County Council member Billy Shreve crosses the line…again!

On Thursday evening, I started to see a photo in various places in Facebook.

The photo showed county council member Billy Shreve, in Winchester Hall, in front of the words “Frederick County Council,” the county symbol and the flags of the United States, Maryland and Frederick County, with some of the members of a local cub scout pack, with a campaign sign for presidential candidate Donald Trump (and a campaign sticker on one of the scouts).

I downloaded it, and shared it on my personal page, too, and tagged Billy Shreve. That made it visible on his page, too, and enabled all those with access to either page to post comments. In a few hours, there were hundreds of comments,  and the photo and post were further shared by nearly 40 people.

Even though the scouts were not mentioned by name, and there was no reason to think that anyone would blame them, in any way, for this photograph, there were concerns about the privacy of the boys and their families. That concern was easy to understand, especially as it became clear that the image was “going viral.”

I wanted to edit the photo to obscure the faces of the scouts, but since Facebook does not enable a posted photo to be edited, it meant having to delete it. Deleting it meant losing all of the extensive and interesting discussion that already took place. So, I wanted to find a way to preserve that discussion (considered copying it, somehow, to a new Facebook “Note”), deleting the photo and conversation, and reposting an edited version of the image, with the previous conversation, and creating a new FB space where the conversation could continue.

Before I had the chance to do that, however, the image and the discussion (as well as any and all discussions that were happening where the image was shared from my page) were removed from Facebook based on a report that it violated privacy rights.

I understand and appreciate that, even as I wish I had preserved the interesting discussion before that happened.

So, I am now posting here (above) a version of the image that has only been altered to fully obscure the faces of the cub scouts.

There is so much wrong with this image that it’s hard to know where to start, but…

Please note the following statement about the policy of the Boy Scouts of America with regard to “scout participation in political events” (emphasis added).

POLICY ON SCOUT PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL EVENTS

“Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and may lead the Pledge of Allegiance; however, they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speakers’ platform or in a conspicuous location where television viewers could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support. In addition, photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind.

Volunteers and professionals must be alert to situations that would imply that the BSA favors one candidate over another. Strict observance of our long-standing policy against the active participation of uniformed Scouts and leaders in political events is mandatory.”

Quote from http://www.bsaonsc.org/policicaleventpolicy.html

From another site:

Q: Why is this the rule?

A: The policy is meant to prevent someone from using our brand to convey support of a candidate or ideology. This prevents Scouts from being used by any party in campaign advertisements or materials.

That’s extremely clear.

Also clear is the policy that there should be no campaign or election-related activities or events, etc., in Winchester Hall or other county buildings.

Even if Billy had no understanding about the very strong and clear policy of the Boy Scouts of America, he should have known that such activity was not allowed in a county building.

Even if Billy didn’t know either of those things, however, posing with a pack of cub scouts that came to Winchester Hall, as scouts, as part of their civics education, with a campaign sign for a presidential candidate — campaign in which he has an official role, to boot — shows extremely poor judgement, at best.

Billy should have known better (even if there were no such scout or county policies). In fact, if there is anyone who should know better, it is someone with Billy’s experience and roles. To wit:

Billy Shreve has run for county offices three times (not including elections to the Frederick County Republican Central Committee).

Billy Shreve is currently a member of the County Council of Frederick County.

Billy Shreve is currently the Chairman of the Frederick County Republican Central Committee.

In addition, Billy Shreve is currently the Frederick County Co-Chair: Team Trump Maryland, part of the campaign of presidential candidate Donald Trump.

I will leave it to others to determine what response is most appropriate, and whether or not to file an ethics complaint or take any other action.

But, no matter what Billy Shreve knew before, based on what he knows now, at the very least — as a starting point — he should fully and clearly and publicly acknowledge his poor judgement and mistake, and he should issue a sincere and specific apology to the Cub Scout pack, the Boy Scouts of America, his fellow council members and the county executive, and the general public.

—————————–

SIDENOTE: I restarted an old blog I used for a short while some years ago to post this. Was never happy with the overall look and feel, but may make an effort to fix that, and use this space occasionally.

WASTE NOT! EXPO (in Frederick, Saturday, March 28, 2009)

I’m very pleased to share information about an excellent (and important) event scheduled for THIS SATURDAY, in Frederick.

Please consider attending the WASTE NOT! EXPO on Saturday, March 28th. at 9:30 am.

