Comments for Alachua Voter Guide

Comment on There is no fiscal responsibility without a new coal plant by Don Marsh

Don Marsh — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:07:01 +0000

And there you have it: “I don’t care if people move away, I say keep Gainesville small.” This is the prevailing attitude of the current Mayor and commissioners. And that is the reason I am running. I am NOT moving away. And I am fighting for our rights.

And coal doesn’t have to last forever. In another generation it may be less necessary, perhaps due to fewer irrational fears about nuclear power, or maybe nano-tech will produce more low-power solutions. Or something else. But coal is very appropriate for TODAY.

Comment on There is no fiscal responsibility without a new coal plant by Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:08:01 +0000

Whoa! Absolutely no Coal! I don’t care if people move away, I say keep Gainesville small. Not only will coal not last forever, it pollutes. I say keep Gainesville green. Solar has matured far more than you seem to acknowledge in this article. There are currently solar panels available which receive ambient UV beyond the visible spectrum which occurs through clouds and at night. I am in full disagreement with you over the subsidies for installing solar panels on homes and businesses. Encouraging homeowners and business owners to install their own solar arrays can drastically reduce the demands on the local power grid. It promotes independence and individual responsibility for the larger problem of energy scarcity. Even painting roofs white can reduce cooling costs (a major portion of energy usage in Florida) by nearly 35%. As you observed, this has already begun at the national level and we in Gainesville have a reputation as being progressive and ahead of the curve when it comes to environmental conservation and conscience. I feel it would be a real shame to compromise that as it has always been a major appeal to those considering moving and investing here. As for your program cuts, I will say only this: there is a roll for government, you seem to have missed it.

Comment on There is no fiscal responsibility without a new coal plant by Nathaniel Sperling

Nathaniel Sperling — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:05:08 +0000

Excellent points about the issue that I had not fully considered (obviously, I have been against the biomass plant from the beginning, but you have framed the issue in a slightly different way). You’ll make an excellent Mayor.

Comment on Don Marsh for Mayor by Don Marsh

Don Marsh — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:09:37 +0000

It’s great to hear from you again. You were indispensable back in 02, and I’m sorry you live out of state now. I hope all is going well for you, too.

Comment on Don Marsh for Mayor by Harvey Sullivan

Harvey Sullivan — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:50:45 +0000

Don;

I am thrilled to see your candidacy for Mayor. It is time that a reasonable person such as yourself occupied this position! All the best to you!

Harvey Sullivan

Comment on Lauren Poe on the subject of Koppers by Robert Krames

Robert Krames — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:09:21 +0000

Keith,
The reason it was rejected is because the EPA basically wanted to cover it with a concrete slab and hope for the best.

Are you willing to accept that solution? Do you want to have a large concrete slab in the center of our city covering up poison that may or may not be moving towards our water supply indefinitely? Would it be responsible for us to leave that there for our children and grandchildren to live/work near?

Comment on 10 Ideas for a Better Community in 2010 by Tony Domenech

Tony Domenech — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:58:01 +0000

Couple that with a DECREASE in the transfer to general government. We must stop this nonsense of making bad decisions and following them up with increases in rates and/or taxes.

Allow me one example. The unemployment ‘bank’ is out of money in Florida. It is out of money for many reasons not the least of which is that they are paying unemployment to those who have QUIT work. Not laid off, mind you, QUIT. Our great legislators in Tallahassee respond by increasing over 1000% what business owners must pay for unemployment insurance (from a little over $8.00 per employee to over $100!). Does anybody know this? Of course not. Only those who own businesses and must put up with this idiocy. CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND ELECTING MARCO RUBIO WOULD BE A GOOD START.

Comment on 10 Ideas for a Better Community in 2010 by Robert Krames

Robert Krames — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:31:51 +0000

I think a commitment freeze all tax and utility profit increases for the next 5 years would be a huge boom to employer and consumer confidence. It would stimulate the economy and job growth.

Comment on 10 Ideas for a Better Community in 2010 by Tony Domenech

Tony Domenech — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:48:43 +0000

Some facts: We (America) have about 400 years of KNOWN domestic coal reserves. We can burn coal as cleanly as natural gas. With the federally mandated retrofit of Deerhaven II AND a new 220 megawatt coal fired plant, the resulting emissions would be at least 50% LESS than they are today. Some have projected 70%. But, we’re going to burn trees. Oh…can’t forget this….in an LCD screen 3 of the panels are made of cellulose. Does suppy/demand play in here or is that axiom suspended in this circumstance?

Comment on 10 Ideas for a Better Community in 2010 by Don Marsh

Don Marsh — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:52:31 +0000

My favorite thing to do is to reduce our energy dependence on TREES. Revisit the new coal plant! We should only elect commissioners who will do that.