We have had rain on 7 out of the last 8 days and plenty of rain going back to last summer. It is time that area officials fully explain why we are still under water restrictions. Believe me, I have heard anecdotal information about it being dry, but I have water standing on top of my yard and 10 days ago when I was tilling up my yard, getting ready for my garden, there was no evidence of dry soil. How about y'all?
If we are still under water restrictions, because of population reasons, then officials need to come out and say, "We are overpopulated so we are rationing water." Can someone please explain where and why the justification of this decision (or lack there of) to not lift water restrictions. I believe that we can positively suggest the best times and conditions for people to water without severely penalizing them with onerous fines. That is what marketing is for.
Is this just a control issue? Just doing this for the sake of doing it or just because they can? I am really trying to understand why these restrictions are still in effect, because it seems and it sounds like the only reasoning is quasi-bureaucratic-political jargon. In my opinion, if these restrictions aren't necessary, then they are unnecessary.
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Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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12 comments:
It's probably a good thing to leave the restrictions on for a while. The forecast for the summer is still hot and dry. During these months evaporation becomes a significant factor with the Catawba River basin as a whole experiencing up to 100 million gallons a day of evaporation. Since it takes a while to get the public use to changes in restrictions status quo for a while longer may be a prudent thing. Sincerely, Al Gore
I know you are sort of kidding, but if that is the line of thought, shouldn't the local government explain this to the public?
Put it in the City Snippets and tell people that we need to reasonably control public water usage, because of X, Y, and Z, instead of pushing this drought nonsense.
What I've heard on wfae recently (though I can't find it now) is stuff about water tables in western NC still being low, which I think means the underground water supply has not returned to pre-2007-drought levels.
Ant, I read that on the HDR front page this morning. What they said seemed conflicting to me. The question is do you trust these people. Put aside their bureaucratic rhetoric and give me your honest opinion. What does your common sense tell you? Do you think we are in a drought?
If people think I am wrong I am willing to listen. I've got water seeping up out of mt back yard. which isn't in a low lying area, and they are telling me that we are in a drought.
Lake levels are up, but the streams feeding the lakes aren't up to where they should be. Somewhat akin to filling a bathtub...when the lakes are full and the water in the streams is not needed to fill the lakes, the streams will become full again, and the drought will be over. The drought cannot be measured by water standing in someone's backyard. That could be a runoff problem, soil problem...not a drought or non-drought indicator.
Drought = Cracked Yard akin to the dust bowl. I have seen this nowhere.
Years ago, no one defined a drought as what you are talking about. That is changing definitions again, but that's cool. That's just part of this New World Order (control) that we have to deal with. I know how to play that game. I hope the rest of the public has that capability.
drought (drout) Pronunciation Key n.
A long period of abnormally low rainfall, especially one that adversely affects growing or living conditions.
A prolonged dearth or shortage.
Nothing about a dustbowl. We just still do not have enough water available to have the water tables back to a normal level that will not be easily drained should we all return to normal useage. I'm sorry, but I have to say I enjoyed your blog much more when you weren't so quick to try to prove yourself 'right' using sarcasm as a tool.
It isn't sarcasm. It is my opinion, just like you are entitled to yours, I am entitled to mine. I just don't think drought conditions exist. I enjoy doing my blog more when people express themselves and allow me to express myself, not try to besmirch me, because I don't tow their line.
You see I am not a Kool-Aid sipper. Most of us can see that our bureaucracy is failing from top to bottom. Nothing is demanded, except for leadership. There has been no leadership on this issue or most others. Leadership isn't about authoritarian, we know better than you, rule; it is about dialogue and communication. Are we getting that from most of our leaders? This just seems to be another pass the buck situation.
Have you read what I have said here? Honestly, read it without your mind already made up, because as you can see I already have deeply thought about this situation. Is this a population issue? Is this a control issue? Where is the true science? or is this another quasi-devotional principle, follow the leader mentality like "Global Warming?"
You make the call and why take it so personally? Is this something that you are personally devoted to?
