Comments for Citiwire.net http://citiwire.net Our mission... to reflect a new narrative for 21st century cities and regions. Leaving behind the 20th century pattern of cheap energy, endless automobility, burgeoning suburbs, threatened inner cities. To a challenge-packed 21st century: energy prices headed north, perilous carbon emissions, deepening have-have not divisions, excruciating social problems and deep challenges in education. But a time of exciting promise, too. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:15:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Hydrofracking and the Rural Future by David LEE http://citiwire.net/post/3209/comment-page-1/#comment-4129 David LEE Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:15:05 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3209#comment-4129 Roberta, it's hard to hear about potential upswing in local economies being a hardship, but not when it's experienced first hand. True, the gas drilling supposedly adds to the local economy, but the threats to the environment, which you refrained from mentioning, could have such a negative effect on small communities they might not survive. Here in beautiful Sussex with rolling hills, sleepy pastural communities were unaware of the first couple of gas wells were installed to supply a local potash mine. When the exploration sismic testing grew in one small village beside the mine, the village lost their water. True hardship for farms and families, but the scares started to show up all over the area. Rogue drillers spilling contaminants and abandoning discarded matierial around their test holes. Fortunately, the local people got a quick education on the dangers as well as the underlying costs to hydrofracking. Even though our local government is looking to push this as a way to make royalties off the process. More needs to be done to get the message out there, HYDROFRACKING KILLS THE ENVIRONMENT!! Thanks for your column today, but it's more than loosing our peace and quiet, without clean water we're all in trouble! Roberta, it’s hard to hear about potential upswing in local economies being a hardship, but not when it’s experienced first hand. True, the gas drilling supposedly adds to the local economy, but the threats to the environment, which you refrained from mentioning, could have such a negative effect on small communities they might not survive.

Here in beautiful Sussex with rolling hills, sleepy pastural communities were unaware of the first couple of gas wells were installed to supply a local potash mine. When the exploration sismic testing grew in one small village beside the mine, the village lost their water. True hardship for farms and families, but the scares started to show up all over the area. Rogue drillers spilling contaminants and abandoning discarded matierial around their test holes.

Fortunately, the local people got a quick education on the dangers as well as the underlying costs to hydrofracking.
Even though our local government is looking to push this as a way to make royalties off the process.

More needs to be done to get the message out there,
HYDROFRACKING KILLS THE ENVIRONMENT!!

Thanks for your column today, but it’s more than loosing our peace and quiet, without clean water we’re all in trouble!

]]> Comment on ‘Rustbelt’ to ‘Legacy’ — Rethinking Old Cities’ Potential by V Pete Jorgensen II http://citiwire.net/post/3202/comment-page-1/#comment-4128 V Pete Jorgensen II Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:24:48 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3202#comment-4128 Recognizing the opportunities for SW Michigan in the late 70s due to it's proximity between Chicago, Detroit and Grand Rapids, Indianapolis began the work of neighborhood revitalization along the Lake Michigan shoreline communities. No higher percentage of job loss anywhere was Benton Harbor and Saint Joseph where iron and steel foundries supplying agriculture, railroad and earth moving industries converted to automobile supply with that industrial growth throughout the 1900s. Then came the EPA which is defined as the rust-belt end to those jobs. Clean Air Act, Clean Water, etc. The interstate network providing just in time logistics, so now what (?) was the question we posed ourselves. Michigan enacted tax laws preventing assessors from penalizing individuals for rehabbing old houses in our inner cities in 1976. Grass-root work began along that shoreline with individuals planning their retirement to be close to where their children and grandchildren would seek employment within that 2 or 3 hour drive. The EPA funded the re-use of those old foundry sites turning them into a world class golf community now known as Harbor Shores where the 2012 & 2014 Senior PGA Golf Championship will be played sponsored by Kitchen-Aid which is owned by Whirlpool Corporation now a local leader of community development through their sponsorship of Habitat for Humanity. Convincing Whirlpool's executive officers and Board of Directors to become hands on activists in this work is the real story behind the story. The local association of REALTORS organized the Home Builder's Association, affiliating it with the State and National Organizations in the 70s. In the 80s, with the Community Re-investment Act, an organization then known as CORD (Christian Outreach Rehabilitation and Development) was formed demonstrating to Whirlpool the potential for neighborhood revitalization gaining their commitment to Habitat for Humanity. At the turn of the century Whirlpool announced their commitment to stay rather than abandon their home base and grow their jobs at the center of those crossroads. And now we host the 1st of the World Class Tournaments in 2012. We celebrate our success, but know it takes an attitude change of the masses and accept the fact that our children, too benefit from this behaviour. Hooray for Michigan. Recognizing the opportunities for SW Michigan in the late 70s due to it’s proximity between Chicago, Detroit and Grand Rapids, Indianapolis began the work of neighborhood revitalization along the Lake Michigan shoreline communities. No higher percentage of job loss anywhere was Benton Harbor and Saint Joseph where iron and steel foundries supplying agriculture, railroad and earth moving industries converted to automobile supply with that industrial growth throughout the 1900s. Then came the EPA which is defined as the rust-belt end to those jobs. Clean Air Act, Clean Water, etc. The interstate network providing just in time logistics, so now what (?) was the question we posed ourselves. Michigan enacted tax laws preventing assessors from penalizing individuals for rehabbing old houses in our inner cities in 1976. Grass-root work began along that shoreline with individuals planning their retirement to be close to where their children and grandchildren would seek employment within that 2 or 3 hour drive. The EPA funded the re-use of those old foundry sites turning them into a world class golf community now known as Harbor Shores where the 2012 & 2014 Senior PGA Golf Championship will be played sponsored by Kitchen-Aid which is owned by Whirlpool Corporation now a local leader of community development through their sponsorship of Habitat for Humanity. Convincing Whirlpool’s executive officers and Board of Directors to become hands on activists in this work is the real story behind the story.
The local association of REALTORS organized the Home Builder’s Association, affiliating it with the State and National Organizations in the 70s. In the 80s, with the Community Re-investment Act, an organization then known as CORD (Christian Outreach Rehabilitation and Development) was formed demonstrating to Whirlpool the potential for neighborhood revitalization gaining their commitment to Habitat for Humanity. At the turn of the century Whirlpool announced their commitment to stay rather than abandon their home base and grow their jobs at the center of those crossroads. And now we host the 1st of the World Class Tournaments in 2012.
We celebrate our success, but know it takes an attitude change of the masses and accept the fact that our children, too benefit from this behaviour. Hooray for Michigan.

