Have you ever noticed that anytime there is a disagreement it turns into "Them versus Us"? Recently I have been involved in an issue that turned out to be exactly that. I am speaking of the Game Fish Bill that has created a lot of controversy in the Carteret County News Times. The issue and related post can be viewed by going to the CCNT web site and researching; Recreational fishing and net loses, Recreational fishing is a game, and Hooked again.
What started out as a Editorial by the newspaper turned into a heated argument. I got involved when I decided to not accept the lies and accusations thrown at the commercial fishing industry. The reason I did this was to bring balance to the discussion. It was not to make recreational fishermen into culprits, or make commercial fishermen innocent of any wrong doing. Neither was it to prove anyone wrong, although I did offer a chance for anyone to prove me wrong. To date nobody has.
Throughout the life of the articles there was a lot of name calling, insults, false accusations, and team play. This might have gotten a few points across, but has served little other useless purpose. It has served to strengthen discord between both sides. The blame falls on both sides, as both sides refused to follow example by acknowledging their fault and not accepting blame for their contribution to the problem.
The reason I use this example of failed relations is to remind people that we have to communicate better. This very attitude can be linked to many of the problems this web site was created to help solve. There is a constant fight of one side fighting against another for what they want for themselves, without regard to the other sides rights or wants. The details of the arguments are irrelevant to the damage being done by the ones arguing when the argument isn't based on fact, but personal wants instead.
In both the Game Fish Bill and the Beaufort Sewer argument there seems to be a "Them v. Us" attitude that is costing us all dearly. It shouldn't be that way, because it is really "Us v. Ourselves". In both cases we are spending too much time trying to get what we want for ourselves and not enough time doing what is right for the environment and the citizens of our area.
I encourage everyone to speak up and be heard, but be thoughtful in what you say and how you say it. The cause is to save our environment, rights, and resources, not just to win.
Clammerhead
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A New Plan
Hello again, sorry I haven't been on the web site or blog in a while. I have been dealing with some health issues. I am back now ready to go, and I hope you are too.
Our focus will be on finding a better way of doing things and making a plan. We have a preliminary plan that will need some working on. It will have some flaws and need some work. We will need to put our heads together and find a solution. This will take more than just the citizens of Carteret County.
Together we must contact our representatives at all levels. They have insight into how we can make a positive change. Along with knowing our wants and needs, they will also need our ideas to work from.
The basis of the plan we are working on is to create an environment where all aspects of industry, development, and heritage can survive together and complement each other.
The only way we will be able to survive as a community is to band together and realize a common goal. Otherwise we are all condemned to perish as a community.
Together we can and must come up with a new plan. We have started the ball rolling on the Our Voyage page of our web site. We hope to have you send us your ideas.
Clammerhead
Our focus will be on finding a better way of doing things and making a plan. We have a preliminary plan that will need some working on. It will have some flaws and need some work. We will need to put our heads together and find a solution. This will take more than just the citizens of Carteret County.
Together we must contact our representatives at all levels. They have insight into how we can make a positive change. Along with knowing our wants and needs, they will also need our ideas to work from.
The basis of the plan we are working on is to create an environment where all aspects of industry, development, and heritage can survive together and complement each other.
The only way we will be able to survive as a community is to band together and realize a common goal. Otherwise we are all condemned to perish as a community.
Together we can and must come up with a new plan. We have started the ball rolling on the Our Voyage page of our web site. We hope to have you send us your ideas.
Clammerhead
Monday, September 29, 2008
Petition Count
I just took a count of the signatures collected on our petition. We have several different types circulating. They consists of; the online petition, t-shirts, and paper.
ONLINE- 44
T-SHIRTS- 115 ( 11 shirts unavailable for counting at 1:38 am - 9/29/08 )
PAPER- 56
Total- 215
This shows there are a lot of people that are unhappy with the way things are being done. I will update the site on the count when I can get a more complete count.
Clammerhead
ONLINE- 44
T-SHIRTS- 115 ( 11 shirts unavailable for counting at 1:38 am - 9/29/08 )
PAPER- 56
Total- 215
This shows there are a lot of people that are unhappy with the way things are being done. I will update the site on the count when I can get a more complete count.