I won’t include a lot of information here, but will encourage you to click here:

http://wastenotfrederick.org/

…and visit the attractive website set up to offer all the information you’d need or want to know about the Expo, including the schedule, speakers, vendors, sponsors, directions, contact information and other bits (the Mission Statement, press release, etc.)

This is a well planned event, with a variety of activities and information, and an outstanding slate of speakers, all packed into just a few hours on an early spring day.

Even though it is on the website, I can’t help but share here how pleased I am that the organizers of this event were able to get Eric Lombardi to attend as the Keynote Speaker. You can read a few details about Eric on the Waste Not! Expo website, but I wanted to make sure you knew that he is scheduled for 10:00 am. So…don’t come late! And, if you can’t stay for the entire event, consider coming for a while, catching a couple of great speakers and visiting some of the tables.

Also, too HOT OFF THE PRESS to be included on the invitation below: ArrowBio© has agreed to co-sponsor the Expo, and will have a display and information about its integrated solid waste technology. ArrowBio© has been in the news recently as a possible alternative to the proposed Waste-to-Energy incinerator. For more information about the process used by ArrowBio©: http://www.arrowbio.com/

Oh…also worth mentioning…

Childcare (with fun activities) will be provided (in the high school cafeteria) for children at least two years old.

I wouldn’t miss it, and I hope to see you there!

Jason Judd announces mayoral bid

Last night I attended a gathering for Jason Judd, who is starting to roll out his campaign to become the mayor of the City of Frederick.

It was an excellent event, with between 100-150 people packed into Cafe NOLA in historic downtown Frederick. Plenty of energy and enthusiasm.

I was pleased to speak for a few minutes about Jason and the campaign, along with two others, including former mayor Ron Young. Then Jason spoke for a while. I’ve heard him speak to small groups on a number of occasions, but this was the first time I had a chance to hear him in this sort of setting. He did an outstanding job, conveying in a few minutes quite a bit about the qualities, skills, and experience he brings, and the vision he has about how to “Move Frederick Forward.”

On Wednesday, March 11th (from 6:00 to 7:00pm), at the Delaplaine Center, there will be another gathering, as Jason “officially” launches his campaign.

The article from this morning’s Frederick News Post is below.

Newcomer Jason Judd announces mayoral bid
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=87002

Frederick News Post
February 27, 2009

By Adam Behsudi

Jason Judd officially announced his candidacy for mayor of Frederick on Thursday night at a packed downtown cafe?.

The Democrat and Frederick native has been building campaign support with the theme of “moving Frederick forward” for his first foray into the local political scene.

“We need a mayor who has energy, who has vision, who has a hard focus on solutions,” Judd, 37, said to a crowd of about 120 at Caf?e Nola on East Patrick Street.

“Somebody who expects to be held accountable — that’s the kind of mayor we need,” he said.

Judd is a graduate of Gov. Thomas Johnson High School and Duke University, where he was awarded a Fulbright fellowship.

He is a trained economist and former community organizer. He works on national advocacy campaigns for the Service Employees International Union.

In Frederick, Judd is a member of the board of directors for Volunteer Frederick, serves on the city’s land management code task force and is a member of the Carroll Creek Rotary Club.

He is also director of the Frederick County work-force development board.

Judd lives downtown with his wife and two children.

In his speech Thursday, Judd blasted the city’s current elected officials for fiscal irresponsibility, using examples of a controversial employee buyout program and the purchase of a $795,000 scoreboard and video display for Harry Grove Stadium.

“Public money is a public trust, and I won’t violate that trust,” he said.

Former mayor Ron Young introduced Judd as someone who could usher in Frederick’s “second renaissance.” Young claimed the first renaissance for himself during his four terms as mayor from 1976 to 1990.

“His support base is growing very rapidly,” Young said before the speech. “He’s a dynamic young guy.”

Judd was also introduced by Sukhi Gulati, a freshman at Thomas Johnson High School, and Kai Hagen, a Frederick County commissioner.

“Right out of the bag, Jason is a front-runner in this election,” Hagen said.

Judd joins only one other Democratic candidate, Jack Lynch. On the GOP side current Mayor Jeff Holtzinger, Market Bagel and Deli owner Randy McClement and Discount Towing owner Clint Hoffman round out the ballot.

Judd will hold an official launch to his mayoral campaign at 6 p.m. March 11 at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, 40 S. Carroll St.

The city’s primary election is set for Sept. 15. The general election will be Nov. 3.

