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The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad will sponsor a public meeting on the issue of non-partisan school board elections for the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School District.
December 3, 2007, 7:00 PM
Central Library
660 W. Fifth Street
Winston-Salem, NC
Does a non-partisan school board do a better job? Do non-partisan school board elections help or hinder the recruitment of good candidates? The forum will explore these topics.
Sheree Fowler and members the CHANGE organization are the featured speakers. Call 996-7319 for details.
Grey's Tavern Opens
South Elm and McGee streets, at the corner known as Hamburger Square, has a new bar and grille. Grey and Charlie Davis welcomed a nice crowd Friday night at Grey's Tavern, 343 South Elm St.
A combination of Old Greensborough charm and reasonable prices provides a friendly atmosphere for young and old. Several large TV screens are attached to walls of brick, plaster, paint and old wallpaper from years past. The beautiful old tin ceiling painted an almost copper-colored chocolate brown and the ceiling fans that spin over the bar help give the place a welcoming, comfortable feeling.
Grey's people-friendly personality gave the place extra charm as he and his wife Stephanie mingled with customers, friends and staff to bring excellent service and atmosphere to opening night.
The beautiful mahogany bar and back wall were custom-built by Charlie. A stained-glass arch built from an original frame found in the old building with glass replaced by South Elm Street's Ellenburg and Shaffer Glass Art Studio accents the area behind the horseshoe-shaped bar.
Good service, good food, friendly staff and Old Greensborough charm make Grey's Tavern the new place-to-be in Downtown Greensboro, NC.
A combination of Old Greensborough charm and reasonable prices provides a friendly atmosphere for young and old. Several large TV screens are attached to walls of brick, plaster, paint and old wallpaper from years past. The beautiful old tin ceiling painted an almost copper-colored chocolate brown and the ceiling fans that spin over the bar help give the place a welcoming, comfortable feeling.
Grey's people-friendly personality gave the place extra charm as he and his wife Stephanie mingled with customers, friends and staff to bring excellent service and atmosphere to opening night.
The beautiful mahogany bar and back wall were custom-built by Charlie. A stained-glass arch built from an original frame found in the old building with glass replaced by South Elm Street's Ellenburg and Shaffer Glass Art Studio accents the area behind the horseshoe-shaped bar.
Good service, good food, friendly staff and Old Greensborough charm make Grey's Tavern the new place-to-be in Downtown Greensboro, NC.
Army Town, Greensboro, 1943-1946
.....
Saturday, Nov. 17th at 2 pm at the Greensboro Historical Museum the United Daughters of the Confederacy will present a slide presentation of "Army Town, Greensboro, 1943-1946" by Steven Catlett, archivist.
This should be an interesting look at some of the history of our city. During WWII Greensboro was full of military men and women. Greensboro played a major role in the logistics of deploying military personnel and equipment during the war. Some of the buildings used by the Overseas Replacement Depot, which operated on around 500 acres that the U.S. Government leased from H. Cone, are still standing and railroad tracks still criss-cross the area. Over 300,000 military men and women were trained or moved through ORD. It operated after WWII until sometime in 1946 processing soldiers back to civilian life. A section of town near English, Bessemer and Lindsay streets is called ORD to this day,
More information at NC Museum of History
Saturday, Nov. 17th at 2 pm at the Greensboro Historical Museum the United Daughters of the Confederacy will present a slide presentation of "Army Town, Greensboro, 1943-1946" by Steven Catlett, archivist.
This should be an interesting look at some of the history of our city. During WWII Greensboro was full of military men and women. Greensboro played a major role in the logistics of deploying military personnel and equipment during the war. Some of the buildings used by the Overseas Replacement Depot, which operated on around 500 acres that the U.S. Government leased from H. Cone, are still standing and railroad tracks still criss-cross the area. Over 300,000 military men and women were trained or moved through ORD. It operated after WWII until sometime in 1946 processing soldiers back to civilian life. A section of town near English, Bessemer and Lindsay streets is called ORD to this day,
More information at NC Museum of History
Roasted Commissioner
Annual Awards Banquet and Celebrity Roast
Presented by
Court Watch of North Carolina
Thursday, October 4, 2007, 6:30 P.M.
Banquet Room, Bur-Mil Club
Bur-Mil Park, 5834 Owl's Roost Road, Greensboro
Honoring those who have excelled in collecting child support in Guilford and Davidson Counties
Awards given to: Child Support Enforcement Agents, Support Staff, Supervisor, and a District Court Judge
A Friendly Celebrity Roast:
GUILFORD COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PAUL GIBSON
Dinner! Door prizes!
Restaurant Gift Certificates!
Silent Auction!
A few tickets still available at $30 ea.
Contact Court Watch of North Carolina to Make a Reservation.
(336) 275-2346 or e-mail:courtwatchofnc.net
Presented by
Court Watch of North Carolina
Thursday, October 4, 2007, 6:30 P.M.
Banquet Room, Bur-Mil Club
Bur-Mil Park, 5834 Owl's Roost Road, Greensboro
Honoring those who have excelled in collecting child support in Guilford and Davidson Counties
Awards given to: Child Support Enforcement Agents, Support Staff, Supervisor, and a District Court Judge
A Friendly Celebrity Roast:
GUILFORD COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PAUL GIBSON
Dinner! Door prizes!
Restaurant Gift Certificates!
Silent Auction!
A few tickets still available at $30 ea.
Contact Court Watch of North Carolina to Make a Reservation.
(336) 275-2346 or e-mail:courtwatchofnc.net
Thank You News 14
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CANDIDATE FORUM ON-LINE
The League of Women Voters sponsored a forum for At-Large Candidates for Greensboro City Council. Around 75 citizens attended, including some media types and one media outlet that cared enough to actually tape the entire program.
If you were not able to attend the forum, you can view it on line at
Cable News Channel 14. I am thrilled that Channel 14 cared enough to send a camera crew and reporter. Now anyone with access to an on-line computer can see and hear the candidates answer questions and give their pitch to voters.
We no longer have to read edited versions of what candidates said. We can see and hear them at our convenience - and over and over if we care to. Anyone who actually attended the forum had an opportunity to write a question to be asked of the candidates.
Thank you News 14.
Cable News Channel 14.
CANDIDATE FORUM ON-LINE
The League of Women Voters sponsored a forum for At-Large Candidates for Greensboro City Council. Around 75 citizens attended, including some media types and one media outlet that cared enough to actually tape the entire program.
If you were not able to attend the forum, you can view it on line at
Cable News Channel 14. I am thrilled that Channel 14 cared enough to send a camera crew and reporter. Now anyone with access to an on-line computer can see and hear the candidates answer questions and give their pitch to voters.
We no longer have to read edited versions of what candidates said. We can see and hear them at our convenience - and over and over if we care to. Anyone who actually attended the forum had an opportunity to write a question to be asked of the candidates.
Thank you News 14.
Cable News Channel 14.
At-Large Candidates Forum Monday
The League of Women Voters will host a forum for Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidates.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24:
At-Large Candidate Forum
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Greensboro College Family Center,
1115 West Market St.
(Old YMCA Building at Tate and Market streets)
Program Schedule
7:00 - Welcome to Greensboro College.
7:05 - 7:15 Self-introductions by candidates (90 seconds each)
7:15 - 7:55 questions for Group 1 (1 minute response time for each candidate)
7:55 - 8:00 switch groups
8:00 -8:10 Self-introductions by candidates (90 seconds each)
8:10 - 8:55 questions for Group 2 (1 minutes response time for each candidate)
8:55 - 9:00 Closing Remarks by Moderator
7:05 - 7:55 Group 1
Abuzuaiter, Marikay
Anderson-Groat, Sandra
Knight, Bill
Rahenkamp, Joseph
Riechmann, Donna
Woodard, Greg
8:00 - 8:55 Group 2
Gray, Sidney
Green, Kevin
Landau, Joel
Perkins, Robbie
Rakestraw, Mary
Venable, Joe
Wallace, Janet
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24:
At-Large Candidate Forum
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Greensboro College Family Center,
1115 West Market St.
(Old YMCA Building at Tate and Market streets)
Program Schedule
7:00 - Welcome to Greensboro College.
7:05 - 7:15 Self-introductions by candidates (90 seconds each)
7:15 - 7:55 questions for Group 1 (1 minute response time for each candidate)
7:55 - 8:00 switch groups
8:00 -8:10 Self-introductions by candidates (90 seconds each)
8:10 - 8:55 questions for Group 2 (1 minutes response time for each candidate)
8:55 - 9:00 Closing Remarks by Moderator
7:05 - 7:55 Group 1
Abuzuaiter, Marikay
Anderson-Groat, Sandra
Knight, Bill
Rahenkamp, Joseph
Riechmann, Donna
Woodard, Greg
8:00 - 8:55 Group 2
Gray, Sidney
Green, Kevin
Landau, Joel
Perkins, Robbie
Rakestraw, Mary
Venable, Joe
Wallace, Janet
Mayoral Forum 2007
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Hey Doug,
I was a bit disappointed in some of the answers during the LWVPT Mayoral Forum Tuesday.
Yvonne Johnson said that one of the reason we need economic incentives is to prepare sites for immediate occupancy by industries.
Greensboro has had several opportunities to use abandoned industrial sites within the city limits for new companies. They chose to rezone them for retail. One of the selling points made by the people who pushed the economic bond issue was that retail did not bring in the real estate taxes as well as industry.
Milton Kern talked about all the help given women business owners in the downtown central business district. I would like to know who those women are. Many of the small daytime businesses opened downtown in the past several years are gone. The primary push in the downtown has been for bars and restaurants that operate primarily at night and for residential units, some of which were build by a former City Council member and by Mr. Kern, himself.
Yvonne Johnson's answer to the question about a noise ordinance was questionable. She is in favor of having a citizen committee to investigate complains about excessive noise and report it. Citizens in District 5 have complained about noise and rowdy behavior at some venues along High Point Road for years, to no avail. People in District 1 and 2 have complained about the same places over and over; one on Lee Street and some on Phillips Ave. and others in Glenwood. What has been done? Who would Ms. Johnson assign to this committee. Would the committee include people in the neighborhood watches and neighborhood associations who are aware of the problems? And do we have the manpower to enforce the law?
And there are others. I just hit the high spots.
Watch Video at Channel 14
I would like to see some practical questions asked AND ANSWERED ! ! !
Hey Doug,
I was a bit disappointed in some of the answers during the LWVPT Mayoral Forum Tuesday.
Yvonne Johnson said that one of the reason we need economic incentives is to prepare sites for immediate occupancy by industries.
Greensboro has had several opportunities to use abandoned industrial sites within the city limits for new companies. They chose to rezone them for retail. One of the selling points made by the people who pushed the economic bond issue was that retail did not bring in the real estate taxes as well as industry.
Milton Kern talked about all the help given women business owners in the downtown central business district. I would like to know who those women are. Many of the small daytime businesses opened downtown in the past several years are gone. The primary push in the downtown has been for bars and restaurants that operate primarily at night and for residential units, some of which were build by a former City Council member and by Mr. Kern, himself.
Yvonne Johnson's answer to the question about a noise ordinance was questionable. She is in favor of having a citizen committee to investigate complains about excessive noise and report it. Citizens in District 5 have complained about noise and rowdy behavior at some venues along High Point Road for years, to no avail. People in District 1 and 2 have complained about the same places over and over; one on Lee Street and some on Phillips Ave. and others in Glenwood. What has been done? Who would Ms. Johnson assign to this committee. Would the committee include people in the neighborhood watches and neighborhood associations who are aware of the problems? And do we have the manpower to enforce the law?
And there are others. I just hit the high spots.
Watch Video at Channel 14
I would like to see some practical questions asked AND ANSWERED ! ! !
Taxation Without Representation
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The United States Senate failed to invoke cloture on the DC Voting Rights Act this week. Further action was blocked for now.
The final tally was 57-42. That’s a clear majority of the Senate but THREE VOTES SHORT OF THE SIXTY VOTES NEEDED on this procedural motion.
Both North Carolina Senators voted NO.
Citizens of the District of Columbia pay U.S. taxes, fight and die for the U.S. during wartime, and are governed by the laws that Congress passes; however, they have no voting representative in Congress.
The United States Senate failed to invoke cloture on the DC Voting Rights Act this week. Further action was blocked for now.
The final tally was 57-42. That’s a clear majority of the Senate but THREE VOTES SHORT OF THE SIXTY VOTES NEEDED on this procedural motion.
Both North Carolina Senators voted NO.
Citizens of the District of Columbia pay U.S. taxes, fight and die for the U.S. during wartime, and are governed by the laws that Congress passes; however, they have no voting representative in Congress.
Greensboro Mayoral Candidates Forum
The Public is Invited
The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad
Lunch with the League 2006-2007
September 18, 2007
Greensboro Mayoral Candidates Forum
Yvonne Johnson and Milton Kern
Lunch at Noon - Program Starts: 12:15
Place: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Haywood Duke meeting room
607 N. Greene St., Greensboro 27401
PROGRAM IS FREE The meal is optional. Lunch: $8.00 per person.
Lunch Reservations: lwvpt@earthlink.net
www.lwvpt.org for more information
The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad
The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad
Lunch with the League 2006-2007
September 18, 2007
Greensboro Mayoral Candidates Forum
Yvonne Johnson and Milton Kern
Lunch at Noon - Program Starts: 12:15
Place: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Haywood Duke meeting room
607 N. Greene St., Greensboro 27401
PROGRAM IS FREE The meal is optional. Lunch: $8.00 per person.
Lunch Reservations: lwvpt@earthlink.net
www.lwvpt.org for more information
The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad
What Should City Council Do ???
I have been reading everything I can about City Council Candidates and talking to them whenever I get a chance. I talked with Donna Riechmann (sounds like REEKman) Wednesday (9/12) on 1070am Radio. I will talk with Janet Wallace on the air next Wednesday (9/12) and Tonya Clinkscale on Wednesday (9/26). I like to hear from challengers in local elections. We already know what the incumbents are doing. I like to talk face to face. I think that it is harder to dodge a question in person. Most of us had rather write a short report than give an oral presentation and answer direct questions. The candidates, especially new ones, probably feel the same way.
I will attend a mayoral forum Tuesday. I hope it will be more interesting and informative than the one I saw at the Demo Headquarters last week.
There is a discussion going on over at Joe Guarino's blog about the most important job of City Council. My comments about that follow.
Joe,
About your question and a little bit more:
1. What do you regard as the single most important function or purpose of local government?
I think that Government should provide essential services and amenities that are not easily done individually. It is the job of City Council to decide what level of local services will be provided with taxpayer's money.
It is the job of citizens to decide who makes these decisions. So, be careful how you cast your vote. These people will be making decisions for you.
I will attend a mayoral forum Tuesday. I hope it will be more interesting and informative than the one I saw at the Demo Headquarters last week.
There is a discussion going on over at Joe Guarino's blog about the most important job of City Council. My comments about that follow.
Joe,
About your question and a little bit more:
1. What do you regard as the single most important function or purpose of local government?
I think that Government should provide essential services and amenities that are not easily done individually. It is the job of City Council to decide what level of local services will be provided with taxpayer's money.
It is the job of citizens to decide who makes these decisions. So, be careful how you cast your vote. These people will be making decisions for you.
