----
The Greensboro News-Record reports today on a proposed dump expansion
High Point residents are worried about expansion of a landfill off Kivett Drive.
The City of High Point held a forum Tuesday night to explain the expansion plans and listen to neighbors’ concerns. City officials told citizens that the current landfill is expected to reach capacity by 2008 and more space is needed to keep it operating. They say that 22 acres need to be annexed and the landfill’s permit updated.
The High Point City Council and the N.C. Division of Waste Management have to approve the plans before the site can be expanded. The proposed expansion of the dump is expected to take about a year to complete.
same song, 2006 verse
What do you think?
I have suggested a regional waste-to-energy program to our own city council members and county commission members for years. One of the excuses that I have received for not considering this option for garbage disposal is that there is just not enough trash to make it economically feasible.
The Raleigh N&O reports that Chatham County, NC, which does not own a landfill, charges county residents a solid waste fee that is included in their property tax bill. The county owns and operates trucks that take trash from collection centers to privately owned transfer stations in Siler City and Lee County. The trash is then hauled to a Sampson County landfill, which is more than 80 miles away.
Siler City is about 40 miles from Greensboro. What are we thinking?
Please read this post from Feb. 3, 2005about trash-energy-water-jobs
And this about traveling trash
And this about our own trash problem
And this information
The Raleigh N&O reports that Chatham County, NC, which does not own a landfill, charges county residents a solid waste fee that is included in their property tax bill. The county owns and operates trucks that take trash from collection centers to privately owned transfer stations in Siler City and Lee County. The trash is then hauled to a Sampson County landfill, which is more than 80 miles away.
Siler City is about 40 miles from Greensboro. What are we thinking?
Please read this post from Feb. 3, 2005about trash-energy-water-jobs
And this about traveling trash
And this about our own trash problem
And this information
More on South Elm Plans
---
According to a report on The Business Journal web site ". . . . public hearings on the plan would likely be held this summer, with site acquisition and preparation to follow a city approval of the plan. A developer, or multiple developers, could be chosen in mid-2007. . . . .
Financing for the project could come from a variety of available tax credits, as well as revenue bonds and project-increment financing, which was approved by the state in 2004."
This reports indicates that the City of Greensboro will be using its ability (granted by Amendment 1) to sell bonds (which means borrow money) without voter approval.
I still can't believe that the voters of NC knew what they were doing when they approved Amendment 1. What a mess this is going to be.
Other thoughts about South Elm Plan
and from Ed Cone's blog
Read more at: http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2006/02/13/daily20.html?f=et84&hbx=e_du
and at: http://edcone.typepad.com/wordup/2006/02/south_elm_and_l.html
According to a report on The Business Journal web site ". . . . public hearings on the plan would likely be held this summer, with site acquisition and preparation to follow a city approval of the plan. A developer, or multiple developers, could be chosen in mid-2007. . . . .
Financing for the project could come from a variety of available tax credits, as well as revenue bonds and project-increment financing, which was approved by the state in 2004."
This reports indicates that the City of Greensboro will be using its ability (granted by Amendment 1) to sell bonds (which means borrow money) without voter approval.
I still can't believe that the voters of NC knew what they were doing when they approved Amendment 1. What a mess this is going to be.
Other thoughts about South Elm Plan
and from Ed Cone's blog
Read more at: http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2006/02/13/daily20.html?f=et84&hbx=e_du
and at: http://edcone.typepad.com/wordup/2006/02/south_elm_and_l.html
Wild Ideas about South Elm Street
According to the front page of The News-Record of Greensboro, a plan for an 11 acre site south of Elm and Lee streets will rejuvenate the blighted area of vacant lots and empty building. According to a Boston consulting firm, the area needs a grocery store and lots of apartments. According to a Washington consultant, the ideas presented last night are "market-tested ideas".
I did not attend the meeting last night because I have attended the other "so-called citizen in-put meetings" and found them unsatisfactory. The food was good, and the conversation was good, but the out of town consultants seemed intent on bringing their ideas and plans to Greensboro, whether Greensboro citizens wanted them or not. Many suggestions from local participants were ignored or just got lost somewhere in the planning process. I figured that this meeting to present "new plans" was really to present the "same old plan" that the consultants and developers had when they arrived in Greensboro. This meeting was an attempt to convince Greensboro citizens, leaders and followers that their plan is better than any we could do ourselves.
Several years ago another out-of-town firm suggested that the area be used for a new baseball stadium. This plan so alarmed the leaders at Action Greensboro that they had to do something to redirect the stadium away from the South Elm area. It wasn't in the right neighborhood to suit them. I believe that this same mindset about downtown neighborhoods is the reason that renovating Memorial Stadium was taken out of the mix when a better baseball venue was planned.