Zero Waste and Green Jobs Challenge from the Sierra Club

Below is a January 20, 2009 News Release from the Zero Waste Committee of the Sierra Club. And below the news release is the related resolution adopted by Sierra Club Zero Waste Committee, entitled “Green Jobs Waste Surcharge: an economic Stimulus for Zero Waste“

The release is about two weeks old now, and I haven’t yet heard anything to suggest that the “Green Jobs Waste Surcharge” is currently being considered for inclusion in the Federal Economic Stimulus Package. But, whether it is or not, in this form or another, at this time or later, I think it offers a good illustration (one of many out there for those who are looking) of the sorts of changes on the horizon.

The proposal is intended to stimulate the economy and benefit the environment by enacting a surcharge for all waste disposed of in landfills or incinerators.  The funds collected could then be applied to support reuse, recycling and composting.

It goes without saying that anything remotely along these lines would dramatically affect the long term cost of a 1,500 tons per day mass burn incinerator, such as the one currently being considered for Frederick County – making a bad investment that much worse.

 

 

News Release                                          

Sierra Club Zero Waste Committee
For Immediate Release                                                 
January 20, 2009                                       

Ann Schneider
650-697-6249
Ann.Schneider@sierraclub.org
www.sierraclub.org/committees/zerowaste/

 

Sierra Club Zero Waste Committee Recommends
Zero Waste and Green Jobs Challenge

As a Recommendation for Federal Economic Stimulus 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 16, 2009) – The Sierra Club national Zero Waste Committee today released an innovative recommendation for the Federal Economic Stimulus Package.  The Committee urges the Federal government to issue a Zero Waste Challenge for communities and businesses to adopt a Zero Waste plan, and undertake specific projects to reach waste reduction goals.  The proposal includes a “Green Jobs Surcharge on Waste Disposal” as a funding mechanism and economic stimulus for Zero Waste. 

 “This Sierra Club Zero Waste and Green Jobs Proposal recognizes Zero Waste as one of the fastest and most cost effective ways that local governments can contribute to reducing climate change,” said Ann Schneider, a leader of the Club’s Zero Waste Committee. “A shift from traditional waste practices to Zero Waste can also be a significant economic stimulus to recharge the American economy.  Recycling materials can create ten times the number of jobs as land filling those materials.” 

Zero Waste focuses on reducing waste and reusing products, then recycling and composting the rest.  A key component of Zero Waste is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

“Many European nations have adopted significant fees on landfills of $20-40/ton to fund recycling programs and reduce greenhouse gases”, said Schneider. “This proposal recommends that the Federal government adopt a national $20-40/ton Green Jobs Waste Surcharge on landfills and incinerators to help fund Zero Waste programs and contribute a new revenue source that would actually help meet the nation’s Climate Change goals at the same time.  This is often referred to as a “sin” tax, much like taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, where the government taxes “bads” to discourage their use at the same time as generating needed revenues.”

“The Green Jobs Surcharge will facilitate the shift to producer responsibility-led, cradle to cradle recycling,” said Bill Sheehan, Vice-Chair of the Zero Waste Committee.  “That will create a lot more jobs in reuse, refurbishment, recycling and composting than in sending those same materials to landfills and incinerators.”

“A surcharge of this amount could generate up to $6.5 billion per year,” said Gary Liss, a member of the Club’s Zero Waste Committee.  “The Sierra Club Zero Waste Committee proposes half of the revenue from the Zero Waste Fee would cover one-time costs of the US Treasury or as the local or state government match for federal economic stimulus projects. The other half of the revenues would be used to support communities and businesses in developing comprehensive Zero Waste programs.”

For more information visit www.sierraclub.org/committees/zerowaste/.  Contact Ann Schneider at 650-697-6249, Ann.Schneider@sierraclub.org; or Gary Liss at 916-652-7850,gary.liss@sierraclub.org.

###

Resolution Adopted by Sierra Club Zero Waste Committee:

Green Jobs Waste Surcharge:
an economic Stimulus for Zero Waste

Many local governments and businesses around the world are recognizing Zero Waste as one of the fastest and most cost effective ways that they can contribute to reducing climate change. The shift from traditional waste practices to Zero Waste can also be part of a broader package of economic stimulus mechanisms to recharge the American economy.

