call I answered was at 7:23. I told the caller where to find his voting place. I also told him that I hoped he was very close because he only had a few minutes to get there.
It was an interesting job, but I wouldn't want to do it full-time.
I voted early because I worked on election day. I helped people find their voting locations. I told them where to vote, but not how to vote. That's a departure from my usual job on election day.
Tuesday, election day, I answered phone calls for the Board of Elections. The volunteers from LWV were in a room with a door at each end and a table running down the middle. There were four telephones on each side of the table and one on the end. Each place had a computer. The room was barely big enough to walk behind the chairs (a really tight squeeze for some of us.)
Most of the calls were from people who wanted to vote but were not sure about the location of their voting place. After getting the name of the person calling and an address, I looked up the name on a computer and told the caller his or her precinct number and the location. Some had moved since they last voted and I told them to go to their old precinct and get a transfer slip and take it to the new location. Some wanted to know if they could vote on the bond issues. I told them they could only vote if they lived within the city limits of Greensboro. Some thought they were in the city, but when I looked up their address, it was not in Greensboro. Only one person seemed a bit upset. He had gone to his regular polling place and the bond issues didn't show up on the ballot.
I hope every eligible voter who called got to cast a vote. I would like to see people able to vote at any polling place in the county. There would have to be a central secure registry for that to happen. It could be done so that the appropriate ballot choices would show up for each voter like it does in early voting machines and a way to ensure that each voter could only cast one ballot.
I love early voting. It is so convenient. I think that more people would vote if they could vote early and close to their workplace or their favorite restaurant. We Americans are a bit lazy. The only thing I don't like about early voting or anywhere voting is that I have always enjoyed going to the poll on election day and seeing people that I haven't talked to in awhile, maybe since last election day. It is always fun to chat a bit while waiting in line or even outside after voting.
The strangest call I answered was from a person who wanted to know if she could cast a vote in Greensboro for a candidate in another state. The last call I answered was at 7:23. I told the caller where to find his voting place. I also told him that I hoped he was very close because he only had a few minutes to get there.
It was an interesting job, but I wouldn't want to do it full-time.
Where Did That Mountain GO ? ?
_________
Come Find Out when you attend:
The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad
LUNCH WITH THE LEAGUE
November 14, 2006
Everyone is welcome!
GLOBAL WARMING
Kim Yarbray, Guilford College
Environmental Sustainability Coordinator
Gay Cheney, Member Sierra Club, Cool Cities Team & LWVPT
KILOWATT OURS (film)
Time: 12:15 pm
Place: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Haywood Duke Meeting Room
607 N. Greene St., Greensboro 27401
PROGRAM IS FREE
Meal is optional. Lunch: $8.00 per person.
Lunch Reservations: e-mail to: LWVPT@earthlink.net or Phone: 378-4457
-
Come Find Out when you attend:
The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad
LUNCH WITH THE LEAGUE
November 14, 2006
Everyone is welcome!
GLOBAL WARMING
Kim Yarbray, Guilford College
Environmental Sustainability Coordinator
Gay Cheney, Member Sierra Club, Cool Cities Team & LWVPT
KILOWATT OURS (film)
Time: 12:15 pm
Place: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Haywood Duke Meeting Room
607 N. Greene St., Greensboro 27401
PROGRAM IS FREE
Meal is optional. Lunch: $8.00 per person.
Lunch Reservations: e-mail to: LWVPT@earthlink.net or Phone: 378-4457
-
The Scoop on Holliday/Bush lunch
-----
At the Greensboro City Council Briefing session today, Mayor Keith Holliday said that he did not get invited to lunch with the President until 10 am on the morning of the meeting.
He said that he was asked to meet President Bush at the airport at 11:15. When the limo was headed out of the airport, the driver turned around and asked Mayor Holliday. "How do we get to Stamey's?"
That is how our Mayor told the story. Then, Councilman Tom Phillips quipped something about himself being the only Republican on the City Council.
At the Greensboro City Council Briefing session today, Mayor Keith Holliday said that he did not get invited to lunch with the President until 10 am on the morning of the meeting.
He said that he was asked to meet President Bush at the airport at 11:15. When the limo was headed out of the airport, the driver turned around and asked Mayor Holliday. "How do we get to Stamey's?"
That is how our Mayor told the story. Then, Councilman Tom Phillips quipped something about himself being the only Republican on the City Council.
Judicial Candidates October 17
Lunch with the League of Women Voters
Tuesday, October 17, 2006, 12:15 p.m.
Judicial Candidates
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court:
Robin Hudson, Eric Levinson
Court of Appeals: Bob Hunter, Linda Stephens
Superior Court: Stuart Albright, Susan Bray
District Court: Tom Jarrell, Susan O’Hale
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
607 N. Greene Street, Greensboro
Downtown between Fisher and Battleground
Everyone is Welcome
Program Free, Lunch optional at $8.00
For Reservations Reply to:
LWVPT@earthlink.net
NEXT MONTH
November Date Change
Lunch will be 2nd Tuesday
November 14
Global Warming
For more election information and questions and unedited answers from candidates try League of Women Voters
Tuesday, October 17, 2006, 12:15 p.m.
Judicial Candidates
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court:
Robin Hudson, Eric Levinson
Court of Appeals: Bob Hunter, Linda Stephens
Superior Court: Stuart Albright, Susan Bray
District Court: Tom Jarrell, Susan O’Hale
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
607 N. Greene Street, Greensboro
Downtown between Fisher and Battleground
Everyone is Welcome
Program Free, Lunch optional at $8.00
For Reservations Reply to:
LWVPT@earthlink.net
NEXT MONTH
November Date Change
Lunch will be 2nd Tuesday
November 14
Global Warming
For more election information and questions and unedited answers from candidates try League of Women Voters
Friday Night Lights
----
I've been waiting for Kyle Chandler to get a new TV series. I was quite disappointed that he got killed off after only 2 episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Probably because he was the sexiest looking guy on the screen. What a smile.
I would even consider watching a program about a high school football team, and I'm not a football fan. I will try again Tuesday night. But Friday Night Lights has got to improve to make me a regular watcher.
Why do some of my favorite actors get knocked off good programs and end up on bad ones. Mark Harmon, another of my favorites, got killed off in West Wing. I don't like his current show.
Oh, well. Life must be good if the only thing I have to complain about is bad television.
I've been waiting for Kyle Chandler to get a new TV series. I was quite disappointed that he got killed off after only 2 episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Probably because he was the sexiest looking guy on the screen. What a smile.
I would even consider watching a program about a high school football team, and I'm not a football fan. I will try again Tuesday night. But Friday Night Lights has got to improve to make me a regular watcher.
Why do some of my favorite actors get knocked off good programs and end up on bad ones. Mark Harmon, another of my favorites, got killed off in West Wing. I don't like his current show.
Oh, well. Life must be good if the only thing I have to complain about is bad television.
Bond Issue Issues
-----
I am not satisfied by media reported reasons to vote for or against bond issues on the November ballot. Some of these reports resemble news releases for new products on the market or one-sided public relations announcements from corporations or celebrities.
The famous Roman Forum was a public meeting place and marketplace. So, I suppose that a place to sell an idea or a slate of bond issues is a function of a marketplace; therefore, one function of a forum. A marketplace is where people pick and choose what they will buy from among the many offerings.
There are several forums about the eleven proposed bond issues. Are speakers from both sides of the issues being invited to speak? Will different opinions be expressed? Will questions be answered accurately? Will moderators be neutral? I truly hope so.
If there are speakers for the eleven Bond Issues on the ballot in Guilford County in November, should there also be speakers against some of the Bond Issues? Everyone has a vested interest in these outrageous expenses being proposed. Some of them are only necessary because of irresponsible monetary and fiscal policies of government. Some are wants, not really needs of our area. Some can enhance the quality of life here, others will not.
.
Whether to authorize or not to authorize Municipal Bond sales (borrowing money to be paid back by tax revenues) should be decided by a well-informed public, based on the good of the community as a whole, as well as personal interest.
If you want to pay more taxes for a project that you think would benefit our community, then do so. If there are others that you feel are essential services that should be provided by government, and you think that there is no good way to fund them under current tax rates, then vote for those bonds.
Some questions to ask before voting:
Is tax money currently being spent wisely?
How will the proposed bond money be spent?
What is the actual texts of the proposed bond issues?
Will the bond issue money be supplemented by general revenues?
Will some of the projects be worked into the general budget, even if not funded by bonds?
What are the restrictions on spending certain bond money?
How long will it take to pay-off the bonds?
Who is providing space for public forums?
Who is speaking at public forums and how are they chosen?
A forum about bond issues should be a place for taxpayers to exchange their views and receive relevant information. A forum should not be a session where citizens are force fed reasons to vote for tax increases by representatives who have vested interests in some of the referendum issues at hand or a coalition of such groups.
I am not encouraging anyone to vote only on pocketbook issues, but a thinking public cannot continue to reward bad spending decisions by increasing the allowance of government. Think about it.
forum
A public place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.
coalition
An alliance or union, especially a temporary one. A temporary alliance for combined action.
vested interest
A personal stake or involvement in an undertaking or state of affairs, especially one with an expectation of financial gain. A person or group having such a personal stake or involvement.
I am not satisfied by media reported reasons to vote for or against bond issues on the November ballot. Some of these reports resemble news releases for new products on the market or one-sided public relations announcements from corporations or celebrities.
The famous Roman Forum was a public meeting place and marketplace. So, I suppose that a place to sell an idea or a slate of bond issues is a function of a marketplace; therefore, one function of a forum. A marketplace is where people pick and choose what they will buy from among the many offerings.
There are several forums about the eleven proposed bond issues. Are speakers from both sides of the issues being invited to speak? Will different opinions be expressed? Will questions be answered accurately? Will moderators be neutral? I truly hope so.
If there are speakers for the eleven Bond Issues on the ballot in Guilford County in November, should there also be speakers against some of the Bond Issues? Everyone has a vested interest in these outrageous expenses being proposed. Some of them are only necessary because of irresponsible monetary and fiscal policies of government. Some are wants, not really needs of our area. Some can enhance the quality of life here, others will not.
.
Whether to authorize or not to authorize Municipal Bond sales (borrowing money to be paid back by tax revenues) should be decided by a well-informed public, based on the good of the community as a whole, as well as personal interest.
If you want to pay more taxes for a project that you think would benefit our community, then do so. If there are others that you feel are essential services that should be provided by government, and you think that there is no good way to fund them under current tax rates, then vote for those bonds.
Some questions to ask before voting:
Is tax money currently being spent wisely?
How will the proposed bond money be spent?
What is the actual texts of the proposed bond issues?
Will the bond issue money be supplemented by general revenues?
Will some of the projects be worked into the general budget, even if not funded by bonds?
What are the restrictions on spending certain bond money?
How long will it take to pay-off the bonds?
Who is providing space for public forums?
Who is speaking at public forums and how are they chosen?
A forum about bond issues should be a place for taxpayers to exchange their views and receive relevant information. A forum should not be a session where citizens are force fed reasons to vote for tax increases by representatives who have vested interests in some of the referendum issues at hand or a coalition of such groups.
I am not encouraging anyone to vote only on pocketbook issues, but a thinking public cannot continue to reward bad spending decisions by increasing the allowance of government. Think about it.
forum
A public place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.
coalition
An alliance or union, especially a temporary one. A temporary alliance for combined action.
vested interest
A personal stake or involvement in an undertaking or state of affairs, especially one with an expectation of financial gain. A person or group having such a personal stake or involvement.
Local Political Forum Scheduled
-----
Political Forum
Wednesday, October 25, at 6:30
Congregational United Church of Christ,
400 W. Radiance Drive in Greensboro.
The forum is co-sponsored by the Congregational United Church of Christ and the League of Women Voters. It will focus on local and state legislature candidates.
The public is welcome.
Political Forum
Wednesday, October 25, at 6:30
Congregational United Church of Christ,
400 W. Radiance Drive in Greensboro.
The forum is co-sponsored by the Congregational United Church of Christ and the League of Women Voters. It will focus on local and state legislature candidates.
The public is welcome.
Me too, Ed
_____
From Ed Cone, N&R today: "News that a group of civic leaders is considering a new branding campaign for Greensboro did not cause my heart to race in anticipation of a resulting boom in our economic prospects of self-esteem. In fact, it made me cringe."
Me too, Ed.
Some of the thoughts of Ed Cone in his column today should be refined and posted on billboards and featured on the pages of every news and media source available.
Ed states that, "This place is clean and green, in terms of landscape, if not development policy."
Some of his thoughts that should be translated into ads for Greensboro are:
• Promote the Virtues of Greensboro and build on what we've got.
• Talk about what's great about Greensboro. What makes us a good place to live, work, start a business or relocate a large corporate headquarters?
• Greensboro missed out on the explosive growth that has transformed Raleigh and Charlote into traffic-chocked icons of suburban blandness.
• Emphasize our livability and take affirmative steps to preserve and enhance it.
• Our geography makes us a natural transportation hub.
And from me:
Emphasize our unique blend of small town charm with big city amenities in promoting our city. Talk about what we have and what potential we have, rather than focusing on more silly slogans.
Greensboro is a great place for children to grow up and a place they will want their own children to enjoy. Some of our promotions should include our public parks and recreation facilities and should feature families enjoying them.
Ed mentioned that our public school system could use improvements. This is one of the areas that really needs to be improved in order to restore Greensboro back to being a better place for families.
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/Section?Category=NEWSREC02020404
From Ed Cone, N&R today: "News that a group of civic leaders is considering a new branding campaign for Greensboro did not cause my heart to race in anticipation of a resulting boom in our economic prospects of self-esteem. In fact, it made me cringe."
Me too, Ed.
Some of the thoughts of Ed Cone in his column today should be refined and posted on billboards and featured on the pages of every news and media source available.
Ed states that, "This place is clean and green, in terms of landscape, if not development policy."
Some of his thoughts that should be translated into ads for Greensboro are:
• Promote the Virtues of Greensboro and build on what we've got.
• Talk about what's great about Greensboro. What makes us a good place to live, work, start a business or relocate a large corporate headquarters?
• Greensboro missed out on the explosive growth that has transformed Raleigh and Charlote into traffic-chocked icons of suburban blandness.
• Emphasize our livability and take affirmative steps to preserve and enhance it.
• Our geography makes us a natural transportation hub.
And from me:
Emphasize our unique blend of small town charm with big city amenities in promoting our city. Talk about what we have and what potential we have, rather than focusing on more silly slogans.
Greensboro is a great place for children to grow up and a place they will want their own children to enjoy. Some of our promotions should include our public parks and recreation facilities and should feature families enjoying them.
Ed mentioned that our public school system could use improvements. This is one of the areas that really needs to be improved in order to restore Greensboro back to being a better place for families.
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/Section?Category=NEWSREC02020404
Area Bloggers Should Know
-----
To those of you in Guilford County, NC who are interested in the issue of internet neutrality.
US House Representative, Howard Coble from the 6th District, is a member of the House Judicial Committee's Sub Committee on the Internet and Intellectual Property.
Another member from our area who is on the US House Judiciary Committee is Representative Melvin Watt from the 12th District.
Hon. Melvin L. Watt
2236 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-1510
local address
301 S. Greene Street
Suite 210
Greensboro, NC 27401-2615
Hon. Howard Coble
2468 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515-3306
local address
2102 North Elm Street
Suite B
Greensboro, NC 27408-5100
-----
And a reminder that there is information on the web about this issue at several sites.
To those of you in Guilford County, NC who are interested in the issue of internet neutrality.
US House Representative, Howard Coble from the 6th District, is a member of the House Judicial Committee's Sub Committee on the Internet and Intellectual Property.
Another member from our area who is on the US House Judiciary Committee is Representative Melvin Watt from the 12th District.
Hon. Melvin L. Watt
2236 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-1510
local address
301 S. Greene Street
Suite 210
Greensboro, NC 27401-2615
Hon. Howard Coble
2468 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515-3306
local address
2102 North Elm Street
Suite B
Greensboro, NC 27408-5100
-----
And a reminder that there is information on the web about this issue at several sites.
Letter to the Editor of N&R
-----
This afternoon I tried to respond to a comment to my letter to the editor which appeared in the N&R Sunday.
I got this message:
"You are not signed onto the Typekey service. You must register and/or sign onto TypeKey to comment on this site."
I closed the window and opened it again, thinking that maybe my computer was tired or something and the keypad thing would work if I closed everything and tried again. I went back to the letters site and again got the same message.
So, like a good girl, I went to the typekey site. I entered all the required information. I got another message telling me that the name and e-mail address that I had entered was already taken. I returned to letters site later and tried again. This time I went to the help site. I entered my e-mail and password. I got a message that I had entered the wrong password. So, I clicked on the help button. I was told to enter my e-mail address and my password would be sent to that address. I did that and got a message that the e-mail address was not registered. I put in my other e-mail address and got the same response.
I gave up. I can comment somewhere else. Here on my own blog for instance. So here goes.
