Sep 27, 2010
Jun 30, 2010
The Chronicle of Higher Education
June 29, 2010
Waldorf Education
My mother died in 1953 and my father’s second wife was a German woman whose family was deeply committed to anthroposophy, the world system that had been devised and promoted by the Austrian-born seer and philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Our family was Quaker, my parents had joined the Society of Friends just after the Second World War, and by the time my step mother came along I was away at a Quaker boarding school, then university, and off to Canada in 1962. Thus I never really got much exposure to anthroposophy; but in the 1960s my father gave up his job as a bursar at a Friends’ school and went to become bursar at a large Steiner School, or as they are known, Waldorf School, where he remained until he retired (and died shortly thereafter) in the early 1990s.
Apr 22, 2010
Apr 20, 2010
Big Trees make Good Neighbors
All I can think is, when Mac Construction and Excavating is run out of Jeff, will the city of NA offer them our Linden Meadows or CCE. inc. sites? Pre-stripped of all life, pre-polluted, free waste disposal services from NAMU, if they promise to use tons of it.
Apr 14, 2010
Happy Pollen Days
Accolade® Elm purchased at Walnut Ridge Nursery April 2008. It doubled in size the first year and we suppose this year as well. What a fine tree! This cultivar was developed at the Morton Arboretum in Chicago to be resistant to Dutch Elm disease. New Albany, like most America cities 100 years ago, was heavily planted in Elm, considered the quintessential American urban tree then. Not only is it's towering vase shape appropriate for cities, but it is very LOW POLLEN. When we replace the hardwood canopy that used to keep the ground cool here, even in summer, we'll want lots of Elms. Oh, one last thing. This particular tree cost me $125 and it was small enough I planted it myself! Check out the newspaper clipping below to get an idea of what our tree will look like in 200 years.
240-year-old elm tree ‘Herbie’ to get the chop
101-year-old man has cared for sick ‘friend’ for more than half a century
 | Frank Knight, 101, stands in front of an elm tree known as "Herbie" in Yarmouth. |
Steven Senne / AP |
Apr 3, 2010
April 2, 2010
New Albany still hasn’t received response to Hoosier Panel offer
This is a follow-up, I think, to earlier stories about possible redevelopment deals the city administration is promoting. It's hard to tell when the only people interviewed for the article work for the local gov't body that wants to do the deals. It could be just another Mayoral "press release" as transcribed by the "newspaper". Other than the city and the commercial interests involved, there is no community reaction reported. Just like it's always been, the only parties involved in deal-making are the mayor's office and his friends with commercial interests.
I hope someday New Albany becomes a town for residents too, not just the commercial interests and their friends.
Apr 2, 2010
see also: Madison lesson on pollution
Indiana City, Ex-Manager Sentenced Over Pollution.
I did not know it was a criminal offense to pollute!
"Linden Meadows Ghetto"...that has a nice ring to it, eh?
Linden Meadows: File under - ghetto grows: lawlessness of property owners continues apace with new “hood joining the older more established “hoods where anything goes.
PNC is our newest "slumlord", welcome! Since they have absolutely no incentive to do anything but let the new Linden Meadows ghetto take it's course, how soon will the latest "magical developer" step in to save the city.
“The only risk theoretically they’re taking on by waiting, is the risk that the real estate market continues to deteriorate according to Mike Hynes, vice president of The Housing Partnership, Inc. in Louisville."
Mar 23, 2010
Stark Raving Math chapter 14 - NAMU
I have in the past tried to make this point on my own. Without local government doing it's part to incentivize responsible stewardship of our eco-system, we stay a poisoned ghetto. Recently another resident protested the rate structure for our Wastewater Utility on NAC. I was curious and looked at our household bills and saw we were one of those conservation-minded homes where we were actually subsidizing the big users. So what NAMU is saying is - don't use low-flow toilets or rain barrels or plant trees, just keep the tap running, it gets cheaper as you use more! Wow, I've never used a municipal utility that discriminates against the most conservative users.
But then I received this email from Kathleen and she asked me to post it. The only math I can handle this week involves the IRS, so I'm happy to pass this on, just the save me time. I think the local discussion on sewer rates can and should expand to include amending the rate structure so it is fair for the environment and conservationists, not just industry.
from kat330 3/24/10
Graphically explaining the issues of discrimination and conservation disincentive within New Albany Municipal Utilities wastewater charges
SAMPLE FROM NAMU's CURRENT WASTEWATER RATE CHART
Wastewater Charge Units Used = Rate Per Unit
20.16 4 5.04
15.12 3 5.04
10.08 2 5.04
10.08 1 10.08 [5.04 + 5.04 surcharge]
Leaving 0-unit usage out of the sample for the moment (since you can't divide or multiply by "0"), it's crystal clear from the above how any "base access" or "minimum use surcharge" -- whatever you dub it -- is currently the burden only of NAMU customers who strain our city's pipes and system the very least. Every billed customer at a usage level of 2 units (plus) pays only in parity with exact usage except for the bottommost tier of zero and 1-unit users. This constitutes a completely regressive and discriminatory billing system, which piles all additional costs onto one group of highly responsible consumers (1-unit) and on vacant properties (0 units).
