Common Council
Special Meeting – Budget Presentation
Monday, September 20, 2010, 6:15 p.m.
City Hall, 31 South Madison Street, Evansville, Wisc.
Agenda
1. Call to order.
2. Roll call.
3. Approval of agenda.
4. Citizen appearances.
5. 2011 Capital and Operating Budget Presentations. Each department head and/or committee will present their proposed capital and operating budgets. Presentations will include revenues and expenditures; each presentation is expected to run about 2 to 10 minutes depending on complexity and Q&A. The page listings refer to the Budget Worksheet dated September 14, 2010.
A. General Fund Revenues pg. 1-5
B. Library pg. 25-28
C. Youth Center pg. 18-19
D. Economic Development pg. 19
E. Marketing pg. 19 and separate handout
F. Police Department pg. 11-13
G. EMS pg. 22-24
H. Fire District pg. 12-13 and separate handout
I. Pool, Park Store, Recreation pg. 18-19
J. Finance pg. 9-10
K. Miscellaneous: Council (p 5-6), Mayor (p 6), Legal Services (p 7), City Administrator (p 7), Accounting/Auditing (p 8-9), Assessor (p 9), Municipal Buildings (p 10), Other General Government (p 10-11), Support for Outside Programs (p 16-17), Planning (p 20), Preservation & Restoration (p 20).
L. Public Works
• Building Inspector pg. 13-14
• Public Works, general pg. 14-16
• Recycling & Disposal pg. 15
• Parks Dept (maint.) pg. 17
• Cemetery pg. 29-30
• Wastewater Utility pg. 50-55
• Stormwater Utility pg. 56-58
M. Water & Light Utility Separate handout, pg. 1-9
N. TID #5-8 pg. 31-40
O. Debt Service pg. 41-42 and separate handout
P. Municipal Court pg. 6
6. Wisconsin Economic Summit Series.
7. Observations and recommendations by city administrator.
8. Adjourn.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
States Cutting Public Employee Pension Benefits--changing the deal?: Yahoo finance
Click on the post for the latest.
Second Annual " Pumpin' Up Evansville" Coming Oct 2nd: 10am--2 PM
Brown School Business Group presents the&
2nd Annual Pumpin’ Up Evansville
Sat, Oct 2nd 10am-2pm
Brown School Rd Area, Eastside of Evansville
Discounts and specials at participating businesses
Ronald McDonald appearing at McDonalds
Full service gas fill at Landmark Cenex w/complimentary gift bag while supplies last, sponsored by Brown School Business Group
NASCAR Simulator
Brat Fry by Evansville High Football team
Bouncy House sponsored by Dave’s Ace Hardware,
Activities for the whole family
1st Annual Evansville Cruise Inn
Sponsored by Evansville Ford, Symdons Chevrolet-Oldsmobile &
Main Street Motors
Registration 10am
No entrance fee for exhibitors and free general admission
Gas gift card drawings for entrants
“Fun for all and all for fun!”
2nd Annual Pumpin’ Up Evansville
Sat, Oct 2nd 10am-2pm
Brown School Rd Area, Eastside of Evansville
Discounts and specials at participating businesses
Ronald McDonald appearing at McDonalds
Full service gas fill at Landmark Cenex w/complimentary gift bag while supplies last, sponsored by Brown School Business Group
NASCAR Simulator
Brat Fry by Evansville High Football team
Bouncy House sponsored by Dave’s Ace Hardware,
Activities for the whole family
1st Annual Evansville Cruise Inn
Sponsored by Evansville Ford, Symdons Chevrolet-Oldsmobile &
Main Street Motors
Registration 10am
No entrance fee for exhibitors and free general admission
Gas gift card drawings for entrants
“Fun for all and all for fun!”
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Republican Oppose Taxes for Themselves: Want Corporate Welfare but no Other Please.: Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION
Shocking news from Normal, Mn. Click on the post for the latest.
Republicans Oppose Railroad---argue for horses: Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION
Click on the post for the latest.
Evansvile Common Council Meets tonight: Sept 14th; Click for Agenda; Budget meetings Sept 20th
Click on the post for the agenda.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Wisconsin Sets Record Rainfall for Summer 2010: Professor Young
Hi All-
Summer 2010 produced record rains for Wisconsin, based upon up to 116
years of data. The State Climatology Office's nearly final numbers for
Wisconsin's precipitation [statewide, divisional, and individual
stations] are found on the following National Weather Service link:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=mkx&storyid=57470&source=0
John
John A. Young
Professor Emeritus& Director, Wisconsin State Climatology Office
1503 Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
(http://www.aos.wisc.edu/~sco/)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53706
tel: (608) 263-2374, 262-5963, fax 262-0166
Summer 2010 produced record rains for Wisconsin, based upon up to 116
years of data. The State Climatology Office's nearly final numbers for
Wisconsin's precipitation [statewide, divisional, and individual
stations] are found on the following National Weather Service link:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=mkx&storyid=57470&source=0
John
John A. Young
Professor Emeritus& Director, Wisconsin State Climatology Office
1503 Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
(http://www.aos.wisc.edu/~sco/)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53706
tel: (608) 263-2374, 262-5963, fax 262-0166
Friday, September 10, 2010
Dateline Northfield, Mn.: The Defeat of Jesse James Days Celebration
Click on the post for the complete list of activities---celebrating the day that Jesse James met his match as a community refused to be robbed of their savings, and got their guns out---it was the last bank robbery of Jesse James.....
And yes...they have a special gravesite memorial...no theatre though.
And yes...they have a special gravesite memorial...no theatre though.
Memories of the World Trade Center
As a young man, I had the opportunity to work in the securities business...and I remember just like it was yesterday, the celebration at the top of the World Trade Center in the circular restaurant with all my fellow brokers...and the whole world of the World Trade Center, where the rest rooms came complete with butlers that had warmed hand towels....but I digress....
On the 24th floor on the way up that night, I noticed that a famous bond trading firm had their headquarters there...and I made a mental note of it that that would be the dream...to be a successful bond trader and work in the World Trade Center.....
It was not to be....and years later as I watched the World Trade Center crash in flames, it did occur to me that I was a lucky guy indeed to not get every dream that I had wished for......but my heart went out to those on that floor that died in the flames.....
On the 24th floor on the way up that night, I noticed that a famous bond trading firm had their headquarters there...and I made a mental note of it that that would be the dream...to be a successful bond trader and work in the World Trade Center.....
It was not to be....and years later as I watched the World Trade Center crash in flames, it did occur to me that I was a lucky guy indeed to not get every dream that I had wished for......but my heart went out to those on that floor that died in the flames.....
