Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Princeton News: 2010 Baccalaureate remarks

The choices of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, are reviewed in his address to graduates of Princeton University this past May. By the way, about two months ago, I purchased an e-reader from Amazon.com, a Kindle, and it has revolutionized the way and amount (more) that I read and receive information. His address speaks of the gifts and choices that we have in life.  Click title for link.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Citizens customers may be fraud victims | citizens, fraud, service - Top Story - WPEC 12 West Palm Beach

This "fraud"(that you can read about by clicking title) is not on the part of Citizens, but why does a WIND ONLY policy through them require an electric system in an insured house that isn't more than 35 years old, but property/casualty insurance doesn't? WIND ONLY means something, no?

Monday, July 5, 2010

Green Transportation Technology, circa 1916

In my travels this summer, my Dad and I went to Louisville for the 75th Anniversary Antique Automobile Club of American national meet.  My Dad is a long-time collector of antique and classic cars, mostly Packards.  While I have some interest and have an antique car of my own, let's just say that my interest in the car hobby is not as developed as my Dad's.  I also realize, as I am sure he does as well, that our society loved, and continues to love, the automobile a little bit too much.  It has "driven", and been the basis for, land use decisions that exclude any other way of getting there except by means of a car.

Of course, we can't ignore the environmental consequences of this love affair with the automobile, both in terms of the environmental costs - in the extraction of oil from the earth and contribution of carbon to the atmosphere - but due to the importance of cars in our culture, they tell something about us as a society.  And regardless of what you think of them, they are objects of human achievement.  In many ways, they are a mixture of art and machine.  They have also provided many a way of life and a key to the middle class, especially in the 20th Century.

So, in Louisville this past weekend, we were able to witness a celebration of our society's love of the automobile.  For many, these sorts of meets are family events involving multiple generations. Over 700 cars assembled from around the nation and were displayed at the Convention Center.  The only criteria to participate is that they have to be some sort of vehicle and be at least 25 years old.  The oldest car that I saw was a 1903 Curved-Dash Oldsmobile.  There were a range of other cars of all makes and models, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

One that stood out for me was a 1916 Milburn.  Click link for full view of automobile and history of the marque. Here are some pics:
Yep, it was an electric car.  Batteries in the front and rear and they had their own charging apparatus.

Apparently, electric cars were fairly popular in the early days of the automobile.  Travel by automobile was still a bit of an adventure in 1916 with almost all gasoline powered engines requiring manual cranking to start the engine - and a lot of persistent and applied strength.  Being the early 20th Century, the job of starting those gasoline powered cars fell mainly upon men.  The electric car was developed as an alternative way of getting around that did not require cranking and was particularly popular with women.  Some say their very existence helped with the women's suffrage movement and the imposition of Prohibition - women used the cars to politic and go to places farther afield than they otherwise could get to on foot.  The interior provided a "living room" environment, and being electric, was comparatively quiet.

The popularity of these electrics diminished as gasoline engines shed the crank and converted more and more to an electric starting mechanism.  Short-comings of the electrics, things that we are still overcoming today, were the heavy weight of the batteries in relation to the car itself, the short life-span of the batteries and need to replace them, the relatively short range of operation, low speed and the need for accessible charging stations.  All of the weaknesses here were either non-existent with an internal combustion engine or gasoline technology was far superior in comparison.  And, the unintended consequences of the reliance on gasoline power hadn't been experienced yet.

So, we still face challenges in the electric car technology.  Hybrid vehicles have helped bridge the gap, but it is still a long way to go to unseat gasoline powered vehicles from their prominence.

While the technology develops further, we need to make wise land use choices that minimize the dependence on the gasoline powered automobile, enhance pedestrian and bicycle access and encourage mass transit.  We do this by promoting mixed uses of residential, office and retail space, and increased density along alternative transit corridors.  Limiting new buildings to universal three stories does not promote this kind of land use pattern.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Without our freedom, this is what we would have to endure...





Russian Mayor Irks Security Agency, and Suffers
Published: July 3, 2010
A mayor who filed a lawsuit over a resort owned by Russia’s security service was jailed and prosecuted.
Click title for link to NY Times article.

Lake Worth Raft Regatta

Only in Lake Worth on Twitpic

Dalai Lama, as if speaking directly to our humble city...

Peace does not mean no more conflict among humanity. Conflict is bound to happen, so in order to keep peace in spite of conflict, the only realistic method is the spirit of dialogue, respecting the other side and understanding their viewpoint. We need to try and solve problems in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood, in a spirit of reconciliation and compromise.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Happy Fourth of July Everybody!

Dalai Lama

A compassionate attitude opens our inner door, and as a result it is much easier to communicate with others. If there is too much self-centered attitude, then fear, doubt and suspicion come and as a result our inner door closes. Then it is very difficult to communicate with others.