Let me say now, that I think a baseball stadium at Elm and Lee streets would have been a disaster and I campaigned against it when it was suggested. This current planning process was because the backers of a new stadium needed an acceptable excuse not to build the stadium in this blighted area. Their assertion that the area had oodles of ground pollution was a hoax, but it did start a process that, if done correctly, could make the area into a nice place.
More about South Elm Street Plan
What do you think?
I did not attend the meeting last night because I have attended the other "so-called citizen in-put meetings" and found them unsatisfactory. The food was good, and the conversation was good, but the out of town consultants seemed intent on bringing their ideas and plans to Greensboro, whether Greensboro citizens wanted them or not. Many suggestions from local participants were ignored or just got lost somewhere in the planning process. I figured that this meeting to present "new plans" was really to present the "same old plan" that the consultants and developers had when they arrived in Greensboro. This meeting was an attempt to convince Greensboro citizens, leaders and followers that their plan is better than any we could do ourselves.
Several years ago another out-of-town firm suggested that the area be used for a new baseball stadium. This plan so alarmed the leaders at Action Greensboro that they had to do something to redirect the stadium away from the South Elm area. It wasn't in the right neighborhood to suit them. I believe that this same mindset about downtown neighborhoods is the reason that renovating Memorial Stadium was taken out of the mix when a better baseball venue was planned.
Let me say now, that I think a baseball stadium at Elm and Lee streets would have been a disaster and I campaigned against it when it was suggested. This current planning process was because the backers of a new stadium needed an acceptable excuse not to build the stadium in this blighted area. Their assertion that the area had oodles of ground pollution was a hoax, but it did start a process that, if done correctly, could make the area into a nice place.
More about South Elm Street Plan
What do you think?
A Couple of Dead Rats
--
I know that lots of sugar is bad for me. I know that I am fat. I know that I haven't much self-control when it comes to my eating habits. I also know that most of the things that I put into my body are not bad for me in small amounts, and most are actually good for me in moderate amounts.
Beth at Greensboroing changed from sugar to Splenda, Saying that since sugar might possibly cause kidney problems, she would take her chances on Splenda.
Too much sugar is definitely bad for us, but wouldn't it be better (even if not easier) to cut down on sugar than to add an artificial sweetener to your regular diet?
I'm not an expert on Splenda, but I have done lots of reading about another sugar substitute called aspartame. It is sold mostly under the name "Equal".
Beth says: "But what are you to do? Give up sweetness all together? No thanks. I'll take my chances."
My advice to her is: Please get more information about these products. There is more evidence about their bad effects than a couple of dead rats.
I'll take my chances with sugar.
I know that lots of sugar is bad for me. I know that I am fat. I know that I haven't much self-control when it comes to my eating habits. I also know that most of the things that I put into my body are not bad for me in small amounts, and most are actually good for me in moderate amounts.
Beth at Greensboroing changed from sugar to Splenda, Saying that since sugar might possibly cause kidney problems, she would take her chances on Splenda.
Too much sugar is definitely bad for us, but wouldn't it be better (even if not easier) to cut down on sugar than to add an artificial sweetener to your regular diet?
I'm not an expert on Splenda, but I have done lots of reading about another sugar substitute called aspartame. It is sold mostly under the name "Equal".
Beth says: "But what are you to do? Give up sweetness all together? No thanks. I'll take my chances."
My advice to her is: Please get more information about these products. There is more evidence about their bad effects than a couple of dead rats.
I'll take my chances with sugar.
Will $15 Million Grant Help Workers?
--
On Thursday, Feb. 2, a N&R headline announced a $15 million work-force training grant. Don Kirkman who is President of the Piedmont Triad Partnership, which will manage the federal Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Grant money said that some of the money will be used to build a leadership training school at the local Center for Creative Leadership and some of the money will be used to hire staff to manage some of the programs. Also some of the money will be used to create training templates at local schools to retrain displaced workers.
Wednesday, Feb. 8, the N&R carried a story about Bryan Foundation donations. One of these is $25,000 to the Welfare Reform Liaison Project. The money will be used to actually train people for logistics and distribution jobs.
Training people for jobs that are expected to be available in our area seems like a better use of money than adding a leadership training school to an already internationally known training program that is too pricey for working people to attend. Maybe some of the money will be used to train staff that will be needed to help manage some of the new programs that the PTP is planning. When will the training filter down to the people who just need training for jobs that pay a living wage?
Yesterday on the guilfordopinion blogspot Sam's notes questioned the effectivenss of the $15 federal grant. So do I.