Clammerhead
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Commissioner Pete Allen
Today I received an e-mail from Mayor Stanley. I returned his e-mail commenting on his interesting statement among other things. As I stated I would do on our Blog and Our Voyage page, I sent both his email and mine to the Beaufort and County Commissioners, the press, and other parties in order to keep everyone on the same page. They were also published on our E-mail page.
This afternoon I received an e-mail from County Commissioner Pete Allen. He stated in his e-mail: " I do not know you Sir and have no earthly interest in your opinions or agenda." He also accused me of harassing him on his personal e-mail.
First I will address the e-mail address issue. The address was on the Carteret County Commissioners web site. If he didn't want anyone to contact him at that address, why did he allow it to be published in such an obvious manner? It was not my intention to contact him at his personal e-mail address. The e-mails had nothing to do with personal issues. They were about issues connected with the Beaufort Sewer System and their impact on the entire County, along with what the County might do to help. However he did call the communications between Mayor Stanley and myself "crap".
Now lets look at the rest of his statement. He said he does not know me and has no earthly interest in my concerns,or agenda. Does this mean we have to be buddies for my opinion to matter? This sounds kind of like "good ole boy" politics to me. Is it because we haven't met or is it because I am from the poor end of the County? It could be because he does not care about anyone's opinion, or it could be one of many other reasons. Only he can answer that one.
How does someone get elected with an attitude like that? I wonder if he displayed the same attitude when he was running for office. I wonder if he will display the same attitude next election.
I must admit though, he didn't jerk me around on this. He let me know he is what some might call a horse's arse. He also made it very clear he doesn't care about people thinking he is a jerk, the opinions of someone he hasn't met or the environment.
Mayor Stanley took the time to contact me today. I have issues with his perception of the situation, but at least he took the time to contact me with respect for my concerns. Commissioner Allen said that was crap. He disrespected Mayor Stanley, me and everyone else that thought he cared.
All of the e-mails mentioned above can be found on the E-mail pages on our web site. www.thepollutedloon.com
Clammerhead
This afternoon I received an e-mail from County Commissioner Pete Allen. He stated in his e-mail: " I do not know you Sir and have no earthly interest in your opinions or agenda." He also accused me of harassing him on his personal e-mail.
First I will address the e-mail address issue. The address was on the Carteret County Commissioners web site. If he didn't want anyone to contact him at that address, why did he allow it to be published in such an obvious manner? It was not my intention to contact him at his personal e-mail address. The e-mails had nothing to do with personal issues. They were about issues connected with the Beaufort Sewer System and their impact on the entire County, along with what the County might do to help. However he did call the communications between Mayor Stanley and myself "crap".
Now lets look at the rest of his statement. He said he does not know me and has no earthly interest in my concerns,or agenda. Does this mean we have to be buddies for my opinion to matter? This sounds kind of like "good ole boy" politics to me. Is it because we haven't met or is it because I am from the poor end of the County? It could be because he does not care about anyone's opinion, or it could be one of many other reasons. Only he can answer that one.
How does someone get elected with an attitude like that? I wonder if he displayed the same attitude when he was running for office. I wonder if he will display the same attitude next election.
I must admit though, he didn't jerk me around on this. He let me know he is what some might call a horse's arse. He also made it very clear he doesn't care about people thinking he is a jerk, the opinions of someone he hasn't met or the environment.
Mayor Stanley took the time to contact me today. I have issues with his perception of the situation, but at least he took the time to contact me with respect for my concerns. Commissioner Allen said that was crap. He disrespected Mayor Stanley, me and everyone else that thought he cared.
All of the e-mails mentioned above can be found on the E-mail pages on our web site. www.thepollutedloon.com
Clammerhead
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
More about the Kinston plant
Today I received more information on the Kinston Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The Kinston plant has a capacity of 11.85 million gallons per day. They have planted 3 acres of trees to spray a portion of their reclaimed water on. The rest is discharged into the Neuse River. They have purchased more land to plant more trees on and are just waiting on plan approval to begin planting trees and discharging the rest of their water. They hope to be finished by the end of 2009. Their system uses ultraviolet light instead of chemicals, and produces reclaimed water that is actually cleaner than surface water being used before it is treated. Not only is the reclaimed water suitable for class b reuse, it is only a couple of steps from potable quality. At present they could sell the class b water for some uses, and when they are producing potable water it could be sold also.