WSJ: OpEd; Old MacDonald's Farm part II:
Click on the post for the latest on factory farming and the contamination of our food supply.
Midwest Oil Pipeline shuts down----prices may rise in near term? : Yahoo
Click on the post for the latest.
Toxic Debt must be Dealt With: Video: Yahoo Finance
Click on the post for a video explaining when the recovery will occur.
Evansville Park Board Meets Monday, September 13, 2010: Budget, Speeding in park on Agenda
Click on the post for the latest.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Finance Committee Meets Thursday night: Budget plus Pool disciplinary review on agenda
Click on the post for the latest.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Highlights of Madison Capital Budget for 2011: WSJ
Click on the post for the latest from the Wisconsin State Journal.
Windmills on Parade Coming Shortly to Evansville----
Click on the post for a look back to last year and the street auction.
Monday, September 06, 2010
Nostalgia: 2009: The Case of Credit Derivatives---why the big boys looked white last week
If you click on the post you can review a short article on Credit derivatives from Wikipedia. Pretty heavy stuff. But still this should provide a starting point for an understanding of how large, how leveraged and how much there is at stake in the market for these products---which as far as I can tell is unregulated by anybody---and it is unclear if the big boys even know how much is at stake.
I have asked the famous "Bear Trader" to work up a little article on the subject and he is working on it. He did send me some initial thoughts:
"Publicly traded interest rate derivatives (not including CDS), 12/07, worldwide, per BIS., was $336,187,052,000,000
See attachment. Interest rate derivatives are also daisy chained throughout the financial system and some people besides US mortagees are taking a brutal beating on the LIBOR/(Treasury and Agency) spreads. Not the catastrophic dominoes of the credit default swaps, though, but a LOT more money is involved.
World GDP is about $67 Trillion. OTC CDS are about Notional $58 Trillion. Most CDS are not traded over the counter and I have no real data on the notional value these untraded contracts, but five times the notional value of the OTC contracts seems reasonable to me, or about $300 Trillion more. "
Here is the bottom line: Let's talk in TRILLIONS and not billions---and it just occurs to me that this is why all the pundits look white as a sheet on television. Stay tuned. I will publish the finished thoughts of "Bear Trader" when he finishes.
I have asked the famous "Bear Trader" to work up a little article on the subject and he is working on it. He did send me some initial thoughts:
"Publicly traded interest rate derivatives (not including CDS), 12/07, worldwide, per BIS., was $336,187,052,000,000
See attachment. Interest rate derivatives are also daisy chained throughout the financial system and some people besides US mortagees are taking a brutal beating on the LIBOR/(Treasury and Agency) spreads. Not the catastrophic dominoes of the credit default swaps, though, but a LOT more money is involved.
World GDP is about $67 Trillion. OTC CDS are about Notional $58 Trillion. Most CDS are not traded over the counter and I have no real data on the notional value these untraded contracts, but five times the notional value of the OTC contracts seems reasonable to me, or about $300 Trillion more. "
Here is the bottom line: Let's talk in TRILLIONS and not billions---and it just occurs to me that this is why all the pundits look white as a sheet on television. Stay tuned. I will publish the finished thoughts of "Bear Trader" when he finishes.
NYT: The State of Housing----Let it Fall or Not?
Click on the post for the article in the New York Times.
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Saturday, September 04, 2010
WSJ: An Inside Look at Land's End: The New Canvas Stores:
Land's End is moving into the younger demographic, and embracing social media to make it's new stores connect with a younger audience. Click on the post for the scoop.
Nostalgia; Tales from Normal, Mn.: 2009: City ignores Audit Recommendations for 75th straight year" FICTION
Click on the post for the latest.
RockNetRoots: Drafts from the Past; The Trillion Dollar Robbery
Interesting look back at a draft that is timely. Click on the post.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Blood Drive at St. John's Lutheran Church today
via facebook: Greg Whitemore:
Greetings to all my FB friends, If you have time today you have the opportunity to help save a life! The American Red Cross is holding a Quarterly blood drive @ St. Johns Luthern Church in Evansville from noon to 6 p.m. All bllood types are needed! It's something you can give that costs you nothing & can be very helpfull to someone in need.
Greetings to all my FB friends, If you have time today you have the opportunity to help save a life! The American Red Cross is holding a Quarterly blood drive @ St. Johns Luthern Church in Evansville from noon to 6 p.m. All bllood types are needed! It's something you can give that costs you nothing & can be very helpfull to someone in need.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
SchoolScoop: ACT scores drop again for Evansville: The analysis
Get behind the numbers with School Scoop analysis. Click on the post.
Breaking: Mailbag: Alternative ways to deal with Wind Turbine Affect on Human Health----
Telephone: (608) 266-5481 Fax: (608) 266-3957 Home Page: http://psc.wi.gov
TTY/TextNet: In Wisconsin (800) 251-8345, Elsewhere (608) 267-1479 E-mail: PSCRecordsMail@wisconsin.gov
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Eric Callisto, Chairperson 610 North Whitney Way
Mark Meyer, Commissioner P.O. Box 7854
Lauren Azar, Commissioner Madison, WI 53707-7854
August 31, 2010
The Honorable Fred Risser The Honorable Michael Sheridan
The State Senate The State Assembly
State Capitol, Room 220 South State Capitol, Room 211 West
Madison, WI 53702 Madison, WI 53702
Re:
Wind Siting Rules, Clearinghouse Rule 10-057
Dear Senate President Risser and Speaker Sheridan:
I write to explain my concurrence with the Commission’s rule on the siting of certain wind energy systems (Wind Turbines) in Wisconsin. While I support the overall rule because it will promote the development of wind in Wisconsin, the rule fails to provide a much-needed safety net for people whose health declines because of a Wind Turbine located near their home. The safety net I propose would be a minimal burden to wind developers while simultaneously protecting Wisconsin citizens who are sensitive to the noise emitted from Wind Turbines.
Among other things, 2009 Wisconsin Act 40 requires the Commission to develop rules that “provide reasonable protection from any health affects” associated with Wind Turbines. Wis. Stat. § 196.378(4g)(b). There is substantial evidence that noise from Wind Turbines could negatively impact the health of a small percentage of the population. To better ensure compliance with Act 40’s mandate, I proposed the following safety net: under limited circumstances, the owner of a Wind Turbine must purchase, at fair market value, the home of someone who can prove that a nearby Wind Turbine is directly causing a significant adverse health outcome. 1
Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot accurately identify the precise line between safe levels of noise from Wind Turbines and those levels that will negatively affect human health. Nor do we know why a small percentage of the population is affected more negatively by Wind Turbines than the rest of the population. As new information becomes available, the Commission can revise this rule. While more study is needed to better understand the full health impacts of Wind Turbines, it is important that we establish some remedy for the people who can prove that their health is being compromised by nearby Wind Turbines before the Commission has an opportunity to revise this rule.
