I lived in Washington County for one long year. In that time the county probably upped it's population by 10%, and it's developed land by as much if not more. It's a hot spot, which goes without saying.
Which is why it's so important that two major developments regarding development have occurred. First, Senator Bob Bennett and Representative Jim Matheson have introduced a bill, which can be reviewed here, that would help direct growth through the sale of some less biologically important public lands to fund conservation and stewardship of other more biologically important public lands. At least, that's what it says now. And when you think of it like that, it's a good idea. Regardless of this logic, several groups have come out vehemently opposed to any sale of wilderness areas, including SUWA, the Utah Chapter Sierra Club, and the Wilderness Society.
Everyone knows, of course, that bills will change. Over the course of the bill different interests will push for different changes. Some will be accommodated and others will not.
I hope that the interests that are accommadated are more environmental than developmental.
Everyone knows also that development in Washington County is inevitable. It will happen whether it is properly planned for or not. Which is why I hope that the Lands Bill introduced by Bennett and Matheson can be a positive force for quality growth.
In the meantime, however, the second development has occurred. Washington County commissioners, and representatives from the Nature Conservancy, the Oquirrh Institute, and Envision Utah signed a memorandum of understanding in April that would, in effect "manage Washington County's explosive rate of growth."
"The incredible growth in this area, combined with the outstanding natural features and unique landscape, make it absolutely essential that a blueprint for future growth and development be established that will protect the lifestyle unique to southwestern Utah," Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. wrote in a letter of endorsement that Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert signed on his behalf during the Utah League of Cities and Towns' mid-year meeting in St. George in April.
I hope the bill really creates a framework for positive and sustainable growth in the county, but in the meantime I applaud Washington County, the Nature Conservancy, the Oquirrh Institute, and Envision Utah for taking the lead in creating that framework themselves, rather than reacting negatively and stubbornly to the bill created by Bennett and Matheson. It shows true leadership to do something more than just react.
5.08.2006
KUER vs. KCPW
A while ago I posted on City Weekly's Best of Utah edition. An anonymous comment let me know the beauty of local NPR station KCPW. I have been a regular listener of KUER, which is more due to the fact that I could get it in my little hometown on the edge of the Basin.
Well, I've been listening in to KCPW, Anonymous, and I hear you. I love that I can tune into news at 10:30 at night, rather than jazz. I have nothing against jazz...but sometimes you just want more news. And BBC news at that...which is much less ethnocentric than American news.
There are a few things that bother me. KCPW seems to have a lot more "commercials" or "endorsements" than KUER...but I do like that the owners of the individual little businesses do these themselves. It's interesting to hear the voices that support local radio.
That's the other thing...KCPW just feels so much more local. You know they're just in a little studio down the street...where KUER is in this big building up on a hill that you have to have a security badge to get into. I've never tried to get into KCPW, but it seems to me that it would be a lot easier and homier. They've got MUCH better local news coverage, to boot. KUER just throws some things in the breaks between All Things Considered and other news programs.
Anyway, I wanted to give a shout out to Anonymous for tipping me in to such a great local resource!
Well, I've been listening in to KCPW, Anonymous, and I hear you. I love that I can tune into news at 10:30 at night, rather than jazz. I have nothing against jazz...but sometimes you just want more news. And BBC news at that...which is much less ethnocentric than American news.
There are a few things that bother me. KCPW seems to have a lot more "commercials" or "endorsements" than KUER...but I do like that the owners of the individual little businesses do these themselves. It's interesting to hear the voices that support local radio.
That's the other thing...KCPW just feels so much more local. You know they're just in a little studio down the street...where KUER is in this big building up on a hill that you have to have a security badge to get into. I've never tried to get into KCPW, but it seems to me that it would be a lot easier and homier. They've got MUCH better local news coverage, to boot. KUER just throws some things in the breaks between All Things Considered and other news programs.
Anyway, I wanted to give a shout out to Anonymous for tipping me in to such a great local resource!
5.03.2006
Why do less than 50% of college students in Utah actually get degrees?
It's quite simple really...because they're not in in for a B.S. They're in it for an M.R.S.
A huge chunk of Utah higher education students are Mormon. And a huge chunk of those are female. They are told to go to college, where they will meet their eternal soul mate. Believe me, I've been there. I was lucky to have parents that told me the point of continuing your education was to...continue your education.