The USEPA acknowledges the link between municipal waste practices and climate change[i] and communities that have adopted a Zero Waste challenge[ii] are leaders in reducing their contribution to climate change. Similarly, businesses that have adopted a Zero Waste challenge[iii] and divert more than 90% of their waste from landfills and incineration have not only achieved environmental benefits but also saved money, reduced their liabilities, and increased their efficiency.[iv]

Sierra Club members can help more communities and businesses throughout the United States realize similar benefits and help restore the American economy by asking the USEPA to expand its Resource Conservation Challenge[v] to include a Zero Waste Challenge.  The new Challenge, issued to both communities and businesses, could be funded with a Green Jobs Waste Surcharge that would act as part of the new administration’s economic stimulus package to build a sustainable economy.

What would the USEPA Zero Waste Challenge do?

For communities, the national Zero Waste Challenge would set a higher bar for waste reduction. The support of the USEPA and the many publications and practical tools on its website would provide a national clearing house to help communities that are ready to aim beyond their current state recycling goals and just need some encouragement to move in that direction.

For businesses, the USEPA can include information about Zero Waste Businesses[vi] as part of its Waste Wise program.[vii] Waste Wise Partners can be encouraged to report waste diversion rates from landfills and incinerators and highlight how they are meeting the goals through Zero Waste Business Principles.[viii]

USEPA and the new Administration could launch this new Zero Waste Challenge by encouraging communities and businesses to take the Challenge by Earth Day 2009.

Funding the Zero Waste Challenge

To link the USEPA Zero Waste Challenge to other important Federal climate change and economic initiatives, the Administration could recommend a national Green Jobs Waste Surcharge as part of its economic stimulus package to build a Green Jobs economy.

In effect, the Green Jobs Surcharge would tax “bads” rather than goods. By raising the cost of wasting, the surcharge would not only create a new pool of funds that could be directed to worthwhile economic activity, but also provide a direct economic incentive to prevent waste.

Many European nations have adopted significant fees on landfills of $20-40/ton to fund recycling programs and reduce greenhouse gases.  Closer to home, in San Jose, California, the combined fees and taxes on landfilling are over $19/ton and that city has one of the highest waste diversion rates in the country.

USEPA could adopt a national $20-40/ton Green Jobs Waste Fee on landfills and incinerators that would be structured as follows:

1.                  The Fee would be levied on all municipal solid wastes and construction and demolition debris disposed of in landfills and incinerators. For the 169 million tons landfilled or incinerated in 2007[ix], this would generate $3.4 to $6.5 billion per year initially.

2.                  The Fee would credit all local fees charged already.  This would level the playing field, and not encourage wastes to be transferred from one state to another. For example, in San Jose if the federal government enacted a $30/ton fee, San Jose landfills would be levied at $30/ton (ZW Fee) – $19/ton (local fees) = $11/ton paid to the federal government. 

3.         Half of the revenue from the Zero Waste Fee would cover one-time costs of the US Treasury or as the local or state government match for federal economic stimulus projects, structured as follows:

a.         The amount of funds allocated could be proportional to the percentage of materials used in construction projects under the economic stimulus package made of reused, recycled or composted materials.

b.         Because these funds will decrease over time as the amount of wastes decreases to landfills, they should be used only for these one-time expenses.

4.         The other half of the revenues from the Fee would support communities and businesses in developing comprehensive Zero Waste programs, including:

a.         Policy: support for the development of Zero Waste resolutions, policies, incentives, plans and ordinances that facilitate the shift from landfills and incinerators at public expense to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and local Green Jobs;

b.         Technical assistance, education and training: certification and training programs, peer matching and consulting assistance, community based social marketing, and engagement of colleges and universities to develop curricula and classes, compile and analyze data and train students to enter the Zero Waste field.

c.         Start up costs: planning, engineering, permitting, siting, land acquisition, equipment and construction for the capitalization of local Zero Waste businesses that create local jobs while reducing climate change, including:

i.          Reuse and repair facilities
ii.         Recycling facilities
iii.        Composting facilities
iv.        Resource Recovery Parks
v.          Anaerobic digestion
vi.         Market development activities for reuse, recycling and composting such as support for planning for and implementation of recycled content legislation for discarded products.

——————

 

[i] http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/calculators/Warm_home.html
[ii] Including: Los Angeles; Seattle; San Francisco; San Jose; Austin, TX; Telluride, CO; Logan County OH and Central Vermont Waste Management District
[iii] Including: Toyota; Hewlett Packard; Pillsbury; Xerox; Ricoh Electronics; Fetzer Vineyard; Mad River Brewing Company; Scoma’s Restaurant (San Francisco) and 2800 businesses in Japan.
[iv] As documented at http://www.grrn.org/zerowaste/business/profiles.php andhttp://www.earthresource.org/zerowaste.html

[v] See http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/rcc/index.htm
[vi] As documented at http://www.grrn.org/zerowaste/business/profiles.php and 
http://www.earthresource.org/zerowaste.html
[vii] See http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/wastewise/index.htm
[viii] See http://www.grrn.org/zerowaste/business/
[ix] See http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/msw07-fs.pdf, page 2.