Here is the letter as it appeared in Sunday's N&R - http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/
September 10, 2006
Solar power promises better energy source
Now is the time for a real change in the way we pay for maintenance of city-owned property in Greensboro. The city can produce energy by using the roofs of publicly owned facilities. This energy can be sold or used within the building. The money saved can be used to help defray maintenance costs of those very buildings.
As roofs are replaced or repaired on existing city-owned buildings or installed on new facilities, they can be fitted with energy-producing solar units. The project would cost less if done as roof repair or as replacement is done. Solar power helps reduce pollution by reducing the need for more coal-burning or nuclear-powered energy plants. Clean solar power pays for itself.
City Manager Mitchell Johnson told me that solar power is not economical and not a good option for city buildings in Greensboro. He did say that the Melvin Building has passive solar because there is a skylight into the plaza area.
Still, I urge citizens of Greensboro and Guilford County to write, call, e-mail or speak to elected officials at meetings. Suggest that solar energy be explored. It is being used in other cities in the United States and around the world. It just makes sense.
Diane Davis
Greensboro
The comment to which I would like to respond is:
"Clean solar power pays for itself.
City Manager Mitchell Johnson told me that solar power is not economical."
Which? If it pays for itself, it's economical. If it's not economical, it doesn't pay for itself.
Posted by: brian444 at September 11, 2006 12:17 AM
My response to brian444 is:
Brian,
There is much information available that solar power is a clean source of energy. When generated by municipal governments in conjunction with a local conventional source of energy it is a good investment for the city (that's we taxpayers) and the utility company (probably Duke Power in this area).
My reference to Mr. Johnson was to emphasize that I don't think the City of Greensboro has seriously investigated the use of solar power. His answer seemed a bit facetious to me.
This afternoon I tried to respond to a comment to my letter to the editor which appeared in the N&R Sunday.
I got this message:
"You are not signed onto the Typekey service. You must register and/or sign onto TypeKey to comment on this site."
I closed the window and opened it again, thinking that maybe my computer was tired or something and the keypad thing would work if I closed everything and tried again. I went back to the letters site and again got the same message.
So, like a good girl, I went to the typekey site. I entered all the required information. I got another message telling me that the name and e-mail address that I had entered was already taken. I returned to letters site later and tried again. This time I went to the help site. I entered my e-mail and password. I got a message that I had entered the wrong password. So, I clicked on the help button. I was told to enter my e-mail address and my password would be sent to that address. I did that and got a message that the e-mail address was not registered. I put in my other e-mail address and got the same response.
I gave up. I can comment somewhere else. Here on my own blog for instance. So here goes.
Here is the letter as it appeared in Sunday's N&R - http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/
September 10, 2006
Solar power promises better energy source
Now is the time for a real change in the way we pay for maintenance of city-owned property in Greensboro. The city can produce energy by using the roofs of publicly owned facilities. This energy can be sold or used within the building. The money saved can be used to help defray maintenance costs of those very buildings.
As roofs are replaced or repaired on existing city-owned buildings or installed on new facilities, they can be fitted with energy-producing solar units. The project would cost less if done as roof repair or as replacement is done. Solar power helps reduce pollution by reducing the need for more coal-burning or nuclear-powered energy plants. Clean solar power pays for itself.
City Manager Mitchell Johnson told me that solar power is not economical and not a good option for city buildings in Greensboro. He did say that the Melvin Building has passive solar because there is a skylight into the plaza area.
Still, I urge citizens of Greensboro and Guilford County to write, call, e-mail or speak to elected officials at meetings. Suggest that solar energy be explored. It is being used in other cities in the United States and around the world. It just makes sense.
Diane Davis
Greensboro
The comment to which I would like to respond is:
"Clean solar power pays for itself.
City Manager Mitchell Johnson told me that solar power is not economical."
Which? If it pays for itself, it's economical. If it's not economical, it doesn't pay for itself.
Posted by: brian444 at September 11, 2006 12:17 AM
My response to brian444 is:
Brian,
There is much information available that solar power is a clean source of energy. When generated by municipal governments in conjunction with a local conventional source of energy it is a good investment for the city (that's we taxpayers) and the utility company (probably Duke Power in this area).
My reference to Mr. Johnson was to emphasize that I don't think the City of Greensboro has seriously investigated the use of solar power. His answer seemed a bit facetious to me.
Solar could help pay maintenance in greensboro
-----
Now might be the time for a REAL CHANGE in the way city-owned property is maintained in Greensboro and Guilford County.
If the city produces some of the energy used by publicly-owned buildings, the money saved could be used to maintain those very buildings.
Diane G. Davis
905 Fairmont Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 378-4457
September 4, 2006
Letters to the Editor
The News & Record
edpage@news-record.com
Please consider this letter for publication. Thank you.
Now is the time for a REAL CHANGE in the way we pay for maintenance of city-owned property in Greensboro.
.
The city can produce energy by using the roofs of publicly-owned facilities. This energy can be sold or used within the building. The money saved can be used to help defray maintenance costs of those very buildings.
As roofs are replaced or repaired on existing city-owned buildings or installed on new facilities, they can be fitted with energy producing solar units. The project would cost less if done as roof repair or replacement is done. Solar Power helps reduce pollution by reducing the need for more coal-burning or nuclear-powered energy plants. Clean solar power pays for itself.
City Manager Mitch Johnson told me that Solar Power is not economical and not a good option for city buildings in Greensboro. He did say that the Melvin Building has passive solar because there is a sky light into the plaza area.
I urge citizens of Greensboro and Guilford County to write, call, e-mail or speak to elected officials at meetings. Suggest that Solar Energy be explored. It is being used in other cities in the US and around the world. It just makes sense.
Thank you,
Diane Davis
Now might be the time for a REAL CHANGE in the way city-owned property is maintained in Greensboro and Guilford County.
If the city produces some of the energy used by publicly-owned buildings, the money saved could be used to maintain those very buildings.
Diane G. Davis
905 Fairmont Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 378-4457
September 4, 2006
Letters to the Editor
The News & Record
edpage@news-record.com
Please consider this letter for publication. Thank you.
Now is the time for a REAL CHANGE in the way we pay for maintenance of city-owned property in Greensboro.
.
The city can produce energy by using the roofs of publicly-owned facilities. This energy can be sold or used within the building. The money saved can be used to help defray maintenance costs of those very buildings.
As roofs are replaced or repaired on existing city-owned buildings or installed on new facilities, they can be fitted with energy producing solar units. The project would cost less if done as roof repair or replacement is done. Solar Power helps reduce pollution by reducing the need for more coal-burning or nuclear-powered energy plants. Clean solar power pays for itself.
City Manager Mitch Johnson told me that Solar Power is not economical and not a good option for city buildings in Greensboro. He did say that the Melvin Building has passive solar because there is a sky light into the plaza area.
I urge citizens of Greensboro and Guilford County to write, call, e-mail or speak to elected officials at meetings. Suggest that Solar Energy be explored. It is being used in other cities in the US and around the world. It just makes sense.
Thank you,
Diane Davis
Who Remembers ? ? ?
-----
Does anyone remember the transportation bonds that were approved in 2000?
Was some of that money used to purchase the Ice House?
I know that some money from that bond issue was to be used to provide parking and office space for the transportation department. Some of it was also supposed to be used for street scape work on Church Street. I believe some of the money (for church st.) is being spent for the mess out on Friendly Ave. which is costing more than estimated.
Were fire station bonds passed in 2000? I know they were on the ballot. If so, has all of that money been spent? I think I heard something about it at a City Council briefing last year.
Another thought about the fire stations. Where will the money come from to train and equip additional people to man these new stations. And the maintenance costs - Will this be from another bond referendum in another non-city-council-election year or from the general fund?
Police and fire protection are essential services that should be provided with tax money. Our police and fire departments and our emergency medical response people are doing a wonderful job and should not be slighted in city budget decisions. The City of Greensboro should not have to borrow money (issue bonds) for essential services.
Does anyone remember the transportation bonds that were approved in 2000?
Was some of that money used to purchase the Ice House?
I know that some money from that bond issue was to be used to provide parking and office space for the transportation department. Some of it was also supposed to be used for street scape work on Church Street. I believe some of the money (for church st.) is being spent for the mess out on Friendly Ave. which is costing more than estimated.
Were fire station bonds passed in 2000? I know they were on the ballot. If so, has all of that money been spent? I think I heard something about it at a City Council briefing last year.
Another thought about the fire stations. Where will the money come from to train and equip additional people to man these new stations. And the maintenance costs - Will this be from another bond referendum in another non-city-council-election year or from the general fund?
Police and fire protection are essential services that should be provided with tax money. Our police and fire departments and our emergency medical response people are doing a wonderful job and should not be slighted in city budget decisions. The City of Greensboro should not have to borrow money (issue bonds) for essential services.
A Few Jail Facts for Beth
-----
• Jails are not fun or funny.
• Reality Shows on TV are NOT REAL.
• You would not like to be locked inside the Guilford County Jail.
• Most Guilford County Commissioners have not visited local jails in the past few years.
• Over 80 percent of inmates in Guilford County Jails are awaiting trial. (This means that they have not been convicted of the crime with which they are currently charged.)
• Conditions in the Guilford County Jail in Greensboro are disgusting. Inmates hardly have room to stand in the "day rooms" provided.
• Overcrowded jails in Guilford County are dangerous to inmates, employees and county commissioners.
• About half those held in Guilford County Jails have been in jail before or have been treated in alternative programs.
• Any fairly-intelligent person cannot believe that the general population can increase without an increase in criminal activity.
• Lack of speedy trials (a right the US Constitution guarantees) is one of the reasons for over-crowded conditions in local jails.
• Anyone accused of a crime, guilty or not, could spend some time in jail, and even an hour there is no picnic.
Reference: greensboring
• Jails are not fun or funny.
• Reality Shows on TV are NOT REAL.
• You would not like to be locked inside the Guilford County Jail.
• Most Guilford County Commissioners have not visited local jails in the past few years.
• Over 80 percent of inmates in Guilford County Jails are awaiting trial. (This means that they have not been convicted of the crime with which they are currently charged.)
• Conditions in the Guilford County Jail in Greensboro are disgusting. Inmates hardly have room to stand in the "day rooms" provided.
• Overcrowded jails in Guilford County are dangerous to inmates, employees and county commissioners.
• About half those held in Guilford County Jails have been in jail before or have been treated in alternative programs.
• Any fairly-intelligent person cannot believe that the general population can increase without an increase in criminal activity.
• Lack of speedy trials (a right the US Constitution guarantees) is one of the reasons for over-crowded conditions in local jails.
• Anyone accused of a crime, guilty or not, could spend some time in jail, and even an hour there is no picnic.
Reference: greensboring
ANSWER to Reader's Question
-----
Hey Laura,
You didn't leave an e-mail address when you commented on an old post on this blog; so, I will answer here.
There are several places to learn more and do more to promote energy conservation and alternative sources of energy right here in our area.
I think that Sustainable Triad and the Guilford Solar Communities Program are good places to start. Just click on these links.Sustainable Triad and Guilford Solar
Guilford Solar Communities Program is an outreach program of the Guilford County Center, N.C. Cooperative Extension. Its mission is to participate in creating a sustainable energy future in Guilford County. You can contact Brenda Morris at: brenda_morris@ncsu.edu.
Another is Kilowattours.
Also, The Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch Library has an environmental focus. Melanie Buckingham is an environmental resources librarian there.The library is on Price Park Drive, just off New Garden Rd. Telephone: 336-373-2923.
I hope this information will help you get started.
(Aug. 30 addition) Sorry the links didn't work well. I think I have them fixed.
Hey Laura,
You didn't leave an e-mail address when you commented on an old post on this blog; so, I will answer here.
There are several places to learn more and do more to promote energy conservation and alternative sources of energy right here in our area.
I think that Sustainable Triad and the Guilford Solar Communities Program are good places to start. Just click on these links.Sustainable Triad and Guilford Solar
Guilford Solar Communities Program is an outreach program of the Guilford County Center, N.C. Cooperative Extension. Its mission is to participate in creating a sustainable energy future in Guilford County. You can contact Brenda Morris at: brenda_morris@ncsu.edu.
Another is Kilowattours.
Also, The Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch Library has an environmental focus. Melanie Buckingham is an environmental resources librarian there.The library is on Price Park Drive, just off New Garden Rd. Telephone: 336-373-2923.
I hope this information will help you get started.
(Aug. 30 addition) Sorry the links didn't work well. I think I have them fixed.
World's Best Ant Killer
This particular use for the artificial sweetener Aspartame could possibly be another urban legend; but, my own experiences with this product sold under several brand names including Nutrasweet are not. Aspartame is dangerous and scary.
Aspartame is added into many products to enhance and prolong taste. Check the labels of your chewing gum, soft drinks, vitamins, baking mixes, etc. and notice that the amount of this product is not listed on the label, only that it is there. A warning appears about aspartame, but it is inadequate.
I will post some information next week. Today has been quite busy for me. I attended the Greensboro women's Equality Day this morning. I will post some of my observations about it next week.
-----
From the June 2006 Idaho Observer: http://www.idaho-observer.com
Also see:
http://www.snopes.com/humor/iftrue/antpoison.asp
www.proliberty.com/observer/20001108.htm
Aspartame - The World's Best Ant Poison
by Jan Jensen of WELLthy Choices.
We live in the woods and carpenter ants are a huge problem. We have spent thousands of dollars with Orkin and on ant poisons trying to keep them under control but nothing has helped. So when I read somewhere that aspartame (Nutrasweet) was actually developed as an ant poison and only changed to being considered non-poisonous after it was realized that a lot more money could be made on it as a sweetener than as an ant poison, I decided to give it a try. I opened two packets of aspartame sweetener, and dumped one in a corner of each of our bathrooms. That was 2 yrs ago and I have not seen any carpenter ants for about 9 - 12 months.
It works better than the most deadly poisons I have tried. Any time they show up again, I simply dump another package of Nutrasweet in a corner, and they will be gone for a year or so again. Since posting this information I have had many people tell me of their success solving ant problems with this substance, when nothing else worked.
Aspartame is added into many products to enhance and prolong taste. Check the labels of your chewing gum, soft drinks, vitamins, baking mixes, etc. and notice that the amount of this product is not listed on the label, only that it is there. A warning appears about aspartame, but it is inadequate.
I will post some information next week. Today has been quite busy for me. I attended the Greensboro women's Equality Day this morning. I will post some of my observations about it next week.
-----
From the June 2006 Idaho Observer: http://www.idaho-observer.com
Also see:
http://www.snopes.com/humor/iftrue/antpoison.asp
www.proliberty.com/observer/20001108.htm
Aspartame - The World's Best Ant Poison
by Jan Jensen of WELLthy Choices.
We live in the woods and carpenter ants are a huge problem. We have spent thousands of dollars with Orkin and on ant poisons trying to keep them under control but nothing has helped. So when I read somewhere that aspartame (Nutrasweet) was actually developed as an ant poison and only changed to being considered non-poisonous after it was realized that a lot more money could be made on it as a sweetener than as an ant poison, I decided to give it a try. I opened two packets of aspartame sweetener, and dumped one in a corner of each of our bathrooms. That was 2 yrs ago and I have not seen any carpenter ants for about 9 - 12 months.
It works better than the most deadly poisons I have tried. Any time they show up again, I simply dump another package of Nutrasweet in a corner, and they will be gone for a year or so again. Since posting this information I have had many people tell me of their success solving ant problems with this substance, when nothing else worked.
Beautiful Downtown Greensboro
-----
If you haven't been to City Hall (MMOB) recently, you have missed a real treat. Not what goes on inside, but the beautiful landscaping on the Greene Street side of the building. The area is so full of colorful blooming plants that the view made me want to just sit and take in the beauty of it all.
I wish I had taken my camera yesterday when I attended the Greensboro City Council Briefing. After observing the meeting, I felt a little down because of some of the stuff I heard. But the scene outside revived my spirit and made me proud to live in Greensboro.
Get Downtown and See the Beauty!
If you haven't been to City Hall (MMOB) recently, you have missed a real treat. Not what goes on inside, but the beautiful landscaping on the Greene Street side of the building. The area is so full of colorful blooming plants that the view made me want to just sit and take in the beauty of it all.
I wish I had taken my camera yesterday when I attended the Greensboro City Council Briefing. After observing the meeting, I felt a little down because of some of the stuff I heard. But the scene outside revived my spirit and made me proud to live in Greensboro.
Get Downtown and See the Beauty!
Quality of Life Issues/What are we thinking?
-----
Help save the beautiful Wachovia tower downtown and award the buyer over 2 million (city/county) dollars to build himself a penthouse apartment there.
Buy and demolish the beautiful old Ice House on East Market Street and park buses on the lot.(city)
Do nothing to help save the beautiful old Arbor House.
Revoke the charter of a school (state) operating on Friendly and Church streets thus allowing the owner to sell the property for a huge profit to be converted into offices.
Spend $750,000 for street scape improvements around a privately owned park downtown and commit city money to maintain and promote it.(city)
Allow college students to ride city buses free while charging the working poor for transportation to their jobs on the same buses.(federal, state,city)
Let city-owned property deteriorate from lack of routine maintenance.
Ask citizens to borrow money (approve bonds) to build Fire Stations because there is not enough money left over after too much wasteful spending to provide adequate police and fire protection for the city.