The argument presented by Skomp at a sewer board Mtg. on 3/11/10, and repeated by others, is (to paraphrase) "NAMU [and/or EMC] requires this extra minimum revenue to help pay for the system." That's precisely why a connection / access fee shared by every customer from the very beginning would have resulted in far more revenues collected, obviously, from the full 17,000 customer base instead of 2-3,000 customers at most. More importantly, this much more common base fee billing system would have been non-discriminatory over all these years and, more importantly, the current dire need of a 36% rate hike would be mostly, if not entirely, nullified. A simple computer algorithm would probably reveal that nothing more than tiny increments in unit rates above a shared access fee would have been needed in 2010 if a fair system had been put into place from the beginning.
Now over on the NA Confidential blog, we observed a number of 3-unit users wrote in their comments how "fair" and perfectly reasonable 15.12 was for their wastewater charges. That's because it is for you! If in this city you use 2, 3, 4, 5 and on up to whatever ceiling of unit usage exists, your costs match up exactly to what you consume and not a penny more. So let's graphically show a switch up on the current NAMU sample above by removing that 5.04 surcharge from the 1-unit users and instead tack it onto you 3-unit users. It would look like this:
Wastewater Charge Units Used = Rate Per Unit
20.16 4 5.04
20.16 3 6.72
10.08 2 5.04
5.04 1 5.04
This new rate chart points up several interesting facts. First off, the surcharge added at the 3-unit level divides out to far less of an overcharge per unit (6.72) than how it currently divides for usage of 1-unit (10.08). Also, since the NAMU customer base contains many more billings of 3 units than it does of 1 unit, the collected 5.04 from each in the above group would be a tremendous boost to revenues over what's currently collected on the backs of 1-unit users. And again, a simple spreadsheet program could pinpoint which usage group is the most prevalent in any given month from among the 17,000 total and randomly stick that 5.04 surcharge onto that most common usage billing. After all, if it is not being considered discriminatory when it's added to the bottom usage tiers, then how could it be considered unfair when tacked onto 3- or 4- or 5-unit users?
Here is what else this "walk in our shoes" surcharge switcheroo can demonstrate. Okay now, all of you "happy what you pay" 3-unit users out there: How happy would you be to pay 20.16 for your 3 units of usage when you know the guy next door uses 4 units and pays exactly the same as you do for wastewater? Do you think he would wash his car more efficiently or wait for full dishwasher and laundry loads in order to conserve down to your 3-unit level when he knows he'll pay exactly the same for 3 as he already does for 4? Unless he’s the greenest of the green and among the most responsible, conscientious citizens the city has, of course not. On the other hand, do you think you might develop more wastrel behaviors since you wouldn't pay any more for consuming that additional unit?
Fact is, citizens, I couldn't find another example on the Internet of a comparably-sized municipal utility with a "minimum use" billing system in 2010 that places extra charges solely on the bottom tiers of the customer base. Duke, Vectren, AT&T and Indiana American Water all use a base fee after which customers pay equitably for their usage on 1 for 1, 2 for 2, 3 for 3, etc., basis. Does an access / connection fee system still burden the lowest consumer of any service? Yes, it does. But at least these other utilities don't charge the customer who uses 1 unit twice as much for that unit as the customer who uses 2 units, which NAMU currently does. Our Indiana American Water bill, et al, is not identical when consuming 0, 1, or 2 units in any given month -- it's progressive in costs -- but our NAMU bill is identical in those three different usage groups.
If you want to see a 21st century wastewater billing system that wisely, progressively and greenly goes several steps beyond even the base fee system we're advocating, then check out this URL for Minnetonka, MN (comparable in size to what New Albany was before further losing population).
http://www.eminnetonka.com/news.cfm?story_id=MunicipalUtilityFeesChanged
And at this URL, you can see what class action sewer suers can accomplish against rate discrimination:
http://www.ucan.org/water/city_sewer_department_settlement_brings_long_overdue_refunds_to_residents
Take and give care, and try always to be fair.
Mar 22, 2010
The formerly Green Valley
Let's all take a progressive moment to ponder this day, World Water Day, and focus on the larger civic goal of a greener home and planet. Water and wastewater, stormwater, flooding, these are big challenges for all human civilization.
New Albany, yeah, big challenges too. Not the least of which is the fact of living in a "flood plain". Human activity over the last 200 years here has literally, completely, destroyed everything that nature had built for eons.
I'm ashamed and shocked by the total destruction of our shared eco-system. I'm embarassed to say I'm from New Albany for several reasons, but a big one is it's sheer ecological hideousness. I've seen more beautiful urban canopies in third world war zones. Trash is strewn from one end of town to the other. Our historic urban cemetery is desecrated by the people we pay to take care of it. I'm outraged the primeveal forest is gone and all the benefits that would have accured to us had it been managed for the benefit of all generations instead of one or two.