To be clear, this safety net does not include awarding damages to the injured party; instead, it allows the injured party to move quickly from the area, thereby abating health concerns. The safety net would be limited to landowners who provide evidence (in the form of a certification) from a licensed Wisconsin medical doctor that one or more Wind Turbines have directly caused a significant adverse health outcome on the injured party. The only impact to the owner of the Wind Turbine(s) would be
1 The operation of this safety net proposal is not unprecedented. The Commission recently identified that the purchase of property at fair market value was a potential remedy for two landowners affected by a large wind energy development. Because the two landowners had a significant number of Wind Turbines within view from their homes, the Commission required mitigation, including the possibility that the utility purchase the properties at fair market value. The utility did not object to this potential remedy and has since purchased the properties. PSC REF#:137660
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
RECEIVED: 09/01/10, 9:23:27 AM
The Honorable Fred Risser
The Honorable Michael Sheridan
Page 2
the need to resell the house. Hence, the proposed safety net would not be an onerous requirement on the Wind Turbine owner and should not hamper wind development in Wisconsin.
The safety net could be structured as follows:
“PSC 128.XX Individual Hardships. If the owner of a nonparticipating residence experiences adverse health outcomes that are shown to be the direct result of the operation of a wind energy system, the owner of the nonparticipating residence may petition the political subdivision for mitigation of the adverse health outcomes. The petition for mitigation shall be referred to the Commission, which may order mitigation of the adverse health outcomes. A medical doctor licensed in the State of Wisconsin shall attest that that one or more wind turbine(s) have caused a significant adverse health outcome on the injured party before any relief may be granted under this section. Mitigation may include requiring the owner of the wind energy system to purchase the nonparticipating residence at fair market value.
Note: The Wind Siting Council may make recommendations with respect to the form and type of information that is required to show that adverse health outcomes are the direct result of the operation of a wind energy system.”
Absent a safety net provision like this, it is unclear how an injured party could obtain mitigation of adverse health outcomes from a Wind Turbine owner. If they are unable to sell their property for fair market value, injured parties would be forced to file suit against the owner of a Wind Turbine. This could require the injured party to incur significant legal costs that are not recoverable in a lawsuit and may dwarf the value of the home. The State of Wisconsin should not place its citizens in this position.
In conclusion, while I concur with the rule as a package, I remain concerned that this rule fails to protect the most vulnerable of our community and, therefore, I must qualify my support of this important rule. When this rule is referred to the appropriate standing committees, please forward a copy of this letter with the rule.
Sincerely,
/ Lauren Azar /
Lauren Azar
Commissioner
TTY/TextNet: In Wisconsin (800) 251-8345, Elsewhere (608) 267-1479 E-mail: PSCRecordsMail@wisconsin.gov
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Eric Callisto, Chairperson 610 North Whitney Way
Mark Meyer, Commissioner P.O. Box 7854
Lauren Azar, Commissioner Madison, WI 53707-7854
August 31, 2010
The Honorable Fred Risser The Honorable Michael Sheridan
The State Senate The State Assembly
State Capitol, Room 220 South State Capitol, Room 211 West
Madison, WI 53702 Madison, WI 53702
Re:
Wind Siting Rules, Clearinghouse Rule 10-057
Dear Senate President Risser and Speaker Sheridan:
I write to explain my concurrence with the Commission’s rule on the siting of certain wind energy systems (Wind Turbines) in Wisconsin. While I support the overall rule because it will promote the development of wind in Wisconsin, the rule fails to provide a much-needed safety net for people whose health declines because of a Wind Turbine located near their home. The safety net I propose would be a minimal burden to wind developers while simultaneously protecting Wisconsin citizens who are sensitive to the noise emitted from Wind Turbines.
Among other things, 2009 Wisconsin Act 40 requires the Commission to develop rules that “provide reasonable protection from any health affects” associated with Wind Turbines. Wis. Stat. § 196.378(4g)(b). There is substantial evidence that noise from Wind Turbines could negatively impact the health of a small percentage of the population. To better ensure compliance with Act 40’s mandate, I proposed the following safety net: under limited circumstances, the owner of a Wind Turbine must purchase, at fair market value, the home of someone who can prove that a nearby Wind Turbine is directly causing a significant adverse health outcome. 1
Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot accurately identify the precise line between safe levels of noise from Wind Turbines and those levels that will negatively affect human health. Nor do we know why a small percentage of the population is affected more negatively by Wind Turbines than the rest of the population. As new information becomes available, the Commission can revise this rule. While more study is needed to better understand the full health impacts of Wind Turbines, it is important that we establish some remedy for the people who can prove that their health is being compromised by nearby Wind Turbines before the Commission has an opportunity to revise this rule.
To be clear, this safety net does not include awarding damages to the injured party; instead, it allows the injured party to move quickly from the area, thereby abating health concerns. The safety net would be limited to landowners who provide evidence (in the form of a certification) from a licensed Wisconsin medical doctor that one or more Wind Turbines have directly caused a significant adverse health outcome on the injured party. The only impact to the owner of the Wind Turbine(s) would be
1 The operation of this safety net proposal is not unprecedented. The Commission recently identified that the purchase of property at fair market value was a potential remedy for two landowners affected by a large wind energy development. Because the two landowners had a significant number of Wind Turbines within view from their homes, the Commission required mitigation, including the possibility that the utility purchase the properties at fair market value. The utility did not object to this potential remedy and has since purchased the properties. PSC REF#:137660
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
RECEIVED: 09/01/10, 9:23:27 AM
The Honorable Fred Risser
The Honorable Michael Sheridan
Page 2
the need to resell the house. Hence, the proposed safety net would not be an onerous requirement on the Wind Turbine owner and should not hamper wind development in Wisconsin.
The safety net could be structured as follows:
“PSC 128.XX Individual Hardships. If the owner of a nonparticipating residence experiences adverse health outcomes that are shown to be the direct result of the operation of a wind energy system, the owner of the nonparticipating residence may petition the political subdivision for mitigation of the adverse health outcomes. The petition for mitigation shall be referred to the Commission, which may order mitigation of the adverse health outcomes. A medical doctor licensed in the State of Wisconsin shall attest that that one or more wind turbine(s) have caused a significant adverse health outcome on the injured party before any relief may be granted under this section. Mitigation may include requiring the owner of the wind energy system to purchase the nonparticipating residence at fair market value.