What is the definition of workforce training? Training Laborers? Training Managers? Training Business Executives? Training Regional Leaders?
All of the above. Of course, we need all of these, but who needs the most help now?
What do you think?
On Thursday, Feb. 2, a N&R headline announced a $15 million work-force training grant. Don Kirkman who is President of the Piedmont Triad Partnership, which will manage the federal Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Grant money said that some of the money will be used to build a leadership training school at the local Center for Creative Leadership and some of the money will be used to hire staff to manage some of the programs. Also some of the money will be used to create training templates at local schools to retrain displaced workers.
Wednesday, Feb. 8, the N&R carried a story about Bryan Foundation donations. One of these is $25,000 to the Welfare Reform Liaison Project. The money will be used to actually train people for logistics and distribution jobs.
Training people for jobs that are expected to be available in our area seems like a better use of money than adding a leadership training school to an already internationally known training program that is too pricey for working people to attend. Maybe some of the money will be used to train staff that will be needed to help manage some of the new programs that the PTP is planning. When will the training filter down to the people who just need training for jobs that pay a living wage?
Yesterday on the guilfordopinion blogspot Sam's notes questioned the effectivenss of the $15 federal grant. So do I.
What is the definition of workforce training? Training Laborers? Training Managers? Training Business Executives? Training Regional Leaders?
All of the above. Of course, we need all of these, but who needs the most help now?
What do you think?
I forgot to mention
In yesterday's budget planning meeting Tom Phillips mentioned several times that the budget planning process should include looking at each and every city department in depth. He admitted that even if the process starts now there probably will be no impact on the 2006 budget. He thinks that looking at each department will take a long time and should start soon so that the results will be available for future budget planning.
City Manager Mitch Johnson said that even if the council manages to save a little here and there, the overall effect will be small.
Phillips disagrees. He thinks that some places where the city can cut expenses are obvious and should be looked at first. One of the programs he thinks should be cut is The Commission on the Status of Women. His reasoning is that we have a city department devoted to women and minorities and women seem to be doing ok in Greensboro. After all, there are more women on the city council than men and the chairman of the county commission is a woman.
What do you think
City Manager Mitch Johnson said that even if the council manages to save a little here and there, the overall effect will be small.
Phillips disagrees. He thinks that some places where the city can cut expenses are obvious and should be looked at first. One of the programs he thinks should be cut is The Commission on the Status of Women. His reasoning is that we have a city department devoted to women and minorities and women seem to be doing ok in Greensboro. After all, there are more women on the city council than men and the chairman of the county commission is a woman.
What do you think
Six members of the City Council and Mayor Holliday began work on the 2006-2007 Greensboro City budget by listening to a presentation by top-level staff while looking at charts and graphs that most of them did not seem to understand.
The bottom line of the 2 1/2 hour meeting yesterday seemed to be that the City of Greensboro needs a raise (from taxpayers) or needs to cut-out some services (offered to citizens). Several reasons for this lack of adequate funding included the loss of money from a change in the way local sales tax money is distributed in Guilford County and a sluggish economy.
Although revenue from building permits had the strongest annual growth rate in recent history, Greensboro has had an increase in area and population in the past several years and tax revenue hasn't kept up with costs of providing services.
Greensboro charges no "impact fees" for developments that put strain on certain areas. These types of fees are charged by some cities and counties in North Carolina, but their legality is currently being tested in the courts.
Property tax increases are based on cents per $100 of property value. The presentation yesterday concluded that the city will need to increase taxes to pay for services that are already being offered. The increased revenue generated by the proposed tax increases do not include any additional services.
Some projected tax increases:
*2 cents for trash transfer station
*1 cent for health and inspections
*1 cent for current debt service (does not include proposed bonds for fire stations)
Tom Phillips mentioned several times that the budget planning process should include looking at each and every city department. He admitted that even if the process starts now there probably will be no impact on the 2006 budget. He thinks that looking at each department will take a long time and should start soon.
City Manager Mitch Johnson said that even if the council manages to save a little here and there, the overall effect will be small. Phillips disagrees. He thinks that some places where the city can cut expenses are obvious and should be looked at first.
There will be a public hearing on the budget in March. Citizens are invited to give input on the budget. These budget hearing are usually long and boring and generally speakers are from groups who want money for their projects. I suspect the one this year will be about the same.
(2/8/06)CORRECTION: City Councilwoman Sandy Carmany informs me that the meeting for citizen in-put on the budget is Feb. 21. The March 21 meeting is for citizen in-put about possible bond issues to be placed on the November ballot. Sorry.