Friday, July 2, 2010

The taxpayers are burning

Click title for link to opinion piece from the PB Post.  Lake Worth is getting a pat on the back for holding firm on the tax rate, even at the expense of public safety.  However, the large female with the horns hasn't sung yet.  The City Commission set the millage rate at the limit of 10 mills, including the MSTU for county fire services - the thinking being, you can always lower it, but you can't raise the rate after the initial one is set.

I have yet to be convinced that the city is in a realistic bargaining position to win over the three unions to cut pension benefits, convince PBSO to accept an amount less than their original 2008 contract - three fiscal years later and/or get concessions from the county fire deal.  And I hope that it is not likely that the city will implement pay parking in the downtown - for reasons already laid out here.  The risk is not worth the reward.  I also don't see this Commission approving red light cameras.  Both measures are the only new revenue generating ideas in this proposed budget.

As soon as someone shows me that these groups agree to reductions, then maintaining the 4.999 millage rate is realistic.  Beyond that, what sort of time frame and money are we talking to mediate the issue with the unions?  No one has talked about that yet.  Until there is something concrete, it is not realistic to think we will not raise the millage.

What this preliminary budget document represents is the beginning of a negotiating position - nothing more.  That is the reason that it is such a bleak assessment - an accurate one - but the first time it is being admitted to by the administration or those on the dais.  This is noteworthy and an opportunity, if someone wants to take it.

This is what I am gathering what happened regarding CRA appointments...

Granted, I am somewhat at a disadvantage since I was not present, or listening and am spending time with my father this summer in southern Indiana.  I have communicated with those that would know and multiple sources, if there is something to know.  And this is what I know at this time, which is not much, which speaks to the sorry state of affairs with our City Commission.

Lisa Wilson, who applied for a position on the CRA and was hunted down relentlessly by phone and other means, to no avail, withdrew her application.  Why she was even considered as a potential applicant is questionable as her organization leases city property and her organization's operations have been the subject of CRA funding requests.  While not necessarily disqualifying her from sitting on the CRA board, the dogged pursuit of her raises questions about the City Commission's direction and intention.

 Apparently, one of the people appointed wasn't even there and wasn't interviewed and - get this - one that was appointed didn't even apply to be on the board.  Now that's a new concept!

The entire process went on for hours and hours, spanning two nights.  Commissioner Maxwell had sense enough to leave the meeting and was not present for the vote.  People who need to know who is on the board - which really is all of us - are not getting answers from the City Manager or City Attorney.

Needless to say, this is the board that is charged with the administration of $23 million of Neighborhood Stabilization Funds issued by the Federal government and with a timeline that those funds need to be spent.

If anyone can add some more detail, feel free to do so under the comment tab below.  In the meantime, join me in song.

Willa Cather

The sun was like a great visiting presence that stimulated and took its due from all animal energy. When it flung wide its cloak and stepped down over the edge of the fields at evening, it left behind it a spent and exhausted world.

For more on Willa Cather, click here.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

No, this isn't campaigning, can't be...

FaceBook post and mailer from High Saint and Queasy- Deity District #2 Commissioner Cara Jennings notifying the world that she is hosting a Save Energy and Save $$$$ Workshop" - her and the City of Lake Worth "Conservation Guys"(branding?) - The dates and times are on the reverse.  If you call or e-mail her know too that they are getting your voter ID information for what is surely going to be non-stop marches on the hapless and helpless City of Lake Worth.  This is in the realm of a "best defense is a good offense" strategy and it is laid out by sophisticated people who know what they are doing and are professionals.  

She knows she is weak on the utility rate issue and people are upset, how better to counter the swell of discontent than to shower the people with this announcement in advance of campaign criticism and in advance of filing to be a candidate - without using her campaign war chest and do it under the city's banner. She knew she was weak on neighborhood issues, so we get a fluff piece by the Palm Beach Post talking about her tropical oasis in her neighborhood, ignoring the fact that there is city-owned property less than a block away covered with graffiti and open to the "traveling" public.

How can anyone be against conservation?  How can anyone be against "saving money?" Everyone likes "free" things and "$3,000 grants."

How are the three dates and corresponding events not campaign events?  Have we no shame?  Staff should be the contact for more information, not one of our elected officials WHOSE DISTRICT JUST HAPPENS TO BE UP FOR ELECTION THIS NOVEMBER!

Paid for by the city, I am sure, through the $.4 million dollar expected Conservation Program line item in this year's city budget, soon to be $1.4 million - a 255% increase coming from your pockets!

We need to understand the sophistication of this prolonged hostile takeover of Lake Worth, it's many tentacles and disciples.