Note: The Wind Siting Council may make recommendations with respect to the form and type of information that is required to show that adverse health outcomes are the direct result of the operation of a wind energy system.”
Absent a safety net provision like this, it is unclear how an injured party could obtain mitigation of adverse health outcomes from a Wind Turbine owner. If they are unable to sell their property for fair market value, injured parties would be forced to file suit against the owner of a Wind Turbine. This could require the injured party to incur significant legal costs that are not recoverable in a lawsuit and may dwarf the value of the home. The State of Wisconsin should not place its citizens in this position.
In conclusion, while I concur with the rule as a package, I remain concerned that this rule fails to protect the most vulnerable of our community and, therefore, I must qualify my support of this important rule. When this rule is referred to the appropriate standing committees, please forward a copy of this letter with the rule.
Sincerely,
/ Lauren Azar /
Lauren Azar
Commissioner
Those Wind Jobs: The Accounting: MacIver Institute
Facts About ‘Green Job’ Creation Elusive as the Wind | MacIver Institute 9/1/10 6:40 PM
http://maciverinstitute.com/2010/08/facts-about-green-job-creation-elusive-as-the-wind/ Page 1 of 5
Facts About ‘Green Job’ Creation Elusive as the Wind
MacIver News Service | September 1, 2010
[Madison, Wisc...] Although they are touted and promoted by policy makers and opinion leaders across the
state, accurately defining and keeping track of ‘green jobs’ has proven nearly impossible in Wisconsin.
Take, for example, ‘green jobs’ associated with the wind industry.
Wisc. Governor Jim
Doyle (D)
“Clean energy technology and high-end manufacturing are Wisconsin’s future,” Governor Jim Doyle said
in his final State of the State address. “We have more than 300 companies and thousands of jobs in the
wind industry.”
That statistic is impossible to verify.
The State of Wisconsin does not track those companies nor the jobs within the industry. When contacted,
the Office of Energy Independence (an agency created by Governor Doyle in 2007) directed MacIver News
to Wisconsin Wind Works, a self-described “consortium of manufacturers representing the wind
manufacturing supply chain within Wisconsin.”
The advocacy group maintains an online wind energy-related supply chain database, although a routine
Facts About ‘Green Job’ Creation Elusive as the Wind | MacIver Institute 9/1/10 6:40 PM
http://maciverinstitute.com/2010/08/facts-about-green-job-creation-elusive-as-the-wind/ Page 2 of 5
examination of the data proved just how unreliable the figures are.
When the online, searchable database was utilized earlier this summer, it listed 340 companies in Wisconsin
connected to the wind industry, a fact which, without additional investigation would appear to be in line
with the Governor’s statement. However, further examination showed many of those companies were not
currently serving the wind industry and were only listed because they someday could serve the wind
industry.
For example, the database listed 38 manufacturers, but only 24 of them have anything to actually do with
the wind energy sector presently.
Of those 24 Wisconsin manufacturers, only eight were categorized as primary suppliers. Another four
companies were listed as both primary and secondary suppliers. A MacIver News Service reporter contacted
all eight primary suppliers and the four companies listed as primary/secondary suppliers in our initial query
and what we found further eroded the credibility of Governor Doyle’s claims.
When contacted, the companies listed as both primary and secondary suppliers all described themselves
merely as secondary suppliers. That means they produce products that are not exclusive to the wind energy.
For example, Bushman Equipment manufactures lifts that move heavy pieces of equipment, which, among
many other uses, can be used to handle wind turbines.
Wisconsin Wind Works’ database is not only generous with the number of companies within their supply
chain it associates as being primary suppliers, there are issues with the actual job numbers listed for each
company as well. Many of the figures are either inflated, the jobs are not located in Wisconsin, or they
cannot be tied to wind energy.
For example, Rexnord Industries was one of the eight Wisconsin manufacturers listed in our query as
directly serving the wind energy industry. The database shows the company has 6,000 employees. Yet a
Rexnord official told the MacIver News Service that the company only has 1,500 employees in Wisconsin,
and only five of those have jobs which are directly tied to the wind industry.
Wisconsin Wind Works’ database says Orchid International has 600 employees, but a company
spokesperson told MacIver it only has 150. Amsoil Inc. in Superior has 236 employees listed in the
Wisconsin Wind Works database, but a company representative told the MacIver News Service that only 6
of them work on wind energy-related products.
In all, at the time of our search, the database claimed 7,632 jobs among the eight manufacturers that were
current primary suppliers to the wind industry. Yet, the MacIver News Service was only able to identify 31
Facts About ‘Green Job’ Creation Elusive as the Wind | MacIver Institute 9/1/10 6:40 PM
http://maciverinstitute.com/2010/08/facts-about-green-job-creation-elusive-as-the-wind/ Page 3 of 5
jobs at those companies which were specifically tied to wind energy related products.
Manufacturers told MacIver News that other employees might work on wind-related products occasionally,
but it does not represent the bulk of their workload.
Another 1,077 workers are listed among the secondary suppliers and we did not investigate that claim.
VAL-FAB, one of the companies listed as both a primary and secondary supplier, explained to MacIver
News that it initially had high hopes for the wind energy industry that never materialized. The company
specializes in fabrication for the energy sector.
William Capelle, Director of Business Development at VAL-FAB, said “At first we thought we might be
able to manufacture the actual towers, but it turns out 90 percent of those are imported from Spain.”
Since the MacIver News Service first examined the Wisconsin Wind Works database, the number of
companies listed has increased to 360. A reporter attempted to contact the organization for comment about
the veracity of their data, but Wisconsin wind Works, which solicits members by selling itself as the
“preferred partner of wind energy professionals,” did not respond.
They are, however, holding a Wind Energy Symposium in Milwaukee on October 13th.
Meanwhile the Office of Energy Independence continues to pursue the Doyle Administration’s green energy
policies. As Doyle said during his final State of the State address, “anyone who says there aren’t jobs in the
clean energy economy had better open their eyes.”
There is no doubt that some jobs in the wind industry exist in Wisconsin. The accurate number of these
‘green jobs’ is proving to be, at best, elusive
Representatives of Doyle’s office did not respond to repeated request for comments regarding the
information contained within this article.