Thanks News and Record
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The N&R finally gets it ! ! !
The new 2007 Election Blog is publishing questions and answers from local candidates.
I Hope this information will be published in the print editions, also.
I was not thrilled with some of the questions (and some of the answers), but I appreciate the fact that the candidates' answers, in their own words, are finally being published. This is a much better way to inform voters than the old way of publishing filtered information.
Editorial Opinions are fine, but should not be included in news articles about candidates, either intentionally or unintentionally.
See posts from October, 2005 and here
The N&R finally gets it ! ! !
The new 2007 Election Blog is publishing questions and answers from local candidates.
I Hope this information will be published in the print editions, also.
I was not thrilled with some of the questions (and some of the answers), but I appreciate the fact that the candidates' answers, in their own words, are finally being published. This is a much better way to inform voters than the old way of publishing filtered information.
Editorial Opinions are fine, but should not be included in news articles about candidates, either intentionally or unintentionally.
See posts from October, 2005 and here
Fire in the Dump
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Just one more reason that landfills are a bad way to dispose of unwanted stuff.
An abandoned dump fire could burn for days, spewing unhealthy smoke into our already iffy air in the Triad.
We should all be glad that this landfill permit was not renewed by Guilford County Commissioners. The landfill has been closed since May.
See picture in the News & Record
Just one more reason that landfills are a bad way to dispose of unwanted stuff.
An abandoned dump fire could burn for days, spewing unhealthy smoke into our already iffy air in the Triad.
We should all be glad that this landfill permit was not renewed by Guilford County Commissioners. The landfill has been closed since May.
See picture in the News & Record
Enough Candidate Forums
I am excited that there will be lots of chances to meet and evaluate candidates for Greensboro City Council. I am always amazed and amused at the reasons we vote for a particular candidate. I hope the voters will be more informed and selective in their choices in 2007.
Some ways I recommend to find out more about candidates:
Radio 1070 AM (available at WGOS.net) will have candidate interviews almost every morning on the Dusty Dunn show. A chance to call-in or e-mail your suggested questions to potential City Council Members. Phone: 454-5024.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18:
Mayoral Candidate Forum:
noon
Chance to hear and ask questions of Yvonne Johnson and Milton Kern
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, in Downtown Greensboro
Greene Street between Battleground Ave. and Smith Street
Sponsored by League of Women Voters. (Program Free, lunch optional $8)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24:
At-Large Candidate Forum (Pre-Primary}
7 p.m.
Greensboro College Family Center, 1115 West Market St.,
(Old YMCA Building at Tate and Friendly streets)
Sponsored by League of Women Voters
MONDAY, October 22:
At-Large Candidate Forum (Primary Survivors)
Greensboro Central Library
Sponsored by Greensboro Neighborhood Congress
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 24:
District Candidates Forum (Primary Survivors)
7 p.m. Greensboro College Family Center
(Old YMCA Building at Tate and Friendly streets)
Sponsored by League of Women Voters
Bring your questions.
And, of course, read local blogs.
Some ways I recommend to find out more about candidates:
Radio 1070 AM (available at WGOS.net) will have candidate interviews almost every morning on the Dusty Dunn show. A chance to call-in or e-mail your suggested questions to potential City Council Members. Phone: 454-5024.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18:
Mayoral Candidate Forum:
noon
Chance to hear and ask questions of Yvonne Johnson and Milton Kern
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, in Downtown Greensboro
Greene Street between Battleground Ave. and Smith Street
Sponsored by League of Women Voters. (Program Free, lunch optional $8)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24:
At-Large Candidate Forum (Pre-Primary}
7 p.m.
Greensboro College Family Center, 1115 West Market St.,
(Old YMCA Building at Tate and Friendly streets)
Sponsored by League of Women Voters
MONDAY, October 22:
At-Large Candidate Forum (Primary Survivors)
Greensboro Central Library
Sponsored by Greensboro Neighborhood Congress
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 24:
District Candidates Forum (Primary Survivors)
7 p.m. Greensboro College Family Center
(Old YMCA Building at Tate and Friendly streets)
Sponsored by League of Women Voters
Bring your questions.
And, of course, read local blogs.
Reply to RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT
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A Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 editorial in the News and Record Entitled Reckless Endangerment said:
"Part of the problem is a culture that still embraces alcohol abuse as a rite of passage. (In another eminently useless college ranking, the Princeton Review on Monday released the Top 10 'party' and 'stone-cold sober' schools.)"
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Another Part of the Problem is the practice of glamorizing alcohol use and encouraging college students to drink by encouraging them to attend events like the one planned in Downtown Greensboro on Sept. 8
"From 6-11pm, see free entertainment and sample food vendors, giveaway booths and two beer gardens selling Natty Greene’s and Budweiser beer.
From 7pm until 2am, downtown restaurants, bars and some retail shops will offer extended hours and special promotions for event attendees during Downtown After Dark.
Transportation is available through HEAT and GTA buses running as late as 3am and students of HEAT partner schools can ride for free using their student ID or a school issued HEAT fare card."
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Our society cannot continue to send two messages to our young people by speaking out against alcohol use and also continuing to make big money from the consumers of this deadly drug. I am not advocating making alcohol illegal. We know that doesn't work. Just stop promoting it's use as the best way to have a good time. Can one enjoy a sporting event sober? Can one enjoy a musical event sober? Can we have a street festival without having several beer gardens promoting locally brewed beer? I think so. Greensboro can do better.
See earlier post against Encouraging Students to drink in Greensboro.
A Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 editorial in the News and Record Entitled Reckless Endangerment said:
"Part of the problem is a culture that still embraces alcohol abuse as a rite of passage. (In another eminently useless college ranking, the Princeton Review on Monday released the Top 10 'party' and 'stone-cold sober' schools.)"
-
Another Part of the Problem is the practice of glamorizing alcohol use and encouraging college students to drink by encouraging them to attend events like the one planned in Downtown Greensboro on Sept. 8
"From 6-11pm, see free entertainment and sample food vendors, giveaway booths and two beer gardens selling Natty Greene’s and Budweiser beer.
From 7pm until 2am, downtown restaurants, bars and some retail shops will offer extended hours and special promotions for event attendees during Downtown After Dark.
Transportation is available through HEAT and GTA buses running as late as 3am and students of HEAT partner schools can ride for free using their student ID or a school issued HEAT fare card."
-
Our society cannot continue to send two messages to our young people by speaking out against alcohol use and also continuing to make big money from the consumers of this deadly drug. I am not advocating making alcohol illegal. We know that doesn't work. Just stop promoting it's use as the best way to have a good time. Can one enjoy a sporting event sober? Can one enjoy a musical event sober? Can we have a street festival without having several beer gardens promoting locally brewed beer? I think so. Greensboro can do better.
See earlier post against Encouraging Students to drink in Greensboro.
TALK TRASH to City Council Candidates
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Does Greensboro/Guilford Couhty want to SAVE our garbage in huge mega dumps or USE it to generate energy ?
Does Greensboro, Guilford County and the State of North Carolina want to continue to destroy mountains, streams, and kill people and wildlife by using coal to generate energy in NC ?
Will Voters demand better options for trash disposal and energy production ?
Ask Candidates for Greensboro City Council if they want to continue to ship our household trash to a mega dump or if they want to use better, cleaner, enironmentally friendly ways to dispose of garbage.
I have written about this many times. To read more: click energy or trash talk under labels on the left side of my blog.
More Waste-to-Energy Options.
Check out this site for information about Geothermal Waste-to-Energy
Find questions and answers about Geothermal Bio Conversion.
This process was briefly investigated several years ago by the City of Greensboro. It was dismissed as being untested in real situations and still in the experimental stage. From the information that I have found lately, looks like progress has been made and this could be a viable option for our region. The amount of waste needed to make it a profitable or pay-for-itself option is in question for this area; but, I think it is worth exploring as another option to shipping Household Trash to a private dump in another county.
There are so many ways to dispose of trash without building huge dumps.
http://bioconversion.blogspot.com/2006/10/geoplasma-answers-trash-vaporization_14.html
http://www.geoplasma.com/
Does Greensboro/Guilford Couhty want to SAVE our garbage in huge mega dumps or USE it to generate energy ?
Does Greensboro, Guilford County and the State of North Carolina want to continue to destroy mountains, streams, and kill people and wildlife by using coal to generate energy in NC ?
Will Voters demand better options for trash disposal and energy production ?
Ask Candidates for Greensboro City Council if they want to continue to ship our household trash to a mega dump or if they want to use better, cleaner, enironmentally friendly ways to dispose of garbage.
I have written about this many times. To read more: click energy or trash talk under labels on the left side of my blog.
More Waste-to-Energy Options.
Check out this site for information about Geothermal Waste-to-Energy
Find questions and answers about Geothermal Bio Conversion.
This process was briefly investigated several years ago by the City of Greensboro. It was dismissed as being untested in real situations and still in the experimental stage. From the information that I have found lately, looks like progress has been made and this could be a viable option for our region. The amount of waste needed to make it a profitable or pay-for-itself option is in question for this area; but, I think it is worth exploring as another option to shipping Household Trash to a private dump in another county.
There are so many ways to dispose of trash without building huge dumps.
http://bioconversion.blogspot.com/2006/10/geoplasma-answers-trash-vaporization_14.html
http://www.geoplasma.com/
To read older posts click on: energy and trash talk under labels.
Provide Jobs, Water, Trash Disposal, Energy
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If Greensboro/Guilford County had ordered a WTE Modular Plant when they closed the White Street Dump to household trash, there would have been no need to raise taxes. The manufacturer claims that they can have a plant up and running in less than 2 years and a module lasts about 75 years, with proper maintenance. Swedish technology created a system that can take care of waste disposal, create energy and clean water and pay off the initial investment in about 5 years and continue to operate for many years. What a deal.
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.
Please ask every candidate for Greensboro City Council if he/she is in favor of the high cost to our environment and our pocketbooks of shipping our garbage out of the area on large gas-guzzling trucks to be piled into a landfill.
Ask them if they had rather control costs, and dispose of trash in a less expensive, more environmentally friendly way.
Ask them if they will consider a regional Waste-to-Energy plant.
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 provides jobs.
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: One module using 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.
If Greensboro/Guilford County had ordered a WTE Modular Plant when they closed the White Street Dump to household trash, there would have been no need to raise taxes. The manufacturer claims that they can have a plant up and running in less than 2 years and a module lasts about 75 years, with proper maintenance. Swedish technology created a system that can take care of waste disposal, create energy and clean water and pay off the initial investment in about 5 years and continue to operate for many years. What a deal.
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.
Please ask every candidate for Greensboro City Council if he/she is in favor of the high cost to our environment and our pocketbooks of shipping our garbage out of the area on large gas-guzzling trucks to be piled into a landfill.
Ask them if they had rather control costs, and dispose of trash in a less expensive, more environmentally friendly way.
Ask them if they will consider a regional Waste-to-Energy plant.
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 provides jobs.
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: One module using 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.
Real Scoop on Parking Downtown
From the N&R Yesterday. "A subcommittee of city officials and merchants has been studying possible solutions since spring. The group plans to discuss its recommendations Tuesday with the full Downtown Development Advisory Committee. Then any proposals go before council for a vote."
Actually, city officials, DGI, merchants, property owners, big business and out-of-town consultants have been discussing parking problems in Downtown Greensboro for many years. The most recent series of discussions started when an out-of-town consultant arranged to talk to some of the people who are directly affected by parking.
I met with him. I was the only person who attended the meeting. The meeting was set up early so that working people could attend. The meeting was so early that I was not allowed into the City Hall because it was not open to the public yet. When I finally got in, the consultant and I talked about parking downtown for quite a while. I won't go into any details here, but several months later, I was surprised at what was presented to the Downtown Advisory Committee. It was not what I expected.
I attended several meetings where new parking regulations were discussed. Most of the suggestions were very helpful to the nighttime businesses that have been encouraged to make Greensboro Downtown the place to be at night.
Did you know that renting a parking space from the City of Greensboro, only guarantees you a place if you can find a vacant one in one particular lot or parking garking garage from 8am to 6pm. All other times all meters, city lots and garages have unlimited free parking for anyone.
So, what's the deal? Charge the people who work and shop downtown during the day, but let everyone park free at night.
WHAT ARE WE THINKING?
Here are some other thoughts about Downtown Parking (with some corrections in my spelling and grammar) that I posted on the Inside Scoop Blog earlier today.
----------
Eric,
The 30 minute passenger parking in loading zones was put into place for very short term parking to run in for a cup of coffee, take out food, make a delivery or to load up a purchase that would be a hassel to carry to the parking garage. At the time they were put in, parking in the garages was much more expensive than parking on the street (even if you got a ticket, the fine was less than parking half a day in any of the decks). It seemed like a fairly good idea at the time.
Delivery trucks are NOT as big a problem as some people think. There is plenty of room to drive on either side of even large trucks making deliveries to most nearby retail stores and restaurants.
I have suggested to the City Council and to the Downtown Advisory Board and to Downtown Greensboro Inc. that a good use of some of the extra tax money downtown property owners pay and/or a portion of sales tax paid on purchases in the Central City would be to have traffic cops in the downtown area during a few heavy traffic times to keep the traffic flowing at a reasonable pace.
REALLY ?? You didn't know that a portion of the county sales tax that is collected Downtown comes back to the quasi-judicial non-profit Downtown Greensboro Inc. A large portion of it used to clean up after the bar traffic and to maintain the Cement Park at Elm and Friendly.
My suggestion to use humans to direct traffic has fallen on deaf ears for many years. This solution was used in the "old days" and is used in congested areas of forward-looking cities and in our large, local shopping centers. I guess the shopping centers are trying to be customer friendly, which increases business.
Most of the people who "make the downtown rules" don't have a personal financial interest in downtown and don't seem to care about how hard the parking regulations are on merchants.
For at least the past 30 years, most of the changes in the Central Business District of Greensboro have done more to hurt the area than to help it.
Some of the things that have been done:
*Trying to turn downtown into an outdoor mall with no parking.
*Closing alleyways so that deliveries and maintenance could not be done from behind the buildings.
*Having no bus stops in the shopping/business district of Elm St.
*When city busses cross Elm Street, at Market, Washington, McGee and Lindsey streets, they don't stop to load or unload passengers.
*Having the HEAT (free student transportation vans) run a short loop by the bars two or three nights a week, but never close to daytime shopping.
*Raising the price of metered parking and installing meters that will not register any parking time on them until at least 25 cents has been put into the slot. So if you park for 5 minutes, you still pay for 30.
*Closing streets, making traffic heavier on those left open.
*Removing turn lanes and narrowing streets by extending sidewalks into traffic lanes.
*Installing medians which make auto, bike and pedestrian travel harder and more dangerous.
*Now, there is talk of moving the Visitors' Center from the Downtown area to inside the Coliseum.
I could go on and on, but it probably will not do any good. We need some good ideas about how to improve the downtown. What I meant to say is that we need some officials who will listen to good ideas and then act on them. There is much talk about helping and saving downtown and making it day and night friendly. What a bunch of rot.
I will attend the meeting Tuesday. The talk will not be driven by customers or small business owners.
There is one suggestion that does seems reasonable.