Ecological restoration of this place will take super human will and courage. So, when a resident speaks in public to the need to incentivize conservation, as well as spread the costs of our pollution equitably, and she is humiliated and basically shouted down, well I'm sure I understand why this valley is poisoned. But it doesn't make the challenge go away.
Personally, I think the sewer billing system is retarded. It does in fact discriminate against me for conserving water, et al. Why? It seems like a fair question.
Feb 20, 2010
Jan 3, 2010
Aaahhhh, we can all breathe easier.
By RICK CALLAHAN (AP) – Dec 22, 2009
"Under the proposed settlement, the EPA said Duke Energy will spend $85 million to cut sulfur dioxide emissions at its Gallagher plant near New Albany, Ind., by nearly 35,000 tons per year. Duke said the upgrades will cost about $80 million."
Dec 8, 2009
...related to our local discussion of Historic Preservation.
The Duck House in the Fens was built about 1897. Designed by architect Alexander M. Longfellow, it was constructed as a “shelter house.’’ (Wendy Maeda/ Globe Staff)City spurred to tend to historic Fens structure.
Dec 3, 2009
Dec 2, 2009
CASH LEAKAGE AT CITY/COUNTY
MONEY SIEVE
BLOWS A NEW HOLE.
City Officials call meeting with wet residents - promise to bring city cash drawer.
Mayor: I’ll rip the last copper pipe off the Tabernacle building if I have do,
people are hurtin’. They got sewer water in their basements.
“FEMA - NO”
“City’s insurance provider also turned down about 25 tort claims.”
“New Albany meeting set for discussion over city aid for flood victims"
By DANIEL SUDDEATH
Daniel.Suddeath@newsandtribune.com
City officials will meet with New Albany residents affected by the Aug. 4 flood Wednesday to discuss the possibility of tax dollars being allocated toward repair costs. ...
... In fact, it would be the first time the city has voluntarily paid residents for disaster-related damages, Coffey said.
Dec 1, 2009
FresH off the Bulletin Board!
Deep Sea Invertebrates can now be safely housed in Floyd County.
"Techshot, Inc., has earned a $400,000 two-year contract from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to advance the company’s system for retrieving animals from as deep as 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) under the sea and safely bringing them to surface laboratories for study. It is the second contract within a year awarded to Techshot for such work.
“For more than 20 years we’ve been developing custom laboratory equipment for earth, air and space research,” said Techshot Executive Vice President and COO John Vellinger. “This project represents our first significant step into providing research equipment for scientists studying marine life.”
The physiology of deep sea fish and invertebrates is poorly known due to the difficult challenges of bringing up live specimens from high-pressure environments. Animals that thrive far below the surface cannot survive in the relatively low-pressures available in research laboratory enclosures.
When completed, Techshot’s high pressure specimen chamber is expected to be the only one of its kind capable of capturing and hosting creatures of the deep in conditions that sustain life and maximize research laboratory data gathering. Some of the first prototypes will be delivered to the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory for evaluation. Established by NOAA and the University of Hawaii, its mission is to study deep water marine processes in the Pacific Ocean.
Founded in 1988 in Greenville, Techshot engineers, scientists and technicians specialize in providing integrated mechanical, electrical and software solutions to the technical needs of a diverse spectrum of industries.
— Contributed"
As a scientist and lover of deep sea invertebrates, this is one tasty news nugget. First time I've heard of this outfit, hopefully not the last...
Nov 27, 2009
“To err is human, to forgive, canine” ~ Anonymous
PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST
AP NEWS: BERRYVILLE , VA APRIL 5 2007
AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER INVOLVED IN INCIDENT WITH CHILD AT AKC EVENT
Police were called today to the Clarke County Fairgrounds to investigate an incident involving an American Stafforshire Terrier dog and a 9 year old child. The American Kennel Club sanctions the event, held by the Clarke County Kennel Club annually. Thousands of exhibitors and spectators attend yearly.
According to witnesses, the child was walking near the show rings unsupervised when she suddenly came face to face with the 70 lb American Staffordshire Terrier dog. The child threw her arms around the dog’s neck, reports say, when the unthinkable happened. The dog began enthusiastically licking the girl’s face as his tail wagged briskly.
“It was awful”, said one bystander, “there was nothing we could do. That dog was just giving that child every ounce of love he had and no one did a thing to stop it”.
Another witness, who took video of the event, said “This happens all the time, I don’t know how it hasn’t made the news before now”. One spectator, who declined to be named in this interview, told reporters, “The sounds were just heart wrenching, all that laughing and giggling. It made me smile so hard my face hurts. I plan to sue for pain and suffering”. The handler of the dog admits this is not the first time such an incident has occurred, and that the owners were “well aware of the stable, loving and patient temperament of this dog”. The owners were unavailable for comment.
Police state that the handler, who was noticeably unrepentant, was cited for Reckless Entertainment. The dog was given roasted chicken treats and was not taken into custody.
“To err is human, to forgive, canine” ~ Anonymous
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