A huge chunk of Utah higher education students are Mormon. And a huge chunk of those are female. They are told to go to college, where they will meet their eternal soul mate. Believe me, I've been there. I was lucky to have parents that told me the point of continuing your education was to...continue your education.
Become an e2 Citizen
Even if you don't live in Salt Lake City, there are some great ideas for decreasing your carbon footprint here. Myself and my partner have signed up to change a few things in our lives, including:
- Use public transportation or carpool at least two times a week.
- Keep vehicles tuned up and the tires properly inflated to increase fuel economy up to 7%
- Turn off the car while waiting. Don't idle more than two minutes.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact flourescent bulbs that are 70% more efficient and last longer.
- When at home, turn the thermostat down 3 degrees in winter and up 3 degrees in summer; when not home turn heat or air conditioner off whenever possible.
- Use a swamp cooler or ceiling fans in the summer rather than central air conditioning.
- Turn off lights and electrical appliances when not in use.
- Wash clothes in cold water, saving 50% of the energy consumed by a washing machine.
- In the summer months, run your dishwasher while you are away; in winter months, run it while you are at home.
- Purchase at least one block of renewable wind energy.
- Use a curbside recycling bin.
- Make the effort to recycle glass.
- Purchase recycled products whenever possible.
- Stop junk mail by adding your name to a do-not-mail list. Learn More at New Dream.
- Take reusable items to a local charitable organization or thrift shop.
- Water less frequently and only during the coolest time of the day, usually between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
- Use a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers.
- Turn the faucet off while washing hands, brushing teeth, and shaving.
- Only run the clothes washer and dishwasher when full.
- Buy locally grown produce and dairy whenever possible.
- Support local farmers by joining community-supported agriculture where you can purchase shares and receive fresh veggies every week.
- Reduce consumption of meat by one serving per week.
- Use public transportation or carpool at least two times a week.
- Keep vehicles tuned up and the tires properly inflated to increase fuel economy up to 7%
- Turn off the car while waiting. Don't idle more than two minutes.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact flourescent bulbs that are 70% more efficient and last longer.
- When at home, turn the thermostat down 3 degrees in winter and up 3 degrees in summer; when not home turn heat or air conditioner off whenever possible.
- Use a swamp cooler or ceiling fans in the summer rather than central air conditioning.
- Turn off lights and electrical appliances when not in use.
- Wash clothes in cold water, saving 50% of the energy consumed by a washing machine.
- In the summer months, run your dishwasher while you are away; in winter months, run it while you are at home.
- Purchase at least one block of renewable wind energy.
- Use a curbside recycling bin.
- Make the effort to recycle glass.
- Purchase recycled products whenever possible.
- Stop junk mail by adding your name to a do-not-mail list. Learn More at New Dream.
- Take reusable items to a local charitable organization or thrift shop.
- Water less frequently and only during the coolest time of the day, usually between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
- Use a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers.
- Turn the faucet off while washing hands, brushing teeth, and shaving.
- Only run the clothes washer and dishwasher when full.
- Buy locally grown produce and dairy whenever possible.
- Support local farmers by joining community-supported agriculture where you can purchase shares and receive fresh veggies every week.
- Reduce consumption of meat by one serving per week.
5.02.2006
Pete Ashdown for Senate
There have been plenty of other bloggers endorsing Ashdown rather than a Hatch re-run. See here, here , here and here.
Utah Amicus says: Everywhere I go I hear from both Republicans and Democrats that it is time for a change. Every time I attend an event where Pete speaks, I go away with a greater understanding that Pete is the man who should replace our current Senator, a man who has lost touch with the citizens of Utah.
Has Senator Hatch lost touch with Utahns? Emphatically, yes! Standing up against nuclear waste storage in Utah does not prove you truly care about what happens to us more than what happens to your major donors. For example, Senator Hatch believes:
- Warrantless wire-tapping is okay, as long as you are President Bush.
- Global warming is a farce created my Michael Crichton.
- Flag burning is a sin punishable by death...or something close to it.
Utah Amicus says: Everywhere I go I hear from both Republicans and Democrats that it is time for a change. Every time I attend an event where Pete speaks, I go away with a greater understanding that Pete is the man who should replace our current Senator, a man who has lost touch with the citizens of Utah.