*Use the loading zones for taxi stands during certain hours at night so the drunks can get home safely.
I hope to see you at the meeting.
Actually, city officials, DGI, merchants, property owners, big business and out-of-town consultants have been discussing parking problems in Downtown Greensboro for many years. The most recent series of discussions started when an out-of-town consultant arranged to talk to some of the people who are directly affected by parking.
I met with him. I was the only person who attended the meeting. The meeting was set up early so that working people could attend. The meeting was so early that I was not allowed into the City Hall because it was not open to the public yet. When I finally got in, the consultant and I talked about parking downtown for quite a while. I won't go into any details here, but several months later, I was surprised at what was presented to the Downtown Advisory Committee. It was not what I expected.
I attended several meetings where new parking regulations were discussed. Most of the suggestions were very helpful to the nighttime businesses that have been encouraged to make Greensboro Downtown the place to be at night.
Did you know that renting a parking space from the City of Greensboro, only guarantees you a place if you can find a vacant one in one particular lot or parking garking garage from 8am to 6pm. All other times all meters, city lots and garages have unlimited free parking for anyone.
So, what's the deal? Charge the people who work and shop downtown during the day, but let everyone park free at night.
WHAT ARE WE THINKING?
Here are some other thoughts about Downtown Parking (with some corrections in my spelling and grammar) that I posted on the Inside Scoop Blog earlier today.
----------
Eric,
The 30 minute passenger parking in loading zones was put into place for very short term parking to run in for a cup of coffee, take out food, make a delivery or to load up a purchase that would be a hassel to carry to the parking garage. At the time they were put in, parking in the garages was much more expensive than parking on the street (even if you got a ticket, the fine was less than parking half a day in any of the decks). It seemed like a fairly good idea at the time.
Delivery trucks are NOT as big a problem as some people think. There is plenty of room to drive on either side of even large trucks making deliveries to most nearby retail stores and restaurants.
I have suggested to the City Council and to the Downtown Advisory Board and to Downtown Greensboro Inc. that a good use of some of the extra tax money downtown property owners pay and/or a portion of sales tax paid on purchases in the Central City would be to have traffic cops in the downtown area during a few heavy traffic times to keep the traffic flowing at a reasonable pace.
REALLY ?? You didn't know that a portion of the county sales tax that is collected Downtown comes back to the quasi-judicial non-profit Downtown Greensboro Inc. A large portion of it used to clean up after the bar traffic and to maintain the Cement Park at Elm and Friendly.
My suggestion to use humans to direct traffic has fallen on deaf ears for many years. This solution was used in the "old days" and is used in congested areas of forward-looking cities and in our large, local shopping centers. I guess the shopping centers are trying to be customer friendly, which increases business.
Most of the people who "make the downtown rules" don't have a personal financial interest in downtown and don't seem to care about how hard the parking regulations are on merchants.
For at least the past 30 years, most of the changes in the Central Business District of Greensboro have done more to hurt the area than to help it.
Some of the things that have been done:
*Trying to turn downtown into an outdoor mall with no parking.
*Closing alleyways so that deliveries and maintenance could not be done from behind the buildings.
*Having no bus stops in the shopping/business district of Elm St.
*When city busses cross Elm Street, at Market, Washington, McGee and Lindsey streets, they don't stop to load or unload passengers.
*Having the HEAT (free student transportation vans) run a short loop by the bars two or three nights a week, but never close to daytime shopping.
*Raising the price of metered parking and installing meters that will not register any parking time on them until at least 25 cents has been put into the slot. So if you park for 5 minutes, you still pay for 30.
*Closing streets, making traffic heavier on those left open.
*Removing turn lanes and narrowing streets by extending sidewalks into traffic lanes.
*Installing medians which make auto, bike and pedestrian travel harder and more dangerous.
*Now, there is talk of moving the Visitors' Center from the Downtown area to inside the Coliseum.
I could go on and on, but it probably will not do any good. We need some good ideas about how to improve the downtown. What I meant to say is that we need some officials who will listen to good ideas and then act on them. There is much talk about helping and saving downtown and making it day and night friendly. What a bunch of rot.
I will attend the meeting Tuesday. The talk will not be driven by customers or small business owners.
There is one suggestion that does seems reasonable.
*Use the loading zones for taxi stands during certain hours at night so the drunks can get home safely.
I hope to see you at the meeting.
City Attorney Stymies Good Action by Council
Last night near the end of the regular Greensboro City Council meeting, just before the Council went into closed session to discuss economic incentives, personnel problems and law suits, there was some discussion about delivery trucks being ticketed for parking in the street while unloading. (see previous post) This practice has been overlooked for many years because there is no other place for unloading large trucks. The City, in it's ??wisdom?? closed off most of the alleyways downtown years ago.
Council members and the Mayor discussed where the trucks should park and if there should be a "designated delivery time." Some members wanted to suspend the practice of giving delivery trucks tickets for parking in the street or in regular spaces until the problem could be worked out.
The City Attorney informed the Council that this could not be done without changing a local ordinance. So, the discussion almost stopped.
I could not see some of the people commenting from the staff area, but I think that Ben Brown, Assistant City Attorney, said it would be worked out. I hope it will be, AND SOON because any dummy knows that retail cannot survive without deliveries.
Council members and the Mayor discussed where the trucks should park and if there should be a "designated delivery time." Some members wanted to suspend the practice of giving delivery trucks tickets for parking in the street or in regular spaces until the problem could be worked out.
The City Attorney informed the Council that this could not be done without changing a local ordinance. So, the discussion almost stopped.
I could not see some of the people commenting from the staff area, but I think that Ben Brown, Assistant City Attorney, said it would be worked out. I hope it will be, AND SOON because any dummy knows that retail cannot survive without deliveries.
Beer Truck Blues
Parking in Downtown Greensboro isn't bad enough. The city is doing some strange stuff. I have heard from reliable sources that parking patrol officers are giving out tickets to delivery trucks that park in the street to unload. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?
Many of the people who have rented apartments and/or purchased condos in the Central Business District have been duped. They were sold a misleading bill of goods. Of course there are many places to eat and drink in the CB; but there are very few good jobs and very little reasonably priced places to shop for everyday goods. So, if you live downtown you can eat, drink and walk home. But you probably have to drive to work, to shop for clothing, groceries, toys, school supplies, hardware and appliances, medical and dental care, etc. And they need available, reasonably priced, places to park.
We want empty nesters and retirees in Downtown Greensboro. Most of the living space requires walking up stairs, which is not suitable for many older people. We want young people to live in Greensboro. What happens when they want to settle down and have children? How far can a mother walk with her small children and several bags of groceries? Parking is a problem. Children need grass and trees and back yards. There seem to be very few amenities for families with children downtown; but, there are still some family-friendly neighborhoods surrounding it. We should protect the neighorhoods around the CB and not let CB zoning creep into family-living areas. Let's try to keep Greensboro family friendly and keep the downtown auto and pedestrial friendly. And try to be a little more helpful to daytime businesses that support and are supported by downtown residents.
Many of the people who have rented apartments and/or purchased condos in the Central Business District have been duped. They were sold a misleading bill of goods. Of course there are many places to eat and drink in the CB; but there are very few good jobs and very little reasonably priced places to shop for everyday goods. So, if you live downtown you can eat, drink and walk home. But you probably have to drive to work, to shop for clothing, groceries, toys, school supplies, hardware and appliances, medical and dental care, etc. And they need available, reasonably priced, places to park.
We want empty nesters and retirees in Downtown Greensboro. Most of the living space requires walking up stairs, which is not suitable for many older people. We want young people to live in Greensboro. What happens when they want to settle down and have children? How far can a mother walk with her small children and several bags of groceries? Parking is a problem. Children need grass and trees and back yards. There seem to be very few amenities for families with children downtown; but, there are still some family-friendly neighborhoods surrounding it. We should protect the neighorhoods around the CB and not let CB zoning creep into family-living areas. Let's try to keep Greensboro family friendly and keep the downtown auto and pedestrial friendly. And try to be a little more helpful to daytime businesses that support and are supported by downtown residents.
Can this be Possible? ?
Has a standing committee of the North Carolina Senate (Ways and Means) had no meetings since 2001?
From an e-mail I received from The NC Property Rights Coalition:
"On May 24, the eminent domain amendment (HB 878) passed the NC House by a vote of 104-15. On May 29, the bill was referred to the N.C. Senate's Ways & Means Committee. It has not been acted on since.
On Monday, a representative of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition called the office of Sen. Charlie Dannelly, Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, and asked when the Ways & Means Committee last met.
Sen. Dannelly's assistant's answer: 2001."
More details on the coalition blog, as well as details about a news conference July 19, 2007.
From an e-mail I received from The NC Property Rights Coalition:
"On May 24, the eminent domain amendment (HB 878) passed the NC House by a vote of 104-15. On May 29, the bill was referred to the N.C. Senate's Ways & Means Committee. It has not been acted on since.
On Monday, a representative of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition called the office of Sen. Charlie Dannelly, Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, and asked when the Ways & Means Committee last met.
Sen. Dannelly's assistant's answer: 2001."
More details on the coalition blog, as well as details about a news conference July 19, 2007.
Traffic NO-NO
_____
I love crosswords. They are an exercise in thinking about things in different ways. Yesterday I was working on the crossword puzzle in the Saturday edition of the News and Record. I found the answer to one of the clues doesn't apply to Greensboro. The clue was "a traffic no-no." The answer was UTURN.
In Greensboro and in many other cities nowadays, it is almost impossible to drive anywhere without at least one U-turn. These annoying medians that are using up transportation funds that could be used in better ways are causing many U-turns. Many are made around medians that are not wide enough to accomodate the full length of an average-size passenger vehicle.
It seems to me that the medians would cause more accidents and traffic back-ups. And while I am on the traffic track, I have some comments on red light traffic cameras. I think they are a good idea. The money trail could be worked out. I think that one of the main reasons the traffic light program failed is not because of a law that most of the profits have to go to schools. I think that one reason the program failed is because offenders had to pay first and appeal later. Because the fine was relatively small, and there was no violation record to increase insurance costs, there was very little incentive to hire a lawyer and no profits for insurance companies. Lawyers and Insurance Companies hate that.
The NC legislature could change the law to bring back traffic cameras by allowing a better distribution of the fines. I guess that the law-makers in NC are too busy taking care of trivia and campaign fund-raising to even think about doing much useful work.
I love crosswords. They are an exercise in thinking about things in different ways. Yesterday I was working on the crossword puzzle in the Saturday edition of the News and Record. I found the answer to one of the clues doesn't apply to Greensboro. The clue was "a traffic no-no." The answer was UTURN.
In Greensboro and in many other cities nowadays, it is almost impossible to drive anywhere without at least one U-turn. These annoying medians that are using up transportation funds that could be used in better ways are causing many U-turns. Many are made around medians that are not wide enough to accomodate the full length of an average-size passenger vehicle.
It seems to me that the medians would cause more accidents and traffic back-ups. And while I am on the traffic track, I have some comments on red light traffic cameras. I think they are a good idea. The money trail could be worked out. I think that one of the main reasons the traffic light program failed is not because of a law that most of the profits have to go to schools. I think that one reason the program failed is because offenders had to pay first and appeal later. Because the fine was relatively small, and there was no violation record to increase insurance costs, there was very little incentive to hire a lawyer and no profits for insurance companies. Lawyers and Insurance Companies hate that.
The NC legislature could change the law to bring back traffic cameras by allowing a better distribution of the fines. I guess that the law-makers in NC are too busy taking care of trivia and campaign fund-raising to even think about doing much useful work.
A Beautiful Sunday Morning
-----
Hey Greensboro,
Enjoy Life, Look Outside, Smell the Air, Listen to the Birds, Watch the Squirrels, Smell the Flowers, Feel the Sun, Walk, Run, Sing, Find a Shady Tree, Rest, Think, Thank your Maker, Do Something to Help Someone other than yourself.
Enjoy what we have in Greensboro because if we keep allowing it to be destroyed by selfishness, it will not be here for our children. Not every new idea is good. Not every change is good. Bigger is not always Better.
I believe that Greensboro can move forward without destroying the good things of the past.
Hey Greensboro,
Enjoy Life, Look Outside, Smell the Air, Listen to the Birds, Watch the Squirrels, Smell the Flowers, Feel the Sun, Walk, Run, Sing, Find a Shady Tree, Rest, Think, Thank your Maker, Do Something to Help Someone other than yourself.
Enjoy what we have in Greensboro because if we keep allowing it to be destroyed by selfishness, it will not be here for our children. Not every new idea is good. Not every change is good. Bigger is not always Better.
I believe that Greensboro can move forward without destroying the good things of the past.
U. S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
More info at http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/
A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United
States’ dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as
conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;
B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that includes
1) clear timetables and emissions limits and
2) a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and
C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and
communities such as:
1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan.
2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities;
3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit;
4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in “green tags”, advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology;
5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and
urging employees to conserve energy and save money;
6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use;
7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system;
8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel;
9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump
efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production;
10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community;
11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree
planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2;
and
12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution.
More info at http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/
A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United
States’ dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as
conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;
B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that includes
1) clear timetables and emissions limits and
2) a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and
C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and
communities such as:
1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan.
2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities;
3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit;
4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in “green tags”, advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology;
5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and
urging employees to conserve energy and save money;
6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use;
7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system;
8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel;
9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump
efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production;
10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community;
11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree
planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2;
and
12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE ? ? ?
-----
The North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation this week authorizing the Town of Chapel Hill to sponsor it's own public financing program for candidates in municipal elections in 2009 and 2011. Text of bill (H-483).
The Town Council unanimously requested this authority. The program is not for this year. It is only for elections in 2009 and 2011. It must be reauthorized if it is to continue after that.
Public financing for elections seems like a good idea on the surface; but, I have serious doubts about the long-term effectiveness and expense.
The North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation this week authorizing the Town of Chapel Hill to sponsor it's own public financing program for candidates in municipal elections in 2009 and 2011. Text of bill (H-483).
The Town Council unanimously requested this authority. The program is not for this year. It is only for elections in 2009 and 2011. It must be reauthorized if it is to continue after that.
Public financing for elections seems like a good idea on the surface; but, I have serious doubts about the long-term effectiveness and expense.
Practice What You Preach
-----
A letter from Greensboro citizen Ed Keohohou in July 12, 2007 Greensboro N&R states:
Candidate for city office should purchase locally
"How can anyone run for City Council at large and make claims that he will support the city of Greensboro, but take his graphic business out of state? Not only out of Greensboro and Guilford County, but out of state. That's an insult to the business community. Go figure, people."
My comment on the N&R website:
Thank you Ed for your comment. Much lip service is paid to supporting local businesses by candidates for city council and also by sitting members of the council.
All of my promotional materials were purchased locally when I ran for Greensboro City Council. Having been a small business owner for over 25 years, I understand the importance of buying locally. I practice what I preach.
Thank you again for your support of local businesses.
A letter from Greensboro citizen Ed Keohohou in July 12, 2007 Greensboro N&R states:
Candidate for city office should purchase locally
"How can anyone run for City Council at large and make claims that he will support the city of Greensboro, but take his graphic business out of state? Not only out of Greensboro and Guilford County, but out of state. That's an insult to the business community. Go figure, people."