Close and donate streets to the private (non-profit? ? ) developers of a downtown ball park.
Invite College students to Get Downtown and Get Drunk.
Raise the tax rate to cover shipping household trash to a dump in another county.
WOW. I don't understand.
Help save the beautiful Wachovia tower downtown and award the buyer over 2 million (city/county) dollars to build himself a penthouse apartment there.
Buy and demolish the beautiful old Ice House on East Market Street and park buses on the lot.(city)
Do nothing to help save the beautiful old Arbor House.
Revoke the charter of a school (state) operating on Friendly and Church streets thus allowing the owner to sell the property for a huge profit to be converted into offices.
Spend $750,000 for street scape improvements around a privately owned park downtown and commit city money to maintain and promote it.(city)
Allow college students to ride city buses free while charging the working poor for transportation to their jobs on the same buses.(federal, state,city)
Let city-owned property deteriorate from lack of routine maintenance.
Ask citizens to borrow money (approve bonds) to build Fire Stations because there is not enough money left over after too much wasteful spending to provide adequate police and fire protection for the city.
Close and donate streets to the private (non-profit? ? ) developers of a downtown ball park.
Invite College students to Get Downtown and Get Drunk.
Raise the tax rate to cover shipping household trash to a dump in another county.
WOW. I don't understand.
Monthly Water Bill Woes
-----
Just a comment about some of the things discussed between Roch Smith and Sandy Carmany and others on Hoggsblog about the change from quarterly water bills to monthly bills.
I have heard the city council discuss this topic on several occasions. It is my understanding that one of the main reasons for the monthly billing is to benefit landlords who get stuck with unpaid water bills when tenants vacate both commercial and residential rental units.
If the bill is unpaid for a certain length of time, the city cuts off water to the property. If there is no water, a condemned sign is posted on the building.
The building cannot be leased as long as it is condemned. This leaves the property owner (landlord) to pay the overdue water bill in order to re-rent the property.
I also heard something about not being able to sell the property until outstanding water bills and taxes are paid; because apparently, the city puts a lien on property with over-due bills. I am not clear about just how that works. I just remember some talk about it by the City Council and City Staff.
There was also talk of not allowing a person to get water in another house until the old bill was taken care of by the person who moved while owing it. This could be a nightmare for the city because many people get water service in another person's name to avoid paying old bills at another address.
Monthly billing allows the city to know when a bill is overdue before it becomes a bill for 4 months or more of service. I don't know how much money the city loses on uncollected bills. I suspect it is not much, because property owners must pay up for irresponsible tenants before property can be re-rented.
I would think that a security deposit by tenants in addition to a deposit at the water department could cover the loss to landlords and the city, thus eliminating one of the reasons for monthly water bills. This could be an expensive proposition for renters who make up almost 40 percent of Greensboro residents.
Just a comment about some of the things discussed between Roch Smith and Sandy Carmany and others on Hoggsblog about the change from quarterly water bills to monthly bills.
I have heard the city council discuss this topic on several occasions. It is my understanding that one of the main reasons for the monthly billing is to benefit landlords who get stuck with unpaid water bills when tenants vacate both commercial and residential rental units.
If the bill is unpaid for a certain length of time, the city cuts off water to the property. If there is no water, a condemned sign is posted on the building.
The building cannot be leased as long as it is condemned. This leaves the property owner (landlord) to pay the overdue water bill in order to re-rent the property.
I also heard something about not being able to sell the property until outstanding water bills and taxes are paid; because apparently, the city puts a lien on property with over-due bills. I am not clear about just how that works. I just remember some talk about it by the City Council and City Staff.
There was also talk of not allowing a person to get water in another house until the old bill was taken care of by the person who moved while owing it. This could be a nightmare for the city because many people get water service in another person's name to avoid paying old bills at another address.
Monthly billing allows the city to know when a bill is overdue before it becomes a bill for 4 months or more of service. I don't know how much money the city loses on uncollected bills. I suspect it is not much, because property owners must pay up for irresponsible tenants before property can be re-rented.
I would think that a security deposit by tenants in addition to a deposit at the water department could cover the loss to landlords and the city, thus eliminating one of the reasons for monthly water bills. This could be an expensive proposition for renters who make up almost 40 percent of Greensboro residents.
Who's Advocating Racism Now ?
-----
I was disappointed to read on the front page of the News & Record that a High Point City Council member and a local minister have suggested that African American shoppers buy exclusively from Black-owned businesses on Labor Day.
It is hard for me to believe that people who have been victims of the horrible social disease of racism would vent their retribution on innocent business owners in the area simply because they are of a different race.
This is truly Intolerable Racism. And it does not help mend the tear in the social fabric of our area. To quote a Guilford County Commissioner "Racism IS alive and well" , but I think that it is not thought or practiced by the majority of our citizens of all races.
I was disappointed to read on the front page of the News & Record that a High Point City Council member and a local minister have suggested that African American shoppers buy exclusively from Black-owned businesses on Labor Day.
It is hard for me to believe that people who have been victims of the horrible social disease of racism would vent their retribution on innocent business owners in the area simply because they are of a different race.
This is truly Intolerable Racism. And it does not help mend the tear in the social fabric of our area. To quote a Guilford County Commissioner "Racism IS alive and well" , but I think that it is not thought or practiced by the majority of our citizens of all races.
Kitchen Reflections
-----
Our dishwasher hasn't been on it's best behavior for several days. Lowell and I have discussed it, cleaned it, talked to it, taken it apart and inspected everything we could see. We can't seem to find out exactly why the darn thing is leaking water. The leak seems to be coming from below the door on the front of the machine.
Oh well, we will figure it out one of these days or call in an expert. I like having a dishwasher.
When we moved into our house in 1971, it was equipped with an original 1920's style kitchen. I refused to move into the house until there was a new dishwasher in that old kitchen. We got a convertible (portable) dishwasher but the kitchen remains much as it was then. (We did have the whole house re-wired and we took up the linoleum and had the wood floor finished). The original old iron sink is weary and worn, but I love the wide well with a drain board on each side. A double sink would be nice, but I'd have to give up the drain boards and the wonderful ambience of an old fashioned kitchen.
One of the walls still has a vent to a chimney (covered with a flat plug-in) for a wood stove. An old rusty cook-stove is hidden in the back of our garage and another one makes a fine flower pot on the back porch.
Our kitchen is equipped with an old oak Dutch-style cabinet with a enamel finished pull-out shelf and a cutting board. It came from my Great Aunt Nina's house. There are no under-counter cabinets, because there are no build-in counter tops.
I have worn out several electric ranges over the years, including one of the first Liton combination smooth-surface cooktop, conventional oven, microwave combinations that we got in 1975 and several dishwashers (all convertible types) that have never been built in.
But, back to the dishwashing. I don't really mind washing dishes. Now that our five children are grown and have their own houses, cooking and washing up for 2 is not much of a chore.
We will get the dishwasher fixed or replaced; because, for one thing, if I didn't have it I would MISS THE VERY BEST THING ABOUT A DISHWASHER. It is a marvelous place to hide unwashed dishes and cookware.
Our dishwasher hasn't been on it's best behavior for several days. Lowell and I have discussed it, cleaned it, talked to it, taken it apart and inspected everything we could see. We can't seem to find out exactly why the darn thing is leaking water. The leak seems to be coming from below the door on the front of the machine.
Oh well, we will figure it out one of these days or call in an expert. I like having a dishwasher.
When we moved into our house in 1971, it was equipped with an original 1920's style kitchen. I refused to move into the house until there was a new dishwasher in that old kitchen. We got a convertible (portable) dishwasher but the kitchen remains much as it was then. (We did have the whole house re-wired and we took up the linoleum and had the wood floor finished). The original old iron sink is weary and worn, but I love the wide well with a drain board on each side. A double sink would be nice, but I'd have to give up the drain boards and the wonderful ambience of an old fashioned kitchen.
One of the walls still has a vent to a chimney (covered with a flat plug-in) for a wood stove. An old rusty cook-stove is hidden in the back of our garage and another one makes a fine flower pot on the back porch.
Our kitchen is equipped with an old oak Dutch-style cabinet with a enamel finished pull-out shelf and a cutting board. It came from my Great Aunt Nina's house. There are no under-counter cabinets, because there are no build-in counter tops.
I have worn out several electric ranges over the years, including one of the first Liton combination smooth-surface cooktop, conventional oven, microwave combinations that we got in 1975 and several dishwashers (all convertible types) that have never been built in.
But, back to the dishwashing. I don't really mind washing dishes. Now that our five children are grown and have their own houses, cooking and washing up for 2 is not much of a chore.
We will get the dishwasher fixed or replaced; because, for one thing, if I didn't have it I would MISS THE VERY BEST THING ABOUT A DISHWASHER. It is a marvelous place to hide unwashed dishes and cookware.
Economic impact of death penalty vs. life sentence
Yesterday I wrote:
"Another reason given for the death penalty is the cost of housing a prisoner for life. Executing a criminal is more costly to society than imprisonment. Sounds crazy doesn't it. But my research shows that it is true.
To back up this claim I offer some published information:
FINANCIAL FACTS ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTY
• The California death penalty system costs taxpayers $114 million per year beyond the costs of keeping convicts locked up for life.
Taxpayers have paid more than $250 million for each of the state’s executions. (L.A. Times, March 6, 2005)
• In Kansas, the costs of capital cases are 70% more expensive than comparable non-capital cases, including the costs of incarceration.
(Kansas Performance Audit Report, December 2003).
• In Indiana, the total costs of the death penalty exceed the complete costs of life without parole sentences by about 38%, assuming
that 20% of death sentences are overturned and reduced to life. (Indiana Criminal Law Study Commission, January 10, 2002).
• The most comprehensive study in the country found that the death penalty costs North Carolina $2.16 million per execution over the
costs of sentencing murderers to life imprisonment. The majority of those costs occur at the trial level. (Duke University, May 1993).
• Enforcing the death penalty costs Florida $51 million a year above what it would cost to punish all first-degree murderers with life in
prison without parole. Based on the 44 executions Florida had carried out since 1976, that amounts to a cost of $24 million for each
execution. (Palm Beach Post, January 4, 2000).
• In Texas, a death penalty case costs an average of $2.3 million, about three times the cost of imprisoning someone in a single cell at
the highest security level for 40 years. (Dallas Morning News, March 8, 1992).
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/FactSheet.pdf
_____
A review of the literature about the death penalty shows that no state has saved money by using it. For example, A Dallas Morning News study of costs in Texas, the state which has executed the most prisoners in the U.S., showed the cost of executing a prisoner, including all expenses from trial through appeals, and assuming the case concluded in 7.5 years, to be $2,316,655. Imprisoning someone in a single cell at the highest security for 40 years in Texas costs about $750,000.
It is estimated that it costs $383,980 for 40 years of imprisonment in Missouri.
The higher cost is due to the fact that the legal process in death penalty cases is very complicated, reflecting the stakes involved. Death penalty trials are often longer and more complicated than non-death murder trials. The jury selection process is more involved. Many more motions are often filed by both the State and the defense. There may be more intensive use of experts and investigators. If a conviction is obtained, extensive appeals in state and federal courts inevitably follow.
Anyone on trial for his or her life should be expected to mount an energetic defense. The detailed trial and appellate process in death penalty cases has grown out of concern for justice and the permanent consequences of a mistaken conviction. Such protection will never be cheap. Even life in prison, in comparison, is more economical and does not pose significantly increased danger to the public. Maximum security prisons in Missouri know how to control and maintain even the most violent and dangerous people in their charge.
Source of Texas Information: Christy Hoppe, "Executions Cost Texas Millions," The Dallas Morning News, March 8, 1992 p. 12A.
_____
Dr. Philip Cook and Donna Swenson of Duke University released a report in April of 1993 called "The Costs of Processing Murder Cases in North Carolina." It compared the costs of prosecuting murder cases capitally and noncapitally in North Carolina. The state of North Carolina spends approximately $2.16 million per actual execution. The overall costs to the state for having the death sentence are $4 million a year higher than if it only sought life sentences in first degree murder cases.
According to the Duke study, the costs to the tax payers for first degree murder prosecution and conviction that results in execution is $165,000 higher than if the same person had been sentenced to life in prison. Speeding up the appeals process was found to have no significant effect on the number of dollars spent.
Source of Duke Report at: http://pfadp.org/news/sevenmyths.html
______
In CT, in 2000, there were 98 murders, 678 forcible rapes, 3832 robberies and 6450 aggravated assaults. In CT, as of 2002, it cost the PD's office an average of $380,000 per case for the 7 men on death row, totalling $2,659,921. By comparision, those sentenced to life after being charged with the death penalty cost an average of $202,365, totalling $2,630,745. Those who weren't charged with the death penalty, but were sentenced to life after a trial cost an average of $79,777.
The 2003-2004 cost of providing capital defense in CT was $1,959,523.
Full report of the CT Commission on the Death Penalty here: http://www.opm.state.ct.us/pdpd1/CDP/CDP-FinalReport.htm
"Another reason given for the death penalty is the cost of housing a prisoner for life. Executing a criminal is more costly to society than imprisonment. Sounds crazy doesn't it. But my research shows that it is true.
To back up this claim I offer some published information:
FINANCIAL FACTS ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTY
• The California death penalty system costs taxpayers $114 million per year beyond the costs of keeping convicts locked up for life.
Taxpayers have paid more than $250 million for each of the state’s executions. (L.A. Times, March 6, 2005)
• In Kansas, the costs of capital cases are 70% more expensive than comparable non-capital cases, including the costs of incarceration.
(Kansas Performance Audit Report, December 2003).
• In Indiana, the total costs of the death penalty exceed the complete costs of life without parole sentences by about 38%, assuming
that 20% of death sentences are overturned and reduced to life. (Indiana Criminal Law Study Commission, January 10, 2002).
• The most comprehensive study in the country found that the death penalty costs North Carolina $2.16 million per execution over the
costs of sentencing murderers to life imprisonment. The majority of those costs occur at the trial level. (Duke University, May 1993).
• Enforcing the death penalty costs Florida $51 million a year above what it would cost to punish all first-degree murderers with life in
prison without parole. Based on the 44 executions Florida had carried out since 1976, that amounts to a cost of $24 million for each
execution. (Palm Beach Post, January 4, 2000).
• In Texas, a death penalty case costs an average of $2.3 million, about three times the cost of imprisoning someone in a single cell at
the highest security level for 40 years. (Dallas Morning News, March 8, 1992).
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/FactSheet.pdf
_____
A review of the literature about the death penalty shows that no state has saved money by using it. For example, A Dallas Morning News study of costs in Texas, the state which has executed the most prisoners in the U.S., showed the cost of executing a prisoner, including all expenses from trial through appeals, and assuming the case concluded in 7.5 years, to be $2,316,655. Imprisoning someone in a single cell at the highest security for 40 years in Texas costs about $750,000.
It is estimated that it costs $383,980 for 40 years of imprisonment in Missouri.
The higher cost is due to the fact that the legal process in death penalty cases is very complicated, reflecting the stakes involved. Death penalty trials are often longer and more complicated than non-death murder trials. The jury selection process is more involved. Many more motions are often filed by both the State and the defense. There may be more intensive use of experts and investigators. If a conviction is obtained, extensive appeals in state and federal courts inevitably follow.
Anyone on trial for his or her life should be expected to mount an energetic defense. The detailed trial and appellate process in death penalty cases has grown out of concern for justice and the permanent consequences of a mistaken conviction. Such protection will never be cheap. Even life in prison, in comparison, is more economical and does not pose significantly increased danger to the public. Maximum security prisons in Missouri know how to control and maintain even the most violent and dangerous people in their charge.
Source of Texas Information: Christy Hoppe, "Executions Cost Texas Millions," The Dallas Morning News, March 8, 1992 p. 12A.
_____
Dr. Philip Cook and Donna Swenson of Duke University released a report in April of 1993 called "The Costs of Processing Murder Cases in North Carolina." It compared the costs of prosecuting murder cases capitally and noncapitally in North Carolina. The state of North Carolina spends approximately $2.16 million per actual execution. The overall costs to the state for having the death sentence are $4 million a year higher than if it only sought life sentences in first degree murder cases.
According to the Duke study, the costs to the tax payers for first degree murder prosecution and conviction that results in execution is $165,000 higher than if the same person had been sentenced to life in prison. Speeding up the appeals process was found to have no significant effect on the number of dollars spent.
Source of Duke Report at: http://pfadp.org/news/sevenmyths.html
______
In CT, in 2000, there were 98 murders, 678 forcible rapes, 3832 robberies and 6450 aggravated assaults. In CT, as of 2002, it cost the PD's office an average of $380,000 per case for the 7 men on death row, totalling $2,659,921. By comparision, those sentenced to life after being charged with the death penalty cost an average of $202,365, totalling $2,630,745. Those who weren't charged with the death penalty, but were sentenced to life after a trial cost an average of $79,777.
The 2003-2004 cost of providing capital defense in CT was $1,959,523.