Their biosolids are currently being applied to farm land. They are hoping to have a feasibility study on composting completed in the near future. The compost and/or class b biosolids can be sold in order to alleviate some of the cost of their system.
The plant took about 6 years from conception to completion, with about 2.5 years of actual construction. The total cost was just under $50,000,000.
Compare this information to the Beaufort Plant in the areas of gallons per day, cost, reuse capabilities, reuse plans, environmental impact, and upgrade possibilities. It seems to me not only did Beaufort make not such a great deal, they did it with money they borrowed in the name of the Citizen of Beaufort, and it looks like they will have to do it again. At least when they bring the plant to full capacity and have to build a new plant to keep up with growth, they have a model to go by. All they will have to do is raise rates, borrow money, and find a river to dump the treated water into. With this in mind; be sure to keep the same people in office that are there now. The have experience at those things and know how to save working time by avoiding annoying citizens with bothersome questions. They make a person proud. Don't you agree.
Clammerhead
Their biosolids are currently being applied to farm land. They are hoping to have a feasibility study on composting completed in the near future. The compost and/or class b biosolids can be sold in order to alleviate some of the cost of their system.
The plant took about 6 years from conception to completion, with about 2.5 years of actual construction. The total cost was just under $50,000,000.
Compare this information to the Beaufort Plant in the areas of gallons per day, cost, reuse capabilities, reuse plans, environmental impact, and upgrade possibilities. It seems to me not only did Beaufort make not such a great deal, they did it with money they borrowed in the name of the Citizen of Beaufort, and it looks like they will have to do it again. At least when they bring the plant to full capacity and have to build a new plant to keep up with growth, they have a model to go by. All they will have to do is raise rates, borrow money, and find a river to dump the treated water into. With this in mind; be sure to keep the same people in office that are there now. The have experience at those things and know how to save working time by avoiding annoying citizens with bothersome questions. They make a person proud. Don't you agree.
Clammerhead
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
NEW INFO
Today I made a phone call to Chuck Couley, the Superintendent of the Kinston Regional Water Reclamation Facitity. He gave me some information on their new system and their near future plans. From what I gathered, their new system already does a remarkable job. At present they are still discharging into the Neuse River. However, they have already purchased land to plant trees and discharge the water there.
Not only do they have this plan underway, they are also involved with composting their solid waste for fertilizer, heat pellets, and other uses. The trees that they are discharging their reclaimed water on will make a cheap catalyst needed for their composting operation.
All of this is interesting on it's own right, it is even more interesting due to the fact they have been on-line about one month. I guess maybe it seemed like a good idea to someone else other than myself. The Beaufort Commissioners seem to think it will be O.K. to begin to consider land application and reuse at some point after the new plant is on-line.
We will be posting some new info on the Kinston plant in the near future. Please check back. We are still trying to get more photos and more e-mail info up also. Please be patient and bear with us.
Clammerhead
Not only do they have this plan underway, they are also involved with composting their solid waste for fertilizer, heat pellets, and other uses. The trees that they are discharging their reclaimed water on will make a cheap catalyst needed for their composting operation.
All of this is interesting on it's own right, it is even more interesting due to the fact they have been on-line about one month. I guess maybe it seemed like a good idea to someone else other than myself. The Beaufort Commissioners seem to think it will be O.K. to begin to consider land application and reuse at some point after the new plant is on-line.
We will be posting some new info on the Kinston plant in the near future. Please check back. We are still trying to get more photos and more e-mail info up also. Please be patient and bear with us.
Clammerhead
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Our Voyage
Well now, whats a man to do. It's been over a year now and I still don't see a whole lot of positive action in respect to the efforts to fix the problem with the Beaufort sewer system. As I sat and pondered, it came to me. The only thing to do is to spell it out in total detail and no uncertain terms.