My comment on the N&R website:
Thank you Ed for your comment. Much lip service is paid to supporting local businesses by candidates for city council and also by sitting members of the council.
All of my promotional materials were purchased locally when I ran for Greensboro City Council. Having been a small business owner for over 25 years, I understand the importance of buying locally. I practice what I preach.
Thank you again for your support of local businesses.
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
-----
The July Guilford Solar Program will feature a screening of the documentary Too Hot Not To Handle.
A primer on global warming, TOO HOT NOT TO HANDLE features contributions from leading scientists in the field. In addition to in-depth discussions of such subjects as the greenhouse effect, hurricanes, snowpack, hybrid vehicles, and alternative power sources, the film shows how businesses, local governments, and citizens are taking positive actions to reduce global warming emissions.
Catch it if you can 10 AM,
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Barn Kitchen Meeting Room
Guilford County Agricultural Center
3309 Burlington Road, Greensboro.
For more information, email ottosolar@aol.com,
pkauber@triad.rr.com, or brenda_morris@ncsu.edu.
The July Guilford Solar Program will feature a screening of the documentary Too Hot Not To Handle.
A primer on global warming, TOO HOT NOT TO HANDLE features contributions from leading scientists in the field. In addition to in-depth discussions of such subjects as the greenhouse effect, hurricanes, snowpack, hybrid vehicles, and alternative power sources, the film shows how businesses, local governments, and citizens are taking positive actions to reduce global warming emissions.
Catch it if you can 10 AM,
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Barn Kitchen Meeting Room
Guilford County Agricultural Center
3309 Burlington Road, Greensboro.
For more information, email ottosolar@aol.com,
pkauber@triad.rr.com, or brenda_morris@ncsu.edu.
Sticking it to Energy Consumers
----
The NC Senate approved Senate Bill 3, Renewable Energy/Baseload Provisions on second reading. This bill started out similar to House Bill 77, Promote Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, sponsored by Representatives Martin, Harrell, Justice, and Harrison (Guilford). After months of negotiations, the Senate bill was loaded up with provisions to get buy-in from a variety of interest groups, from Wal-mart to homebuilders to chemical companies, and especially the utilities. As a result, there are many troubling provisions in the bill, which hopefully will be fixed in the House version.
One bad provision relates to financing new nuclear and coal fired power plants. It would shift the risk from the investors to the rate payers. This fight was fought in the early 1980s, and the consumers prevailed, but not this time around in the Senate bill.
Another bad provision encourages energy production from hog farms that use outdated lagoon-and-sprayfield technologies. This will have the unintended consequence of prolonging the life of dirty hog-waste pools that do not meet environmental performance standards and threaten the health of citizens near them. The original bill helps hog farmers convert to better ways of disposing of waste products.
It is important that the NC House fix this bill and pass a renewable energy bill without provisions making it easier to build new coal and nuclear plants and with provisions to help get rid of lagoons filled with smelly hog excrement.
Read Sticking it to utility ratepayers
by Rick Martinez in the Raleigh N&R.
Send a message to members of the NC House. Ask them to fix this bill.
#
The NC Senate approved Senate Bill 3, Renewable Energy/Baseload Provisions on second reading. This bill started out similar to House Bill 77, Promote Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, sponsored by Representatives Martin, Harrell, Justice, and Harrison (Guilford). After months of negotiations, the Senate bill was loaded up with provisions to get buy-in from a variety of interest groups, from Wal-mart to homebuilders to chemical companies, and especially the utilities. As a result, there are many troubling provisions in the bill, which hopefully will be fixed in the House version.
One bad provision relates to financing new nuclear and coal fired power plants. It would shift the risk from the investors to the rate payers. This fight was fought in the early 1980s, and the consumers prevailed, but not this time around in the Senate bill.
Another bad provision encourages energy production from hog farms that use outdated lagoon-and-sprayfield technologies. This will have the unintended consequence of prolonging the life of dirty hog-waste pools that do not meet environmental performance standards and threaten the health of citizens near them. The original bill helps hog farmers convert to better ways of disposing of waste products.
It is important that the NC House fix this bill and pass a renewable energy bill without provisions making it easier to build new coal and nuclear plants and with provisions to help get rid of lagoons filled with smelly hog excrement.
Read Sticking it to utility ratepayers
by Rick Martinez in the Raleigh N&R.
Send a message to members of the NC House. Ask them to fix this bill.
#
Too Rude for a nice Southern Town Like Greensboro
-----
A letter to the Editor on June 25,2007, in the News and Record seemed a bit extreme about the July 4th celebration in downtown Greensboro. I agree that a good time can be had without beer, but I'm not offended by those who choose to consume it in moderation. Many family places, such as our own city parks, don't allow alcoholic beverages. Yea, I know, that ban is not enforced very well.
I am ashamed at the rude comments about the writer and about her letter. Is this the way we discuss public drinking in Greensboro? Were the responders drunk and obnoxious as some drinkers are? What are we thinking? Did the responders have a drink to give them courage before berating this woman?
I am more concerned with the city-promoted Get Downtown Event for area college students shortly after the beginning of the fall semester each year. The event invites students downtown for alcoholic drinks and entertainment and even offers them free rides home. It is a real money-maker for area bars. Extra police are required and extra clean-up is necessary after the event.
With so much concern about college students abusing alcohol and some of the stupid stunts they pull while intoxicated, having an event like this seems irresponsible. The whole rite of passage thing associated with alcohol is partially caused by the restriction of sales of alcohol to minors.
How do the statistics look? Is there more or less alcohol abuse in countries where wine and beer are consumed from an early age? I really don't know the facts. But I do know that depending on how one feels about drinking will determine how one interprets the numbers.
A letter to the Editor on June 25,2007, in the News and Record seemed a bit extreme about the July 4th celebration in downtown Greensboro. I agree that a good time can be had without beer, but I'm not offended by those who choose to consume it in moderation. Many family places, such as our own city parks, don't allow alcoholic beverages. Yea, I know, that ban is not enforced very well.
I am ashamed at the rude comments about the writer and about her letter. Is this the way we discuss public drinking in Greensboro? Were the responders drunk and obnoxious as some drinkers are? What are we thinking? Did the responders have a drink to give them courage before berating this woman?
I am more concerned with the city-promoted Get Downtown Event for area college students shortly after the beginning of the fall semester each year. The event invites students downtown for alcoholic drinks and entertainment and even offers them free rides home. It is a real money-maker for area bars. Extra police are required and extra clean-up is necessary after the event.
With so much concern about college students abusing alcohol and some of the stupid stunts they pull while intoxicated, having an event like this seems irresponsible. The whole rite of passage thing associated with alcohol is partially caused by the restriction of sales of alcohol to minors.
How do the statistics look? Is there more or less alcohol abuse in countries where wine and beer are consumed from an early age? I really don't know the facts. But I do know that depending on how one feels about drinking will determine how one interprets the numbers.
Has Anything Changed?
-----
This is from a post on my blog in August, 2005.
And the beat goes on! ! ! !
-----
This morning I sat through a Greensboro City Council Briefing Session that lasted almost 4 hours. The Council did make a few decisions, but most of the meeting was wasted with presentations that didn't include much information that the council members did not know already.
The council members discussed appointing alternates to the boards and commissions because there are so many absences at the meetings. They decided that the only board that needs alternate members is the Board of Adjustments. Because the findings made by the Board of Adjustments are final unless there is a legal appeal within 30 days of the ruling, the council felt that there should always be enough members present to make a ruling. The alternate members will be asked to attend every meeting, but will only be able to vote when replacing an absent member.
Representatives from Action Greensboro and Downtown Greensboro Inc. gave their usual "We're doing a wonderful job" reports and estimates of how much the Center City Park will cost. DGI will get some money because of the extra tax the City Council passed last year on property owners in the Central Business District. Because the taxing authority (in this case, I guess it is DGI) gets a percentage of the taxes collected in their area from Guilford County Sales Tax revenue. I think that Ray Gibbs said that the extra money, which will be around $100,000, will be used for park maintenance. I think the city council agreed to spend $200,000 toward park maintenance. At last month's briefing, I thought the city agreed to pay up to $450,000 for park maintenance. Of course, nobody knows what the cost of the park will be and Action Greensboro asked for a five year trial period to figure out what will happen.
Adam Fischer from GDOT started to give an impressive presentation about why the city is adding those annoying medians on so many streets. The council members would have no part of that. They interupted so many times during the presentation that I'm not sure the presentation was ever completed. A lively discussion ended with GDOT winning, as usual, and very little accomplished.
After that, it was time for a presentation about proposed changes to the city's noise ordinance. By that time, several of the members had left and those who were still there were looking at their watches. There seemed to be lots of concern about how street noise could hurt the outside eating and drinking businesses on Elm Street. The biggest problem is that nobody knows how loud is too loud, and most don't understand noise/decibels?
The presentation was confusing and it was decided to bring it up later after the council had time to test noise by using a decibel meter. We were told that these meters cost around $3,000 each and that the city will probably purchase 5 as soon as possible and add more until every officer has one.
This is from a post on my blog in August, 2005.
And the beat goes on! ! ! !
-----
This morning I sat through a Greensboro City Council Briefing Session that lasted almost 4 hours. The Council did make a few decisions, but most of the meeting was wasted with presentations that didn't include much information that the council members did not know already.
The council members discussed appointing alternates to the boards and commissions because there are so many absences at the meetings. They decided that the only board that needs alternate members is the Board of Adjustments. Because the findings made by the Board of Adjustments are final unless there is a legal appeal within 30 days of the ruling, the council felt that there should always be enough members present to make a ruling. The alternate members will be asked to attend every meeting, but will only be able to vote when replacing an absent member.
Representatives from Action Greensboro and Downtown Greensboro Inc. gave their usual "We're doing a wonderful job" reports and estimates of how much the Center City Park will cost. DGI will get some money because of the extra tax the City Council passed last year on property owners in the Central Business District. Because the taxing authority (in this case, I guess it is DGI) gets a percentage of the taxes collected in their area from Guilford County Sales Tax revenue. I think that Ray Gibbs said that the extra money, which will be around $100,000, will be used for park maintenance. I think the city council agreed to spend $200,000 toward park maintenance. At last month's briefing, I thought the city agreed to pay up to $450,000 for park maintenance. Of course, nobody knows what the cost of the park will be and Action Greensboro asked for a five year trial period to figure out what will happen.
Adam Fischer from GDOT started to give an impressive presentation about why the city is adding those annoying medians on so many streets. The council members would have no part of that. They interupted so many times during the presentation that I'm not sure the presentation was ever completed. A lively discussion ended with GDOT winning, as usual, and very little accomplished.
After that, it was time for a presentation about proposed changes to the city's noise ordinance. By that time, several of the members had left and those who were still there were looking at their watches. There seemed to be lots of concern about how street noise could hurt the outside eating and drinking businesses on Elm Street. The biggest problem is that nobody knows how loud is too loud, and most don't understand noise/decibels?
The presentation was confusing and it was decided to bring it up later after the council had time to test noise by using a decibel meter. We were told that these meters cost around $3,000 each and that the city will probably purchase 5 as soon as possible and add more until every officer has one.
Water Improvement Pix
Some of these holes are deep enough for a man to stand up with only his head above ground level. Check out the first shot.
Water Improvements
My cat watches from the safety of my front porch as the noisy work continues to improve water service in the neighborhood.
Urban Garden Suggested
-----
I am a member of the Cool Cities Group.
I received a copy of an e-mail with an idea about having an urban
garden at the cultural arts center nurished by water
collected in rain barrels.
Such a wonderful project would be a public
demonstration of Greensboro's commitment to practical
conservation efforts.
The following is a portion of the e-mail I received and is posted at this blog with the author's permission.
for a variety of reasons linking my research and my
life, I've hooked up a couple of rainbarrels at my
house so I can water my garden without having to use
city water--something important to do during a
drought. and it looks like our region will be or may
be drought prone, as predicted by global climate
models (due to global warming). I have watered my
vegetable garden and compost heap for the past month
without turning on the city taps.
so: WHY AM I BOTHERING YOU WITH THIS?
two things: first, I saw on a commercial that our
university ag people were involved in research on
drought resistant crops. second, the other day I was
at the cultural arts center while my son was having a
sax lesson. It was lightly raining and it occurred to
me that a gutter and rainbarrel system would be very
easy to hook up to the center to capture all that roof
water (I can capture 500 pounds of water in about a
half an hour with a rain like we had last evening,
from one downspout making use of 20 feet of
gutter--multiply that by all the gutter feet capturing
all the rain on that huge roof and you can imagine the
efficiency and the savings). if you have been in the
center, you know how HUGE that roof is and how much
water it could capture and store. that water then
could be used to water an URBAN DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
that could easily be set up on the grounds
there--there's plenty of grassy area that could be
converted. the food grown could be donated to urban
ministries or something and NCAT STUDENTS could
monitor and run the project--this would be highly
worth doing even if the garden could not play any role
in the drought project: but it occurs to me that part
of the garden could be watered, part not watered as
part of the research on drought resistance, vegetables
could be produced and people could see the thing in
action, in the middle of the city (urban gardens etc).
Given the absolute necessity of going green, this
could be part of the promotional campaign and might be
hooked up to the COOL CITIES campaign in which many
of the country's mayors are participating.--I believe
A and T is playing some role currently in a project to
monitor our carbon consumption, a project which is I
think connected to the CC initiative.
what do you think?
Greg Meyerson
Critical Theory
Dept. of English
I am a member of the Cool Cities Group.
I received a copy of an e-mail with an idea about having an urban
garden at the cultural arts center nurished by water
collected in rain barrels.
Such a wonderful project would be a public
demonstration of Greensboro's commitment to practical
conservation efforts.
The following is a portion of the e-mail I received and is posted at this blog with the author's permission.
for a variety of reasons linking my research and my
life, I've hooked up a couple of rainbarrels at my
house so I can water my garden without having to use
city water--something important to do during a
drought. and it looks like our region will be or may
be drought prone, as predicted by global climate
models (due to global warming). I have watered my
vegetable garden and compost heap for the past month
without turning on the city taps.
so: WHY AM I BOTHERING YOU WITH THIS?
two things: first, I saw on a commercial that our
university ag people were involved in research on
drought resistant crops. second, the other day I was
at the cultural arts center while my son was having a
sax lesson. It was lightly raining and it occurred to
me that a gutter and rainbarrel system would be very
easy to hook up to the center to capture all that roof
water (I can capture 500 pounds of water in about a
half an hour with a rain like we had last evening,
from one downspout making use of 20 feet of
gutter--multiply that by all the gutter feet capturing
all the rain on that huge roof and you can imagine the
efficiency and the savings). if you have been in the
center, you know how HUGE that roof is and how much
water it could capture and store. that water then
could be used to water an URBAN DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
that could easily be set up on the grounds
there--there's plenty of grassy area that could be
converted. the food grown could be donated to urban
ministries or something and NCAT STUDENTS could
monitor and run the project--this would be highly
worth doing even if the garden could not play any role
in the drought project: but it occurs to me that part
of the garden could be watered, part not watered as
part of the research on drought resistance, vegetables
could be produced and people could see the thing in
action, in the middle of the city (urban gardens etc).
