Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:29:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: Janet Abreu
Subject: Caroline Siverson is right
Caroline Siverson is right
In rebutting Cliff Beasley’s August 21 post, Linda Bienvenue, in her post of August 22, made several assertions that cry out for clarification. The following are some of the most obvious (in quotes):
“I feel there are sensible ways to keep it (the environment) clean, sensible ways to work and grow and still be good stewards of this earth.†This has been the mantra of the new Board of Commissioners majority as they work to curtail expert citizen review and eliminate relevant staff positions, regulations and other sensible safeguards of the environment while failing to provide any substantive replacements. It is unclear what, if any, standards will replace the Leeds certification requirement. During the August 15th BOC work session, the chair of the Green Building and Sustainable Energy Advisory Committee raised some concerns, such as the lack of a clear standard, as well as county staff lacking sufficient knowledge for incorporating energy efficiency in the new jail. As a response, Chairman Bock stated he had told the jail architect to consider 5- to 7-year energy efficiency as part of the design. Hardly an energy efficiency standard. Linda, what is your “sensible way to work and grow and be good stewards of this earth†?
“So many projects across this great nation have been held up for years, or never allowed to happen due to some radical environmentalists ‘gumming’ up the works.†Increasingly we are being exposed to, and for many, swayed by political slogans and ideology that are not based in fact. Linda, where are the specifics?
“We are in an economic crisis because Chatham County’s previous administrations have stifled growth so that we may continue to live in a bedroom community.†What is this economic crisis? Did not our Assistant County Manager’s Recommended Budget presentation to the BOC on May 16, 2011 include the statement, “Chatham County survived the great recession in excellent financial shape.†? Is not our county’s Fund Balance over $22 million or roughly 27%, higher than the county’s 20% goal and roughly three times the State minimum of 8%? And does responsibility for the local effects of the recession really belong to the former commissioners? Surely they are not responsible for the nation’s economy. Are there not many residential and business projects already approved in Chatham County that have stalled due to the recession, not due to actions by the previous commissioners or their advisory bodies?
“. . . if we had substantial businesses coming into Chatham County, they would take up their portion of the tax payments. Commissioners Bock, Stewart and Perry understand this because they are business people.†This statement is particularly interesting in light of the fact that Chairman Bock recently opened a pizza restaurant and bar – in Wake County. Yet here in Chatham County innovative, unique businesses that focus on Chatham’s regional assets, both cultural and natural, have been able to open and flourish while taking good care of our environment. These include business related to tourism, which saw an increase of 4.6% in visitor spending in 2010, according to the county website (http://www.chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=19&recordid=2962&returnURL=/index.aspx). Chatham’s natural beauty, agricultural and working lands, distinctive and independently-owned shops, green and sustainable energy businesses – as well as the arts and music events — account for this increase.
These are assets to our county that Chatham officials are in a position to encourage, nurture and protect – yet we hear little to nothing about them from Commissioners Bock, Stewart and Petty.
As iterated many times by many others, environmental protections and economic growth are not mutually exclusive. Planned growth benefits all of us.
Janet Abreu