Lakeland Local
Lakeland Local
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10 Ways To Reuse Your Plastic Bags
Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:02 PM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/499174891/
As part of my 2008 New Year goals I wanted to use less plastic bags. I think I did pretty well only using 26 plastic bags, which means I used the green bags and saved 123 plastic ones (yes I kept track.) I did not plan on shopping at this store tonight so I did not have my green or in this case red canvas shopping bags. I sadly took the plastic bags. I noticed on the side of a bag 10 Ways to Reuse Your Target Bag - 1. Tiny Trash Can Liner 2. Doggy Duty 3. Water Balloon 4. Road Trip Rubbish 5. Soggy Laundry 6. Ice Pack 7. Toiletry Tote 8. Kitty Litter Liner 9. Tomorrows Lunch Bag 10. Care Package Padding.
On a side note I found interesting among the midst of the leagal wording was for California residents - Please return to a participating store for recycling. Why only California? Ive seen local Publix stores have this program in the past, why cant Target have this program also here in Florida?
Since 2008 is almost over guess I need to start working on my 2009 goals. Have a safe New Years Celebration and a great 2009 and keep on reading us here at Lakeland Local.
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The Almost Charmingly Relentless Bad Faith Of The Orlando Sentinels Editorial Page
Posted: 30 Dec 2008 01:00 PM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/498848234/
The Sentinel editorial page was at it again recently, stomping feet and labelling people who object to corporate giveaways and freight train disruption in their downtown cores haters and other such silliness.
We sure are selfish over here. After all, these freight trains and this looming industrial corridor really arent that big of a deal. Dont we understand that CSX provides a valuable freight service, for which we should all be thankful? And, I mean, these Orlando folks have just wanted commuter rail for so long. Its been such a high priority. Its so important for mobility. And did I mention the freight traffic really isnt that big a deal? Surely, if they could, those Orlando folks would keep it because its really a minor issue, right?
Hmmm. From the Sentinel, A1, Oct. 15, 2002, Part 3 of a 4-part series called Breaking the Gridlock.
Headline: Rerouting Trains Could Ease Backups; But Diverting Them From Orlandos Center Would Come At A Steep Price
Twinkies and beer, it turns out, do a remarkably good job of blocking traffic. Of course, anything packed in a mile-long freight train stops traffic. Just ask Central Florida drivers. About a dozen times a day, their trips through Winter Park, Orlando and other parts or urban Orange County are halted by engines and freight cars rumbling across the regions urban midsection.
Those trains, hauling everything from coal to auto parts - and even the spongy snack cakes - can shut down an intersection for five minutes or more. Over the course of an entire day, thats nothing. But to commuters hurrying to work or racing to pick up a child at day care, its an eternity.
For 20 years, there have been sporadic calls to move train traffic [You mean calls for commuter rail, right? It's such a priority, right?] out of downtown Orlando, but the effort has never picked up steam. Its a great idea, offcials say, but no one has been willing to take on the tab, which could top $400 million. Now, however, Orange County Chairman Rich Crotty has appointed a 21-member committee to find a way to get traffic moving in car-clogged Central Florida. And while most of his proposal focuses on bigger and better roads, its also raising the question of what to do with the freight tracks that run right through the heart of downtown.
Today, about 12 freight trains and five passenger trains lumber through downtown every day[Lakeland can expect at least double that as the rail relocation and deal play out over the next 10 to 15 years, according to a new state study.].
The best chance for moving freight may come if local leaders decide to run commuter rail through Orlando. Already, John Mica, R-CSX [OK, that's mine] has secured about $8 million in federal money
Itll have to be tied to a mass transit project, Mica said. Thats the only way. [That, and finding a state Department of Transportation willing to dump one city's problem onto another with no warning, discussion, or mitigation.]
Again, not a passenger rail deal, folks. It begins and ends with freight rail, as Mica himself so elegantly puts it. None of this is new. I reported these basic facts back when I worked for The Trib, but it was funny to discover this story as I was fishing around through some stuff. I cant link to the whole thing, Its too old. I just saw a hard copy.
I dont know whos writing the editorials for the Sentinel now that Jane Healy is retired, or whatever. But come on guys - Healy, Mike Thomas, whoever, read your own paper and have a little honor. You could very easily write: Yes, yes, we got over and stuck it secretly to cities in west Central Florida - and probably the rest of Florida - with the help of DOT. We understand why they might be mad, but, cest la vie That would be intellectually honest. At least stop whining. Youre the big kids kicking sand in everybodys face. My goodness, Mica and Jeb put this deal together, and youre being bullied? Please. Its not enough to get over? You have to complain about people realizing youre getting over?
Or, if you actually wanted to be responsible, you could write: Yes, yes, we got over and stuck it secretly to cities in west Central Florida - and probably the rest of Florida - with the help of DOT. Maybe that was a mistake. We understand why they might be mad, and maybe we ought to work on a way to improve this for everyone.
I wont hold my breath.
photo credit: william couch
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Neil Combee, Unplugged
Posted: 30 Dec 2008 08:44 AM CST
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/498651706/
Theres a pretty remarkable and substantive exchange over at Tom Palmers blog. It was prompted by Toms scoop - assuming its true - that former County Commissioner Neil Combee has been lobbying commissioners to rollback or scrap impact fees on new construction. (Tom doesnt source the report, but Neil doesnt seem to deny it.)
Anyway, Neil responded to Toms post and set off a giant back and forth with several people about impact fees, bailouts, general economic issues, politics, et al. Neil is one of the more ideologically interesting local politicians Ive covered. He always seemed to me to be balancing his Rush Limbaugh political and cultural instincts against the very different reality he tended to find in the world while actually doing his job. His close friendship with late Marlene Young may have had quite a bit to do with that. I found that Neil was always willing to listen and consider what people said, even if it ran afoul of his preconceptions. Thats a surprisingly rare commodity in a politician. It is also rare to see a public official - Neil is still a board member with the Southwest Florida Water Management District - debate citizens so publicly and honestly. Its to be commended, even if you dont agree with what he says. He lays out some striking thoughts.
Check out this passage: It seems to me that the best hope for the average person these days is to get a government job and hang to it until the pension checks start coming. If you have a government job, hang in there. If you can get a government job, by all means take it. i don like being so cynical and pessimistic but it is hard for me to believe that [Congress] can get us out of this. Think about it.
Wow. Thats a self-described conservative talking. Read the rest of it. Its really good. And not just Neils part; several of the commentors make cogent and useful points. It what blogs can be at their best.
One note for Neil: I agree with your wife. Stop listening to Glenn Beck. Read more. Try Calculated Risk, the finance/housing market blog, with links to dozens of other useful sites. Glen Beck wants to report you as a widget for ad rates. He doesnt care about informing you.
photo credit: Chuck Welch for Lakeland Local
Maps, breaking news, fine photography and interesting features make Lakeland Local a wonderful start page for your browser.