Has Senator Hatch lost touch with Utahns? Emphatically, yes! Standing up against nuclear waste storage in Utah does not prove you truly care about what happens to us more than what happens to your major donors. For example, Senator Hatch believes:
- Warrantless wire-tapping is okay, as long as you are President Bush.
- Global warming is a farce created my Michael Crichton.
- Flag burning is a sin punishable by death...or something close to it.
On the other hand, check out Pete's blog. In it, he talks about important issues such as global warming with knowledge of the subject he gained from reading actual books and papers on it. He lists his opinions on several issues here. He talks about his reasons for his beliefs in a clear and concise manner that is becoming of a U.S. Senator. He also has a Wiki site, where he encourages voters to help influence his campaign!
His blog, his Wiki and his website in general show that Pete will be more frank and up front with his constituents and be far more responsive to and representative of the people that elected him. Hatch will continue to do what Hatch does...which is nothing that helps the people back home.
I urge you to vote for Pete Ashdown in November. It's time for a change in Washington.
The West's Hot Cities
Congrats to the Hot Cities in Utah and elsewhere, as listed on Inc.com.
Hottest Small Cities (less than 150,000)
1. Yuma, AZ
2. St. George, UT
4. Coeur d'Alene, ID
5. Bellingham, WA
8. Idaho Falls, ID
9. Casper, WY
10. Bremerton-Silverdale, WA
13. Prescott, AZ
14. Bend, OR
15. El Centro, CA
16. Logan, UT
18. Greeley, CO
Hottest Midsize Cities (150,000-450,000)
5. Reno-Sparks, NV
9. Provo-Orem, UT
10. Bakersfield, CA
11. Boise, ID
13. Tucson, AZ
17. Tacoma, WA
18. Ogden-Clearfield, UT
Hottest Large Cities (450,000 or more)
1. Las Vegas, NV
5. San Bernardino-Riverside, CA
6. Phoenix, AZ
15. Salt Lake City, UT
17. Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA
19. Sacramento, CA
20. San Diego, CA
Hottest Small Cities (less than 150,000)
1. Yuma, AZ
2. St. George, UT
4. Coeur d'Alene, ID
5. Bellingham, WA
8. Idaho Falls, ID
9. Casper, WY
10. Bremerton-Silverdale, WA
13. Prescott, AZ
14. Bend, OR
15. El Centro, CA
16. Logan, UT
18. Greeley, CO
Hottest Midsize Cities (150,000-450,000)
5. Reno-Sparks, NV
9. Provo-Orem, UT
10. Bakersfield, CA
11. Boise, ID
13. Tucson, AZ
17. Tacoma, WA
18. Ogden-Clearfield, UT
Hottest Large Cities (450,000 or more)
1. Las Vegas, NV
5. San Bernardino-Riverside, CA
6. Phoenix, AZ
15. Salt Lake City, UT
17. Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA
19. Sacramento, CA
20. San Diego, CA
5.01.2006
Kanab is at it again
Though they have vehemently denied that the "Natural Family Resolution" is directed at any one group, Kanab politicians have recently taken up issue with a sticker local businesses have been posting on windows.
You see, this little sticker, which states boldly "Everyone Welcome Here," has a quintet of hand-holding rainbow people. Apparently our favorite councilman, Terril Honey, thinks that means they are gay, or, even worse, encouraging gay people to visit. According to the New York Times (THE NEW YORK TIMES PEOPLE....THIS IS GETTING A LITTLE OUT OF HAND!) he refuses to post it because he thinks it might offend some of his customers.
Mayor Lawson to the rescue! In order to bridge the sticker argument, he's decided to introduce a new sticker that is basically the same, but minus the rainbow people. The Chamber of Commerce is planning on putting out a new sticker in time for tourist season too.
So, everyone welcome here....except YOU PEOPLE!
You see, this little sticker, which states boldly "Everyone Welcome Here," has a quintet of hand-holding rainbow people. Apparently our favorite councilman, Terril Honey, thinks that means they are gay, or, even worse, encouraging gay people to visit. According to the New York Times (THE NEW YORK TIMES PEOPLE....THIS IS GETTING A LITTLE OUT OF HAND!) he refuses to post it because he thinks it might offend some of his customers.
Mayor Lawson to the rescue! In order to bridge the sticker argument, he's decided to introduce a new sticker that is basically the same, but minus the rainbow people. The Chamber of Commerce is planning on putting out a new sticker in time for tourist season too.
So, everyone welcome here....except YOU PEOPLE!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