By Bill Osmulski
MacIver News Service Investigative Reporter
Wisconsin Wind Works’ directory
http://maciverinstitute.com/2010/08/facts-about-green-job-creation-elusive-as-the-wind/ Page 1 of 5
Facts About ‘Green Job’ Creation Elusive as the Wind
MacIver News Service | September 1, 2010
[Madison, Wisc...] Although they are touted and promoted by policy makers and opinion leaders across the
state, accurately defining and keeping track of ‘green jobs’ has proven nearly impossible in Wisconsin.
Take, for example, ‘green jobs’ associated with the wind industry.
Wisc. Governor Jim
Doyle (D)
“Clean energy technology and high-end manufacturing are Wisconsin’s future,” Governor Jim Doyle said
in his final State of the State address. “We have more than 300 companies and thousands of jobs in the
wind industry.”
That statistic is impossible to verify.
The State of Wisconsin does not track those companies nor the jobs within the industry. When contacted,
the Office of Energy Independence (an agency created by Governor Doyle in 2007) directed MacIver News
to Wisconsin Wind Works, a self-described “consortium of manufacturers representing the wind
manufacturing supply chain within Wisconsin.”
The advocacy group maintains an online wind energy-related supply chain database, although a routine
Facts About ‘Green Job’ Creation Elusive as the Wind | MacIver Institute 9/1/10 6:40 PM
http://maciverinstitute.com/2010/08/facts-about-green-job-creation-elusive-as-the-wind/ Page 2 of 5
examination of the data proved just how unreliable the figures are.
When the online, searchable database was utilized earlier this summer, it listed 340 companies in Wisconsin
connected to the wind industry, a fact which, without additional investigation would appear to be in line
with the Governor’s statement. However, further examination showed many of those companies were not
currently serving the wind industry and were only listed because they someday could serve the wind
industry.
For example, the database listed 38 manufacturers, but only 24 of them have anything to actually do with
the wind energy sector presently.
Of those 24 Wisconsin manufacturers, only eight were categorized as primary suppliers. Another four
companies were listed as both primary and secondary suppliers. A MacIver News Service reporter contacted
all eight primary suppliers and the four companies listed as primary/secondary suppliers in our initial query
and what we found further eroded the credibility of Governor Doyle’s claims.
When contacted, the companies listed as both primary and secondary suppliers all described themselves
merely as secondary suppliers. That means they produce products that are not exclusive to the wind energy.
For example, Bushman Equipment manufactures lifts that move heavy pieces of equipment, which, among
many other uses, can be used to handle wind turbines.
Wisconsin Wind Works’ database is not only generous with the number of companies within their supply
chain it associates as being primary suppliers, there are issues with the actual job numbers listed for each
company as well. Many of the figures are either inflated, the jobs are not located in Wisconsin, or they
cannot be tied to wind energy.
For example, Rexnord Industries was one of the eight Wisconsin manufacturers listed in our query as
directly serving the wind energy industry. The database shows the company has 6,000 employees. Yet a
Rexnord official told the MacIver News Service that the company only has 1,500 employees in Wisconsin,
and only five of those have jobs which are directly tied to the wind industry.
Wisconsin Wind Works’ database says Orchid International has 600 employees, but a company
spokesperson told MacIver it only has 150. Amsoil Inc. in Superior has 236 employees listed in the
Wisconsin Wind Works database, but a company representative told the MacIver News Service that only 6
of them work on wind energy-related products.
In all, at the time of our search, the database claimed 7,632 jobs among the eight manufacturers that were
current primary suppliers to the wind industry. Yet, the MacIver News Service was only able to identify 31
Facts About ‘Green Job’ Creation Elusive as the Wind | MacIver Institute 9/1/10 6:40 PM
http://maciverinstitute.com/2010/08/facts-about-green-job-creation-elusive-as-the-wind/ Page 3 of 5
jobs at those companies which were specifically tied to wind energy related products.
Manufacturers told MacIver News that other employees might work on wind-related products occasionally,
but it does not represent the bulk of their workload.
Another 1,077 workers are listed among the secondary suppliers and we did not investigate that claim.
VAL-FAB, one of the companies listed as both a primary and secondary supplier, explained to MacIver
News that it initially had high hopes for the wind energy industry that never materialized. The company
specializes in fabrication for the energy sector.
William Capelle, Director of Business Development at VAL-FAB, said “At first we thought we might be
able to manufacture the actual towers, but it turns out 90 percent of those are imported from Spain.”
Since the MacIver News Service first examined the Wisconsin Wind Works database, the number of
companies listed has increased to 360. A reporter attempted to contact the organization for comment about
the veracity of their data, but Wisconsin wind Works, which solicits members by selling itself as the
“preferred partner of wind energy professionals,” did not respond.
They are, however, holding a Wind Energy Symposium in Milwaukee on October 13th.
Meanwhile the Office of Energy Independence continues to pursue the Doyle Administration’s green energy
policies. As Doyle said during his final State of the State address, “anyone who says there aren’t jobs in the
clean energy economy had better open their eyes.”
There is no doubt that some jobs in the wind industry exist in Wisconsin. The accurate number of these
‘green jobs’ is proving to be, at best, elusive
Representatives of Doyle’s office did not respond to repeated request for comments regarding the
information contained within this article.
By Bill Osmulski
MacIver News Service Investigative Reporter
Wisconsin Wind Works’ directory
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Evansville Municipal Court Report for July and August Now Available
Click on the post for the latest.
"Normal, Mn. Declares Local Cemetary National Historic Tourist Destination:" FICTION
What a bunch of totally excited folks today in Normal, Mn. as they marched to the local cemetary to celebrate the designation of it as a National Tourist Destination.
It seems that Normal, Mn. wanted to get caught up in the craze of creating tourist destinations, but had just one simple problem....the most substantial and the longest lasting structures were in the cemetary---all of the cheap shacks of the treasured forefathers had long been demolished as unfit for human habitation.
If you are thinking of a short daytrip from Garrison, or Lake Winnie, or even St. Cloud, think of making the Normal, Mn. graveyard one of your destination points.....This message brought to you by the Grave Society...a 501(3)c organization dedicated to uplifting and caring.
It seems that Normal, Mn. wanted to get caught up in the craze of creating tourist destinations, but had just one simple problem....the most substantial and the longest lasting structures were in the cemetary---all of the cheap shacks of the treasured forefathers had long been demolished as unfit for human habitation.
If you are thinking of a short daytrip from Garrison, or Lake Winnie, or even St. Cloud, think of making the Normal, Mn. graveyard one of your destination points.....This message brought to you by the Grave Society...a 501(3)c organization dedicated to uplifting and caring.