EPA’s “Office of Solid Waste” becomes the “Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery”

A rose is a rose by any other name. And changing the name of something can simply mean the name has changed, and little or nothing else, especially where politics may be involved.

But when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces it is changing the name of the “Office of Solid Waste” (OSW) to the “Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery” (ORCR), as part of a larger reorganization,  and the change coincides with a transition from the Bush administration to the Obama administration, there are good reasons to think the change may be substantive and meaningful.

Here is the text of the fact sheet released about this change:

——————–

Fact Sheet 
EPA530-F-09-003 

EPA Announces Reorganization and Name Change for the Office of Solid Waste (OSW);  OSW Becomes the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery and Streamlines Its Operations 

Action 

Effective January 18, 2009, the Office of Solid Waste (OSW) is reorganized and has changed its name to the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR).  The name change reflects the breadth of the responsibilities/authorities that Congress provided to EPA under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the primary authorizing statute.  The ORCR has three divisions, which consolidate the operations of the six divisions under the old OSW structure. 

This reorganization will create a more efficient structure, consistent with current program priorities and resource levels, which will enable EPA to better serve the needs of the public and its key stakeholders over the next 5-10 years.  EPA has increased focus on resource conservation and materials management; the emphasis on this important aspect of the RCRA program is expected to continue while maintaining a strong waste management regulatory and  implementation program. 

This reorganization also:  

• consolidates the four major areas of the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) under one division;   

• combines data collection and data analysis activities thus streamlining operations to better coordinate EPA’s efforts to analyze and present the benefits of its program; and 

• consolidates waste-to-energy activities in one division and branch. 

The three divisions in the new organization are:  Materials Recovery and Waste Management Division; Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division; and, Program Implementation and Information Division. 

For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/basicinfo.htm 

——————–

Even in these first few days since the inauguration of President Obama, it’s clear that the agency (and its website) is going through significant changes. We’ve only seen the smallest tip of the iceberg, and it will be interesting to watch.

While I’m in the neighborhood, so to speak, here is the initial statement by Lisa Jackson, who was sworn in as EPA Administrator on January 26, 2009:

“I am honored by the confidence and faith President Obama and the Senate have reposed in me to lead the EPA in confronting the environmental challenges currently before us. As Administrator, I will ensure EPA’s efforts to address the environmental crises of today are rooted in three fundamental values: science-based policies and programs, adherence to the rule of law, and overwhelming transparency. By keeping faith with these values and unleashing innovative, forward-thinking approaches – we can further protect neighborhoods and communities throughout the country. “ 

— Administrator Lisa Jackson, January 23, 2009

The return of the NO INCINERATOR signs!

 

The following is an email that I sent out to a few hundred people this afternoon, with some additional comments below it.

———-

Warm greetings on a cold day.

If you are receiving this, you’re probably among the hundreds of people who placed “NO INCINERATOR” signs in your yards or windows.

First of all: Thank you for that!

It may seem like a small thing, but there’s no question that the signs had value in a number of ways. Among them:

• In the face of too many statements by some that serious concerns about the process and/or opposition to the incinerator was only being expressed by a handful of vocal activists, the signs clearly helped make the point that concern and opposition was much more widespread than that.

• The signs definitely help increase overall awareness and discussion about the subject. More than a few people have become involved in the process who first became engaged in the issue after seeing the signs, and I assume I’m only personally aware of a fraction of those who have asked questions and discussed the issue with friends and neighbors after the signs brought it to their attention.

It been quite a while since the signs first started appearing. And some of them are still out there. But for a variety of reasons, they’ve been gradually diminishing in number. More than a few have simply been stolen. Some have been beaten to a pulp by the wind and other weather. And quite a few, I imagine, were taken in just because people didn’t intend for them to be come a permanent lawn ornament.

Unfortunately, and to my surprise, it has been suggested that many of them aren’t up any more because the folks who had them have been convinced by arguments supporting the incinerator, and have changed their minds!  One county commissioner even suggested as much in a conversation about the signs.