Even though I have tried that many times in many ways I will try it again. In an effort to reach the most people possible and keep everyone on the same page, I will be doing this in a very simple manner. We are going to use the OUR VOYAGE link on our web page. This link will contain information that will be sent to anyone and everyone we can think of that may be involved and, or can help.
Let me say this up front as to make no mistake about it; The world will be watching and will judge the actions of the people. This means not just the Beaufort Commissioners, it means EVERYONE. As long as we can be heard, you will be heard of.
In order to bring everyone up to speed it will be necessary to do this in a manner that will make it simple to understand, yet done in great detail. Hopefully this will reduce the amount of repeat questions. It will also make it easier to discuss with someone not familiar to the issue. I will be making these post on a "as can" basis. Please check back regularly.
We have compiled a list of Commissioners, and other Government Officials, publications, television and radio broadcast stations, and environmental groups. They will all get identical e-mails containing the exact same information as will be on the Our Voyage page on our web site.(www.thepollutedloon.com) I encourage everyone to read them, be informed, and take action. It would be less than wise to ignore a chance to gain valuable information. A list of e-mail addresses will be on our web site. Please use them.
The e-mails sent to the newspapers (including this one) can and should be considered letters to the editor even though they may not be addressed as such.
The e-mails sent to the broadcast stations are an invitation to do news reports.
This is going to be a very interesting saga and will make for a continuing coverage story.
The e-mails sent to the many Government Offices and Representatives are a call to task. Don't do what you have to do, do what you can do.
The e-mails sent to the environmental groups are a call for assistance. We are without guidance or funding. At this time the only tools we have are our voices.
The post on our web page will be to make sure everyone knows that the above mentioned have been made aware of the situation. We will also use other pages on our web site to keep everyone informed on who has or has not worked to solve the growing problem.
As for the citizens, keep reading, keep talking, and keep asking.
Although to date nobody has been able to give me a reason (other that cost) that we need to leave things status quo, I still invite all to show me where I am wrong and I will correct the fault or sit down and shut up. Until then, I will keep talking.
The Our Voyage page will be up and e-mails will start going out on Monday 9/22/08.
Clammerhead
Even though I have tried that many times in many ways I will try it again. In an effort to reach the most people possible and keep everyone on the same page, I will be doing this in a very simple manner. We are going to use the OUR VOYAGE link on our web page. This link will contain information that will be sent to anyone and everyone we can think of that may be involved and, or can help.
Let me say this up front as to make no mistake about it; The world will be watching and will judge the actions of the people. This means not just the Beaufort Commissioners, it means EVERYONE. As long as we can be heard, you will be heard of.
In order to bring everyone up to speed it will be necessary to do this in a manner that will make it simple to understand, yet done in great detail. Hopefully this will reduce the amount of repeat questions. It will also make it easier to discuss with someone not familiar to the issue. I will be making these post on a "as can" basis. Please check back regularly.
We have compiled a list of Commissioners, and other Government Officials, publications, television and radio broadcast stations, and environmental groups. They will all get identical e-mails containing the exact same information as will be on the Our Voyage page on our web site.(www.thepollutedloon.com) I encourage everyone to read them, be informed, and take action. It would be less than wise to ignore a chance to gain valuable information. A list of e-mail addresses will be on our web site. Please use them.
The e-mails sent to the newspapers (including this one) can and should be considered letters to the editor even though they may not be addressed as such.
The e-mails sent to the broadcast stations are an invitation to do news reports.
This is going to be a very interesting saga and will make for a continuing coverage story.
The e-mails sent to the many Government Offices and Representatives are a call to task. Don't do what you have to do, do what you can do.
The e-mails sent to the environmental groups are a call for assistance. We are without guidance or funding. At this time the only tools we have are our voices.
The post on our web page will be to make sure everyone knows that the above mentioned have been made aware of the situation. We will also use other pages on our web site to keep everyone informed on who has or has not worked to solve the growing problem.
As for the citizens, keep reading, keep talking, and keep asking.
Although to date nobody has been able to give me a reason (other that cost) that we need to leave things status quo, I still invite all to show me where I am wrong and I will correct the fault or sit down and shut up. Until then, I will keep talking.
The Our Voyage page will be up and e-mails will start going out on Monday 9/22/08.
Clammerhead
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)