Given the absolute necessity of going green, this
could be part of the promotional campaign and might be
hooked up to the COOL CITIES campaign in which many
of the country's mayors are participating.--I believe
A and T is playing some role currently in a project to
monitor our carbon consumption, a project which is I
think connected to the CC initiative.
what do you think?
Greg Meyerson
Critical Theory
Dept. of English
Election Sign
-----
I miss the sign that used to stand in a yard on North Mendenhall Street in Greensboro at election time.
It was hand lettered and It read:
DON'T RE-ELECT ANYBODY ! ! !
I miss the sign that used to stand in a yard on North Mendenhall Street in Greensboro at election time.
It was hand lettered and It read:
DON'T RE-ELECT ANYBODY ! ! !
N&R denies citizen comment space
-----
Update to last nights's post below:
OOPS! MY BAD! Apparently I double clicked to post my comment at The Inside Scoop and was only allowed to post it one time. Thank you N&R for allowing my comment to post. I was too quick to complain. I'll try to click on the submit button once lightly if I comment again. Sorry!
I tried to comment on the Inside Scoop post about the Canada Dry Property. I was denied the right to post a comment because I have posted too many comments in too short a time. What a way to engage the public in conversation.
My comment was about why the appraiser suggested that the best use of the property would be an addition to the Coliseum and that a hotel wouldn't work on the site.
"But the appraiser doesn't think a hotel would work there. He says the best use of the property is for it to become part of the Greensboro Coliseum or some sort of business - maybe a restaurant or a auto dealership."
Sounds like an old developer's threat that if you don't let me put what I want on the property something really bad could be built here, maybe a used car lot or a recycling center (junk yard) or even a drive-thru fast food place or adult video store. I wonder why this comment was made by an appraiser. Does the appraiser have any connection to the Koury Corp.? Would a new hotel be too close to the Koury Center?
Questions, questions.
Update to last nights's post below:
OOPS! MY BAD! Apparently I double clicked to post my comment at The Inside Scoop and was only allowed to post it one time. Thank you N&R for allowing my comment to post. I was too quick to complain. I'll try to click on the submit button once lightly if I comment again. Sorry!
I tried to comment on the Inside Scoop post about the Canada Dry Property. I was denied the right to post a comment because I have posted too many comments in too short a time. What a way to engage the public in conversation.
My comment was about why the appraiser suggested that the best use of the property would be an addition to the Coliseum and that a hotel wouldn't work on the site.
"But the appraiser doesn't think a hotel would work there. He says the best use of the property is for it to become part of the Greensboro Coliseum or some sort of business - maybe a restaurant or a auto dealership."
Sounds like an old developer's threat that if you don't let me put what I want on the property something really bad could be built here, maybe a used car lot or a recycling center (junk yard) or even a drive-thru fast food place or adult video store. I wonder why this comment was made by an appraiser. Does the appraiser have any connection to the Koury Corp.? Would a new hotel be too close to the Koury Center?
Questions, questions.
Gboro business license fees won't be raised, TODAY.
-----
At the Budget Session this morning the Greensboro City Council discussed the proposal to raise business license fees. They decided that it would not be a good idea at the present time. They will take the suggested increase off the table for the time being.
One commet made was that by putting this item first on the agenda and telling the audience that it will not increase business license fees, some of the many expected speakers will leave.
Apparently, business owners do not want their business license fees to increase and the City Council has heard them loud and clear.
As the old saying goes "The squeeky wheel gets the grease."
Of course, this doesn't mean that businesses will not pay more. Fees for business recycling services will be charged around $15 a month and repeated fire inspections to check on previous violations will increase.
After two inspections and warmings about fire hazard violations, and reasonable time alloted to bring the business up to code, there should be a fee for repeated inspections. Or maybe, just shut down the business. This could be a problem if the landlord is responsible for the infractions. Details, details, details.
At the Budget Session this morning the Greensboro City Council discussed the proposal to raise business license fees. They decided that it would not be a good idea at the present time. They will take the suggested increase off the table for the time being.
One commet made was that by putting this item first on the agenda and telling the audience that it will not increase business license fees, some of the many expected speakers will leave.
Apparently, business owners do not want their business license fees to increase and the City Council has heard them loud and clear.
As the old saying goes "The squeeky wheel gets the grease."
Of course, this doesn't mean that businesses will not pay more. Fees for business recycling services will be charged around $15 a month and repeated fire inspections to check on previous violations will increase.
After two inspections and warmings about fire hazard violations, and reasonable time alloted to bring the business up to code, there should be a fee for repeated inspections. Or maybe, just shut down the business. This could be a problem if the landlord is responsible for the infractions. Details, details, details.
Organizing and Labeling Questions
_____
I think I need help.
I am trying to organize and label some of my old blog posts. Everytime I add a label the whole post appears as a new entry on Greensboro 101.
Is there a way to sort and label old posts without having them re-appear on the new post page?
What am I doing wrong?
I think I need help.
I am trying to organize and label some of my old blog posts. Everytime I add a label the whole post appears as a new entry on Greensboro 101.
Is there a way to sort and label old posts without having them re-appear on the new post page?
What am I doing wrong?
Help protect Internet Neutrality NOW
-----
Make Your Voice Heard NOW. Speak up for Net Neutrality. Keep web access free and equal. Keep it neutral.
Before the FCC renews or changes rules concerning internet neutrality it has to take public comments. Net neutrality protects free and open internet access.
The comment period closes June 15, 2007
Now is our chance to keep the ability to communicate freely on the internet. If you think that everyone should be able post publicly, speak up now. You and I should be able to post information and thoughts about Iraq, immigration, recall elections, presidential campaigns, local government gauffs, personal journals and other things important to us in the public domain. Your opinions and mine are important. Don't let big government and big business control what we see and post on the net.
Please take a moment to join me in speaking up by clicking here.
Send a message to the FCC to protect the freedom of the Internet. Re: Docket 07-52, In the Matter of Broadband Industry Practices
More from Youtube
My post from June 2006
More information at Common Cause
More Info at: SavetheInternet
Make Your Voice Heard NOW. Speak up for Net Neutrality. Keep web access free and equal. Keep it neutral.
Before the FCC renews or changes rules concerning internet neutrality it has to take public comments. Net neutrality protects free and open internet access.
The comment period closes June 15, 2007
Now is our chance to keep the ability to communicate freely on the internet. If you think that everyone should be able post publicly, speak up now. You and I should be able to post information and thoughts about Iraq, immigration, recall elections, presidential campaigns, local government gauffs, personal journals and other things important to us in the public domain. Your opinions and mine are important. Don't let big government and big business control what we see and post on the net.
Please take a moment to join me in speaking up by clicking here.
Send a message to the FCC to protect the freedom of the Internet. Re: Docket 07-52, In the Matter of Broadband Industry Practices
More from Youtube
My post from June 2006
More information at Common Cause
More Info at: SavetheInternet
Little Old Ladies Get Things Done
-----
This article was included in the National League of Women Voters Leaders' Update I received from National President Mary G. Wilson. I especially loved the first few paragraphs. For the entire article as printed in the Washington Post
go to:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/14/AR2007051401539.html?
Sing It Again, Ladies, for D.C. Justice
By John Kelly
Tuesday, May 15, 2007; Page B03
I think the world might be a better place if it were run by the League of Women Voters. You may think, as I once did, that the League of Women Voters is just a bunch of little old ladies. But we ignore little old ladies at our peril, especially these ones.
League members are a little like Marines. Same drive. Same esprit de corps. And I don't think you're ever an ex-League member. Wrap them in camo, strap them into parachutes and drop them behind enemy lines and they'd get things done lickety-split.
Also hear: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/05/14/VI2007051400520.html
This article was included in the National League of Women Voters Leaders' Update I received from National President Mary G. Wilson. I especially loved the first few paragraphs. For the entire article as printed in the Washington Post
go to:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/14/AR2007051401539.html?
Sing It Again, Ladies, for D.C. Justice
By John Kelly
Tuesday, May 15, 2007; Page B03
I think the world might be a better place if it were run by the League of Women Voters. You may think, as I once did, that the League of Women Voters is just a bunch of little old ladies. But we ignore little old ladies at our peril, especially these ones.
League members are a little like Marines. Same drive. Same esprit de corps. And I don't think you're ever an ex-League member. Wrap them in camo, strap them into parachutes and drop them behind enemy lines and they'd get things done lickety-split.
Also hear: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/05/14/VI2007051400520.html
Who Represents Washington Residents in Washington?
-----
The District of Columbia has no voting representative in the United States Congress who was elected by the residents of the District.
Why not?
Because the wording in the US Constitution requires that "The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, . . ." - The District of Columbia is not a state.
Should the people who live in DC be denied the right to have an elected representative who can vote in the House of Representatives?
The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Will be discussing this problem Tomorrow, May 15, 2007.
U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Title: Equal Representation in Congress: Providing Voting Rights to the District of Columbia
Date: 5/15/07
Time (EST): 10:00 AM
Place: Dirksen Senate Office Building, Rm. 342
Witnesses
Panel 1
The Honorable Orrin G. Hatch , Senator , U.S. Senate
The Honorable Tom Davis , U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton , U.S. House of Represenatatives
The Honorable Adrian Fenty , Mayor , District of Columbia
Panel 2
The Honorable Jack Kemp , Founder and Chairman , Kemp Partners
Wade Henderson , President and Chief Executive Officer , Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
Viet D. Dinh , Professor of Law , Georgetown University Law Center
Jonathan R. Turley , J. B. And Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law , The George Washington University Law School
-----
Findmore info on the DC Voting Rights Web Site.
Read my post from March 2007 at greensboropeerpressure.
See:
http://www.senate.gov/~govt-aff/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=444
http://greensboropeerpressure.blogspot.com/2007/03/our-ancestors-fought-and-died-to-give.html
http://www.dcvote.org/events/event.cfm?eventID=330
The District of Columbia has no voting representative in the United States Congress who was elected by the residents of the District.
Why not?
Because the wording in the US Constitution requires that "The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, . . ." - The District of Columbia is not a state.
Should the people who live in DC be denied the right to have an elected representative who can vote in the House of Representatives?
The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Will be discussing this problem Tomorrow, May 15, 2007.
U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Title: Equal Representation in Congress: Providing Voting Rights to the District of Columbia
Date: 5/15/07
Time (EST): 10:00 AM
Place: Dirksen Senate Office Building, Rm. 342
Witnesses
Panel 1
The Honorable Orrin G. Hatch , Senator , U.S. Senate
The Honorable Tom Davis , U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton , U.S. House of Represenatatives
The Honorable Adrian Fenty , Mayor , District of Columbia
Panel 2
The Honorable Jack Kemp , Founder and Chairman , Kemp Partners
Wade Henderson , President and Chief Executive Officer , Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
Viet D. Dinh , Professor of Law , Georgetown University Law Center
Jonathan R. Turley , J. B. And Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law , The George Washington University Law School
-----
Findmore info on the DC Voting Rights Web Site.
Read my post from March 2007 at greensboropeerpressure.
See:
http://www.senate.gov/~govt-aff/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=444
http://greensboropeerpressure.blogspot.com/2007/03/our-ancestors-fought-and-died-to-give.html
http://www.dcvote.org/events/event.cfm?eventID=330
Global Warming Info on Greensboro City Web Site
-----
The City of Greensboro has a global warming web page
The City Council will discuss the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement at the regular meeting June 5, 2007. More than 400 US cities have signed on to the agreement. The Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement was discussed at the May 8 city briefing. Pat Boswell, Director of Organizational Development and Communications for the city, gave a presentation about the agreement and about some of the things Greensboro government is doing to conserve energy and reduce pollution levels. Most council members seemed to like the idea of the agreement; however, Tom Phillips suggested that the preamble be amended a bit.
The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;
B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that includes
1) clear timetables and emissions limits and
2) a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and
C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as:
1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan.
2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities;
3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit;
4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in “green tags”, advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology;
5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money;
6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use;
7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system;
8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel;
9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production;
10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community;
11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree
planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2; and
12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution.
The City of Greensboro has a global warming web page
The City Council will discuss the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement at the regular meeting June 5, 2007. More than 400 US cities have signed on to the agreement. The Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement was discussed at the May 8 city briefing. Pat Boswell, Director of Organizational Development and Communications for the city, gave a presentation about the agreement and about some of the things Greensboro government is doing to conserve energy and reduce pollution levels. Most council members seemed to like the idea of the agreement; however, Tom Phillips suggested that the preamble be amended a bit.
The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;
B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that includes
1) clear timetables and emissions limits and
2) a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and
C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as:
1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan.
2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities;
3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit;
4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in “green tags”, advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology;
5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money;
6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use;
7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system;
8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel;
9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production;
10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community;
11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree
planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2; and
12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution.
An Amazing Accomplishment
-----
LONG LIVE THE PRINTED NEWSPAPER ! ! !
I am a little late to the conversation with Joe about the Printing Press. I am obviously a bit older than he because my first job at a newspaper was as an apprentice typesetter. I will not mention the year, but X-acto knives were not part of the composing/layout process. For years the presses could be seen from the street outside the building through large windows.
Linotype machines clicked away in the composing room as they dropped one slug at a time. A heavy piece of lead called a pig hung on the machine and melted a little as each letter was formed. Galley proofs were made on a hand press which was inked by hand and then a sheet of newsprint was placed over the type and a roller was passed over it to make an ink impression. The proofs were read and then corrections were made by hand, one line at a time. Because the type was not "read right" on the lead galley, the dump man (who made the proof pages and then corrected the galleys) had to read the lead upside down and backward. The make-up people put the lead galleys together to form individual pages. They worked on heavy wheeled tables called turtles. What a different world.
Headlines were set by hand, one letter at a time. I think that typesetting is where the old saying "mind your p's and q's" originated.
One of the good things about modern cold type composition is that I can't remember seeing a corrections line put in upside down. This happened frequently with the old lead corrections. Who remembers that?
It is always amazing to me that an entire newspaper can be written, edited, composed, proofed, printed and delivered every single day. What an accomplishment. One of the papers where I was employed published 5 editions a day. They were shipped all over the state. Long live the printed news ! ! !
LONG LIVE THE PRINTED NEWSPAPER ! ! !
I am a little late to the conversation with Joe about the Printing Press. I am obviously a bit older than he because my first job at a newspaper was as an apprentice typesetter. I will not mention the year, but X-acto knives were not part of the composing/layout process. For years the presses could be seen from the street outside the building through large windows.
Linotype machines clicked away in the composing room as they dropped one slug at a time. A heavy piece of lead called a pig hung on the machine and melted a little as each letter was formed. Galley proofs were made on a hand press which was inked by hand and then a sheet of newsprint was placed over the type and a roller was passed over it to make an ink impression. The proofs were read and then corrections were made by hand, one line at a time. Because the type was not "read right" on the lead galley, the dump man (who made the proof pages and then corrected the galleys) had to read the lead upside down and backward. The make-up people put the lead galleys together to form individual pages. They worked on heavy wheeled tables called turtles. What a different world.
Headlines were set by hand, one letter at a time. I think that typesetting is where the old saying "mind your p's and q's" originated.