Full report of the CT Commission on the Death Penalty here: http://www.opm.state.ct.us/pdpd1/CDP/CDP-FinalReport.htm
Death, Sentencing, Danger in Jail
_____
Thank you Doug Clark for taking a stand against the death penalty. From the column in today's N&R
. . ."If we can't explain or justify these disparities, then the death penalty is arbitrary and should be abolished.
Not out of sympathy, but fairness. Because unfairness is inexcusable in matters of life and death."
_____
An account in the N&R yesterday said that a man in Charlotte was arrested and charged with killing the child of his girlfriend. This man had recently been released after serving 25 years for killing his own 19-month-old child in another state.
This is a horrible thing and probably a child's life was lost because this man lived. One justification for the death penalty is that "this particular person will never do the crime again." This is true.
On the other hand, is the awareness that innocent people have been killed by the government for crimes they did not commit. and the reality that the death penalty is not applied fairly or swiftly. The more money or notoriety a convicted death row inmate has, the less likely he/she will be executed by the state in a timely manner.
Another reason given for the death penalty is the cost of housing a prisoner for life. Executing a criminal is more costly to society than imprisonment. Sounds crazy doesn't it. But my research shows that it is true.
Proper sentencing of dangerous people is not an exact science. Keeping dangerous people out of society is adequate to protect us from other crimes they might commit. This is a hard thing to do.
I have read, and I believe, that there are people serving long prison terms and much money spent in catching, trying and incarcerating people for long periods who should not be in prison at all. Reforming our laws, our sentencing system and our prison system should be a priority for law makers, judges and citizens. The US has a higher percentage of people in prison than it should.
Right here in Guilford County, we have much overcrowding in our jails. Around 90 percent of those in local jails are waiting trial or sentencing. Many are violent criminals and repeat criminals. Many are there for non-violent crimes and for missing arraignment or trial dates.
I'm not sure what should be done, but I do know that the current Guilford County Jail is inadequate for keeping these people. There is danger in the jails. Guilford County jails are dangerous for inmates, employees and for Guilford County Commissioners who can be sued because of the conditions in our jail.
Thank you Doug Clark for taking a stand against the death penalty. From the column in today's N&R
. . ."If we can't explain or justify these disparities, then the death penalty is arbitrary and should be abolished.
Not out of sympathy, but fairness. Because unfairness is inexcusable in matters of life and death."
_____
An account in the N&R yesterday said that a man in Charlotte was arrested and charged with killing the child of his girlfriend. This man had recently been released after serving 25 years for killing his own 19-month-old child in another state.
This is a horrible thing and probably a child's life was lost because this man lived. One justification for the death penalty is that "this particular person will never do the crime again." This is true.
On the other hand, is the awareness that innocent people have been killed by the government for crimes they did not commit. and the reality that the death penalty is not applied fairly or swiftly. The more money or notoriety a convicted death row inmate has, the less likely he/she will be executed by the state in a timely manner.
Another reason given for the death penalty is the cost of housing a prisoner for life. Executing a criminal is more costly to society than imprisonment. Sounds crazy doesn't it. But my research shows that it is true.
Proper sentencing of dangerous people is not an exact science. Keeping dangerous people out of society is adequate to protect us from other crimes they might commit. This is a hard thing to do.
I have read, and I believe, that there are people serving long prison terms and much money spent in catching, trying and incarcerating people for long periods who should not be in prison at all. Reforming our laws, our sentencing system and our prison system should be a priority for law makers, judges and citizens. The US has a higher percentage of people in prison than it should.
Right here in Guilford County, we have much overcrowding in our jails. Around 90 percent of those in local jails are waiting trial or sentencing. Many are violent criminals and repeat criminals. Many are there for non-violent crimes and for missing arraignment or trial dates.
I'm not sure what should be done, but I do know that the current Guilford County Jail is inadequate for keeping these people. There is danger in the jails. Guilford County jails are dangerous for inmates, employees and for Guilford County Commissioners who can be sued because of the conditions in our jail.
Thank You NC Legislature ! ! !
_____
Mark Binker over at the N&R reports that a moratorium on landfills in NC has passed the NC House. The time has been reduced from an 18 month moratorium passed by the Senate to a 12 month moratorium. The proposal will have to go back to the Senate for approval and then to the Governor for final approval.
There is also a good article in the Raleigh N&O with a little more details about the moratorium and the reasons it should be passed.
I haven't read the new version, but any legislation on this order has to be a good thing. I hope it hasn't been diluted a lot and that money has been set aside for a study of the impact of more garbage dumps, especially the huge ones being considered.
While the short moratorium is in place, our state and local communities should seriously consider better ways to handle by-products of our throw-away society. There are many Trash-to-Energy processes that should be studied.
http://blog.news-record.com/staff/capblog/archives/2006/07/landfill_morato_1.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/125/story/464748.html
Mark Binker over at the N&R reports that a moratorium on landfills in NC has passed the NC House. The time has been reduced from an 18 month moratorium passed by the Senate to a 12 month moratorium. The proposal will have to go back to the Senate for approval and then to the Governor for final approval.
There is also a good article in the Raleigh N&O with a little more details about the moratorium and the reasons it should be passed.
I haven't read the new version, but any legislation on this order has to be a good thing. I hope it hasn't been diluted a lot and that money has been set aside for a study of the impact of more garbage dumps, especially the huge ones being considered.
While the short moratorium is in place, our state and local communities should seriously consider better ways to handle by-products of our throw-away society. There are many Trash-to-Energy processes that should be studied.
http://blog.news-record.com/staff/capblog/archives/2006/07/landfill_morato_1.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/125/story/464748.html
I know, I know ! ! !
_____
Many of us are tired of talking trash. But the impending deluge of it that might be coming into North Carolina if we don't fix our current laws is frightening to those of us who value clean water and a less polluted environment.
Huge garbage dumps planned by private waste companies pit (pun intended) quick, easy, temporary financial gain for poor counties against long term care of our world.
Please read this from the Raleigh News & Observer about the Landfill Moratorium Bill being considered in the NC Legislature.
Also, follow the money and the professional lobbying.
There are better ways to handle the waste products of our consumer society. Think about it.
http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/463246.html
Many of us are tired of talking trash. But the impending deluge of it that might be coming into North Carolina if we don't fix our current laws is frightening to those of us who value clean water and a less polluted environment.
Huge garbage dumps planned by private waste companies pit (pun intended) quick, easy, temporary financial gain for poor counties against long term care of our world.
Please read this from the Raleigh News & Observer about the Landfill Moratorium Bill being considered in the NC Legislature.
Also, follow the money and the professional lobbying.
There are better ways to handle the waste products of our consumer society. Think about it.
http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/463246.html
QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING ? ? ?
_____
Chris McGinn from the Guilford County Board of Elections will be a guest on my little segment of the Dusty Dunn Morning Show tomorrow morning, July 19. Mr. McGinn is the instructor of GTCC classes in how to Become a Certified Precinct Official. So, he should have the answers to all of your questions about voting and election laws.
Tune in to 1070 AM on your radio dial or listen to us on the web at WGOS.net around 8:35 Wednesday morning (THAT'S TOMORROW).
If you want to ask Chris a questions about when, where, registering, and other questions about voting, election laws, or just talk about voting in North Carolina in general, you can call the studio line at (336) 434-5024 during the show.
I have some questions and comments for Chris and I would love to hear from any of you. If you are not comfortable being "on the radio" just leave a comment on my blog and I will relay the message to Chris on the air. Or you can e-mail your questions to DustyDunn@triad.rr.com or to me at DianeDavisGreensboro@yahoo.com.
Also, if you would like to become a Certified Precinct Official, classes at GTCC are offered for a modest fee. Call GTCC at 334-4822.
August 29th - October 3rd, Tues 9 - noon. GTCC on East Wendover, Greensboro
August 30th - October 4th, Wednsday evenings 6 - 9. GTCC East Wendover, Greensboro
August 31st - October 5th. Thursday evenings 6 - 9. GTCC Campus, High Point
AND DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN TOMORROW MORNING.
Chris McGinn from the Guilford County Board of Elections will be a guest on my little segment of the Dusty Dunn Morning Show tomorrow morning, July 19. Mr. McGinn is the instructor of GTCC classes in how to Become a Certified Precinct Official. So, he should have the answers to all of your questions about voting and election laws.
Tune in to 1070 AM on your radio dial or listen to us on the web at WGOS.net around 8:35 Wednesday morning (THAT'S TOMORROW).
If you want to ask Chris a questions about when, where, registering, and other questions about voting, election laws, or just talk about voting in North Carolina in general, you can call the studio line at (336) 434-5024 during the show.
I have some questions and comments for Chris and I would love to hear from any of you. If you are not comfortable being "on the radio" just leave a comment on my blog and I will relay the message to Chris on the air. Or you can e-mail your questions to DustyDunn@triad.rr.com or to me at DianeDavisGreensboro@yahoo.com.
Also, if you would like to become a Certified Precinct Official, classes at GTCC are offered for a modest fee. Call GTCC at 334-4822.
August 29th - October 3rd, Tues 9 - noon. GTCC on East Wendover, Greensboro
August 30th - October 4th, Wednsday evenings 6 - 9. GTCC East Wendover, Greensboro
August 31st - October 5th. Thursday evenings 6 - 9. GTCC Campus, High Point
AND DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN TOMORROW MORNING.
Take Action Today
Several huge new landfills have been proposed in eastern and central North Carolina. These large dump sites could possibly contaminate groundwater supplies and harm North Carolina's fragile ecosystems. Garbage-related industries have hired many lobbyists to attempt to block the moratorium.
Poor, Rural Counties near the coast are prime targets for garbage-related industries to push for these dump sites. The lure of using the countryside for an immediate income-producing source for the local government is strong. These county officials should consider the future harm that these landfills can do streams, rivers and near watershed areas and land with water sources close to the surface of the land.
In one coastal community there is disagreement between the town council and the county commission. Garbage-related industries are promising that a large landfill will only be used for local garbage and household trash imported from a few states. The truth is that courts have ruled that trash is a commodity. Its interstate import and export cannot be regulated by individual local governments. So, there is really nothing but a vague promise that these huge dumps will not be used to import trash from up and down the Eastern Seaboard of the US.
The Moratorium on New Landfills bill was passed by the NC Senate last week. It is now being considered in the NC House.
You can find the entire contents of the bill at this website:
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/House/HTML/H1093v3.html
According to information contained in the preamble to the bill, ground water is the source of drinking water for approximately half the population of the State and depletion of certain large ground water aquifers in the State has been documented in recent years; and protection and enhancement of water quality in the State's rivers and coastal estuaries is the declared public policy of the State.
---
There are enough exceptions written into this bill to satisfy any problems that might arise out of the short moratorium and study.
SECTION 3. Exceptions. – The moratorium established by Section 2 of this act shall not prohibit consideration of an application for or issuance of:
(1) An amendment, modification, or other change to a permit for a landfill issued on or before 1 June 2006.
(2) A permit for a horizontal or vertical expansion of the landfill permitted on or before 1 June 2006.
(3) A permit to construct a new landfill within the facility boundary identified in the facility plan of a landfill permitted on or before 1 June 2006.
(4) A permit to operate a new landfill if a permit to construct the new landfill was issued on or before 1 June 2006.
(5) A permit for a sanitary landfill used only to dispose of waste generated by a coal-fired generating unit that is owned or operated by an investor-owned utility subject to the requirements of G.S. 143-215.107D.
(6) A permit for a sanitary landfill determined to be necessary by the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources in order to respond to an imminent hazard to public health or a natural disaster.
SECTION 4. Study. – The Environmental Review Commission, with the assistance of the Division of Waste Management of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, shall study issues related to solid waste.
You can find contact information for yourrepresentative at:
http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=House
And more information about landfills in North Carolina at the North Carolina Conservation Network website at:
http://ncconservationnetwork1.org/campaign/landfillmoratorium/kbe8874l535ewm?
See other post on this blog about trash disposal and traveling trash and more info about dumps.
Thank you for taking action on this issue.
Thank you for taking action on this issue.
Poor, Rural Counties near the coast are prime targets for garbage-related industries to push for these dump sites. The lure of using the countryside for an immediate income-producing source for the local government is strong. These county officials should consider the future harm that these landfills can do streams, rivers and near watershed areas and land with water sources close to the surface of the land.
In one coastal community there is disagreement between the town council and the county commission. Garbage-related industries are promising that a large landfill will only be used for local garbage and household trash imported from a few states. The truth is that courts have ruled that trash is a commodity. Its interstate import and export cannot be regulated by individual local governments. So, there is really nothing but a vague promise that these huge dumps will not be used to import trash from up and down the Eastern Seaboard of the US.
The Moratorium on New Landfills bill was passed by the NC Senate last week. It is now being considered in the NC House.
You can find the entire contents of the bill at this website:
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/House/HTML/H1093v3.html
According to information contained in the preamble to the bill, ground water is the source of drinking water for approximately half the population of the State and depletion of certain large ground water aquifers in the State has been documented in recent years; and protection and enhancement of water quality in the State's rivers and coastal estuaries is the declared public policy of the State.
---
There are enough exceptions written into this bill to satisfy any problems that might arise out of the short moratorium and study.
SECTION 3. Exceptions. – The moratorium established by Section 2 of this act shall not prohibit consideration of an application for or issuance of:
(1) An amendment, modification, or other change to a permit for a landfill issued on or before 1 June 2006.
(2) A permit for a horizontal or vertical expansion of the landfill permitted on or before 1 June 2006.
(3) A permit to construct a new landfill within the facility boundary identified in the facility plan of a landfill permitted on or before 1 June 2006.
(4) A permit to operate a new landfill if a permit to construct the new landfill was issued on or before 1 June 2006.
(5) A permit for a sanitary landfill used only to dispose of waste generated by a coal-fired generating unit that is owned or operated by an investor-owned utility subject to the requirements of G.S. 143-215.107D.
(6) A permit for a sanitary landfill determined to be necessary by the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources in order to respond to an imminent hazard to public health or a natural disaster.
SECTION 4. Study. – The Environmental Review Commission, with the assistance of the Division of Waste Management of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, shall study issues related to solid waste.
You can find contact information for yourrepresentative at:
http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=House
And more information about landfills in North Carolina at the North Carolina Conservation Network website at:
http://ncconservationnetwork1.org/campaign/landfillmoratorium/kbe8874l535ewm?
See other post on this blog about trash disposal and traveling trash and more info about dumps.
Thank you for taking action on this issue.
Thank you for taking action on this issue.
Bad News from NC Legislator
This is from the e-mail newsletter of Pricey Harrison, one of our Guilford County Representatives in Raleigh.
Environmental Issues
"This session is not looking good for those interested in conservation and environmental protection. The Land for Tomorrow bond initiative to raise money to conserve an additional 740,000 acres in NC appears to be dead for this session. It seems there just wasn’t support with the Senate or the Governor to take on this important effort. Efforts to add additional protection appear to be floundering as well. My bill, HB 2185, to require that new cars meet the higher emissions standard established in eleven other states, and an important component of the State's effort to clean up our air, is running out of time.
"The landfill moratorium seems to be lacking momentum, not a surprise when you see that the "mega dump" operators have hired more than 25 lobbyists to work against the bill.
"Another bill, HB 2192, which I introduced, that would require better and earlier public notice for these mega dumps is also being strongly opposed by these landfill operators and their lobbyists.
"A bill, HB 1778, that would allow polluters to avoid any major liability for contaminating groundwater, with damages capped at $75,000 regardless of the cost of clean up, is moving right along. It is ironic that we are finally making major headway in protecting our private drinking water supplies, yet are letting polluters contaminate the groundwater resources and not adequately compensating the State for the lost resource. Another bill, H2169, Reduce Nutrient Offset Payments, pushed by the development community, cuts the newly adopted fee for developers who degrade buffer areas in the Neuse and Tar-Pam basins from $57 per pound of nitrogen pollution to an inadequate $11 per pound, and will be considered in the House on Monday."
More information on environmental legislation can be accessed through the NC Conservation Network's web site at www.ncconservationnetwork.org.
The House will reconvene on Monday night at 6:00. IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO CALL or E-MAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.
Environmental Issues
"This session is not looking good for those interested in conservation and environmental protection. The Land for Tomorrow bond initiative to raise money to conserve an additional 740,000 acres in NC appears to be dead for this session. It seems there just wasn’t support with the Senate or the Governor to take on this important effort. Efforts to add additional protection appear to be floundering as well. My bill, HB 2185, to require that new cars meet the higher emissions standard established in eleven other states, and an important component of the State's effort to clean up our air, is running out of time.
"The landfill moratorium seems to be lacking momentum, not a surprise when you see that the "mega dump" operators have hired more than 25 lobbyists to work against the bill.
"Another bill, HB 2192, which I introduced, that would require better and earlier public notice for these mega dumps is also being strongly opposed by these landfill operators and their lobbyists.
"A bill, HB 1778, that would allow polluters to avoid any major liability for contaminating groundwater, with damages capped at $75,000 regardless of the cost of clean up, is moving right along. It is ironic that we are finally making major headway in protecting our private drinking water supplies, yet are letting polluters contaminate the groundwater resources and not adequately compensating the State for the lost resource. Another bill, H2169, Reduce Nutrient Offset Payments, pushed by the development community, cuts the newly adopted fee for developers who degrade buffer areas in the Neuse and Tar-Pam basins from $57 per pound of nitrogen pollution to an inadequate $11 per pound, and will be considered in the House on Monday."