Observer salutes RKM Studios new Wind turbine video: Memories of Sergei Eistensein
The Russian filmaker Sergei Eisenstein in his film "Battleship Potemkein" unveiled a theory of lighting and film editing montage that has been used ever since. Click on the post for a glimpse of that film. As a young grad student in Madison in 1969 this was one of the first films I saw. The recent video "Wind of Change" by RKM Studios brings some of the same uses of black on white and pacing that was the hallmark of Sergei Einstein.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Public Safety Meets Wednesday; Speed Bumps, Budget for EMS; EPD on Agenda
NOTICE
The regular meeting of the Public Safety Committee for the City of Evansville will be held on the 1st day of September, 2010 at 6:00 p.m., at City Hall, 31 South Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin. Notice is further given that members of the City Council might be in attendance.
Public Safety Committee
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 6:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Room
31 S Madison Street
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Motion to approve the August 4, 2010 regular meeting minutes as printed
5. Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed
6. Old Business
a. Motion to approve Operator’s License application for Rebecca M Tucker
b. Discussion regarding speed bumps and speeding ordinance in the City of Evansville Parks
7. New Business
a. Motion to approve Operator’s License Applications for:
1. Tammy D Pestor
2. Amber L Dienberg
b. Motion to approve the Class “B Retailer’s (Picnic) License application for Evansville Community Partnership Inc with attached Temporary Bartender’s List for the Harvest Windmill Festival September 10 through September 12, 2010 at 206 East Main Street, Evansville WI 53536.
c. EPD Budget proposals for 2011
d. EMS Budget proposals for 2011
8. Evansville Police Report
a. Countywide Communications Systems – Update Handout
9. Evansville Medical Service Report
10. Motion to adjourn
Dennis Wessels, Chairperson
Requests for persons with disabilities who need assistance to participate in this meeting should be made to the Clerk’s office by calling 882-2266 with as much advance notice as possible.
Please turn off all cell phones while the meeting is in session. Thank you.
The regular meeting of the Public Safety Committee for the City of Evansville will be held on the 1st day of September, 2010 at 6:00 p.m., at City Hall, 31 South Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin. Notice is further given that members of the City Council might be in attendance.
Public Safety Committee
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 6:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Room
31 S Madison Street
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Motion to approve the August 4, 2010 regular meeting minutes as printed
5. Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed
6. Old Business
a. Motion to approve Operator’s License application for Rebecca M Tucker
b. Discussion regarding speed bumps and speeding ordinance in the City of Evansville Parks
7. New Business
a. Motion to approve Operator’s License Applications for:
1. Tammy D Pestor
2. Amber L Dienberg
b. Motion to approve the Class “B Retailer’s (Picnic) License application for Evansville Community Partnership Inc with attached Temporary Bartender’s List for the Harvest Windmill Festival September 10 through September 12, 2010 at 206 East Main Street, Evansville WI 53536.
c. EPD Budget proposals for 2011
d. EMS Budget proposals for 2011
8. Evansville Police Report
a. Countywide Communications Systems – Update Handout
9. Evansville Medical Service Report
10. Motion to adjourn
Dennis Wessels, Chairperson
Requests for persons with disabilities who need assistance to participate in this meeting should be made to the Clerk’s office by calling 882-2266 with as much advance notice as possible.
Please turn off all cell phones while the meeting is in session. Thank you.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
InCar Internet Radio: and the podcasts of the Evansville Observer
As in car internet radio becomes more popular as well as home internet radio, there has been increased use of the podcasts of the Evansville Observer...whether for sermons, meetings, politics or other.
Next time you are tuning in to internet radio, check if you can find the podcasts from Evansville. They are free.
Next time you are tuning in to internet radio, check if you can find the podcasts from Evansville. They are free.
Video: "The Water Nightmare: A True Story"--now available on Mediafly FREE
Click on the post for the Non-Fiction true story told by the participants.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
BREAKING: "Walter", German shorthair, 60 lbs, lost, ran away
If you see this dog, please call Ken and Sue Reese. Thanks. Walter is a friendly dog.
Dateline Normal, Mn.:" City adds three historic Districts; Cancels All Youth Programs": FICTION
Click on the post for the latest.
OpEd; Full, Open, Properly Noticed Discussion of "Fund 80" is Best for All
It might seem moxie for some to think of having an annual meeting for the Evansville School District, and then having a parent planted in the audience to amend the agenda at meeting time to include approval of a Fund 80 to support youth in Evansville through the Youth Center. Thus, some think, a full debate could be avoided and the motion pass by the prearranged voters in place. This would be unwise.
Do the voters of this area want to support youth after school recreation activities or not? If so, how will they be paid?
If these activities will be supported, the organization that supports them should be the one in charge of the program and the buildings involved.
Nothing but a full discussion can resolve the will of the public, and to circumvent openess would harm the relationship of the parties that is already harmed.
Stay tuned.
Do the voters of this area want to support youth after school recreation activities or not? If so, how will they be paid?
If these activities will be supported, the organization that supports them should be the one in charge of the program and the buildings involved.
Nothing but a full discussion can resolve the will of the public, and to circumvent openess would harm the relationship of the parties that is already harmed.
Stay tuned.
Friday, August 27, 2010
"Social Media" in Focus at I & E Meeting on September 8th:
Join Us Sept. 8 for a Great Program on Social Media!
Twitter This: What Social Media Can Mean for Your Small Business
Word-of-mouth advertising has leap-frogged to new levels with social media venues like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Instead of telling two friends about a cool new invention and 10 friends about the worst service ever, social media broadcasts enable a user to rant or rave to hundreds and thousands of connections.
What this means to inventors and entrepreneurs will be discussed Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the next monthly meeting of the Evansville Area Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club. These monthly meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and are hosted in the lower level of the historic Eager Economy Building at 7 E. Main St., Evansville.
Speaker Gary Smith has two decades of business consulting experience, and better than a decade of “hanging out” with college students, who are among the most prominent users of social media. Smith is director of the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin in Platteville. His background includes working for Toyoda Machinery, Litton and PriceWaterhouseCooper, as well as teaching college-level business management classes and developing custom training programs. One of his current projects is promoting entrepreneurship to elementary students through a partnership with the University of Wisconsin Extension.
After Smith’s presentation and follow-up questions have concluded, participants will have a minute each to introduce themselves and talk about their business, invention or other relevant matter. Refreshments will follow, sponsored by Susan Marks Francis, a full-service realtor with a long Evansville history. She is a broker associate with Stark Company Realtors, which has a 108-year tradition of serving south central Wisconsin.
