He was a metallurgical engineer
(he spelled that for them)
in Pittsburgh.
People there were glad of the jobs, but the air is bad now.
He said that air quality is important, and biomass is a detriment to the community.
He reminds the council that they were elected to become involved.
Barry Hyatt @ VCC 7 April 2011
Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
The mayor prefaced a comment that he’s read (apparently in this blog)
that he’s been criticized for not paying attention while people are speaking.
He clarified that he’s often taking notes.
Then Dr. Mark P. George spoke, wondering when people would get answers
to their more substantive questions.
I have an attorney.
These folks have an attorney.
He’s sitting right there.
Dr. Mark P. George @ VCC 7 April 2011 Part 1 of 3:
Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Dr. George amplified the not paying attention comments
by adding in body language,
and saying he did appreciate taking notes.
He asked if the meeting is recorded.
Mayor Fretti answered yes.
Dr. George remarked:
It seems to me you are now cloaking the lack of response
in legalities.
…
Legality does not equal morality.
Council Sonny Vickers remarked that he
already told everyone he is for the biomass plant.
Dr. George recommended conversation,
following up on new information.
The mayor asked Dr. George to wrap up.
Dr. George responded:
Dr. Mark P. George @ VCC 7 April 2011 Part 2 of 3:
Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
More back and forth between Dr. George and the mayor
about how or whether or when he or somebody might answer
questions, followed by interchange between Dr. George
and the audience.
Dr. Mark P. George @ VCC 7 April 2011
Part 3 of 3:
Regular monthly meeting of the Valdosta City Council (VCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 April 2011,
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Mara Register came to the Lowndes County Commission regular meeting
to talk about Downtown Valdosta Farm Days,
following up from the
Farm Days organizational meeting Monday.
I think her main points were:
Provide additional information about healthy eating
with food from local farmers,
thus helping solve the epidemic of childhood obesity in Georgia.
Economic development opportunity for small farmers.
Promote downtown district.
When?
The Saturday after First Friday and the Saturday after Art After Dark.
Where?
The parking spaces around the historic courthouse.
Regular Meeting, Lowndes County Commission, Lowndes County, Georgia, 12 April 2011
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Yesterday I wrote
that interactions about Valdosta Farm Days between the Lowndes Commmission
and the City of Valdosta
“could have been smoother if one or both of the parties had been proactive.”
The VDT reported that the County Commission wants to know
about Valdosta Farm Days,
and apparently there was a disconnect between the staff and the Commissioners.
Here’s how the Commission came to be informed, through interactions of citizens and staff.
First, an excerpt from the paper paper story by David Rodock,
“Farmers market proposal discussed by commission”,
Tuesday, April 12, 2011, page 3A (it’s not online):
Continue reading →
That was
Ashley Paulk, Chairman of the Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
talking at the Lowndes County Democratic Party (LCDP) monthly meeting
about T-SPLOST.
Ashley Paulk, Chairman of the Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
explains T-SPLOST (HB 277) and the Transportation Investment Act of 2010
at the monthly meeting of the Lowndes County Democratic Party (LCDP),
Gretchen Quarterman (Chair), Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Video by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
So what’s the evidence that these
biomass opponents are many, as the VDT says?
We could review letters to the editors in the VDT,
but let’s look at the visual evidence LAKE has recorded.
With no pro-biomass demonstrators anywhere to be seen.
Sure, a few people show up at government meetings to speak for the
biomass plant, but by my tally they are indeed very few,
and most of them are either former employees or board members
of the Industrial Authority.
Yes, LAKE has posted videos of
them, as well:
Ken Garren,
Nolen Cox.
Crawford Powell.
Or watch the people at the microphones during the
6 December 2011 VLCIA biomass “forum”
and see what you think the ratio is.
The big winner in the crackdown on the illegal immiggration
has been the private prison industry.
As Bloomberg Business Week reports in its latest issue,
companies such as Corrections Corporation of America
are making millions.
In fact, CCA makes more money from detaining immigrants
than it does from any single U.S. state.
She goes on to mention CCA’s stock price has gone up by
a factor of ten since 9/11.
Bloomberg’s Betty Liu reports, 18 March 2011. (Source: Bloomberg)
The source of the money CCA and its investors and executives are making?
Our tax dollars!
He was a metallurgical engineer
(he spelled that for them)
in Pittsburgh.
People there were glad of the jobs, but the air is bad now.
He said that air quality is important, and biomass is a detriment to the community.
He reminds the council that they were elected to become involved.