More information on environmental legislation can be accessed through the NC Conservation Network's web site at www.ncconservationnetwork.org.
The House will reconvene on Monday night at 6:00. IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO CALL or E-MAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.
Contact The NC Legislature, please
-----
You can find a list of members of theLegislature (NC House and NC Senate) at this site:
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=Senate
NC Senator Clark Jenkins (Edgecombe) has introduced a bill calling for a Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills. The bill (if made into law) would block the permitting of any new landfills for two years while the legislature studies current rules and decides how to strengthen them. The bill would also appropriate money to do a study of landfills in low-lying areas and other landfill hazards and how to strength current laws governing landfills in the state.
THIS BILL HAS ENOUGH EXCEPTIONS THAT IT WILL NOT BE DETRIMENTAL TO MOST CURRENT LEGAL LANDFILLS. See Below.
There is also a provision somewhere in the Current Budget Committee to collect a "tipping fee" for every ton of garbage dumped in North Carolina. I think that these are issues which should be considered separately.
Courts have ruled that garbage is a commodity that states cannot stop from crossing their borders. That has led to the growth of interstate shipments to places with more open space. There are several applications for landfills pending in NC at this time. The largest one is proposed for Camden County. This massive dump could be over 200 feet high and would have the capacity to bury 3 million tons of trash a year for up to 27 years. It is proposed for a 490 to 704 acre site just 3,000 feet from Hwy, 17. This pile of garbage will probably be visible for quite a distance.
http://www.waste-ind.com/camden/articles/BlackBearFactSheet.pdf
The Raleigh N&O reports that Gov. Mike Easley's budget proposal suggests a $2-per-ton statewide fee on solid waste, which would generate about $20 million. Part of the money generated by the fee would be used to help clean up about 700 inactive landfills and some abandoned polluted industrial sites across the state and provide grants to local governments for cleanups.
North Carolina currently charges no fee for trash disposal. Gov. Easley's fee proposal would include all trash disposal in North Carolina, not just imported trash.
An entire copy of the bill (S1575) can be found on the North Carolina Legislature web site.
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1575v1.html
Short Title: Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills/Funds.
(Public)
Sponsors: Senators Jenkins; Albertson and Purcell.
Referred to: Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources.
S.1575 will block any new approvals until January 2008, providing time for a study commission to examine how to improve siting, bonding, and operations of landfills to prevent the degradation of rural communities and the natural environment. Of course there are some exceptions in the proposal.
. . . "SECTION 2.(b) Exceptions. – The moratorium established by subsection (a) of this section shall not prohibit consideration of an application for or issuance of:
(1) A modification of a permit for an existing permitted landfill.
(2) A permit to expand an existing permitted landfill if the proposed facility boundary will provide no more than five years of disposal capacity.
(3) A modification of a permit to reflect a transfer of ownership of an existing permitted landfill.
(4) A modification of a permit to provide for a substantial change to the waste stream described in a permit in effect as of 1 May 2006 for an existing landfill.
(5) A permit for a sanitary landfill used only to dispose of waste generated by a coal?fired generating unit that is owned or operated by an investor?owned utility subject to the requirements of G.S. 143?215.107D.
(6) A permit for a sanitary landfill determined to be necessary by the Secretary in order to respond to an imminent hazard to public health or a natural disaster . . .
-----
WHAT DO YOU THINK ?? LET YOUR REPRESENTATIVE KNOW ! ! !
Should we allow North Carolina to become the dumping ground for garbage from the entire East Coast? North Carolina's location on the coast makes it an easy dumping place for trash traveling on barges and by rail up and down the Atlantic Coast.
You can find a list of members of theLegislature (NC House and NC Senate) at this site:
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=Senate
NC Senator Clark Jenkins (Edgecombe) has introduced a bill calling for a Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills. The bill (if made into law) would block the permitting of any new landfills for two years while the legislature studies current rules and decides how to strengthen them. The bill would also appropriate money to do a study of landfills in low-lying areas and other landfill hazards and how to strength current laws governing landfills in the state.
THIS BILL HAS ENOUGH EXCEPTIONS THAT IT WILL NOT BE DETRIMENTAL TO MOST CURRENT LEGAL LANDFILLS. See Below.
There is also a provision somewhere in the Current Budget Committee to collect a "tipping fee" for every ton of garbage dumped in North Carolina. I think that these are issues which should be considered separately.
Courts have ruled that garbage is a commodity that states cannot stop from crossing their borders. That has led to the growth of interstate shipments to places with more open space. There are several applications for landfills pending in NC at this time. The largest one is proposed for Camden County. This massive dump could be over 200 feet high and would have the capacity to bury 3 million tons of trash a year for up to 27 years. It is proposed for a 490 to 704 acre site just 3,000 feet from Hwy, 17. This pile of garbage will probably be visible for quite a distance.
http://www.waste-ind.com/camden/articles/BlackBearFactSheet.pdf
The Raleigh N&O reports that Gov. Mike Easley's budget proposal suggests a $2-per-ton statewide fee on solid waste, which would generate about $20 million. Part of the money generated by the fee would be used to help clean up about 700 inactive landfills and some abandoned polluted industrial sites across the state and provide grants to local governments for cleanups.
North Carolina currently charges no fee for trash disposal. Gov. Easley's fee proposal would include all trash disposal in North Carolina, not just imported trash.
An entire copy of the bill (S1575) can be found on the North Carolina Legislature web site.
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1575v1.html
Short Title: Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills/Funds.
(Public)
Sponsors: Senators Jenkins; Albertson and Purcell.
Referred to: Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources.
S.1575 will block any new approvals until January 2008, providing time for a study commission to examine how to improve siting, bonding, and operations of landfills to prevent the degradation of rural communities and the natural environment. Of course there are some exceptions in the proposal.
. . . "SECTION 2.(b) Exceptions. – The moratorium established by subsection (a) of this section shall not prohibit consideration of an application for or issuance of:
(1) A modification of a permit for an existing permitted landfill.
(2) A permit to expand an existing permitted landfill if the proposed facility boundary will provide no more than five years of disposal capacity.
(3) A modification of a permit to reflect a transfer of ownership of an existing permitted landfill.
(4) A modification of a permit to provide for a substantial change to the waste stream described in a permit in effect as of 1 May 2006 for an existing landfill.
(5) A permit for a sanitary landfill used only to dispose of waste generated by a coal?fired generating unit that is owned or operated by an investor?owned utility subject to the requirements of G.S. 143?215.107D.
(6) A permit for a sanitary landfill determined to be necessary by the Secretary in order to respond to an imminent hazard to public health or a natural disaster . . .
-----
WHAT DO YOU THINK ?? LET YOUR REPRESENTATIVE KNOW ! ! !
Should we allow North Carolina to become the dumping ground for garbage from the entire East Coast? North Carolina's location on the coast makes it an easy dumping place for trash traveling on barges and by rail up and down the Atlantic Coast.
Kilowatt Ours:
-----
Announcing the NC Kilowatt Ours Tour with Filmmaker Jeff Barrie July 15-22!
You are invited to a FREE showing of Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America, a discussion with filmmaker Jeff Barrie, and an exhibit of energy-related products, services and information on clean energy in NC.
Join the American Lung Association, Carolinas Clean Air Coalition, Environmental Defense, NC Conservation Network, NC Council of Churches, NC Solar Center, NC Sustainable Energy Association, NC Warn, and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy on this tour across the state!
Kilowatt Ours is a wonderful movie that follows the quest of conservationist and filmmaker Jeff Barrie to document the negative consequences of coal and nuclear energy production while teaching consumers about renewable power and how to increase energy efficiency to save on their utility bills.
NC Tour Dates & Locations:
July 16 Wilmington-FREE
UNC Wilmington Cameron Auditorium
July 17 Fayetteville-FREE
Army’s Airborne & Special Operations Museum
July 18 Raleigh-FREE
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
July 20 Winston-Salem-FREE
Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art
July 21 Charlotte -FREE
Myers Park Baptist Church
P!
July 22 Hendersonville-FREE
Blue Ridge Community College
For more information about the film please visit: www.KilowattOurs.org
For information
Together, we can help spread the message that efficiency and conservation are the cleanest and most cost-effective sources of new energy for North Carolina and that vast energy reserve will benefit our economy and environment, and ought to be tapped to its fullest potential.
Announcing the NC Kilowatt Ours Tour with Filmmaker Jeff Barrie July 15-22!
You are invited to a FREE showing of Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America, a discussion with filmmaker Jeff Barrie, and an exhibit of energy-related products, services and information on clean energy in NC.
Join the American Lung Association, Carolinas Clean Air Coalition, Environmental Defense, NC Conservation Network, NC Council of Churches, NC Solar Center, NC Sustainable Energy Association, NC Warn, and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy on this tour across the state!
Kilowatt Ours is a wonderful movie that follows the quest of conservationist and filmmaker Jeff Barrie to document the negative consequences of coal and nuclear energy production while teaching consumers about renewable power and how to increase energy efficiency to save on their utility bills.
NC Tour Dates & Locations:
July 16 Wilmington-FREE
UNC Wilmington Cameron Auditorium
July 17 Fayetteville-FREE
Army’s Airborne & Special Operations Museum
July 18 Raleigh-FREE
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
July 20 Winston-Salem-FREE
Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art
July 21 Charlotte -FREE
Myers Park Baptist Church
P!
July 22 Hendersonville-FREE
Blue Ridge Community College
For more information about the film please visit: www.KilowattOurs.org
For information
Together, we can help spread the message that efficiency and conservation are the cleanest and most cost-effective sources of new energy for North Carolina and that vast energy reserve will benefit our economy and environment, and ought to be tapped to its fullest potential.
Another Dangerous Old Dump
-----
Even though there are many restrictions and regulations about landfills, the long-term effects of current landfills is unknown. Please ask the NC Senate and House to pass the moratorium on landfills in NC until more studies can be done.
The Raleigh News & Observer reports that "N.C. State University is spending millions of dollars to clean up a site near the RBC Center and Carter-Finley Stadium where it dumped hazardous waste for 11 years.
Chemical contamination leaking from the old landfill has spread into groundwater and bedrock beneath Wade Avenue. The cleanup will take decades."
The chemical contamination is leaking from a landfill used by NC State's Science and Agricultural Research labs to dispose of waste.The site was used before there were US regulations restricting chemical waste.
The R&O report says that the contamination is spreading slowly toward Richland Creek, a tributary of the Neuse River. The site, which has been on the Superfund list of the nation's most polluted sites since 1986, poses no immediate risk to area residents who don't get drinking water from underground wells.
R&O also reports: ..."Michael Townsend, project manager for the EPA, said the site had been studied for more than 20 years, and the pump and treat method outlined 10 years ago had been delayed for years at the request of the university.
No new waste is being disposed of on the site. Nowadays, the university ships its hazardous and chemical waste -- about 100 tons a year -- to landfills and companies that recycle some of the chemicals, Townsend said."
From Raleigh News & Record report at:
http://www.newsobserver.com/150/story/455387.html
Even though there are many restrictions and regulations about landfills, the long-term effects of current landfills is unknown. Please ask the NC Senate and House to pass the moratorium on landfills in NC until more studies can be done.
The Raleigh News & Observer reports that "N.C. State University is spending millions of dollars to clean up a site near the RBC Center and Carter-Finley Stadium where it dumped hazardous waste for 11 years.
Chemical contamination leaking from the old landfill has spread into groundwater and bedrock beneath Wade Avenue. The cleanup will take decades."
The chemical contamination is leaking from a landfill used by NC State's Science and Agricultural Research labs to dispose of waste.The site was used before there were US regulations restricting chemical waste.
The R&O report says that the contamination is spreading slowly toward Richland Creek, a tributary of the Neuse River. The site, which has been on the Superfund list of the nation's most polluted sites since 1986, poses no immediate risk to area residents who don't get drinking water from underground wells.
R&O also reports: ..."Michael Townsend, project manager for the EPA, said the site had been studied for more than 20 years, and the pump and treat method outlined 10 years ago had been delayed for years at the request of the university.
No new waste is being disposed of on the site. Nowadays, the university ships its hazardous and chemical waste -- about 100 tons a year -- to landfills and companies that recycle some of the chemicals, Townsend said."
From Raleigh News & Record report at:
http://www.newsobserver.com/150/story/455387.html
Resident Answers Questions about Hill Street Median
-----
An article appeared in today's N&R about road work in the Westerwood/Lake Daniel neighborhood.
http://news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060620/NEWSREC0101/606200309
The Inside Scoop Blog asked this question about the new median on Hill Street between Smith and Mendenhall streets.
"Do you live in the neighborhood or drive through? What do you think?"
Posted by Margaret Banks at June 19, 2006 05:20 PM
-----
My Answer follows.
Hey Margaret,
OOPS ! Now you've gotten me started. I love my neighborhood.
I have lived on Fairmont Street for thirty-five years. I don't particularly object to the median on Hill Street. It will probably cause traffic confusion and back-up, but it will make a nice entrance to the area. I think that many medians encourage u-turns, which I think are unsafe for pedestrians, bike riders and automobiles.
The median, which only extends for only one block, will not slow down traffic. It will probably have a bottle-neck effect which could cause significant slowing of emergency vehicles getting to and from Battleground Ave. and Wendover Ave.
I am told that during a heart attack or stroke every minute of delayed treatment raises the death threat by 7 to 10 percent. If this is true, the median could actually be dangerous to heart patients.
The part of Hill Street that is really silly is the median between Battleground and Smith streets. It is just an ugly narrow curb. Signs in the medium get bent and knocked down on a regular basis. I wonder how much has been spent on replacing them.
East Lake, Hill Street and Mendenhall Street have been cut-through streets for as long as most of us have lived in the neighborhood. We like the convenience of being close to downtown and UNCG and Greensboro College. We like being able to walk to classes, the park or to shopping areas. We like being close to emergency medical treatment facilities. We don't want to live in a "gated community". College students have always lived in the neighborhood. The so-called neighborhood association doesn't like college students. They don't want commuters driving through "their neighborhood."
I personally feel that the Greensboro Department of Transportation and the city as a whole could spend money more wisely. The intersection at Westover Terrace and Benjamin Parkway could use turn signals and a better pedestrian crossing area. The traffic circle at Garland and East Lake is confusing since the city painted lane lines. Filling gaps in the sidewalks on East Lake would have been a better use of city funds.
And BTW: Those silly traffic-blocking islands at East Lake and Friendly Ave. are some of the most stupid "improvements" the GDOT has done in years. And that's saying a lot, since they do many unwise things. That barrier was erected because the so-called neighborhood association asked for it. Notarized petitions against the traffic barriers (with many more names than the association had at their meeting about it) were unheeded by the city. What a waste of time and money.
Thanks for the opportunity to sound off.
Diane Davis
905 Fairmont street
Westerwood Resident
Greensboro, NC 27401
Posted by: diane davis at June 20, 2006 10:00 AM
An article appeared in today's N&R about road work in the Westerwood/Lake Daniel neighborhood.
http://news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060620/NEWSREC0101/606200309
The Inside Scoop Blog asked this question about the new median on Hill Street between Smith and Mendenhall streets.
"Do you live in the neighborhood or drive through? What do you think?"
Posted by Margaret Banks at June 19, 2006 05:20 PM
-----
My Answer follows.
Hey Margaret,
OOPS ! Now you've gotten me started. I love my neighborhood.
I have lived on Fairmont Street for thirty-five years. I don't particularly object to the median on Hill Street. It will probably cause traffic confusion and back-up, but it will make a nice entrance to the area. I think that many medians encourage u-turns, which I think are unsafe for pedestrians, bike riders and automobiles.
The median, which only extends for only one block, will not slow down traffic. It will probably have a bottle-neck effect which could cause significant slowing of emergency vehicles getting to and from Battleground Ave. and Wendover Ave.
I am told that during a heart attack or stroke every minute of delayed treatment raises the death threat by 7 to 10 percent. If this is true, the median could actually be dangerous to heart patients.
The part of Hill Street that is really silly is the median between Battleground and Smith streets. It is just an ugly narrow curb. Signs in the medium get bent and knocked down on a regular basis. I wonder how much has been spent on replacing them.
East Lake, Hill Street and Mendenhall Street have been cut-through streets for as long as most of us have lived in the neighborhood. We like the convenience of being close to downtown and UNCG and Greensboro College. We like being able to walk to classes, the park or to shopping areas. We like being close to emergency medical treatment facilities. We don't want to live in a "gated community". College students have always lived in the neighborhood. The so-called neighborhood association doesn't like college students. They don't want commuters driving through "their neighborhood."
I personally feel that the Greensboro Department of Transportation and the city as a whole could spend money more wisely. The intersection at Westover Terrace and Benjamin Parkway could use turn signals and a better pedestrian crossing area. The traffic circle at Garland and East Lake is confusing since the city painted lane lines. Filling gaps in the sidewalks on East Lake would have been a better use of city funds.