Meetings of the I&E Club are free and open to the public, thanks to sponsors and donations. To become a sponsor or to inquire about the club, contact club President John Gishnock at 608-882-6656, or Sue Berg, vice president of marketing and outreach, at 608-882-0986.
Twitter This: What Social Media Can Mean for Your Small Business
Word-of-mouth advertising has leap-frogged to new levels with social media venues like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Instead of telling two friends about a cool new invention and 10 friends about the worst service ever, social media broadcasts enable a user to rant or rave to hundreds and thousands of connections.
What this means to inventors and entrepreneurs will be discussed Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the next monthly meeting of the Evansville Area Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club. These monthly meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and are hosted in the lower level of the historic Eager Economy Building at 7 E. Main St., Evansville.
Speaker Gary Smith has two decades of business consulting experience, and better than a decade of “hanging out” with college students, who are among the most prominent users of social media. Smith is director of the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin in Platteville. His background includes working for Toyoda Machinery, Litton and PriceWaterhouseCooper, as well as teaching college-level business management classes and developing custom training programs. One of his current projects is promoting entrepreneurship to elementary students through a partnership with the University of Wisconsin Extension.
After Smith’s presentation and follow-up questions have concluded, participants will have a minute each to introduce themselves and talk about their business, invention or other relevant matter. Refreshments will follow, sponsored by Susan Marks Francis, a full-service realtor with a long Evansville history. She is a broker associate with Stark Company Realtors, which has a 108-year tradition of serving south central Wisconsin.
Meetings of the I&E Club are free and open to the public, thanks to sponsors and donations. To become a sponsor or to inquire about the club, contact club President John Gishnock at 608-882-6656, or Sue Berg, vice president of marketing and outreach, at 608-882-0986.
Minn: Hennepin County sets levy increase at 1%; lowest in 15 Years: Star Tribune
Click on the post for the article in the StarTribune.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Will the Edgewater TIF be approved?: WSJ
The city must approve "rolling out the TIF" or delaying the closing of the current TIF on State Street which is scheduled to close in 2015 and would begin providing additional revenue to schools.....By delaying the closing, that money would be funneled to the Edgewater benefit....not the immediate taxpayer beneft.
Click on the post for the article in the Wisconsin State Journal.
Click on the post for the article in the Wisconsin State Journal.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
No Jobs..No Home Sales: Yahoo: Finance: July Home Sales Plunge
Without employment, who would buy a home? Click on the post for the July homes sales report.
Monday, August 23, 2010
SchoolScoop: Sports Costs: The Analysis:
Click on the post for a thorough analysis of sports costs in Evansville Schools.
Wind Turbine Corner: Interest in Town of Union Wind Turbine Hearings spike up
It must be back to school time, when the weather cools, and folks can get energized again.....and traffic on the podcast site of the Town of Union Wind Turbine Hearings from 2008 has doubled as citizens listen to their deliberations that set a standard not duplicated by the PUC.
Click on the post for the audio files on Mediafly. Download to your ipod for easier listening.
Click on the post for the audio files on Mediafly. Download to your ipod for easier listening.
SchoolScoopl; Evansville School Board meets today---8/23/2010
Click on the post for the latest on the meeting tonight.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Evansville, Janesville Schools to get Federal Stimulus Money: Gazette
Click on the post for the latest.
Madison Mini-Marathon today: Construction challenges: WSJ
Good luck to all the runners today. Click on the post for the details on the challenges to endurance sports in Madison this summer.
Friday, August 20, 2010
America turns into a $5 store:
Do a research project. Enter a Target store and walk down the main isle. Every isle will have a sign on it for a $5 special....ok...there may be one with a $2.50. Still....retailers are marketing for those shoppers that are looking for a thrill....and yes it is a $5 rush from a slight purchase to get them by.....
Make a note of it.
Make a note of it.
Financial Panic in Normal, Mn.: Everyone Returns to School: FICTION
Click on the post for the latest.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
OpEd: Evansville: Budgets: "Getting to ZERO"
All across America cities and states are facing difficult budget seasons where they review the programs of the past that cannot be funded given the decline in revenue from federal or state aids, or tax revenue. The first of the attempts is to hold the line in actual dollars spent to prior year levels---as opposed to a rubber stamp for a 4% increase or so. The days of the rubber stamp are over.
The difficulty with the ZERO is that to get to zero requires that if wage contracts are honored, some programs and yes some staff have to be furloughed....yes some fees have to go up....and some taxes have to go up. There is just no other way the arithmetic works, unless we have some "grants" to bail us out, the "grants" being from the federal government, which is us, and which will, and is coming to get us in taxes as we speak....
In each of the past four decades there have been times of austerity. If you flip back you can remember or research these---from the recession of 1970 and the closing of Gisholt Machine Works in Madison, to the layoffs at Oscar Meyer, to the recession of 1981 to the Crash of 1986 etc.....
The Past is gone.
This is going to be a difficult budget season for everyone, and the deal has been changed on the State and Federal level. The days of everyone advocating for themselves and working to see their pet projects approved is over....Programs will be cut....Sacrifices will be made....as they have in the past. Dreams for programs will be put on hold for a later date--delayed and not destroyed....When things get better we can take the dreams out of the file cabinet and plan....or maybe our kids will take the files out of the file cabinet.
This is not the time for unseemly ranting...It is the time to reflect on how to make reasonable promises that can be kept over time...and review the ones that have been made in the past that are in jeopardy of being broken. Were the promises from the State to our schools broken? Will the promises to our seniors be broken? Will the promises to our civil pensioners be broken?
The difficulty with the ZERO is that to get to zero requires that if wage contracts are honored, some programs and yes some staff have to be furloughed....yes some fees have to go up....and some taxes have to go up. There is just no other way the arithmetic works, unless we have some "grants" to bail us out, the "grants" being from the federal government, which is us, and which will, and is coming to get us in taxes as we speak....
In each of the past four decades there have been times of austerity. If you flip back you can remember or research these---from the recession of 1970 and the closing of Gisholt Machine Works in Madison, to the layoffs at Oscar Meyer, to the recession of 1981 to the Crash of 1986 etc.....
The Past is gone.
This is going to be a difficult budget season for everyone, and the deal has been changed on the State and Federal level. The days of everyone advocating for themselves and working to see their pet projects approved is over....Programs will be cut....Sacrifices will be made....as they have in the past. Dreams for programs will be put on hold for a later date--delayed and not destroyed....When things get better we can take the dreams out of the file cabinet and plan....or maybe our kids will take the files out of the file cabinet.
This is not the time for unseemly ranting...It is the time to reflect on how to make reasonable promises that can be kept over time...and review the ones that have been made in the past that are in jeopardy of being broken. Were the promises from the State to our schools broken? Will the promises to our seniors be broken? Will the promises to our civil pensioners be broken?