One of the good things about modern cold type composition is that I can't remember seeing a corrections line put in upside down. This happened frequently with the old lead corrections. Who remembers that?
It is always amazing to me that an entire newspaper can be written, edited, composed, proofed, printed and delivered every single day. What an accomplishment. One of the papers where I was employed published 5 editions a day. They were shipped all over the state. Long live the printed news ! ! !
Greensboro City Council Briefing 5/8/07
-----
Much discussion today about the former Canada Dry property. City Manager Mitch Johnson gave a little overview of the property.
* total area is 9.5 acres
* real estate appraisal will be back this week (I assume Greensboro govt. is paying for appraisal)
* asking price is 3.2 or 3.7 million dollars, depending on who is talking
* the property will only be sold in total, not divided into individual parcels
* some of the property was given to Elon College who now owns an undivided interest
* preliminary inspection shows it to be a high-hazzard site
* problem with a well or stream on one corner of the property and maybe underground contamination
* existing building constructed in 1932 contains asbestos and lead
* this property is in the "master plan" for Greensboro
* funding options include money left from sale of other properties including former downtown library building
Then the hard-core sell began.
First Coliseum Manager Matt Brown gave his usual reasons for spending money at the Coliseum
* this is the most important real estate property in the city.
* ACC Hall of Fame will be an asset to the state and to Greensboro
* we have 2 million from the State of North Carolina toward locating an ACC museum in Greensboro
* a wonderful place for the Visitor's Center
* fits into footprint of total coliseum needs
* would offer more parking for coliseum and visitor center
* would change and improve look of High Point Rd., the gateway into Greensboro
* the present 1932 historic structure should be renovated
* basically needs roof repair and a little paint - using a trade agreement with Sherwin-Williams (I don't know what that means)
* keep renovation costs down, use old coliseum fixture's (replaced by more energy efficient ones)
* building would free up badly needed space in the coliseum
* a picture of Mr. Brown's vision of the new High Point Rd.
* and other stuff
One of the presenters was Ron Mack. Mr. Mack was presented as Chairman of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. His other job is Executive Vice President of Retail Sales and Leasing for Koury Corporation. (Golly, I wonder why he has such an interest in moving the visitors center to High Point Road.) Some of his talking points:
* visitors center needs new space
* visitors bureau rents space for $150,000 a year in a building that is for sale (purchasing that property was not discussed)
* there are many hotel rooms available in the area
* 80% of convention visitors stay close to area
* close to I-40 entrance into town
* business owners do not want to lease property on High Point Rd in its present state
* most businesses there are small, underfunded or start-up that can't afford to rent in a nicer area
* we don't want small struggling businesses in the area, we want big bucks investors
* if the city doesn't start the revitalization by improving this site, property values will continue to erode along the HP Rd. corridor from I-40 to the coliseum.
The presentation went on and on. The presenters talked about excitement over the prospects of the area and the opportunity that exists NOW to change the face of the area. After around 40 minutes of this, most people in the room, including City Council Members looked bored as their eyes glazed over and their attention span waned. They have heard this stuff before
A lively discussion followed. I'm too bored with the whole thing to talk about that now. I'll wait until later to write about it.
Much discussion today about the former Canada Dry property. City Manager Mitch Johnson gave a little overview of the property.
* total area is 9.5 acres
* real estate appraisal will be back this week (I assume Greensboro govt. is paying for appraisal)
* asking price is 3.2 or 3.7 million dollars, depending on who is talking
* the property will only be sold in total, not divided into individual parcels
* some of the property was given to Elon College who now owns an undivided interest
* preliminary inspection shows it to be a high-hazzard site
* problem with a well or stream on one corner of the property and maybe underground contamination
* existing building constructed in 1932 contains asbestos and lead
* this property is in the "master plan" for Greensboro
* funding options include money left from sale of other properties including former downtown library building
Then the hard-core sell began.
First Coliseum Manager Matt Brown gave his usual reasons for spending money at the Coliseum
* this is the most important real estate property in the city.
* ACC Hall of Fame will be an asset to the state and to Greensboro
* we have 2 million from the State of North Carolina toward locating an ACC museum in Greensboro
* a wonderful place for the Visitor's Center
* fits into footprint of total coliseum needs
* would offer more parking for coliseum and visitor center
* would change and improve look of High Point Rd., the gateway into Greensboro
* the present 1932 historic structure should be renovated
* basically needs roof repair and a little paint - using a trade agreement with Sherwin-Williams (I don't know what that means)
* keep renovation costs down, use old coliseum fixture's (replaced by more energy efficient ones)
* building would free up badly needed space in the coliseum
* a picture of Mr. Brown's vision of the new High Point Rd.
* and other stuff
One of the presenters was Ron Mack. Mr. Mack was presented as Chairman of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. His other job is Executive Vice President of Retail Sales and Leasing for Koury Corporation. (Golly, I wonder why he has such an interest in moving the visitors center to High Point Road.) Some of his talking points:
* visitors center needs new space
* visitors bureau rents space for $150,000 a year in a building that is for sale (purchasing that property was not discussed)
* there are many hotel rooms available in the area
* 80% of convention visitors stay close to area
* close to I-40 entrance into town
* business owners do not want to lease property on High Point Rd in its present state
* most businesses there are small, underfunded or start-up that can't afford to rent in a nicer area
* we don't want small struggling businesses in the area, we want big bucks investors
* if the city doesn't start the revitalization by improving this site, property values will continue to erode along the HP Rd. corridor from I-40 to the coliseum.
The presentation went on and on. The presenters talked about excitement over the prospects of the area and the opportunity that exists NOW to change the face of the area. After around 40 minutes of this, most people in the room, including City Council Members looked bored as their eyes glazed over and their attention span waned. They have heard this stuff before
A lively discussion followed. I'm too bored with the whole thing to talk about that now. I'll wait until later to write about it.
Canada Dry Property and other thoughts on City Council Briefing Session
-----
Looks like a full program for the next Greensboro City Council briefing. Near the bottom of the agenda there is a line saying "Other Items as Time Permits". This could be a long session. Of course, many of the Council Members leave if the meeting goes on too long. Not like the televised meetings where most hang in there until the end.
According to the Greensboro City Webside, the Council Briefing tomorrow morning (5/8/07) includes a presentation regarding acquisition of the former Canada Dry site. I think the last time this was presented to the council in a briefing session, the presenters were from the Coliseum Management Team and the Greensboro Sports Commission.
Don't know who will do the presenting this time, but I suspect that it will be a very pro-buy group and a lot of talk about all the economic benefits that will come to the city when this property is developed. Listen with skepticism. The same side keeps giving the same arguments. Where is the debate?
I think the property should be developed. I'm not even against the city's acquiring it at a reasonable price. But, not for an ACC Hall of Fame and not at the expense of ignoring other properties that the city government owns and does not maintain properly.
I hope the presentation is not too long. There are other items on the agenda that should be considered carefully. Expanding city water and sewer into areas in the county and making it prime for annexation SHOULD BE DONE WITH CAUTION. I don't know how much more land the city can annex and continue to provide essential services to the whole city. The bond issue for new firestations is just one example of how much the cost of expanding the city limits is costing ALL city residents. Police protection is spread thin and taxes keep rising.
Enlarging the city limits willy-nilly, just to keep Greensboro "growing" and keeping it the third largest city in the state seems unwise at this time.
Council briefings are held at 8:30 am in the Plaza Level Conference Room in the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 West Washington Street, Greensboro.
Agenda for May 8, 2007 Council Briefing
Presentation regarding acquisition of former Canada Dry site
Update on the Greensboro/Guilford County Water and Sewer Agreement and related land use issues
Recommendation regarding capacity use fees
Presentation of Cool Cities proposal
Guilford Battleground Company presentation regarding long term plans
Heart of the Triad presentation
Other items as time permits:
- Set date for Noise Ordinance “Test”
Looks like a full program for the next Greensboro City Council briefing. Near the bottom of the agenda there is a line saying "Other Items as Time Permits". This could be a long session. Of course, many of the Council Members leave if the meeting goes on too long. Not like the televised meetings where most hang in there until the end.
According to the Greensboro City Webside, the Council Briefing tomorrow morning (5/8/07) includes a presentation regarding acquisition of the former Canada Dry site. I think the last time this was presented to the council in a briefing session, the presenters were from the Coliseum Management Team and the Greensboro Sports Commission.
Don't know who will do the presenting this time, but I suspect that it will be a very pro-buy group and a lot of talk about all the economic benefits that will come to the city when this property is developed. Listen with skepticism. The same side keeps giving the same arguments. Where is the debate?
I think the property should be developed. I'm not even against the city's acquiring it at a reasonable price. But, not for an ACC Hall of Fame and not at the expense of ignoring other properties that the city government owns and does not maintain properly.
I hope the presentation is not too long. There are other items on the agenda that should be considered carefully. Expanding city water and sewer into areas in the county and making it prime for annexation SHOULD BE DONE WITH CAUTION. I don't know how much more land the city can annex and continue to provide essential services to the whole city. The bond issue for new firestations is just one example of how much the cost of expanding the city limits is costing ALL city residents. Police protection is spread thin and taxes keep rising.
Enlarging the city limits willy-nilly, just to keep Greensboro "growing" and keeping it the third largest city in the state seems unwise at this time.
Council briefings are held at 8:30 am in the Plaza Level Conference Room in the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 West Washington Street, Greensboro.
Agenda for May 8, 2007 Council Briefing
Presentation regarding acquisition of former Canada Dry site
Update on the Greensboro/Guilford County Water and Sewer Agreement and related land use issues
Recommendation regarding capacity use fees
Presentation of Cool Cities proposal
Guilford Battleground Company presentation regarding long term plans
Heart of the Triad presentation
Other items as time permits:
- Set date for Noise Ordinance “Test”
Old Cars and Good Food
-----
I enjoy going to the Greensboro Farmer's Market on Yanceyville Street. I can find good food, see old friends and meet new ones. Today I got a special treat. Across the street in the parking lot at Memorial Stadium there were some vintage cars, trucks and a school bus parked. They were there because of a movie being filmed in the area. I read in the N&R that some of them are locally owned.
I like old cars. I still own what is left of my first new car. It is a 1966 Ford Fairlaine Coup. It was a sharp car when it was new. Maybe I'll have it restored one day, or maybe not. It is currently covered with dust and other junk in my garage. It's just sitting there, taking up space and reminding me of old times.
Lowell and I went to the Farmer's Market earlier than usual today. We arrived too late Wednesday. All the fresh strawberries were gone. There were plenty this morning.
When our children were still at home I would take them vegetable pickin' or fruit pickin'. We had fun and fresh food. I remember how much Suzie, my middle daughter, loved strawberries. I think she ate as many as she put into the basket as we worked our way down the rows of sweet-smelling fruit. When we got to the pay station, I would always offer to pay a little extra for the eaten berries.
I had a wonderful recipe for preserves. I haven't made any in years. I guess I'm getting lazy in my old age. I don't pick my own veggies anymore either. I tried to grow some lettuce last year. The bunnies ate it all up.
I enjoy going to the Greensboro Farmer's Market on Yanceyville Street. I can find good food, see old friends and meet new ones. Today I got a special treat. Across the street in the parking lot at Memorial Stadium there were some vintage cars, trucks and a school bus parked. They were there because of a movie being filmed in the area. I read in the N&R that some of them are locally owned.
I like old cars. I still own what is left of my first new car. It is a 1966 Ford Fairlaine Coup. It was a sharp car when it was new. Maybe I'll have it restored one day, or maybe not. It is currently covered with dust and other junk in my garage. It's just sitting there, taking up space and reminding me of old times.
Lowell and I went to the Farmer's Market earlier than usual today. We arrived too late Wednesday. All the fresh strawberries were gone. There were plenty this morning.
When our children were still at home I would take them vegetable pickin' or fruit pickin'. We had fun and fresh food. I remember how much Suzie, my middle daughter, loved strawberries. I think she ate as many as she put into the basket as we worked our way down the rows of sweet-smelling fruit. When we got to the pay station, I would always offer to pay a little extra for the eaten berries.
I had a wonderful recipe for preserves. I haven't made any in years. I guess I'm getting lazy in my old age. I don't pick my own veggies anymore either. I tried to grow some lettuce last year. The bunnies ate it all up.
Are You in Hot Water ? ? ?
-----
After reading the local news about the BAD AIR in Greensboro, I thought a little information about how we can use solar energy instead of coal-fired power plant energy in our homes might be helpful.
The Solar Communities Group will present a program Saturday, May 5 at the Guilford Agricultural Center.
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR WATER HEATING SOLUTIONS
for new homes and retrofits for existing homes
Barn Kitchen & Meeting Room
Guilford County Agricultural Center
3309 Burlington Road, Greensboro, NC 27405.
The program will begin at 10am.
For more information, contact Otto Afanador, at 336-586-0814.
After reading the local news about the BAD AIR in Greensboro, I thought a little information about how we can use solar energy instead of coal-fired power plant energy in our homes might be helpful.
The Solar Communities Group will present a program Saturday, May 5 at the Guilford Agricultural Center.
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR WATER HEATING SOLUTIONS
for new homes and retrofits for existing homes
Barn Kitchen & Meeting Room
Guilford County Agricultural Center
3309 Burlington Road, Greensboro, NC 27405.
The program will begin at 10am.
For more information, contact Otto Afanador, at 336-586-0814.
Thanks to Law Day Program Sponsors and Participants -
-----
Sponsored by The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, the Greensboro Bar Association, Court Watch of North Carolina, the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, North Carolina A&T State University and funded, in part, by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy of the Open Society Institute.
LIBERTY UNDER LAW: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy
Panel Discussion: May 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Elon University Law School
201 N. Greene St., Greensboro
Parking: Free Parking in the Bellemeade parking deck or on the street
Moderator: Steven Friedland,Esq., professor, Elon University Law School.
Panelists: Judge Susan Bray, Chuck Hodierne, Lewis Pitts, Esq., Matt Comer, Malcolm Kenton and YOU.
Winning entries from the student multi-media contest will be displayed.
Law Day has been celebrated in our country each year since 1958 when President Dwight Eisenhower declared it "a day of national dedication to the principals of government under law."
More from the American Bar Association.
Photos from 2006 Law Day, click on Law Day on left side of site.
Sponsored by The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, the Greensboro Bar Association, Court Watch of North Carolina, the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, North Carolina A&T State University and funded, in part, by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy of the Open Society Institute.
LIBERTY UNDER LAW: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy
Panel Discussion: May 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Elon University Law School
201 N. Greene St., Greensboro
Parking: Free Parking in the Bellemeade parking deck or on the street
Moderator: Steven Friedland,Esq., professor, Elon University Law School.
Panelists: Judge Susan Bray, Chuck Hodierne, Lewis Pitts, Esq., Matt Comer, Malcolm Kenton and YOU.
Winning entries from the student multi-media contest will be displayed.
Law Day has been celebrated in our country each year since 1958 when President Dwight Eisenhower declared it "a day of national dedication to the principals of government under law."
More from the American Bar Association.
Photos from 2006 Law Day, click on Law Day on left side of site.
LAW DAY Tuesday, May 1 in Greensboro
-----
LIBERTY UNDER LAW: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy
Panel Discussion: May 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Elon University Law School
201 N. Greene St., Greensboro
Parking: Free Parking in the Bellemeade parking deck or on the street
Moderator: Steven Friedland,Esq., professor, Elon University Law School.