While I would never suggest that isn’t true for some people, I am confident it isn’t true for most. In fact, as measured by a number of other things, my experience has been that overall concerns about the process and/or opposition to the incinerator has expanded consistently and considerably. (Which would be consistent with how things have played out in every community that has faced similar proposals over the last 15 years – the more people learn, about the real costs, risks and alternatives, and so on, the stronger the concerns and opposition.)

So…

Because the process has reached a critical point, with significant meetings and hearings scheduled in the next few weeks (I will be sending a separate email, to a larger list, explaining that, with links to additional information), I’d like to encourage you to:

1) Put your “NO INCINERATOR” sign back out in your yard or window now, if you still have one (that’s in decent condition), or…

2) Let me know that you need a replacement (and, if so, whether that means just the sign part or the sign and metal frame, together).

Thank you very much for displaying the sign in the first place. And thank you in advance to those who are willing to do so again…or still.

kai

PS: Obviously, the ground is icebound and frozen at the moment. But this is Maryland! It can’t last very long.

———-

Since I sent that email a couple of hours ago, I’ve already received almost 30 replies. So far, four people responded that they still have a sign up and in decent condition. Many were stolen. Many were blown away or weather beaten. And all of those folks asked for a replacement sign.

Not surprisingly, the emails included a number of other comments and questions about the status of the incinerator proposal. Here’s a few excerpts of the some of the emails below (with names and email addresses removed):

———-

“I had a sign up but it apparently was stolen.  I would like a new one to express my outrage about the incinerator.”

” I had one of the MIA signs- not really sure what happened to it.  I would love to have another one.”

“Mine isn’t up because it has been stolen…..THREE TIMES!!!!”

“I have been putting my back together when it falls off, but it is probably time for a new paper part.”

“I need a replacement. I get a lot of foot traffic past my house and it has (obviously) been a target of local vandals.”

“Our sign blew away. So, we would need sign and frame again.”

“Someone ran over and trashed my sign, along with the Obama sign I had put out. Please send me a replacement; two if you can.”

“I had my sign blown away by the wind two weeks ago.  I would love to have another one.”

“My sign disappeared a while ago.  I presume someone took it.  I would appreciate a replacement.”

“My sign rusted so badly I had to get rid of it. Please send another.”

“I’m happy to tell you my sign is still doing it’s job, little the worse for wear, on Edgemont Road! I appreciate your email, thank you.”

“Ours is still in our window.  Thanks for all that you are doing.”

As of today: Single Stream recycling is here!

Well…single stream recycling has arrived for most single family households in Frederick County. If you’ve received one of the new 65 gallon, wheeled, blue totes, you now know single stream collection has arrived for you!

There are still a lot of folks – including my family – that are not included, yet. But if you live in a single family home, and don’t have a tote, please know that this new program will include you before long (some time in the next few months, sooner or later depending on where you live). Multi-family buildings are also in the plan, but that will also be a gradual process.

Three of the most significant aspects of our new single stream recycling program are:

1) Convenience:  Single stream recycling makes recycling an item as easy as throwing it away. Everything that can be recycled here can be placed in one large container, which can be easily wheeled to the curb, where it will be collected. It’s as easy as knowing whether to drop an item into one container or the other.

2) More convenience: Many households in the county have not had curbside collection of recyclable items/materials. For us, recycling has meant separating and storing items, and periodically loading up the car and hauling it to one of twelve satellite drop-off centers in the county (for me, that has meant a twelve mile round trip). Without question, wheeling a large tote to the curb is much easier than making those trips.

3) More items and materials will now be accepted: A significant list of items and materials that have not been accepted for recycling previously, at the curb or at the drop-off centers, can now be included. Click here to download a pdf file that lists what can be recycled now (and what can not be).

In many different and substantial ways, recycling is good for the environment. And, without question, it is good for the county’s bottom line. Every ton diverted into this stream will reduce the cost of dealing with our “waste.” Click here to read “Top 10 Reasons to Recycle.” 

I’m going to end my comments here, and encourage you to read the two press releases below. If you want or need more information, there are various links, email addresses and phone numbers below.

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Office of Recycling
9031 Reich’s Ford Road
Frederick, Maryland 21704
http://www.co.frederick.md.us/recycling

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2009 

SINGLE STREAM COLLECTION OFFICIALLY BEGINS
Curbside Recycling Service Now Improved

FREDERICK, MD—The Frederick Board of County Commissioners and the Department Solid Waste Management announce that single stream curbside collection of recyclable materials begins today for residents in existing service areas. To prepare for the new program, the county has been distributing wheeled recycling carts since November. These carts can now be set out for curbside collection. 