I'm not really sure what a Kool-Aid sipper is, but I'm pretty sure it isn't relevant to having an opinion. At the risk of being accused again of besmirching you...which I wasn't trying to do, or hopefully I would've been much better at it...I used to read everything you wrote and give thought as to what part of it I did or did not agree with, and why I did or did not agree. I tried doing it without using fancy phrases and big words, because while I do have that ability, such useage is usually just a smokescreen. I held a job for over 12 years helping others in a workplace that is quite experienced with the use of words as a smokescreen, and I am sorry to say that my verbage abilities were used to great effect. Back to my original point...it just seems to me that you get a point in your head, ie: My backyard is standing in water...so the drought MUST be over - because it's all about the ability or inability of your backyard to drain water. That STILL doesn't raise the water table enough to fill our lakes and then our streams to full capacity, even if you ARE on the verge of attracting mosquitos to your backyard swamp. A control issue? I surely hope if the government is trying to control us, they'll do it using something besides basic water restrictions. I like to think the drought is almost over, but since I am not schooled in the fine art of drought detection, I must read what there is to be read and salt that with some common sense. My dislike...well, it's not even that strong of a feeling...your blog, it just bores me anymore...and no, I don't have to read it, but I used to enjoy it. You had a lot of thoughts and some ideas on what to do to effect change...but as time goes by it just sounds a lot of times like whining because things aren't going YOUR way. I think most of city council should be gone...I think a lot of people in city hall should be gone...and I think a lot of them there need more recognition than they get. I think our economic leaders could work harder at bringing more diverse jobs to the area, but I also think some of those jobs need to be geared toward the manufacturing history the area has. We simply have way too many people who rely on that sort of job to leave them stranded. I can honestly say I've never made my mind up before reading what you said because I never knew what you would say...but lately it all sounds the same, so I must confess to briefly skimming and rarely posting my thoughts anymore. I have in fact started to post a reply only to hit the x and move on to something else because I just felt my response wouldn't be heard in any way because it differed from what you thought. I have rambled, and I apologize for that. And not to quibble semantics, but the expression is "toe the line".....as in line up on the mark with all the others. I no longer work the job I had for over 12 years because I did not toe the line very well myself, and I enjoy hearing someone say "I bet I know who you voted for" when in fact I voted for McCain rather than Palin. So please do not suppose to know how my thoughts go...from day to day sometimes I do not know myself. As for what I take personally, it's not drought/no drought. Having done a good job in the past and paid for it, I just don't like people who aren't directly in the know ragging on people who are doing their job and most likely doing it well, just because it doesn't correlate with what people want to hear. Usually I find myself defending officers, firemen/women, and the DOT workers on the highways. And waitresses. I apologize for my digression...I hadn't intended to respond at all. Happy Easter. (And I choose to remain anonymous due to my previous employment and the fact that I simply do not wish to expose myself and my thoughts to those people for further gossip sessions. The higher up you are in city hall, the more time you have to stand around talking about people.)
I have no problem with anything that you just stated. I appreciate the honesty.
I do believe that the water issue is a control issue. I also don't think we are at a critical level. My Anecdotal evidence about my yard is being seen by thousands of people in this area. There is water standing everywhere. I have asked many people what they think and many of them laugh and say that they believe that it is another example of micro-managerial control.
The issues that you have addressed about local government deal with micro-managerial issues. The problems with this city's bureaucracy have come from top-down micro-managerial control. The bureaucracy is smothering the people with micro-managerial control over big and small issues alike.
This State has destroyed its job base by this type of thinking that has all of the answers. I do not pretend to have all of the answers, but I most certainly have a lot of questions, and I want the answers to them. Is That wrong of me?
The title of this post is Common Sense. Do you really think we are in a drought still? Do you think people should still be facing onerous fines if they don't follow Big Brothers dictates about when they can water? Because in the end that is just what is the reason why I am bringing this up.
And it does not matter which side of the aisle you are on, because both sides of the aisle are broken right now. There are just as many Pubs as Dems that believe in the Quasi-devotional Gobblety-Gook called Global Warming. And it is alright to believe in it, but please don't usurp our liberty to do so.
Honestly, no, I don't think we're still in a drought....and I'll be at the front of the line to say you have the right to say anything you want. If the stream levels are truly still down though, I think it would be irresponsible to not at least take that into consideration, especially as the summer approaches. I agree the government micromanages. In my opinion - nothing but an opinion - Gary McGee and Bill McDonald did pay attention to what was going on, but they trusted their staff to do their jobs. The makeup of city council was much better then too. Hickory was better off with Tom Carr as Planning Director; after he took the asst city manager job he was not allowed to be as effective as he had been...that was one man the city was really lucky to have. There is a LOT of backstabbing and tattling within that city government right now, from all ranks. The sad thing is, Hickory has a lot of talent we will probably never see - the basic mindset amongst the workers who really care about what they do is to keep their heads down, get their job done, and go home unnoticed. That's how you stay safe there. As for wanting answers to your questions, I think you most certainly should have them...just keep in mind they may not be the answers you want to hear, and sometimes what you want to hear (and that's a collective you, not a personal you) just isn't what is best for everyone, and government is supposed to be for the greater good. I don't know how higher governments work, but if you ask the city for answers, be prepared to wait the full stated time period they 'require' to answer and it may involve actually going in to city hall and paying .25/page for a copy of whatever it is you need. The city has policies in place to help deal with people who ask too many questions, questioners are laughed about, if the person calls often enough, well, the city has caller ID and "oh god...guess who's calling again" can often be heard. "Is that who I think I hear talking in the hallway/I saw so and so coming in...if they're looking for me, I'm not available." is commonly heard. And no one should think if they're treated like family they're one of the chosen few....chances are everyone around is waiting on you to leave so they can bust out laughing and talk about you. Consensus is if they make it cumbersome and time consuming to get the answers to you, you will stop asking. Ok...your last couple of posts are more your 'norm'....and I did like your idea of putting reasons to control water useage in the City Snippets. Oh...and I had to look up toe the line because I thought it was toe, but tow kinda made sense...just thought I'd enlighten you after I enlightened myself. Happy Monday.
http://www.hickorygov.com/egov/docs/123930962492.htm
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