BTW: You can e-mail your suggestions here or here: http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/CityGovernment/forms/budgetinput.htm
The bottom line of the 2 1/2 hour meeting yesterday seemed to be that the City of Greensboro needs a raise (from taxpayers) or needs to cut-out some services (offered to citizens). Several reasons for this lack of adequate funding included the loss of money from a change in the way local sales tax money is distributed in Guilford County and a sluggish economy.
Although revenue from building permits had the strongest annual growth rate in recent history, Greensboro has had an increase in area and population in the past several years and tax revenue hasn't kept up with costs of providing services.
Greensboro charges no "impact fees" for developments that put strain on certain areas. These types of fees are charged by some cities and counties in North Carolina, but their legality is currently being tested in the courts.
Property tax increases are based on cents per $100 of property value. The presentation yesterday concluded that the city will need to increase taxes to pay for services that are already being offered. The increased revenue generated by the proposed tax increases do not include any additional services.
Some projected tax increases:
*2 cents for trash transfer station
*1 cent for health and inspections
*1 cent for current debt service (does not include proposed bonds for fire stations)
Tom Phillips mentioned several times that the budget planning process should include looking at each and every city department. He admitted that even if the process starts now there probably will be no impact on the 2006 budget. He thinks that looking at each department will take a long time and should start soon.
City Manager Mitch Johnson said that even if the council manages to save a little here and there, the overall effect will be small. Phillips disagrees. He thinks that some places where the city can cut expenses are obvious and should be looked at first.
There will be a public hearing on the budget in March. Citizens are invited to give input on the budget. These budget hearing are usually long and boring and generally speakers are from groups who want money for their projects. I suspect the one this year will be about the same.
(2/8/06)CORRECTION: City Councilwoman Sandy Carmany informs me that the meeting for citizen in-put on the budget is Feb. 21. The March 21 meeting is for citizen in-put about possible bond issues to be placed on the November ballot. Sorry.
BTW: You can e-mail your suggestions here or here: http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/CityGovernment/forms/budgetinput.htm
Come on Marta ! ! !
Who wrote that headline? ? ? "Bloggers' exuberance declines considerably"
Maybe the apostrophe was in the wrong place or the Typesetter left off the first word - "Some bloggers' exub........" would have been more accurate. Blogger's exuberance declines considerably would have been appropriate if the article had been only about Wharton's blog, but to clump most of the bloggers in Greensboro into this headline was not correct.
The "Ebb and Flow " line beneath the main header would have been more appropriate for this article and for describing writers or all ilks.
I was disappointed that there was no mention of LOCAL political blogging. There was much more good information about the recent City Council election on the blogs than there was in the printed version of the N&R, or other printed and broadcast media in Greensboro.
Council member Sandy Carmany gives blog readers (including, I suspect the News-Record) lots of information that is not readily available at any other "one stop local news source."
I expect that the blogs will give us reliable information about the upcoming Guilford County elections and NC State elections.
I thank all the bloggers who know how to get and publish information and take feedback from all.
Maybe the apostrophe was in the wrong place or the Typesetter left off the first word - "Some bloggers' exub........" would have been more accurate. Blogger's exuberance declines considerably would have been appropriate if the article had been only about Wharton's blog, but to clump most of the bloggers in Greensboro into this headline was not correct.
The "Ebb and Flow " line beneath the main header would have been more appropriate for this article and for describing writers or all ilks.
I was disappointed that there was no mention of LOCAL political blogging. There was much more good information about the recent City Council election on the blogs than there was in the printed version of the N&R, or other printed and broadcast media in Greensboro.
Council member Sandy Carmany gives blog readers (including, I suspect the News-Record) lots of information that is not readily available at any other "one stop local news source."
I expect that the blogs will give us reliable information about the upcoming Guilford County elections and NC State elections.
I thank all the bloggers who know how to get and publish information and take feedback from all.
Solar Energy Agreement Could Save Millions
--
From Renewable Energy Access newsletter
February 2, 2006
San Diego, California - Renewable Energy Access Council member Donna Frye announced a proposed solar energy agreement between the City of San Diego and Sun Edison SD LLC to provide approximately 5 MW of photovoltaic (PV) systems at city-owned facilities. The PV systems, to be installed, owned, operated and maintained by Sun Edison SD LLC, will save the city millions of dollars in capital costs.
more at
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=42814
or: RenewableEnergyAccess.com
From Renewable Energy Access newsletter
February 2, 2006
San Diego, California - Renewable Energy Access Council member Donna Frye announced a proposed solar energy agreement between the City of San Diego and Sun Edison SD LLC to provide approximately 5 MW of photovoltaic (PV) systems at city-owned facilities. The PV systems, to be installed, owned, operated and maintained by Sun Edison SD LLC, will save the city millions of dollars in capital costs.
more at
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=42814
or: RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Trash Disposal, Energy, Clean Water
--
WTE : Waste to Energy: 180 tons of municipal solid waste yields 6 megawatts per hour of electricity and thousand of gallons of water and meets clean air standards. And this is just one of the options available for waste-to-energy.