]]> Comment on ‘Rustbelt’ to ‘Legacy’ — Rethinking Old Cities’ Potential by Howard Wooldridge http://citiwire.net/post/3202/comment-page-1/#comment-4127 Howard Wooldridge Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:43:33 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3202#comment-4127 The premise of utilizing our Legacy Cities is sound. The infrastructure is in place. However, unless and until the drug prohibition crime stops, cheerleaders can do little for Flint, MI et al. Nobody will/wants to invest in a war-zone. The premise of utilizing our Legacy Cities is sound. The infrastructure is in place. However, unless and until the drug prohibition crime stops, cheerleaders can do little for Flint, MI et al.

Nobody will/wants to invest in a war-zone.

]]> Comment on ‘Rustbelt’ to ‘Legacy’ — Rethinking Old Cities’ Potential by Peter Newman http://citiwire.net/post/3202/comment-page-1/#comment-4123 Peter Newman Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:14:09 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3202#comment-4123 Neal As usual very thoughtful and policy relevant. It is so critical to reurbanise rather than scatter urban development and we have both been saying that for 40 years. We have a new project called Greening the Greyfields which is about declining middle suburbs in all Australian cities. Its always hard and messy politics so the greenfields gets rolled out instead. But the movement back into cities is now underway everywhere including the US and car use is in decline so it is beginning to work a little. Targeting funds from State and regional groups of local governments is obviously the way to go to mainstream this process which seems to have a market and demographic momentum. Neal
As usual very thoughtful and policy relevant. It is so critical to reurbanise rather than scatter urban development and we have both been saying that for 40 years. We have a new project called Greening the Greyfields which is about declining middle suburbs in all Australian cities. Its always hard and messy politics so the greenfields gets rolled out instead. But the movement back into cities is now underway everywhere including the US and car use is in decline so it is beginning to work a little. Targeting funds from State and regional groups of local governments is obviously the way to go to mainstream this process which seems to have a market and demographic momentum.

]]> Comment on The Hydrofracking Impact by Mike Shuster http://citiwire.net/post/3172/comment-page-1/#comment-4105 Mike Shuster Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:41:32 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3172#comment-4105 Thanks for such good writing and putting a human feel on the devastating effects of fracking. We are so busy with studies to prove the damage caused by fracking because our Governor in NY would like to look at the science and not react out of emotion, so we are always looking to Cornell and elsewhere for the plethora of information and scientific studies that clearly demonstrate that drilling for natural gas is a wicked Ponzi/investor duped scheme designed to reek havoc on our landscape that will cause irreversible damage. THANKS FOR THE GREAT STORY, and to James Seif... he should look to Robert Howarth's study on how much dirtier fracking is compared to oil or coal because of the METHANE leakage. ... Also Google Anthony Ingrffea's op-ed from Alberta on Natural gas myths DEBUNKED, nothing is more clear if you want to see Thanks for such good writing and putting a human feel on the devastating effects of fracking. We are so busy with studies to prove the damage caused by fracking because our Governor in NY would like to look at the science and not react out of emotion, so we are always looking to Cornell and elsewhere for the plethora of information and scientific studies that clearly demonstrate that drilling for natural gas is a wicked Ponzi/investor duped scheme designed to reek havoc on our landscape that will cause irreversible damage. THANKS FOR THE GREAT STORY, and to James Seif… he should look to Robert Howarth’s study on how much dirtier fracking is compared to oil or coal because of the METHANE leakage. … Also Google Anthony Ingrffea’s op-ed from Alberta on Natural gas myths DEBUNKED, nothing is more clear if you want to see