Panelists: Judge Susan Bray, Chuck Hodierne, Lewis Pitts, Esq., Matt Comer, Malcolm Kenton and YOU.
Sponsored by The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, the Greensboro Bar Association, Court Watch of North Carolina, the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, North Carolina A&T State University and funded, in part, by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy of the Open Society Institute.
Winning entries from the student multi-media contest will be displayed.
Law Day has been celebrated in our country each year since 1958 when President Dwight Eisenhower declared it "a day of national dedication to the principals of government under law."
More from the American Bar Association.
Photos from 2006 Law Day, click on Law Day on left side of site.
LIBERTY UNDER LAW: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy
Panel Discussion: May 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Elon University Law School
201 N. Greene St., Greensboro
Parking: Free Parking in the Bellemeade parking deck or on the street
Moderator: Steven Friedland,Esq., professor, Elon University Law School.
Panelists: Judge Susan Bray, Chuck Hodierne, Lewis Pitts, Esq., Matt Comer, Malcolm Kenton and YOU.
Sponsored by The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, the Greensboro Bar Association, Court Watch of North Carolina, the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, North Carolina A&T State University and funded, in part, by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy of the Open Society Institute.
Winning entries from the student multi-media contest will be displayed.
Law Day has been celebrated in our country each year since 1958 when President Dwight Eisenhower declared it "a day of national dedication to the principals of government under law."
More from the American Bar Association.
Photos from 2006 Law Day, click on Law Day on left side of site.
Hey Sprint !
-----
I guess I'm not alone.
This comment was in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution VENT Section today (April 19, 2007)
" Thanks, Sprint, for showing me how truly unimportant one customer is. Five letters to five execs and zero responses. Your customer no-service works well. "
Comments in the VENT Section come from readers and change daily.
I guess I'm not alone.
This comment was in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution VENT Section today (April 19, 2007)
" Thanks, Sprint, for showing me how truly unimportant one customer is. Five letters to five execs and zero responses. Your customer no-service works well. "
Comments in the VENT Section come from readers and change daily.
I've Had It With Sprint ! ! !
-----
Here is a copy of a letter going to Sprint Customer Service.
-----
April 15, 2007
Sprint PCS
P.O. Box 8077
London Kentucky 40742
Dear Customer Service Representative,
I’ve had it with Sprint/Nextel.
I have been trying to make a call all afternoon and I get the same message that I get more and more frequently, mostly on weekends. “Sprint PCS Svc not available.” Why Not???
My service has gotten progressively poorer since the two companies merged. In January I went into a Sprint Store in Greensboro. I wanted to purchase a new phone because the one I was using seemed to be worn out. The dial didn’t light up and I was not able to see the address book, calls record, etc.
The employees watched me as I looked around at the selection of phones. They seemed only interested in selling me a new service plan. I said that I didn’t want a new plan and didn’t want to renew my old plan for an extended period. They were not interested in helping me after that.
I have been a Sprint customer for many years and with the service getting worse and worse, I did not want to get tied into a long-term commitment. I just wanted a new phone. All phones were several hundred dollars unless they were purchased with a service contract. So, I went to the desk in the front of the store and waited for awhile before being told by the woman there that she didn’t know anything and I would have to go to the back of the store to get any service.
At the “Service Desk” at the back of the store, I asked the attendant if I could just use an old phone that I used before I got the one that didn’t work or if I could get the bad one fixed. She told me that they didn’t repair equipment. She played with her computer a few minutes and told me that I didn’t have an account, or that she couldn’t find one for me.
I left the store.
I found my old phone and called Sprint Service to have it activated. It took 5 days to get the phone activated. On some of the calls I was transferred to several different people. Each time I called, I followed the directions I was given and I was told that it took awhile and would work in a few hours. It didn’t.
On one of the calls, a nice lady told me that I was not on the Sprint network. My account had been transferred to another place and I would have to call another number to access a service person. I called, but there was no one there to help me. When I finally got a person I followed instructions and got the same result. No Service.
The weekend arrived and I called again and found out that there was no service on weekends and I would have to call back Monday morning. The phone was finally activated Tuesday. Service has not improved. If I try to reach customer service about a dropped call or to get an account of my usage, I can seldom get through. Either the call is dropped or I get a recording that I can’t get information about account usage.
Even before this problem with activating my phone, I have had many problems with the service since the merger of Sprint and Nextel. I started dropping lots of calls. I dialed the trouble number and told an automated answering service that I had a dropped call.
I did this so that the service provider would know that I was getting lousy service and maybe they would fix it. After several months of this, I started getting messages that said stay on the line because my phone needed some updating or something. I did this for the first few times and it took several minutes. But that didn’t stop the problem. Later, when this message came on, I waited, let them do their thing and when it didn’t work I was then told to wait for a technician. After waiting up to 10 minutes, the phone cut off. This happened several times. I waited. I never talked to a tech person. I think this was just to get rid of me. And it finally worked. I will change my service this week.
The check that I have been sending Sprint for many years will not contribute to the $20 million+ salary of Gary Forsee ever again.
A long-time, patient customer who gave Spring more than enough chances.
Diane G. Davis
Cell phone number ----------
Here is a copy of a letter going to Sprint Customer Service.
-----
April 15, 2007
Sprint PCS
P.O. Box 8077
London Kentucky 40742
Dear Customer Service Representative,
I’ve had it with Sprint/Nextel.
I have been trying to make a call all afternoon and I get the same message that I get more and more frequently, mostly on weekends. “Sprint PCS Svc not available.” Why Not???
My service has gotten progressively poorer since the two companies merged. In January I went into a Sprint Store in Greensboro. I wanted to purchase a new phone because the one I was using seemed to be worn out. The dial didn’t light up and I was not able to see the address book, calls record, etc.
The employees watched me as I looked around at the selection of phones. They seemed only interested in selling me a new service plan. I said that I didn’t want a new plan and didn’t want to renew my old plan for an extended period. They were not interested in helping me after that.
I have been a Sprint customer for many years and with the service getting worse and worse, I did not want to get tied into a long-term commitment. I just wanted a new phone. All phones were several hundred dollars unless they were purchased with a service contract. So, I went to the desk in the front of the store and waited for awhile before being told by the woman there that she didn’t know anything and I would have to go to the back of the store to get any service.
At the “Service Desk” at the back of the store, I asked the attendant if I could just use an old phone that I used before I got the one that didn’t work or if I could get the bad one fixed. She told me that they didn’t repair equipment. She played with her computer a few minutes and told me that I didn’t have an account, or that she couldn’t find one for me.
I left the store.
I found my old phone and called Sprint Service to have it activated. It took 5 days to get the phone activated. On some of the calls I was transferred to several different people. Each time I called, I followed the directions I was given and I was told that it took awhile and would work in a few hours. It didn’t.
On one of the calls, a nice lady told me that I was not on the Sprint network. My account had been transferred to another place and I would have to call another number to access a service person. I called, but there was no one there to help me. When I finally got a person I followed instructions and got the same result. No Service.
The weekend arrived and I called again and found out that there was no service on weekends and I would have to call back Monday morning. The phone was finally activated Tuesday. Service has not improved. If I try to reach customer service about a dropped call or to get an account of my usage, I can seldom get through. Either the call is dropped or I get a recording that I can’t get information about account usage.
Even before this problem with activating my phone, I have had many problems with the service since the merger of Sprint and Nextel. I started dropping lots of calls. I dialed the trouble number and told an automated answering service that I had a dropped call.
I did this so that the service provider would know that I was getting lousy service and maybe they would fix it. After several months of this, I started getting messages that said stay on the line because my phone needed some updating or something. I did this for the first few times and it took several minutes. But that didn’t stop the problem. Later, when this message came on, I waited, let them do their thing and when it didn’t work I was then told to wait for a technician. After waiting up to 10 minutes, the phone cut off. This happened several times. I waited. I never talked to a tech person. I think this was just to get rid of me. And it finally worked. I will change my service this week.
The check that I have been sending Sprint for many years will not contribute to the $20 million+ salary of Gary Forsee ever again.
A long-time, patient customer who gave Spring more than enough chances.
Diane G. Davis
Cell phone number ----------
Bad Air in North Carolina
-----
The Business Journal reports that CO2 from coal-fired power plants in North Carolina increased by 52 per cent between 1990 and 2004. This was in a report from U.S. Public Interest Research Group that used data provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.
And from Raleigh news that another coal-fired power plant has been approved for North Carolina. The Raleigh N&O reports that one of the two coal-powered plants requested by Duke power has been approved.
The article also says that North Carolina is among about 30 states that have no policy mandating environmentally friendly energy use. But several bills have been introduced that would mandate reductions in emissions over the next 10 years or more.
And all this bad news as we celebrate "Earth Day" in Greensboro.
What are we thinking ? ? ?
The Business Journal reports that CO2 from coal-fired power plants in North Carolina increased by 52 per cent between 1990 and 2004. This was in a report from U.S. Public Interest Research Group that used data provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.
And from Raleigh news that another coal-fired power plant has been approved for North Carolina. The Raleigh N&O reports that one of the two coal-powered plants requested by Duke power has been approved.
The article also says that North Carolina is among about 30 states that have no policy mandating environmentally friendly energy use. But several bills have been introduced that would mandate reductions in emissions over the next 10 years or more.
And all this bad news as we celebrate "Earth Day" in Greensboro.
What are we thinking ? ? ?
RE: a tip for the N&R
-----
I agree with dhoggard’s suggestion
We need more investigative reporting by people who are paid to do it. Just repeating what the government tells lets us in on is not enough. Good reporting includes looking under the covers and behind the doors.
Over-payments and juggling money around are not new. I have questioned some of Greensboro's expenditures that have been passed under the guise of the "Consent Agenda." Check out a questions I asked long ago.
I am a big proponent of open government, especially when it concerns public money.
I agree with dhoggard’s suggestion
We need more investigative reporting by people who are paid to do it. Just repeating what the government tells lets us in on is not enough. Good reporting includes looking under the covers and behind the doors.
Over-payments and juggling money around are not new. I have questioned some of Greensboro's expenditures that have been passed under the guise of the "Consent Agenda." Check out a questions I asked long ago.
I am a big proponent of open government, especially when it concerns public money.
If YOU'RE Blogging YOUR Ignorance of English
____
I understand that blogging is not a class in grammar or spelling. Bloggers write and are read because of their ideas and their willingness to state their news and opinions for the whole world to see. I admire bloggers who are willing to have on-line, on-the-record conversations.
Now, for my criticism: I am a bit embarrassed by the use of YOUR to mean You Are. YOUR is not a contraction. It is a possessive pronoun. YOU'RE is a contraction meaning YOU ARE. I cringe when I read YOUR used incorrectly on some of my favorite blogs.
We all (or most of us) make gramatical and spelling mistakes. This happens when we are typing too fast or when we don't proof read or even if we do, it is hard to proof our own wok. I'm not complaining about gettomg diingers on the wrong jeys. Oops, I mean fingers on the wrong keys. I'm not complaining about long, run-on sentences or lots of things we do to try and make our point. But this YOUR and YOU'RE thing really bugs me.
I hope this criticism is taken as constructive, not mean-spirited. And for anybody who cares, I know I make lots of mistakes; but, confusing your with you're is not one of them. I also know the difference between there, their and they're.
For more on this subject try English-Zone.com
I understand that blogging is not a class in grammar or spelling. Bloggers write and are read because of their ideas and their willingness to state their news and opinions for the whole world to see. I admire bloggers who are willing to have on-line, on-the-record conversations.
Now, for my criticism: I am a bit embarrassed by the use of YOUR to mean You Are. YOUR is not a contraction. It is a possessive pronoun. YOU'RE is a contraction meaning YOU ARE. I cringe when I read YOUR used incorrectly on some of my favorite blogs.
We all (or most of us) make gramatical and spelling mistakes. This happens when we are typing too fast or when we don't proof read or even if we do, it is hard to proof our own wok. I'm not complaining about gettomg diingers on the wrong jeys. Oops, I mean fingers on the wrong keys. I'm not complaining about long, run-on sentences or lots of things we do to try and make our point. But this YOUR and YOU'RE thing really bugs me.
I hope this criticism is taken as constructive, not mean-spirited. And for anybody who cares, I know I make lots of mistakes; but, confusing your with you're is not one of them. I also know the difference between there, their and they're.
For more on this subject try English-Zone.com
Hit 'em in the money bags
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The North Carolina House voted unanimously Tuesday, April 3, 2007, in favor of House Bill 291 that would require the state to divest its holdings in companies that do business or have strong ties to the Sudanese government. That government is accused of genocide and human rights abuses in the Darfur region. North Carolina would be the first state in the Southeast to enact such a ban if the bill becomes law, supporters say. Treasurer Richard Moore has already taken steps on his own to sell the State’s holdings in nine companies that have done business with Sudan.
The North Carolina House voted unanimously Tuesday, April 3, 2007, in favor of House Bill 291 that would require the state to divest its holdings in companies that do business or have strong ties to the Sudanese government. That government is accused of genocide and human rights abuses in the Darfur region. North Carolina would be the first state in the Southeast to enact such a ban if the bill becomes law, supporters say. Treasurer Richard Moore has already taken steps on his own to sell the State’s holdings in nine companies that have done business with Sudan.
More Dump Woes
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Most people stop thinking about garbage when it leaves their trashcan. Where it goes is of no concern to them.
Trash should be a concern for everyone. The pollution of land, air and water has been proven many times over.
The cost of undoing the damage is much more than the cost of disposing of our garbage in a responsible way.
Trash-to-Energy is a better solution than landfills.
A recent comment on my post a year ago about a dump in High Point, NC led me to an interesting web site called theDumpSite. It is the place to learn the truth about living near the Land Fill in High Point, NC.
The comment said in part: "We've been on Kersey Valley's case since it opened 14 years ago.
Our objections were not so much the landfill per se but the deceit we found.
Like High Point using an extraterritorial jurisdiction iron fist against disenfranchised non-city dwellers to put a heavy industrial land use in the midst of their residential area.
Like making false promises about its excellence and ignoring us or denying it when we showed they were false."
Most people stop thinking about garbage when it leaves their trashcan. Where it goes is of no concern to them.
Trash should be a concern for everyone. The pollution of land, air and water has been proven many times over.
The cost of undoing the damage is much more than the cost of disposing of our garbage in a responsible way.
Trash-to-Energy is a better solution than landfills.
A recent comment on my post a year ago about a dump in High Point, NC led me to an interesting web site called theDumpSite. It is the place to learn the truth about living near the Land Fill in High Point, NC.
The comment said in part: "We've been on Kersey Valley's case since it opened 14 years ago.
Our objections were not so much the landfill per se but the deceit we found.
Like High Point using an extraterritorial jurisdiction iron fist against disenfranchised non-city dwellers to put a heavy industrial land use in the midst of their residential area.
Like making false promises about its excellence and ignoring us or denying it when we showed they were false."
Supreme Court Ruled 9 to 0 Against Duke Energy Pollution
----
A victory for the environment! ! !
The United States and Environmental Defense filed suit against Duke Energy for violating Clear Air Act rules when it renovated its plants in North Carolina and South Carolina. The US Supreme Court agreed.