And BTW: Those silly traffic-blocking islands at East Lake and Friendly Ave. are some of the most stupid "improvements" the GDOT has done in years. And that's saying a lot, since they do many unwise things. That barrier was erected because the so-called neighborhood association asked for it. Notarized petitions against the traffic barriers (with many more names than the association had at their meeting about it) were unheeded by the city. What a waste of time and money.
Thanks for the opportunity to sound off.
Diane Davis
905 Fairmont street
Westerwood Resident
Greensboro, NC 27401
Posted by: diane davis at June 20, 2006 10:00 AM
About Internet Neutrality
-----
Congress is currently debating this issue through House bill HR5252 ( COPE ACT )which would weaken net neutrality. Another House bill HR5417 would provide necessary Internet freedom protections.
For more information go to SavetheInternet.com. You will find a very diverse coalition of organizations who support internet freedom protection.
What do you think?
Congress is currently debating this issue through House bill HR5252 ( COPE ACT )which would weaken net neutrality. Another House bill HR5417 would provide necessary Internet freedom protections.
For more information go to SavetheInternet.com. You will find a very diverse coalition of organizations who support internet freedom protection.
What do you think?
Don't Ignore Mercury Pollution
-----
Mercury pollution is a serious problem in NC.
Mercury is polluting our air and our water and getting into human food sources. News reports have informed us for years about this hazard to our health. The number one source of mercury emissions is coal-fired power plants. These emissions can be reduced at the source. Other states are taking measures to reduce mercury poison in the environment. NC should pass legislation to drastically reduce this hazard.
The NC Environmental Management Commission is holding a public comment period which started May 30 and will end June 30th, on whether or not NC needs stronger and faster action to reduce its mercury pollution. Time is short. Let the commission know how you feel about Mercury Pollution in NC.
Twenty-two species of fish in North Carolina are unsafe for children and women of childbearing age to eat.
Mercury can cause brain damage and developmental disabilities in unborn children.
Emissions are damaging our forests and wildlife habitats.
The number one source of mercury emissions is coal-fired power plants.
You can make your voice heard. Go to the NC Conservation Network site and Send a Message
http://ncconservationnetwork1.org/campaign/mercury_public_comment/kbe8874q535jwd?
Mercury pollution is a serious problem in NC.
Mercury is polluting our air and our water and getting into human food sources. News reports have informed us for years about this hazard to our health. The number one source of mercury emissions is coal-fired power plants. These emissions can be reduced at the source. Other states are taking measures to reduce mercury poison in the environment. NC should pass legislation to drastically reduce this hazard.
The NC Environmental Management Commission is holding a public comment period which started May 30 and will end June 30th, on whether or not NC needs stronger and faster action to reduce its mercury pollution. Time is short. Let the commission know how you feel about Mercury Pollution in NC.
Twenty-two species of fish in North Carolina are unsafe for children and women of childbearing age to eat.
Mercury can cause brain damage and developmental disabilities in unborn children.
Emissions are damaging our forests and wildlife habitats.
The number one source of mercury emissions is coal-fired power plants.
You can make your voice heard. Go to the NC Conservation Network site and Send a Message
http://ncconservationnetwork1.org/campaign/mercury_public_comment/kbe8874q535jwd?
What is Internet Neutrality?
_____
http://www.savetheinternet.com/
http://www.savetheinternet.com/=threat
http://www.savetheinternet.com/
http://www.savetheinternet.com/=threat
More Wild Stories about White Street Landfill
-----
An article in Sunday's News & Record was a bit misleading in its assessment of a proposed law on garbage dumps. I think the article was referring to Senate Bill 1575 which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources. The bill would put a hold on new landfills for 2 years while an environmental study is made. It would also allocate money for the study.
The N&R article failed to mention that there are exceptions written into the bill. These exceptions were posted here on May 22. I can't help wondering if the city employees interviewed about this action have read and understand the contents of and intent of the bill. There are several exceptions for existing landfills.
An entire copy of the bill (S1575) can be found on the North Carolina Legislature web site.
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1575v1.html
Short Title: Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills/Funds.
(Public)
Sponsors: Senators Jenkins; Albertson and Purcell.
Referred to: Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources.
SOME EXCEPTIONS ARE LISTED HERE.
"SECTION 2.(b) Exceptions. – The moratorium established by subsection (a) of this section shall not prohibit consideration of an application for or issuance of:
(1) A modification of a permit for an existing permitted landfill.
(2) A permit to expand an existing permitted landfill if the proposed facility boundary will provide no more than five years of disposal capacity.
(3) A modification of a permit to reflect a transfer of ownership of an existing permitted landfill.
(4) A modification of a permit to provide for a substantial change to the waste stream described in a permit in effect as of 1 May 2006 for an existing landfill.
(5) A permit for a sanitary landfill used only to dispose of waste generated by a coal-fired generating unit that is owned or operated by an investor-owned utility subject to the requirements of G.S. 143-215.107D.
(6) A permit for a sanitary landfill determined to be necessary by the Secretary in order to respond to an imminent hazard to public health or a natural disaster . . .
Of course private companies who stockpile garbage in rural landfills would be against any restrictions on landfills. This study seems well advised in light of their intent to import trash into North Carolina from other states as well as hauling trash from metropolitan areas and dumping it in rural counties. The length of safety of these dumps is unknown. North Carolina's taxpayers should not have to pay to clean up areas that have been polluted by imported trash.
If North Carolina intends to reduce the cost of trash disposal and maybe even make a profit from it, Waste to Energy Programs should be addressed by the NC General Assembly, as well as by local governments.
What do you think?
An article in Sunday's News & Record was a bit misleading in its assessment of a proposed law on garbage dumps. I think the article was referring to Senate Bill 1575 which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources. The bill would put a hold on new landfills for 2 years while an environmental study is made. It would also allocate money for the study.
The N&R article failed to mention that there are exceptions written into the bill. These exceptions were posted here on May 22. I can't help wondering if the city employees interviewed about this action have read and understand the contents of and intent of the bill. There are several exceptions for existing landfills.
An entire copy of the bill (S1575) can be found on the North Carolina Legislature web site.
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1575v1.html
Short Title: Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills/Funds.
(Public)
Sponsors: Senators Jenkins; Albertson and Purcell.
Referred to: Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources.
SOME EXCEPTIONS ARE LISTED HERE.
"SECTION 2.(b) Exceptions. – The moratorium established by subsection (a) of this section shall not prohibit consideration of an application for or issuance of:
(1) A modification of a permit for an existing permitted landfill.
(2) A permit to expand an existing permitted landfill if the proposed facility boundary will provide no more than five years of disposal capacity.
(3) A modification of a permit to reflect a transfer of ownership of an existing permitted landfill.
(4) A modification of a permit to provide for a substantial change to the waste stream described in a permit in effect as of 1 May 2006 for an existing landfill.
(5) A permit for a sanitary landfill used only to dispose of waste generated by a coal-fired generating unit that is owned or operated by an investor-owned utility subject to the requirements of G.S. 143-215.107D.
(6) A permit for a sanitary landfill determined to be necessary by the Secretary in order to respond to an imminent hazard to public health or a natural disaster . . .
Of course private companies who stockpile garbage in rural landfills would be against any restrictions on landfills. This study seems well advised in light of their intent to import trash into North Carolina from other states as well as hauling trash from metropolitan areas and dumping it in rural counties. The length of safety of these dumps is unknown. North Carolina's taxpayers should not have to pay to clean up areas that have been polluted by imported trash.
If North Carolina intends to reduce the cost of trash disposal and maybe even make a profit from it, Waste to Energy Programs should be addressed by the NC General Assembly, as well as by local governments.
What do you think?
Is Burr bringing home the medicine??
-----
The Business Journal reports that if Novartis, one of the world's leading healthcare companies builds a plant in NC it will probably need up to 700 employees
to help produce flu vacines.
Sen Burr's Site
The Business Journal reports that if Novartis, one of the world's leading healthcare companies builds a plant in NC it will probably need up to 700 employees
to help produce flu vacines.
Sen Burr's Site
Smelly Schools
-----
Trash is a problem everywhere.
The Associated Press reported that In December 2003, two schools near a landfill in northeastern Pennsylvania temporarily shut down when an overwhelming stink made it impossible for students to concentrate in class. Investigators blamed the stench on decaying gypsum board.
The White Street Landfill will not be closed when household trash is diverted to the new city transfer station. Construction and Demolition Waste, which contains poisonous substances, will continue to be transported by large trucks to the landfill.
Greensboro, High Point, and all of Guilford County should be actively developing a long-term, regional solution to trash disposal. Hauling our household waste to a re-packaging facility and then paying to have it hauled away and become someone else's problem is not a good long-term solution. It is not even a good temporary solution.
We can reduce the volume of waste going into landfills by improved Recycling, Resue, and Resource Recovery and we should build a Waste to Energy program as soon as possible.
I have been gathering information for over five years about waste to energy programs. There are several options for plants that meet good environmental standards. Many facilities are more cost effective than conventional waste disposal methods in common use today.
I have approached city leaders several times and the negative thinking on this subject is unbelievable. Several years ago there was some talk. But even the talk was abandoned as soon as it was decided to stop receiving household trash at the White Street Landfill.
Other cities, both small and large, are looking at better energy sources and better ways of disposing of trash. Greensboro should be planning for the future, NOW ! !
Trash is a problem everywhere. Greensboro should deal with ours in smarter ways.
What do you think?
Trash is a problem everywhere.
The Associated Press reported that In December 2003, two schools near a landfill in northeastern Pennsylvania temporarily shut down when an overwhelming stink made it impossible for students to concentrate in class. Investigators blamed the stench on decaying gypsum board.
The White Street Landfill will not be closed when household trash is diverted to the new city transfer station. Construction and Demolition Waste, which contains poisonous substances, will continue to be transported by large trucks to the landfill.
Greensboro, High Point, and all of Guilford County should be actively developing a long-term, regional solution to trash disposal. Hauling our household waste to a re-packaging facility and then paying to have it hauled away and become someone else's problem is not a good long-term solution. It is not even a good temporary solution.
We can reduce the volume of waste going into landfills by improved Recycling, Resue, and Resource Recovery and we should build a Waste to Energy program as soon as possible.
I have been gathering information for over five years about waste to energy programs. There are several options for plants that meet good environmental standards. Many facilities are more cost effective than conventional waste disposal methods in common use today.
I have approached city leaders several times and the negative thinking on this subject is unbelievable. Several years ago there was some talk. But even the talk was abandoned as soon as it was decided to stop receiving household trash at the White Street Landfill.
Other cities, both small and large, are looking at better energy sources and better ways of disposing of trash. Greensboro should be planning for the future, NOW ! !
Trash is a problem everywhere. Greensboro should deal with ours in smarter ways.
What do you think?
Moratorium on Dumps in NC sought
-----
In addition to a bill concerning trash disposal introduced in the House (HB2192 Amend Solid Waste Franchise Statutes:) A bill asking for more study on landfills has been introduced in the NC Senate.
NC Senator Clark Jenkins (Edgecombe) has introduced a bill calling for a Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills. The bill (if made into law) would block the permitting of any new landfills for two years while the legislature studies current rules and decides how to strengthen them. The bill would also appropriate money to do a study of landfills in low-lying areas and other landfill hazards and how to strength current laws governing landfills in the state.
Courts have ruled that garbage is a commodity that states cannot stop from crossing their borders. That has led to the growth of interstate shipments to places with more open space. There are several applications for landfills pending in NC at this time. The largest one is proposed for Camden County. This massive dump could be over 200 feet high and would have the capacity to bury 3 million tons of trash a year for up to 27 years. It is proposed for a 490 to 704 acre site just 3,000 feet from Hwy, 17. This pile of garbage will probably be visible for quite a distance.
http://www.waste-ind.com/camden/articles/BlackBearFactSheet.pdf
The Raleigh N&O reports that Gov. Mike Easley's budget proposal suggests a $2-per-ton statewide fee on solid waste, which would generate about $20 million. Part of the money generated by the fee would be used to help clean up about 700 inactive landfills and some abandoned polluted industrial sites across the state and provide grants to local governments for cleanups.
North Carolina currently charges no fee for trash disposal. Gov. Easley's fee proposal would include all trash disposal in North Carolina, not just imported trash.
An entire copy of the bill (S1575) can be found on the North Carolina Legislature web site.
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1575v1.html
Short Title: Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills/Funds.
(Public)
Sponsors: Senators Jenkins; Albertson and Purcell.
Referred to: Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources.
S.1575 will block any new approvals until January 2008, providing time for a study commission to examine how to improve siting, bonding, and operations of landfills to prevent the degradation of rural communities and the natural environment. Of course there are some exceptions in the proposal.
. . . "SECTION 2.(b) Exceptions. – The moratorium established by subsection (a) of this section shall not prohibit consideration of an application for or issuance of:
(1) A modification of a permit for an existing permitted landfill.
(2) A permit to expand an existing permitted landfill if the proposed facility boundary will provide no more than five years of disposal capacity.
(3) A modification of a permit to reflect a transfer of ownership of an existing permitted landfill.
(4) A modification of a permit to provide for a substantial change to the waste stream described in a permit in effect as of 1 May 2006 for an existing landfill.
(5) A permit for a sanitary landfill used only to dispose of waste generated by a coal?fired generating unit that is owned or operated by an investor?owned utility subject to the requirements of G.S. 143?215.107D.
(6) A permit for a sanitary landfill determined to be necessary by the Secretary in order to respond to an imminent hazard to public health or a natural disaster . . .
-----
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Should we allow North Carolina to become the dumping ground for garbage from the entire East Coast? North Carolina's location on the coast makes it an easy dumping place for trash traveling on barges and by rail up and down the Atlantic Coast.
In addition to a bill concerning trash disposal introduced in the House (HB2192 Amend Solid Waste Franchise Statutes:) A bill asking for more study on landfills has been introduced in the NC Senate.
NC Senator Clark Jenkins (Edgecombe) has introduced a bill calling for a Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills. The bill (if made into law) would block the permitting of any new landfills for two years while the legislature studies current rules and decides how to strengthen them. The bill would also appropriate money to do a study of landfills in low-lying areas and other landfill hazards and how to strength current laws governing landfills in the state.
Courts have ruled that garbage is a commodity that states cannot stop from crossing their borders. That has led to the growth of interstate shipments to places with more open space. There are several applications for landfills pending in NC at this time. The largest one is proposed for Camden County. This massive dump could be over 200 feet high and would have the capacity to bury 3 million tons of trash a year for up to 27 years. It is proposed for a 490 to 704 acre site just 3,000 feet from Hwy, 17. This pile of garbage will probably be visible for quite a distance.
http://www.waste-ind.com/camden/articles/BlackBearFactSheet.pdf
The Raleigh N&O reports that Gov. Mike Easley's budget proposal suggests a $2-per-ton statewide fee on solid waste, which would generate about $20 million. Part of the money generated by the fee would be used to help clean up about 700 inactive landfills and some abandoned polluted industrial sites across the state and provide grants to local governments for cleanups.
North Carolina currently charges no fee for trash disposal. Gov. Easley's fee proposal would include all trash disposal in North Carolina, not just imported trash.
An entire copy of the bill (S1575) can be found on the North Carolina Legislature web site.
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1575v1.html
Short Title: Moratorium Imposed on New Landfills/Funds.
(Public)
Sponsors: Senators Jenkins; Albertson and Purcell.
Referred to: Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources.
S.1575 will block any new approvals until January 2008, providing time for a study commission to examine how to improve siting, bonding, and operations of landfills to prevent the degradation of rural communities and the natural environment. Of course there are some exceptions in the proposal.
. . . "SECTION 2.(b) Exceptions. – The moratorium established by subsection (a) of this section shall not prohibit consideration of an application for or issuance of:
(1) A modification of a permit for an existing permitted landfill.
(2) A permit to expand an existing permitted landfill if the proposed facility boundary will provide no more than five years of disposal capacity.
(3) A modification of a permit to reflect a transfer of ownership of an existing permitted landfill.
(4) A modification of a permit to provide for a substantial change to the waste stream described in a permit in effect as of 1 May 2006 for an existing landfill.
(5) A permit for a sanitary landfill used only to dispose of waste generated by a coal?fired generating unit that is owned or operated by an investor?owned utility subject to the requirements of G.S. 143?215.107D.
(6) A permit for a sanitary landfill determined to be necessary by the Secretary in order to respond to an imminent hazard to public health or a natural disaster . . .
-----
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Should we allow North Carolina to become the dumping ground for garbage from the entire East Coast? North Carolina's location on the coast makes it an easy dumping place for trash traveling on barges and by rail up and down the Atlantic Coast.
Bio Refinery Facility coming to NC
-----
Renewable Energy Access reports that Green Star Products will build two new biorefinery facilities. One will be located near Smithfield, North Carolina at the Selma Fuel Terminal on Hwy. US 70.
Greenstar (GSPI) plans to produce biodiesel and biomass ethanol at the facility. The biodiesel and ethanol plants will combine resources for economy. One part of the operation will use domestically produced vegetable oil to make biodiesel. Ethanol will be produced in the other from waste products from the plants such as stalks, etc.