Naanovo Energy, Inc. claims that its Waste to Energy (WTE) technology allows, each of their modules to cleanly combust one hundred eighty tons of municipal solid waste per day while it produces energy and clean water.
A Waste-to-energy module developed by Naanovo can reduce 180 tons of municipal solid waste a day down to 10% of its raw volume and down to 20% of its original weight. This process will generate a minimum of six megawatts per hour of electricity and a natural byproduct of each WTE module is 145,920 gallons per day of distilled water.
I repeat: WTE : Waste to Energy: 180 tons of municipal solid waste yields 6 megawatts per hour of electricity and thousand of gallons of water and meets clean air standards. And this is just one of the options available for waste-to-energy.
Ask your city council members to find out more about WTE technology. The city did a little investigating about alternative ways to dispose of garbage several years ago, but have never gotten serious about it. They need a nudge. Do it carefully. They don't like change.
You can e-mail the entire City Council or just your favorite councilperson here or here: http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/CityGovernment/council/emailcouncil.htm
Also get in touch with your County Commissioners. This is a regional problem.
You can e-mail your County Commissionershere, or here: http://gcms0004.co.guilford.nc.us/commissioners/index.php
WTE : Waste to Energy: 180 tons of municipal solid waste yields 6 megawatts per hour of electricity and thousand of gallons of water and meets clean air standards. And this is just one of the options available for waste-to-energy.
Naanovo Energy, Inc. claims that its Waste to Energy (WTE) technology allows, each of their modules to cleanly combust one hundred eighty tons of municipal solid waste per day while it produces energy and clean water.
A Waste-to-energy module developed by Naanovo can reduce 180 tons of municipal solid waste a day down to 10% of its raw volume and down to 20% of its original weight. This process will generate a minimum of six megawatts per hour of electricity and a natural byproduct of each WTE module is 145,920 gallons per day of distilled water.
I repeat: WTE : Waste to Energy: 180 tons of municipal solid waste yields 6 megawatts per hour of electricity and thousand of gallons of water and meets clean air standards. And this is just one of the options available for waste-to-energy.
Ask your city council members to find out more about WTE technology. The city did a little investigating about alternative ways to dispose of garbage several years ago, but have never gotten serious about it. They need a nudge. Do it carefully. They don't like change.
You can e-mail the entire City Council or just your favorite councilperson here or here: http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/CityGovernment/council/emailcouncil.htm
Also get in touch with your County Commissioners. This is a regional problem.
You can e-mail your County Commissionershere, or here: http://gcms0004.co.guilford.nc.us/commissioners/index.php
Can US Manufacturing Survive ? ?
Some businesses are serious about keeping manufacturing operations at home. I don't know much about the working conditions or pay scale of the employees in this factory, but I like what the company is doing to reduce costs of its apparel making business.
American Apparel, the largest clothing manufacturing company in the US, with over 3,000 employees in its downtown Los Angeles factory, is one of the first companies to take advantage of the 30 percent Federal Tax Credit for solar power.
American Apparel is installing a 146 kW solar electric system on the roof of its (circa1935) factory building in Los Angeles. The company expects to reduce its electric bill by at least 20 percent this year.
More information about Solar American Initiative in the Renewable Energy Access Newsletter
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/market/business/viewstory?id=42761
From: RENEWABLE ENERGY ACCESS NEWSLETTER
President Bush said in his State of the Union Address that he is in favor or more research into alternative energy. More information will be available on February 6th, when the DOE reveals its budget request.
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com
American Apparel, the largest clothing manufacturing company in the US, with over 3,000 employees in its downtown Los Angeles factory, is one of the first companies to take advantage of the 30 percent Federal Tax Credit for solar power.
American Apparel is installing a 146 kW solar electric system on the roof of its (circa1935) factory building in Los Angeles. The company expects to reduce its electric bill by at least 20 percent this year.
More information about Solar American Initiative in the Renewable Energy Access Newsletter
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/market/business/viewstory?id=42761
From: RENEWABLE ENERGY ACCESS NEWSLETTER
President Bush said in his State of the Union Address that he is in favor or more research into alternative energy. More information will be available on February 6th, when the DOE reveals its budget request.
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com
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