The single stream program also brings other improvements and changes to residential curbside recycling service. The county’s goal is to make recycling an easier, more efficient process in order to increase recycling rates. More materials will now be accepted and less pre-processing of recyclables is required. Residents will no longer have to sort items, effectively making recycling as easy as throwing something away— but with the benefit conserving resources and our environment.

One of the most noticeable changes affects the recycling collection schedule, which is shifting from weekly to biweekly service. For many residents the day of the week for curbside collection is also changing. The county has been divided into ten new regions, five of which be serviced each week by the county’s contact hauler, Allied Waste services. To provide further information on these changes, a flyer has been mailed to every household with curbside service.

Residents with questions about recycling containers, collection schedules and other issues relevant to their curbside service should contact Allied Waste directly by calling 301-694-6498 or by sending an email to frederickrecycles@republicservices.com.

For further information on recycling programs and waste reduction in Frederick County, residents are encouraged to visit www.co.frederick.md.us/recycle.
 

###

 

INFORMATION UPDATE 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

January 26, 2009 

INFORMATION ON THE NEW SINGLE STREAM 
RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING PROGRAM IN FREDERICK COUNTY 

FREDERICK, MD – Since November 2008 more than 50,000 County residents have received a new wheeled, lidded container for the collection of recyclable materials. The new carts have generated much interest, a little debate and a great deal of anticipation for when they could actually be set out curbside and used. The Department of Solid Waste Management is pleased to announce that the new single stream curbside collection program officially begins Monday, January 26, 2009. This start date takes effect county-wide, for all single-family homes that have existing recycling service provided by the County. 

The single stream program introduces changes and improvements from the previous curbside recycling service. In an effort to communicate these points and address frequently asked questions as well as to provide notice of upcoming developments for the County’s recycling programs, the Office of Recycling has put together this Information Update. In addition to the points discussed here new information is being placed on the Office of Recycling’s website, http://www.co.frederick.md.us/recycling, with more updates to be posted online in the coming weeks. 

Who Can Recycle 

 At this time the improved recycling program is being implemented only in areas of the County that have existing curbside service. However, the Board of County Commissioners have voted to expand curbside recycling service to all single family homes in Frederick County, approximately 17,000 additional residences. The expansion of curbside recycling service to new households will begin in early spring 2009. As these homes are delivered recycling collection containers and program information they will be able to begin participating immediately. 

Currently only single family homes are provided with curbside recycling collection. Later in 2009 the Department of Solid Waste Management will be conducting a pilot program to test opportunities for multi-family dwellings such as apartments and condominiums to be provided with recycling collection service. 

Single Stream Curbside Service 

Single stream recycling means that no sorting of materials is required. Paper, plastics, glass and metal recyclables can all be placed in one container, no matter whether an 18-gallon bin or a larger wheeled cart is used. A complete list of recyclable—and non-recyclable—items is posted on the Office of Recycling’s website, http://www.co.frederick.md.us/recycling. 

Excess materials that cannot fit inside the container can be paced next to it in a cardboard box, paper bag or smaller, open-top container. If it can fit inside a collection container, cardboard does not need to be broken down and paper does not have to be bundled and tied. 

Carts should be set out curbside no later than 6 am on the day of collection. Carts should be placed with the wheels towards the curb, lid opening towards the street and at least four feet away from possible obstructions such as cars, trees and mailboxes. 

Allied Waste Services has been contracted by Frederick County to both perform single stream curbside collection of residential recycling and also to provide customer service for the new program. Questions about collection schedules, recycling containers, service issues and other relevant concerns should be addressed directly to Allied Waste by calling 301-694-6498 or sending email to: frederickrecycles@republicservices.com 

Curbside collection has switched from a weekly to an every-other-week schedule. All residents in areas with curbside service have been mailed a new collection schedule, program information and reminder stickers to help ease the transition to the new program. 

In the near future residents will be able to go online to the County Office of Recycling’s website to find their recycling collection dates. An interactive feature being created with cooperation from the County GIS and Information Technology Departments will allow residents to enter their street address and be provided with the collection schedule specific to their street. This feature is expected to be online in the next two weeks. 

Recycling Containers 

No matter what size or type of container is used, all recycling is now single stream, requiring no more sorting. 

Many residents in areas with existing service have ordered a wheeled cart—as a size-exchange, a townhome order, or to make up for an error in the original delivery of carts. These carts are being delivered as inventory and staff schedules allow. Residents on the wait-list are asked to please continue using an 18-gallon bin or other container until their new cart arrives in the next two to six weeks. 