Renewable Energy Access reports that Green Star Products will build two new biorefinery facilities. One will be located near Smithfield, North Carolina at the Selma Fuel Terminal on Hwy. US 70.
Greenstar (GSPI) plans to produce biodiesel and biomass ethanol at the facility. The biodiesel and ethanol plants will combine resources for economy. One part of the operation will use domestically produced vegetable oil to make biodiesel. Ethanol will be produced in the other from waste products from the plants such as stalks, etc.
Landfill Permits
-----
Representative Pricey Harrison (e-mail: Priceyh@ncleg.net) (D-Guilford) has introduced a bill about landfills in NC - HB2192 Amend Solid Waste Franchise Statutes:
This bill would require that local governments provide adequate public notice of award or renewal of franchise agreements governing proposed landfills.
Proposals to construct and operate a number of large landfills in the State are pending.
If these proposed landfills are permitted, North Carolina could become a net importer of trash.
See other post on this blog about trash disposal and traveling trash and more info about dumps.
Representative Pricey Harrison (e-mail: Priceyh@ncleg.net) (D-Guilford) has introduced a bill about landfills in NC - HB2192 Amend Solid Waste Franchise Statutes:
This bill would require that local governments provide adequate public notice of award or renewal of franchise agreements governing proposed landfills.
Proposals to construct and operate a number of large landfills in the State are pending.
If these proposed landfills are permitted, North Carolina could become a net importer of trash.
See other post on this blog about trash disposal and traveling trash and more info about dumps.
Re-Blogging
Several people have asked why I have neglected my blog lately. I just haven't had the heart to or courage to do it. But here goes.
It just gets worse and worse. The newspaper wrote that the Police Academy training program run by the Greensboro Police Dept. has cheated and let unqualified cadets graduate and has not kept adequate records. It might not be accredited. The official investigation report is on-line. It might not be a bad idea to close it down. GTCC has a law enforcement training program that could be used. I am not sure of the cost of each program or how adequate the Guilford Technical Community College program is.
The Police Department is being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation , the FBI, and a private company on other charges of internal corruption and racism. The City Council Members are participating in a game of deceit by taking lie detector tests to prove that they have not given the press information about the police investigation. The Police Chief was fired and he and his lawyer have not been told the charges against him. The new City Manager says they are bad. He told the City Council, but warned them not to tell. Greensboro is being sued by some present and former police officers and citizens. This is a big secret that has not been kept very well.
The powerful Simpkin's PAC, which is run by black leaders and controls lots of votes of ignorant people, has been asking candidates running for office to contribute to their coffers in order to be endorsed by the group. This has been going on for years. This is the group run by several current or former members of the Guilford County Commission, the Greensboro City Council and the NC Legislature. This group helped Rev. King and his nonprofit building company bilk the city, state, feds and private donors out of millions of dollars. Although the group did much good by building housing for low income people here and elsewhere, they misappropriated and mixed funds illegally. Rev. King and Homestead did not go through city approved regular channels to get much of his funding.
The new APPOINTED, not elected, DA refuses to press any charges against the nonprofit builder Homestead, even as the local newspaper investigates the deal. He was backed by the Simpkin's PAC and won the Democratic Primary against a woman who has worked in the DA's office for, I think, 15 years. He fired her when she announced that she would run for DA.
The former city manager went to work for the Bryan Foundation (run by former mayor Jim Melvin and supported by Jefferson-Pilot). They were the primary backers of the Center City Park downtown which is across the street from the abandoned Wachovia High-Rise. The park is referred to as a 12 million dollar gift to the city. But; in reality, it is costing the city millions and will continue to do so because the city has raised taxes in the downtown area to maintain the park. The park was built (no matter what they say) to help make the building more attractive to potential purchasers. The city and county have agreed to give a developer over 2 million dollars to "help" him develop the building into a mixed-use office, retail, condo space where he will live in a pent house on the 17th floor and the mayor hinted at more help for tenants of the building.
Action Greensboro is losing its clout and has joined two other "economic development groups" to form a new group called The Greensboro Partnership. I think it will disband quietly very soon. Just as I said years ago, the whole thing was to build that stadium and sell the Wachovia Building for the friends of Jim Melvin and Jefferson-Pilot. BTW, Jefferson-Pilot Financial has been sold to a Pennsylvania company who will move the headquarters out of state. The executive director of Action Greensboro (the promoters of the new stadium and new park) will leave soon to be director of the nonprofit Cemala Foundation founded by the Cone family who have given money to Action Greensboro. The Cemala Foundation has temporarily suspended its grant program.
The state has made it possible for brewers to produce and sell beer with higher alcohol content. More bars are opening downtown and the ballpark promotes cheap beer more than it does baseball. Action Greensboro has sponsored an event downtown for the past several years where college students are given discounts on alcohol and rides back and forth from campus are provided for that one night to get their drunk selves home. The city provides policemen on bikes to ride around downtown, but can't afford to hire enough police for other areas of the city.
Several lawyers who represent big developers are almost never turned down when they ask for zoning and other changes in the laws governing development. A friend of mine is currently fighting a development on New Garden Road that includes a big box type Eckerd Drugstore and a bank building in a residential neighborhood. One of these high-powered lawyers, Henry Isaacson, is representing the developer. They have been turned down by the Greensboro Planning Department and the Zoning Commission. The City Council was scheduled to hear the case last Tuesday, but it was postponed until late June by the lawyers of the developer.
Greensboro is losing its tree canopy at an alarming rate due in part to bad development decisions. The city keeps annexing area for which it cannot provide adequate services. A bond issue will be on the ballot in November to help fix government properties which have NOT BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY for years. We are not taking care of what we have.
The director of the Planning Department retired with a city pension and went to work for the Sports Commission that is pushing for public money to build an ACC Museum in Greensboro next to the Coliseum. The city talked about plans to buy the old Canada Dry building which is next to the Coliseum. That plan has been put on hold for now. The newspaper thinks it is a good idea. The site is owned by the wife of the editor of the News and Record. State Senator Hagan is on the state appropriations committee and got (in closed session) the State of NC to appropriate 2 million dollars for the museum which promoters are calling The ACC Hall of Champions. The museum in Greensboro is a good idea, but not with government funds. (Like the ACC doesn't have enough money to build their own museum.) The Greensboro City Council requested that the legislative representatives from our area ask for this money. The Chamber or Commerce thinks it's a great idea.
A study committee made up of mostly non-users of public transportation has recommended increasing bus fares and handicapped transportation fees. Bus service will be improved with more routes and more frequent service. That is good. Greensboro has needed better transportation options for years. A federal grant will make all bus service free to college students, but poor working people will have to pay more to ride the bus.
And I don't even want to think about the ways GDOT and the Parks and Recreation Department are wasting money.
And I must mention bad decisions by the Guilford County School Board and Administration. And some of the increase in County taxes is, in part, due to bad decisions by the County Commissioners and the School Board. What a mess.
CITY PROPERTY TAXES WILL INCREASE to pay for the new TRASH TRANSFER STATION and for hauling trash to a dump in another county. Greensboro is on the verge of being banned from having new industry here because of air pollution. Duke Power and two other power companies have applied for permission to build nuclear plants near here and the old coal-fired plants are spewing mercury into the air every day.
The jail is overcrowded with inmates sleeping on the floor. Two men are running against the current sheriff saying that we don't need more jail space. The feds are considering taking over the Guilford County Jail and requiring it to be brought up to code or a new one built. They did that in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County had to build a new jail. To it's credit, The City Council changed the zoning rules so that the county can build a new jail close to the old one downtown. If the feds take over, it will cost the county (that's we taxpayers) more than if they go ahead and do it soon. Because of the condition of our jail, the county and individual commissioners are liable if inmates or employees decide to sue over conditions or if anyone is hurt because of the conditions that exist there. The court system needs more funding and better administrative oversight.
The City, County and State governments are throwing "economic development funds" around like confetti.
These are some things that I can think of right at this moment. I repeat -- It just gets worse and worse. I think that with good government and informed citizens, we can have a wonderful city. I keep trying. Sometimes I wonder why.
It just gets worse and worse. The newspaper wrote that the Police Academy training program run by the Greensboro Police Dept. has cheated and let unqualified cadets graduate and has not kept adequate records. It might not be accredited. The official investigation report is on-line. It might not be a bad idea to close it down. GTCC has a law enforcement training program that could be used. I am not sure of the cost of each program or how adequate the Guilford Technical Community College program is.
The Police Department is being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation , the FBI, and a private company on other charges of internal corruption and racism. The City Council Members are participating in a game of deceit by taking lie detector tests to prove that they have not given the press information about the police investigation. The Police Chief was fired and he and his lawyer have not been told the charges against him. The new City Manager says they are bad. He told the City Council, but warned them not to tell. Greensboro is being sued by some present and former police officers and citizens. This is a big secret that has not been kept very well.
The powerful Simpkin's PAC, which is run by black leaders and controls lots of votes of ignorant people, has been asking candidates running for office to contribute to their coffers in order to be endorsed by the group. This has been going on for years. This is the group run by several current or former members of the Guilford County Commission, the Greensboro City Council and the NC Legislature. This group helped Rev. King and his nonprofit building company bilk the city, state, feds and private donors out of millions of dollars. Although the group did much good by building housing for low income people here and elsewhere, they misappropriated and mixed funds illegally. Rev. King and Homestead did not go through city approved regular channels to get much of his funding.
The new APPOINTED, not elected, DA refuses to press any charges against the nonprofit builder Homestead, even as the local newspaper investigates the deal. He was backed by the Simpkin's PAC and won the Democratic Primary against a woman who has worked in the DA's office for, I think, 15 years. He fired her when she announced that she would run for DA.
The former city manager went to work for the Bryan Foundation (run by former mayor Jim Melvin and supported by Jefferson-Pilot). They were the primary backers of the Center City Park downtown which is across the street from the abandoned Wachovia High-Rise. The park is referred to as a 12 million dollar gift to the city. But; in reality, it is costing the city millions and will continue to do so because the city has raised taxes in the downtown area to maintain the park. The park was built (no matter what they say) to help make the building more attractive to potential purchasers. The city and county have agreed to give a developer over 2 million dollars to "help" him develop the building into a mixed-use office, retail, condo space where he will live in a pent house on the 17th floor and the mayor hinted at more help for tenants of the building.
Action Greensboro is losing its clout and has joined two other "economic development groups" to form a new group called The Greensboro Partnership. I think it will disband quietly very soon. Just as I said years ago, the whole thing was to build that stadium and sell the Wachovia Building for the friends of Jim Melvin and Jefferson-Pilot. BTW, Jefferson-Pilot Financial has been sold to a Pennsylvania company who will move the headquarters out of state. The executive director of Action Greensboro (the promoters of the new stadium and new park) will leave soon to be director of the nonprofit Cemala Foundation founded by the Cone family who have given money to Action Greensboro. The Cemala Foundation has temporarily suspended its grant program.
The state has made it possible for brewers to produce and sell beer with higher alcohol content. More bars are opening downtown and the ballpark promotes cheap beer more than it does baseball. Action Greensboro has sponsored an event downtown for the past several years where college students are given discounts on alcohol and rides back and forth from campus are provided for that one night to get their drunk selves home. The city provides policemen on bikes to ride around downtown, but can't afford to hire enough police for other areas of the city.
Several lawyers who represent big developers are almost never turned down when they ask for zoning and other changes in the laws governing development. A friend of mine is currently fighting a development on New Garden Road that includes a big box type Eckerd Drugstore and a bank building in a residential neighborhood. One of these high-powered lawyers, Henry Isaacson, is representing the developer. They have been turned down by the Greensboro Planning Department and the Zoning Commission. The City Council was scheduled to hear the case last Tuesday, but it was postponed until late June by the lawyers of the developer.
Greensboro is losing its tree canopy at an alarming rate due in part to bad development decisions. The city keeps annexing area for which it cannot provide adequate services. A bond issue will be on the ballot in November to help fix government properties which have NOT BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY for years. We are not taking care of what we have.
The director of the Planning Department retired with a city pension and went to work for the Sports Commission that is pushing for public money to build an ACC Museum in Greensboro next to the Coliseum. The city talked about plans to buy the old Canada Dry building which is next to the Coliseum. That plan has been put on hold for now. The newspaper thinks it is a good idea. The site is owned by the wife of the editor of the News and Record. State Senator Hagan is on the state appropriations committee and got (in closed session) the State of NC to appropriate 2 million dollars for the museum which promoters are calling The ACC Hall of Champions. The museum in Greensboro is a good idea, but not with government funds. (Like the ACC doesn't have enough money to build their own museum.) The Greensboro City Council requested that the legislative representatives from our area ask for this money. The Chamber or Commerce thinks it's a great idea.
A study committee made up of mostly non-users of public transportation has recommended increasing bus fares and handicapped transportation fees. Bus service will be improved with more routes and more frequent service. That is good. Greensboro has needed better transportation options for years. A federal grant will make all bus service free to college students, but poor working people will have to pay more to ride the bus.
And I don't even want to think about the ways GDOT and the Parks and Recreation Department are wasting money.
And I must mention bad decisions by the Guilford County School Board and Administration. And some of the increase in County taxes is, in part, due to bad decisions by the County Commissioners and the School Board. What a mess.
CITY PROPERTY TAXES WILL INCREASE to pay for the new TRASH TRANSFER STATION and for hauling trash to a dump in another county. Greensboro is on the verge of being banned from having new industry here because of air pollution. Duke Power and two other power companies have applied for permission to build nuclear plants near here and the old coal-fired plants are spewing mercury into the air every day.
The jail is overcrowded with inmates sleeping on the floor. Two men are running against the current sheriff saying that we don't need more jail space. The feds are considering taking over the Guilford County Jail and requiring it to be brought up to code or a new one built. They did that in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County had to build a new jail. To it's credit, The City Council changed the zoning rules so that the county can build a new jail close to the old one downtown. If the feds take over, it will cost the county (that's we taxpayers) more than if they go ahead and do it soon. Because of the condition of our jail, the county and individual commissioners are liable if inmates or employees decide to sue over conditions or if anyone is hurt because of the conditions that exist there. The court system needs more funding and better administrative oversight.
The City, County and State governments are throwing "economic development funds" around like confetti.
These are some things that I can think of right at this moment. I repeat -- It just gets worse and worse. I think that with good government and informed citizens, we can have a wonderful city. I keep trying. Sometimes I wonder why.
Truth, Lies and More
-----
Some interesting stuff about Polygraph Tests and a free download called The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.
at http://antipolygraph.org/pubs.shtml
See comments on previous posts by George Maschke at Phillips on Polygraph
Some interesting stuff about Polygraph Tests and a free download called The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.
at http://antipolygraph.org/pubs.shtml
See comments on previous posts by George Maschke at Phillips on Polygraph
Who's Watching Contract 2005-060A?
-----
City Council has approved $36,829 to be taken from the Storm Water Pipe Fund; Account No. 506-7005-01.6018 Act. No. 06074 to pay for a 16% increase in the contract amount with Action Greensboro, Inc. to construct the City's new streetscape abutting Center City Park.
The original agreement was to replace a failing storm sewer outfall for the purpose of providing storm water runoff for Elm Street and Friendly Ave.
I wonder just how bad that storm sewer was. Has anyone every notice water backing up at this intersection? I know that I am a big advocate of taking care of what we have; but, I think that this is one of those "iffy" projects.
This item was #26 on the May 2, 2006 Consent Agenda. This is the first change order on contract 2005-060A which was set up to track these expenditures. The reason given for this increase "The actual underground conditions encountered required a change in the original scope of work and additional costs."
Just thought someone should try to keep citizens informed about the amount of city money that is going into the privately-owned park at Friendly and Elm streets.
I think that since this amount is coming from the Storm Water Pipe Fund, it is in addition to the money already allocated from Greensboro City Funds for streetscaping around the park.
Is this the case? Is that why there had to be a separate vote on this allocation? The contact person at Greensboro Engineering & Inspections Department is Ted Kellam, 373-2302.
City Council has approved $36,829 to be taken from the Storm Water Pipe Fund; Account No. 506-7005-01.6018 Act. No. 06074 to pay for a 16% increase in the contract amount with Action Greensboro, Inc. to construct the City's new streetscape abutting Center City Park.
The original agreement was to replace a failing storm sewer outfall for the purpose of providing storm water runoff for Elm Street and Friendly Ave.
I wonder just how bad that storm sewer was. Has anyone every notice water backing up at this intersection? I know that I am a big advocate of taking care of what we have; but, I think that this is one of those "iffy" projects.
This item was #26 on the May 2, 2006 Consent Agenda. This is the first change order on contract 2005-060A which was set up to track these expenditures. The reason given for this increase "The actual underground conditions encountered required a change in the original scope of work and additional costs."
Just thought someone should try to keep citizens informed about the amount of city money that is going into the privately-owned park at Friendly and Elm streets.
I think that since this amount is coming from the Storm Water Pipe Fund, it is in addition to the money already allocated from Greensboro City Funds for streetscaping around the park.
Is this the case? Is that why there had to be a separate vote on this allocation? The contact person at Greensboro Engineering & Inspections Department is Ted Kellam, 373-2302.