]]> Comment on The Hydrofracking Impact by Mike Devonshire http://citiwire.net/post/3172/comment-page-1/#comment-4098 Mike Devonshire Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:32:52 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3172#comment-4098 Mr. Seif is Managing Partner of 21st Century Energy Development Partners LLC, a firm which develops alternative energy projects Mr. Seif is Managing Partner of 21st Century Energy Development Partners LLC, a firm which develops alternative energy projects

]]> Comment on Veteran GOP Appointee Asserts ‘Science Has Left the Building’ by Linda Guthrie http://citiwire.net/post/3182/comment-page-1/#comment-4092 Linda Guthrie Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:59:00 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3182#comment-4092 Good comments, but for me the point being made not the gridlock, but rather the rallying cry to cities and communities to forge ahead, look around for examples and ideas that appeal/motivate and take the initiative, leaving slow-witted politicians and their policy-making battlegrounds behind -- do the right thing by your own community. Municipalities have an important role to play in setting energy targets and many are doing it. They also have a remarkable set of tools to work with for planning and implementation, some of which are master planning, building codes, ordinances, and energy advisory commissions. It's easier, I believe, when you have a sense of place, to envision, inspire, plan and execute. That's what Washington lacks -- a sense of place for your community. Good comments, but for me the point being made not the gridlock, but rather the rallying cry to cities and communities to forge ahead, look around for examples and ideas that appeal/motivate and take the initiative, leaving slow-witted politicians and their policy-making battlegrounds behind — do the right thing by your own community. Municipalities have an important role to play in setting energy targets and many are doing it. They also have a remarkable set of tools to work with for planning and implementation, some of which are master planning, building codes, ordinances, and energy advisory commissions. It’s easier, I believe, when you have a sense of place, to envision, inspire, plan and execute. That’s what Washington lacks — a sense of place for your community.

]]> Comment on Veteran GOP Appointee Asserts ‘Science Has Left the Building’ by Steve Livengood http://citiwire.net/post/3182/comment-page-1/#comment-4086 Steve Livengood Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:22 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3182#comment-4086 The phrases "gilt-edged" and "thinking people" characterize what is going on in politics at the moment. Mitt Romney has learned that "gilt-edged", which refers to stock certificates, is not an unmixed credential, forcing him to pay more attention to those who do not have his wealth and connections, and are resentful in an uneven recession. And "thinking people" did not prevent the collapse of the housing bubble, so have lost the confidence of the "feeling people" who are now in the forefront of the Republican Party. We "thinking people" can express our superiority, but that does not translate into votes these days. The consequences of a loss of confidence reverberate all across the political range. The phrases “gilt-edged” and “thinking people” characterize what is going on in politics at the moment. Mitt Romney has learned that “gilt-edged”, which refers to stock certificates, is not an unmixed credential, forcing him to pay more attention to those who do not have his wealth and connections, and are resentful in an uneven recession. And “thinking people” did not prevent the collapse of the housing bubble, so have lost the confidence of the “feeling people” who are now in the forefront of the Republican Party. We “thinking people” can express our superiority, but that does not translate into votes these days. The consequences of a loss of confidence reverberate all across the political range.

]]> Comment on Hydrofracking: The Impacts Continues by tom e bowers http://citiwire.net/post/3192/comment-page-1/#comment-4085 tom e bowers Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:30:41 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3192#comment-4085 Thanks for the clear warnings. Thanks for the clear warnings.

]]> Comment on Veteran GOP Appointee Asserts ‘Science Has Left the Building’ by Woody Wheeler http://citiwire.net/post/3182/comment-page-1/#comment-4083 Woody Wheeler Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:39:27 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=3182#comment-4083 Reilly has an incredibly important perspective that needs to be heard by all thinking people. If science leaves the building then we as a country are shooting ourselves in the foot. Long ago, we called science disbelievers members of the Flat Earth Society. These bold deceivers prefer not to let science or facts get in the way. Let’s not go there. Science is a big reason why we can enjoy living here -- in a technologically-advanced, first-world, democratic nation. Reilly has an incredibly important perspective that needs to be heard by all thinking people. If science leaves the building then we as a country are shooting ourselves in the foot. Long ago, we called science disbelievers members of the Flat Earth Society. These bold deceivers prefer not to let science or facts get in the way. Let’s not go there. Science is a big reason why we can enjoy living here — in a technologically-advanced, first-world, democratic nation.

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