From The New York Times reort today:
The Supreme Court gave a boost Monday to a federal clean air initiative aimed at forcing utilities to install pollution control equipment on aging coal-fired power plants.
From the Environment Defense web site.
The suit against Duke Energy, the country's third-largest power company, centered on its costly renovations to 30 coal-fired electric generating units at eight power plants in North Carolina and South Carolina. Many of these facilities had been operated sporadically or not at all and were due to be retired and replaced. Instead, Duke Energy extensively rebuilt them resulting in significant increases in particulate- and smog-forming pollution, but did not obtain permits nor install pollution control equipment as required by law.
A victory for the environment! ! !
The United States and Environmental Defense filed suit against Duke Energy for violating Clear Air Act rules when it renovated its plants in North Carolina and South Carolina. The US Supreme Court agreed.
From The New York Times reort today:
The Supreme Court gave a boost Monday to a federal clean air initiative aimed at forcing utilities to install pollution control equipment on aging coal-fired power plants.
From the Environment Defense web site.
The suit against Duke Energy, the country's third-largest power company, centered on its costly renovations to 30 coal-fired electric generating units at eight power plants in North Carolina and South Carolina. Many of these facilities had been operated sporadically or not at all and were due to be retired and replaced. Instead, Duke Energy extensively rebuilt them resulting in significant increases in particulate- and smog-forming pollution, but did not obtain permits nor install pollution control equipment as required by law.
PAY THE MAYOR
-----
Greensboro government could be improved considerably.
My first suggestion would be to pay the mayor at least as much as we pay the director of the coliseum. The colliseum director could be paid a commission based on how much money the facility doesn't lose.
But that's another suggestion. Back to my first suggestion.
Part-time job, Full-time job. What's the difference? The mayor is on-call all the time.
If the mayor were paid a decent salary, Greensboro would not have to depend on the generosity of big business to support our mayor and this would also be an incentive for seeking the office. Our choice of candidates would improve drastically and people with good ideas and skills wouldn't have to sell out to special interest bankrolls.
This is not a new idea, just a good one. I have several other suggestions that would improve Greensboro. I'll get to them another time.
Greensboro government could be improved considerably.
My first suggestion would be to pay the mayor at least as much as we pay the director of the coliseum. The colliseum director could be paid a commission based on how much money the facility doesn't lose.
But that's another suggestion. Back to my first suggestion.
Part-time job, Full-time job. What's the difference? The mayor is on-call all the time.
If the mayor were paid a decent salary, Greensboro would not have to depend on the generosity of big business to support our mayor and this would also be an incentive for seeking the office. Our choice of candidates would improve drastically and people with good ideas and skills wouldn't have to sell out to special interest bankrolls.
This is not a new idea, just a good one. I have several other suggestions that would improve Greensboro. I'll get to them another time.
Why was the Battle of Guilford Court House Fought? Right to Representative Government?
-----
Our ancestors fought and died to give and protect our right to representative government. A major battle was fought right here in Guilford County. Remember the idea of "No taxation without representation?" Some of us take advantage of that right, some do not possess it.
Many citizens, in fact, a majority of those eligible to vote do not take advantage of the right. Citizens living in DC do not have an option. A member of the US House of Representatives from the District of Columbia (because of the wording in the US Constitution) does not have a vote.
I think this is wrong. Here is some information I have found about the problem and about a bill that has been progressing through the system for some time. The full House of Representatives is set to take up the District of Columbia Voting Rights Act next week. If this legislation is passed it will be another step in the struggle to give every adult US citizen full voting rights. It will be discussed and voted on in the next few weeks. I hope it passes.
The Washington Post reports today that the White House opposes the bill because The Constitution specifies only people of the several states elect representatives to the House; and, DC is not a state.
Full Text of House Bill 5388 is available at the Library of Congress Web Site.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.5388:
And more information from the League of Women Voters of the US:
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on the Judiciary both approved the DC Voting Rights Act the week of March 12, clearing the way for historic action in the full House of Representatives.
Citizens of the District of Columbia pay U.S. taxes, fight and die for the U.S. during wartime, and are governed by the laws that Congress passes. And yet they have no voting representation in Congress. They have only a non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives.
The “District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act,” sponsored by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D DC) and Representative Tom Davis (R VA), would right this wrong. The legislation provides voting representation in the House for DC citizens by increasing the size of the House by two seats – one for DC and the other for the state of Utah, which is entitled to the next seat by size of population. This balanced approach provides voting rights for District citizens without upsetting the partisan balance of the House.
Americans living in the nation’s capital deserve to have voting representation in the body that makes their laws, taxes them and can call them to war. Only Congress can ensure that the democracy Americans have espoused and fought for across the globe becomes a reality in the nation’s capital.
A basic principle of democracy is at stake. Your Representative needs to hear from you today! Please urge your Representative to support the DC Voting Rights Act.
You can contact your Representative and give him or her your opinion on this bill.
Phone calls are helpful and can be made through the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 or 202-225-3121.
Our ancestors fought and died to give and protect our right to representative government. A major battle was fought right here in Guilford County. Remember the idea of "No taxation without representation?" Some of us take advantage of that right, some do not possess it.
Many citizens, in fact, a majority of those eligible to vote do not take advantage of the right. Citizens living in DC do not have an option. A member of the US House of Representatives from the District of Columbia (because of the wording in the US Constitution) does not have a vote.
I think this is wrong. Here is some information I have found about the problem and about a bill that has been progressing through the system for some time. The full House of Representatives is set to take up the District of Columbia Voting Rights Act next week. If this legislation is passed it will be another step in the struggle to give every adult US citizen full voting rights. It will be discussed and voted on in the next few weeks. I hope it passes.
The Washington Post reports today that the White House opposes the bill because The Constitution specifies only people of the several states elect representatives to the House; and, DC is not a state.
Full Text of House Bill 5388 is available at the Library of Congress Web Site.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.5388:
And more information from the League of Women Voters of the US:
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on the Judiciary both approved the DC Voting Rights Act the week of March 12, clearing the way for historic action in the full House of Representatives.
Citizens of the District of Columbia pay U.S. taxes, fight and die for the U.S. during wartime, and are governed by the laws that Congress passes. And yet they have no voting representation in Congress. They have only a non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives.
The “District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act,” sponsored by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D DC) and Representative Tom Davis (R VA), would right this wrong. The legislation provides voting representation in the House for DC citizens by increasing the size of the House by two seats – one for DC and the other for the state of Utah, which is entitled to the next seat by size of population. This balanced approach provides voting rights for District citizens without upsetting the partisan balance of the House.
Americans living in the nation’s capital deserve to have voting representation in the body that makes their laws, taxes them and can call them to war. Only Congress can ensure that the democracy Americans have espoused and fought for across the globe becomes a reality in the nation’s capital.
A basic principle of democracy is at stake. Your Representative needs to hear from you today! Please urge your Representative to support the DC Voting Rights Act.
You can contact your Representative and give him or her your opinion on this bill.
Phone calls are helpful and can be made through the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 or 202-225-3121.
Yipee! I can blog again!
------
Maybe I'm the only one who missed my blog, but just in case someone else did, I'm back!!!!!!!
I have been having trouble with my computer for some time now. When I retired from my Art Supply Business, I took my old 1997-model I-Mac home and transferred most of my info to my husband's slightly newer I-Mac.
His ran on MAC OS10 point something. My was still on MAC 9. I combined the two so my old programs would work on his machine. Finally, several months ago, it became too much for his little red computer to handle.
My wonderfun daughters cleaned up Dad's old computer after he helped me buy a new I-Book. I love mine and he can use his again since all of my junk is gone.
I am a pack rat by nature and my beautiful, old aqua blue I-Mac is sitting unused on top of my sewing machine cabinet. I will miss seeing it when I pack it away and wait for it to become a valuable antique that my great-great grandchildren can sell for big bucks. (LOL)
I'm ready to blog!
diane
Maybe I'm the only one who missed my blog, but just in case someone else did, I'm back!!!!!!!
I have been having trouble with my computer for some time now. When I retired from my Art Supply Business, I took my old 1997-model I-Mac home and transferred most of my info to my husband's slightly newer I-Mac.
His ran on MAC OS10 point something. My was still on MAC 9. I combined the two so my old programs would work on his machine. Finally, several months ago, it became too much for his little red computer to handle.
My wonderfun daughters cleaned up Dad's old computer after he helped me buy a new I-Book. I love mine and he can use his again since all of my junk is gone.
I am a pack rat by nature and my beautiful, old aqua blue I-Mac is sitting unused on top of my sewing machine cabinet. I will miss seeing it when I pack it away and wait for it to become a valuable antique that my great-great grandchildren can sell for big bucks. (LOL)
I'm ready to blog!
diane
Suggestions for FEMA
HEY FEMA,
BRING IN THE TRAILERS. THE GOVERNMENBT ALREADY OWNS THEM.
I entered Florida yesterday during a raging downpour. Stopping at the welcome center for my free orange or grapefruit juice and a clean rest room, I was told by an attendant in the welcome center that there was a tornado watch in central Florida.
This morning I heard that tormadoes, thunderstorms and high winds had devastated areas of Florida and caused at least 19 deaths. Many homes, trees, buildings, trailers (pardon me, Mobile homes) had been destroyed.
There have been many news conferences today and pleas for help. And the fantasy that the federal government and private insurance companies will help the people in this area. There has been much talk about why there was very little warning in the early morning hours just before the tornadoes hit.
I think that one reason these winds hit without warning is that "old timey" local sirens that warned residents of impending danger have been replaced by tv and radio reports. Very few people are listening to a radio or tv at 3 o'clock in the morning.
There have been many news conferences where community, state and federal "Leaders" are talking about who should be doing what to help victims of this disaster. They are talking about finding victims and counseling survivors and why people were unaware of the danger.
Warning sirens should be blaring tornado warnings when there is an approaching twister. We should not have to read a crawl across the local tv screen to know that dangerous weather is approaching.
For this particular incident,I think that FEMA should start moving the mobile homes that are still unused after the Katrina fiasco. The trailer parks that already have the infrastructure to accommodate these homes can be used for temporary or permanent housing for folks who are homeless. Even if there is no electricity, water, sewer, etc at this minute, it would probably be easier to fix than other options.
Instead of talking, local officials should be arranging to have the ruble cleared as soon as possible and utilities restored. Find temporary food, water and shelter and stop depending on someone else to do it.
Waiting for federal help is ok, but there is nothing wrong with a little do-it-yourself ingenuity. Get the place ready for the new trailers. It is possible that FEMA will be better this time. The feds might have learned something. Don't count on it; but, almost anything is possible.
BRING IN THE TRAILERS. THE GOVERNMENBT ALREADY OWNS THEM.
I entered Florida yesterday during a raging downpour. Stopping at the welcome center for my free orange or grapefruit juice and a clean rest room, I was told by an attendant in the welcome center that there was a tornado watch in central Florida.
This morning I heard that tormadoes, thunderstorms and high winds had devastated areas of Florida and caused at least 19 deaths. Many homes, trees, buildings, trailers (pardon me, Mobile homes) had been destroyed.
There have been many news conferences today and pleas for help. And the fantasy that the federal government and private insurance companies will help the people in this area. There has been much talk about why there was very little warning in the early morning hours just before the tornadoes hit.
I think that one reason these winds hit without warning is that "old timey" local sirens that warned residents of impending danger have been replaced by tv and radio reports. Very few people are listening to a radio or tv at 3 o'clock in the morning.
There have been many news conferences where community, state and federal "Leaders" are talking about who should be doing what to help victims of this disaster. They are talking about finding victims and counseling survivors and why people were unaware of the danger.
Warning sirens should be blaring tornado warnings when there is an approaching twister. We should not have to read a crawl across the local tv screen to know that dangerous weather is approaching.
For this particular incident,I think that FEMA should start moving the mobile homes that are still unused after the Katrina fiasco. The trailer parks that already have the infrastructure to accommodate these homes can be used for temporary or permanent housing for folks who are homeless. Even if there is no electricity, water, sewer, etc at this minute, it would probably be easier to fix than other options.
Instead of talking, local officials should be arranging to have the ruble cleared as soon as possible and utilities restored. Find temporary food, water and shelter and stop depending on someone else to do it.
Waiting for federal help is ok, but there is nothing wrong with a little do-it-yourself ingenuity. Get the place ready for the new trailers. It is possible that FEMA will be better this time. The feds might have learned something. Don't count on it; but, almost anything is possible.
They Keep on Hanging
_____
Gail Feddish states in a letter to the editor of the News & Record that Illegally posted signs should be taken down.
http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/
Ms. Feddish is not the first to complain about these signs. Ernie Schiller complained in a letter to the editor last week. There have been other letters and blog comments for several years, including one in July, 2005 from D. M. Mitchell.
How many letters, phone calls and complaints will it take to bring these sign posters to justice? They are violating the laws of NC, of Greensboro, and the laws of good taste.
They are littering and should be stopped. Just taking down the signs is not enough. Also people (including political candidates) who put non-removable sticky signs on stop signs and other public property should be stopped.
Ms. Feddish says "So, neighbors and neighborhoods, take charge."
This is not as easy as it seems. Many of these signs are too high to remove without a boost. And many are posted too close to moving traffic to be removed safely by citizens.
See previous posts here:
http://greensboropeerpressure.blogspot.com/2005/07/ugly-illegal-signs.html
And here:
http://greensboropeerpressure.blogspot.com/2005/07/illegally-posted-signs.html
Gail Feddish states in a letter to the editor of the News & Record that Illegally posted signs should be taken down.
http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/
Ms. Feddish is not the first to complain about these signs. Ernie Schiller complained in a letter to the editor last week. There have been other letters and blog comments for several years, including one in July, 2005 from D. M. Mitchell.
How many letters, phone calls and complaints will it take to bring these sign posters to justice? They are violating the laws of NC, of Greensboro, and the laws of good taste.
They are littering and should be stopped. Just taking down the signs is not enough. Also people (including political candidates) who put non-removable sticky signs on stop signs and other public property should be stopped.
Ms. Feddish says "So, neighbors and neighborhoods, take charge."
This is not as easy as it seems. Many of these signs are too high to remove without a boost. And many are posted too close to moving traffic to be removed safely by citizens.
See previous posts here:
http://greensboropeerpressure.blogspot.com/2005/07/ugly-illegal-signs.html
And here:
http://greensboropeerpressure.blogspot.com/2005/07/illegally-posted-signs.html
Good Leader Should Just Say NO!
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In a Counterpoint Piece in Jan 6, 2007 News & Record Greensboro City Council member Tom Phillips wrote "Sometimes leadership requires saying 'no'."
I agree with that statement. I also think that Mr. Phillips should have added that our elected officials should just say NO to corporate welfare and greedy real estate developers who masquerade behind the term "economic development."
See N&R @ http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/
In a Counterpoint Piece in Jan 6, 2007 News & Record Greensboro City Council member Tom Phillips wrote "Sometimes leadership requires saying 'no'."
I agree with that statement. I also think that Mr. Phillips should have added that our elected officials should just say NO to corporate welfare and greedy real estate developers who masquerade behind the term "economic development."
See N&R @ http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/
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