Tom Phillips on Bonds
-----
In a Radio Interview this morning, City Councilman Tom Phillips was asked about the proposed bond issues to be included on the November 2006 ballot. The proposals presently being considered will apparently exceed $20 million.
Phillips said that there are lots of worthwhile projects being discussed, but the only one he feels is necessary is the one for building new fire stations. He said that he was "really disappointed," adding in jest that he had been pushing for a city council helicopter that has been talked about for many years.
An olympic size swimming pool has been proposed as part of a YWCA building project. This is the same pool that failed to pass in the last bond referendum. It has been moved from being a YMCA project to being a YWCA project. Mr. Phillips suggested that if the city is going to pay for the pool, and the citizens want the pool, it should be owned and managed by the city.
One place that has been suggested for the pool is close to the Coliseum. Phillips said, "Matt Brown knows a whole lot about swimming pools. He has experience and knows exactly how to make a project like this successful."
Phillips has apparently discussed this possibility with the Coliseum management and with Greensboro Parks and Recreation Dept. because he said that P&R does not want to manage a tournament-type pool, so the logical place for it is at the Coliseum with Coliseum management.(That is if the bond passes for $7 million to build the pool and $2 million for land, and if the citizens want to take on the cost of operation of the facility.)
In a Radio Interview this morning, City Councilman Tom Phillips was asked about the proposed bond issues to be included on the November 2006 ballot. The proposals presently being considered will apparently exceed $20 million.
Phillips said that there are lots of worthwhile projects being discussed, but the only one he feels is necessary is the one for building new fire stations. He said that he was "really disappointed," adding in jest that he had been pushing for a city council helicopter that has been talked about for many years.
An olympic size swimming pool has been proposed as part of a YWCA building project. This is the same pool that failed to pass in the last bond referendum. It has been moved from being a YMCA project to being a YWCA project. Mr. Phillips suggested that if the city is going to pay for the pool, and the citizens want the pool, it should be owned and managed by the city.
One place that has been suggested for the pool is close to the Coliseum. Phillips said, "Matt Brown knows a whole lot about swimming pools. He has experience and knows exactly how to make a project like this successful."
Phillips has apparently discussed this possibility with the Coliseum management and with Greensboro Parks and Recreation Dept. because he said that P&R does not want to manage a tournament-type pool, so the logical place for it is at the Coliseum with Coliseum management.(That is if the bond passes for $7 million to build the pool and $2 million for land, and if the citizens want to take on the cost of operation of the facility.)
Tom Phillips on Polygraph
------
Greensboro City Council Member Tom Phillips was interviewed this morning on the Dusty Dunn program with John Hammer of the Rhino Times on 1070 am radio (available daily at www.wgos.net)
Eight members of the City Council, including Mayor Holliday have taken a polygraph test in an attempt to find out who gave information about a report concerning misconduct in the Greensboro Police Department and the firing of Chief Ray by the City Manager. The lie-detector test was given by a retired FBI agent who is frequently used by RMA. Several council members have said that they passed the test. Others have not yet revealed the results of their tests.
Mr. Phillips was asked how long did the lie-detector test take. He answered that the whole thing took about an hour and a half. The first half hour was spent just talking, then a half hour telling how the test works and going over the questions to be asked. The final half hour was the actual test. Phillips said that they asked basic information questions and then a series of questions that were asked three different times in three different sequences. He said that you knew what they were going to be asking and eight council members have done it. Phillips said that questions asked covered these scenarios: Did you give access to other people? Did you leak it to the news media? Did you make copies of it?
Phillips said that he does not know how the staff was cleared, but very few people had access and the City Manager has assured the council that these staff people have been cleared. He also said that the polygraph test would not have been given if everyone on the council had signed the affidavit saying that they did not reveal the information in the report.
Greensboro City Council Member Tom Phillips was interviewed this morning on the Dusty Dunn program with John Hammer of the Rhino Times on 1070 am radio (available daily at www.wgos.net)
Eight members of the City Council, including Mayor Holliday have taken a polygraph test in an attempt to find out who gave information about a report concerning misconduct in the Greensboro Police Department and the firing of Chief Ray by the City Manager. The lie-detector test was given by a retired FBI agent who is frequently used by RMA. Several council members have said that they passed the test. Others have not yet revealed the results of their tests.
Mr. Phillips was asked how long did the lie-detector test take. He answered that the whole thing took about an hour and a half. The first half hour was spent just talking, then a half hour telling how the test works and going over the questions to be asked. The final half hour was the actual test. Phillips said that they asked basic information questions and then a series of questions that were asked three different times in three different sequences. He said that you knew what they were going to be asking and eight council members have done it. Phillips said that questions asked covered these scenarios: Did you give access to other people? Did you leak it to the news media? Did you make copies of it?
Phillips said that he does not know how the staff was cleared, but very few people had access and the City Manager has assured the council that these staff people have been cleared. He also said that the polygraph test would not have been given if everyone on the council had signed the affidavit saying that they did not reveal the information in the report.
Who Cares ? ?
------
There were not many interesting races here in Guilford County yesterday. I was disappointed at the outcome of several. I especially wanted a new DA - Maybe in the general election. Only about 5 per cent of REGISTERED voters even bothered to go to the polls. Very few people took time to learn about the candidates. The media did a poor job of helping shed information on the election. Most of the same old people got re-elected by the same power bases that keep them there, the people who vote and the people who don't vote.
A question on Greensboro 101 asks "Did my vote count?' The real question here is how many non-votes counted?"
The City Council (most of them) are wasting time and money taking polygraph tests to prove to each other that they are not "leakers" while putting the public on hold until the next episode or until more information leaks out. Toyota is keeping secret plans for a new plant, maybe. The School Board voted to have no regular soft drinks at schools, only caffeine-free aspartame-loaded diet drinks and fruit juices in vending machines. The FDA is keeping the danger of aspartame from the public.
And here in the Gate City (or whatever we call it now) the front page of the N&R asks "WHO CARES ABOUT BASEBALL WHEN THE BEER'S JUST A BUCK?
I ask WHO CARES ABOUT GREENSBORO WHEN WE DON'T EVEN VOTE? CAN WE DRINK OUR TROUBLES AWAY at the ballpark?
WHO CARES? ? ?
There were not many interesting races here in Guilford County yesterday. I was disappointed at the outcome of several. I especially wanted a new DA - Maybe in the general election. Only about 5 per cent of REGISTERED voters even bothered to go to the polls. Very few people took time to learn about the candidates. The media did a poor job of helping shed information on the election. Most of the same old people got re-elected by the same power bases that keep them there, the people who vote and the people who don't vote.
A question on Greensboro 101 asks "Did my vote count?' The real question here is how many non-votes counted?"
The City Council (most of them) are wasting time and money taking polygraph tests to prove to each other that they are not "leakers" while putting the public on hold until the next episode or until more information leaks out. Toyota is keeping secret plans for a new plant, maybe. The School Board voted to have no regular soft drinks at schools, only caffeine-free aspartame-loaded diet drinks and fruit juices in vending machines. The FDA is keeping the danger of aspartame from the public.
And here in the Gate City (or whatever we call it now) the front page of the N&R asks "WHO CARES ABOUT BASEBALL WHEN THE BEER'S JUST A BUCK?
I ask WHO CARES ABOUT GREENSBORO WHEN WE DON'T EVEN VOTE? CAN WE DRINK OUR TROUBLES AWAY at the ballpark?
WHO CARES? ? ?
I Wish Y'all Had Been There
-----
Speakers for Law Day 2006 were very good. A special thanks to the panel members:
US Rep.Brad Miller (D-NC13)
NC State Sen. Philip E. Berger (R-Minority Leader)
NC Superior Court Judge John O. Craig, III
Margaret A. Dudley (Attorney and NCA&T Adjunct Professor)
Norman B. Smith (Practicing Attorney)
UNCG Professor David Lefkowitz,
Professor George R. Johnson, Jr. (Moderator)
Professor Johnson, the moderator, kept the debate informal and friendly and regulated the pace of the conversation very well. A little partisan politics crept into the presentation, as well it should have. But members of the forum and the audience were all well behaved and interesting. The conversation centered on this year's theme "Liberty Under Law: Separate Branches, Balanced Powers." NC State government was discussed, as well as National Issues about how the three branches of government interact.
Judge Craig mentioned that members of the NC Judicial Branch are somewhat restricted because they depend on the Legislative Branch for funding and that the NC Legislature regulates how the money in the Judicial Branch can be used. He suggested that the Judicial Branch is not just another agency of government. It is a separate branch and should be given equal status by the NC Legislature.
There will always be some friction between the branches and that is good. I think the Founding Fathers planned it that way. Anyway, I won't go into much of the conversation. I was busy helping with the program and did not take notes. The entire program was videotaped and I hope to review it soon. I wish all of you could have been there.
Maybe I will post some photos (when I figure out how to do it) of the student winners of the contest: Explaining "Separate Branches, Balanced Powers"
Elementary School Winners:
1st Place: Alex Bruno & Jack Sartore (Our Lady of Grace School)
2nd Place: Jonah Carmichael (Our Lady of Grace School)
3rd Place: Andy O'Brien (Stokesdale Elementary School)
Middle School Winners:
First Place: Mary Fontana & Cynthia Paniagua (Ferndale Middle School)
2nd Place: Anne Lucas (Canterbury School)
3rd Place: (tie) Jordan Cannon (Canterbury School) and Taylor Oots (Ferndale Middle School)
Thanks again to the committee who organized this program and to the sponsors: The Greensboro Bar Association, League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, NC Court Watch, YWCA of Greensboro, American Association of University Women, Greensboro Public Library, A&T State University Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy of the Open Society Institute.
Maybe I will post some photos of the student winners of the contest to explain "Separate Branches, Balanced Powers"
Speakers for Law Day 2006 were very good. A special thanks to the panel members:
US Rep.Brad Miller (D-NC13)
NC State Sen. Philip E. Berger (R-Minority Leader)
NC Superior Court Judge John O. Craig, III
Margaret A. Dudley (Attorney and NCA&T Adjunct Professor)
Norman B. Smith (Practicing Attorney)
UNCG Professor David Lefkowitz,
Professor George R. Johnson, Jr. (Moderator)
Professor Johnson, the moderator, kept the debate informal and friendly and regulated the pace of the conversation very well. A little partisan politics crept into the presentation, as well it should have. But members of the forum and the audience were all well behaved and interesting. The conversation centered on this year's theme "Liberty Under Law: Separate Branches, Balanced Powers." NC State government was discussed, as well as National Issues about how the three branches of government interact.
Judge Craig mentioned that members of the NC Judicial Branch are somewhat restricted because they depend on the Legislative Branch for funding and that the NC Legislature regulates how the money in the Judicial Branch can be used. He suggested that the Judicial Branch is not just another agency of government. It is a separate branch and should be given equal status by the NC Legislature.
There will always be some friction between the branches and that is good. I think the Founding Fathers planned it that way. Anyway, I won't go into much of the conversation. I was busy helping with the program and did not take notes. The entire program was videotaped and I hope to review it soon. I wish all of you could have been there.
Maybe I will post some photos (when I figure out how to do it) of the student winners of the contest: Explaining "Separate Branches, Balanced Powers"
Elementary School Winners:
1st Place: Alex Bruno & Jack Sartore (Our Lady of Grace School)
2nd Place: Jonah Carmichael (Our Lady of Grace School)
3rd Place: Andy O'Brien (Stokesdale Elementary School)
Middle School Winners:
First Place: Mary Fontana & Cynthia Paniagua (Ferndale Middle School)
2nd Place: Anne Lucas (Canterbury School)
3rd Place: (tie) Jordan Cannon (Canterbury School) and Taylor Oots (Ferndale Middle School)
Thanks again to the committee who organized this program and to the sponsors: The Greensboro Bar Association, League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, NC Court Watch, YWCA of Greensboro, American Association of University Women, Greensboro Public Library, A&T State University Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy of the Open Society Institute.
Maybe I will post some photos of the student winners of the contest to explain "Separate Branches, Balanced Powers"
Answer to Hogg's "so much for public input"
David,
I was at the city council briefing and heard the discussion about bond issues to be placed on the ballot. Sandy Carmany was on the right side of the WMS issue. Maybe others will be persuaded to keep their promises about maintaining this historic stadium. I think the actual phrase during the planning of the new stadium was "continue to maintain."
I have a few words to say about that. How can we continue to maintain something that we have not maintained, but have let slide into such disrepair that we are now told that it is only fit to be torn down?
I am in favor of spending more money on maintenance of all city property in our regular budget. One of the reasons that the tax rate did not increase last year (an election year) is that the council decided to put off routine maintenance of many city-owned properties. Of course, the Coliseum got new carpeting and Bryan Park got money to do work around the greens, and Downtown Greensboro, Inc. got money for whatever and city money was allocated to redecorate the area around the downtown park.
Because of this lack of maintenance of property for several years, the council is now asking for capital improvement bonds to do what should have been done all along. I hear much talk about "taking care of what we have," but little real effort to do it. One excuse is that the economy hasn't been doing as well as was expected, so money wasn't there to "take care of what we have."
Talk is cheap. Action isn't. Taxpayers will pay one way or another. Council will decide what we will pay for and how it will be financed. And the beat goes on, and on, and on.
I was at the city council briefing and heard the discussion about bond issues to be placed on the ballot. Sandy Carmany was on the right side of the WMS issue. Maybe others will be persuaded to keep their promises about maintaining this historic stadium. I think the actual phrase during the planning of the new stadium was "continue to maintain."
I have a few words to say about that. How can we continue to maintain something that we have not maintained, but have let slide into such disrepair that we are now told that it is only fit to be torn down?
I am in favor of spending more money on maintenance of all city property in our regular budget. One of the reasons that the tax rate did not increase last year (an election year) is that the council decided to put off routine maintenance of many city-owned properties. Of course, the Coliseum got new carpeting and Bryan Park got money to do work around the greens, and Downtown Greensboro, Inc. got money for whatever and city money was allocated to redecorate the area around the downtown park.
Because of this lack of maintenance of property for several years, the council is now asking for capital improvement bonds to do what should have been done all along. I hear much talk about "taking care of what we have," but little real effort to do it. One excuse is that the economy hasn't been doing as well as was expected, so money wasn't there to "take care of what we have."
Talk is cheap. Action isn't. Taxpayers will pay one way or another. Council will decide what we will pay for and how it will be financed. And the beat goes on, and on, and on.
USS Cole Commander
-----
Interesting article on the Raleigh News & Observer site about Kirk Lippold, who was the commander of the guided missile destroyer USS Cole when it was attacked in Yemen in 2000.
The piece by James Rosen, N&O Washington Bureau includes information about events and intelligence information before and after the attack.
17 sailors were killed, 275 survived.
Interesting article on the Raleigh News & Observer site about Kirk Lippold, who was the commander of the guided missile destroyer USS Cole when it was attacked in Yemen in 2000.
The piece by James Rosen, N&O Washington Bureau includes information about events and intelligence information before and after the attack.
17 sailors were killed, 275 survived.
Distinguished Panel for Law Day Program
-----
Law Day Program Monday night, May 1
This year's Law Day Theme is "Separate Branches, Balanced Powers"
UNCG Prof. David Lefkowitz, Philosopher of Law
Norman Smith, Attorney at Law,
The Honorable Brad Miller, US House,
Judge Joe Craig,
NC AT&T Adjunct Professor Margaret Dudley,
The Honorable Phil Berger, NC House
will discus issues related to this year's theme and address questions from the audience.
School children in Guilford County participated in projects explaining this year's Law Day Theme, “Separate Branches, Balanced Powers.” Winners will be presented prizes at the Event.
The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, Court Watch of North Carolina, YWCA of Greensboro, Greensboro Bar Association, AAUW, North Carolina A&T Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and the Greensboro Public Library are sponsoring the event.
Admission is Free and the Public is Invited.
Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (come early to see the winning contest entries)
Place: Greensboro Historical Museum auditorium, 130 Summit Ave.
For additional information contact League of Women Voters, www.lwvpt.org
This Forum is supported (in part) by a grant from the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy of the Open Society Institute.
Law Day Program Monday night, May 1
This year's Law Day Theme is "Separate Branches, Balanced Powers"
UNCG Prof. David Lefkowitz, Philosopher of Law
Norman Smith, Attorney at Law,
The Honorable Brad Miller, US House,
Judge Joe Craig,
NC AT&T Adjunct Professor Margaret Dudley,
The Honorable Phil Berger, NC House
will discus issues related to this year's theme and address questions from the audience.
School children in Guilford County participated in projects explaining this year's Law Day Theme, “Separate Branches, Balanced Powers.” Winners will be presented prizes at the Event.
The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, Court Watch of North Carolina, YWCA of Greensboro, Greensboro Bar Association, AAUW, North Carolina A&T Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and the Greensboro Public Library are sponsoring the event.
Admission is Free and the Public is Invited.
Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (come early to see the winning contest entries)
Place: Greensboro Historical Museum auditorium, 130 Summit Ave.
For additional information contact League of Women Voters, www.lwvpt.org
This Forum is supported (in part) by a grant from the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy of the Open Society Institute.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