Residents who are using a wheeled recycling cart are asked to return the previously-used 18 gallon bins that are the property of Frederick County. During the month of February these bins can be set out curbside—EMPTY—on the scheduled recycling pick-up day and they will be collected for use in other recycling programs. 

Residents who have purchased their own 18-gallon bins and/or lids may keep these as they are not County property. 

Residents who will use an 18-gallon bin as their ONLY recycling container may continue to place these out at the curb with materials inside and these will not be taken for reuse. 

Each of the new wheeled recycling carts has a bar code linking it to a specific street address. If you move to another location in Frederick County, your cart will stay behind at the residence it is linked to and you will use the container bar-coded to correspond to your new address. 

The cart’s bar code will be scanned each time your recyclables are collected. This creates a record of when collection has occurred, to assist in the event of service problems. The code is used only to record when any particular cart has participated in curbside collection, but does not record what or how much was in the cart. This process also allows data about regional participation rates for the recycling program to be gathered. 

Other Recycling Options 

For residents in households or areas where curbside service is not yet provided, the County operates twelve satellite drop-off centers for recyclable materials. These service centers will allow the commingling of all materials except cardboard, which will still need to be separated and flattened. Further information and maps for each drop-off center are found by visiting: http://www.co.frederick.md.us/recycling. 

In his own words: Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

It is a very nice bit of timing that Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the day before the Presidential Inauguration this year.

The federal holiday in King’s honor was signed into law in 1983, twenty years after his most well-known speech (commonly known as the “I Have a Dream” speech). The holiday was first observed in 1986, though it was not until 2000 that all fifty states officially observed it for the first time.

Forty-five years after that important and inspirational speech, about forty years after King was assassinated, twenty-five years after the holiday was signed into law, we observe and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day the day before the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.

Below I’ve posted the complete text of the 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech. Below that is a YouTube video of the entire speech (approximately 17 minutes).

And, just below that is another, shorter YouTube video (approximately three minutes) of the end of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last speech, made the day before he was assassinated.

“I Have a Dream”

(Delivered 28 August 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.)

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.”

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, “When will you be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: “For Whites Only.” We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest — quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day — this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

———-

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last speech

Appearance on WFMD about the new single stream recycling program

I was invited to speak with Bob Miller today, during his regular morning radio program on WFMD, the “Morning News Express.”

The primary subject of the conversation was Frederick County’s new single stream recycling program (along with a few general recycling matters, and a brief exchange about the proposed “Waste-to-Energy” incinerator).

If you’d like to listen, go to http://www.wfmd.com/cc-common/podcast.html and scroll to “County Commissioner Kai Hagen talked with Bob about the counties single stream recycling program.”

New Report – “Where Do We Grow From Here?”

The Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland just released a new report, entitled “Where Do We Grow From Here?”

From the task force’s home page on the website for the Maryland Department of Planning:

The Task Force presented its report to Governor O’Malley at his “Smart, Green & Growing” press conference on January 12, 2009. The report, entitled “Where Do We Grow from Here?,” presents an assessment of current conditions in the State and outlines over 50 recommendations for furthering smart, sustainable growth in Maryland.

“Maryland has long been a national leader in progressive land use policy, from the creation of the first state planning commission in 1933 to the well-known Smart Growth legislation of 1997. More than a decade after the advent of Smart Growth, however, we continue to face significant land use challenges,” said Jon Laria, Chair of the task force. “Maryland is a wonderful place to live, but expected population growth promises increased pressure on farmlands, forests, and waterways, including our precious Chesapeake Bay and the window of opportunity to confront and solve these challenges is shrinking.”

Click here to view or download the report (as a 5mb pdf file). And click here to view the appendices.

The report is broad in its scope, but includes a great deal of excellent and fairly detailed information, and an ambitious list of relatively specific recommendations.

The report is not short. But it well written, and very well organized, with discreet sections, and an ample offering of informative, engaging and attractive photographs, maps and graphics. If you have the interest and time, it’s worth reading cover to cover. But even if you are not so inclined, I encourage you to browse the document, and read what most catches your attention, or, at least, consider reading the executive summary and the summary of recommendations.

I don’t agree with each and every one of the recommendations exactly as presented. And I’ve heard others express sincere concerns about the degree to which it reflects or is part of a trend toward greater state intrusion into local land use planning (and authority). But I’m not going to delve into those concerns and controversies here and now.

Rather, I hope you’ll take some time to review the report and recommendations without filtering it through my criticisms.