Video: 2008: Jim B speaks on sound impact on health
Jim B of Town of Union study committee speaks to the issue of sound impact of wind turbines on human health
Download File
Download File
Video; Wind Turbine: Tom Alisankus speaks
2008: Town of Union: Wind Turbine Study Committee Chair Tom Alisankus speaks; Objects to EcoEnergy coming at last minute saying they have additional info when have refused and delayed response prior.....notes that the residents living under the turbines that testified were the best witnesses...notes State of Wisonsin prior process was inappropriate.
Download File
Download File
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
UW Lecture: Simon Johnson Speaks on the Financial Crisis
Click on the post for the video from the recent lecture sponsored by American Family and the UW School of Business.
2008: Union: Wind Turbine: Scott McElroy Speaks
Scott McElroy,member of the Town of Union Wind Turbine siting committee, speaks on set back impact on public health
Download File
Download File
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Video: 2 of 2: Park Board: Speed bumps advocated
Video: Evansville Park Board: August 16, 2010: Fred Juergens advocates use of speed bumps in Lake Leota Park since there have been very few, one, citations in 2010. Need for solution cited. Judge Alisankus adds thoughts.
Download File
Download File
Video: 1 of 2 Park Board: Juergens advocates for Speed Bumps
Video: Evansville Park Board: 1 of 2: Fred Juergens advocates for speed bumps for Lake Leota park. There has been only one conviction in 2010 for offences in the park, and speed bumps work.
Download File
Download File
White House: Blogs; New battery technology and new jobs in Wisconsin
Click on the post for the latest.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Audio: Park Board; Speeding in the Park
Audio; Judge Alisankus speaks as to possible ways of dealing with speeding in the park, and the tools already available to address it.
MP3 File
MP3 File
Songs of The Fishermen: "The Watchtower"
Video: Lake Winnie: 2010; Chris Hector on guitar; Bart on Bongos. "The Watchtower"
Town of Union: Wind Turbine Siting
(Ed.note: I have republished this testimony since the State of Wis Siting Council had a member on its committee and did not consider his testimony.)
Living Under the Turbines----live testimony of residents with experience----
Download File
Living Under the Turbines----live testimony of residents with experience----
Download File
Dateline Normal: "Cost of Cowchips Skyrockets"--FICTION
Tales from Normal: On the rise of commodity prices; On the scarcity of cowchips; On the abundance in Wisconsin--we have plenty of bull---FICTION
MP3 File
MP3 File
School Beat: Fund 80; School Role in Youth Center: Tax Levy Impact: Layoffs;
Click on the post for the recent administrator report.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Wis Dept of Revenue: By County Listing of Decrease in Residential Property valuation
Click on the post for the latest.
Doug Zweizig speaks on New Wind Rules: What really happened: Gazette
Click on the post for the latest.
Flooding in Iowa brings traffic to Evansville Observer
After the flooding, there is pause to review....and Iowan computer users were coming to the Evansville Observer last night to see how Evansville is handling their floodplain----
Click on the post for the history of floodplain management in Iowa that responded to prior floods.
Click on the post for the history of floodplain management in Iowa that responded to prior floods.
Whie House; Blogs: Honoring Social Security not Privatizing It----
Several years ago, the Republican party dream was to privatize Social Security----considering the stock market collapse and financial crisis it does not take a rocket scientist to imagine what would have happened if that leadership had been followed...
It is still the Republican party dream....make a note of it.
Click on the post for the article from the White House.
It is still the Republican party dream....make a note of it.
Click on the post for the article from the White House.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
State of Wis Wind Siting Council Recommends DBA limits for daytime, night
"The Council believes that the rules should establish absolute noise limits (as opposed to noise limits relative to ambient noise levels). Measurements using above ambient noise levels may be helpful for assessing potential for annoyance,28 but are not correlated with known adverse health effects. The overwhelming majority of studies relating to noise and human health have assessed effects from absolute noise levels rather than relative noise levels. As a result, the Council believes that use of absolute noise limits in the rules is a practice based upon a larger volume of scientific evidence.
After surveying the peer-reviewed scientific research regarding the health impacts of wind energy systems, the Council favors a noise performance standard which limits the noise attributable to wind energy systems to a year round standard of 45 dBA at night and 50 dBA during the day. This recommendation is a departure from past practice for wind projects reviewed at the state level in Wisconsin; however, the Council believes that this departure is in the public interest.
The best available scientific evidence specific to wind turbine noise suggests that 45 dBA (measured outside of a residence) is the noise threshold above which there is a small but statistically significant increase in self-reported sleep disturbance.29 This evidence does not allow for a conclusion regarding whether there are seasonal differences in self-reported sleep disturbance.30 As a result, the Council believes this noise performance standard should be applied year-round for nonparticipating landowners. The Council believes that property owners should be permitted to waive the noise performance standards. The Council did not find any data regarding specific health impacts of wind turbine noise in excess of 50 dBA. Evidence from studies of other sources of environmental noise, suggests that a daytime noise threshold of 50 dBA is well below the threshold at which measurable adverse health effects (e.g. hearing impairment, high blood pressure) from noise are seen.31,32 The Council believes these proposed noise performance standards are moderately conservative when compared with similar standards found in most other states.33,34"
After surveying the peer-reviewed scientific research regarding the health impacts of wind energy systems, the Council favors a noise performance standard which limits the noise attributable to wind energy systems to a year round standard of 45 dBA at night and 50 dBA during the day. This recommendation is a departure from past practice for wind projects reviewed at the state level in Wisconsin; however, the Council believes that this departure is in the public interest.
The best available scientific evidence specific to wind turbine noise suggests that 45 dBA (measured outside of a residence) is the noise threshold above which there is a small but statistically significant increase in self-reported sleep disturbance.29 This evidence does not allow for a conclusion regarding whether there are seasonal differences in self-reported sleep disturbance.30 As a result, the Council believes this noise performance standard should be applied year-round for nonparticipating landowners. The Council believes that property owners should be permitted to waive the noise performance standards. The Council did not find any data regarding specific health impacts of wind turbine noise in excess of 50 dBA. Evidence from studies of other sources of environmental noise, suggests that a daytime noise threshold of 50 dBA is well below the threshold at which measurable adverse health effects (e.g. hearing impairment, high blood pressure) from noise are seen.31,32 The Council believes these proposed noise performance standards are moderately conservative when compared with similar standards found in most other states.33,34"
Friday, August 13, 2010
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