The Relentless Blogger

The City of Austin has now banned all "disposable" drinking containers from City Hall. That means no cans, plastic bottles, or paper cups; and that applies to ALL OF US. I know the city is making a concerted effort to "go green", but come on! At what point does one cross the line between "eco-friendly" and attempting to legislate values?

Which genius came up with this concept and took the time and trouble (and tax dollars) to get this kind of ordinance passed? Was there ... oh ... ANY bigger issue at hand in which to invest their time and brain power? Which would you wager will happen first: (a) the people of Austin stop buying sodas and water, or (b) the trash cans outside of City Hall overflow with half-consumed (and therefore wasted) beverages?

City of Austin appears to either be very gullible, or their idea of green is something the rest of us like to call algae. Here's another fun "green" policy: city buildings may now only be insulated or re-insulated with recycled insulation. Sounds like a good idea? The insulation specified is made of recycled denim. Boys and girls, what happens to a heap of denim when it is left for long periods of time - especially in humid weather? Can you say, "mildew?" Sure. I knew you could. Genius.

Next up, the City is trying to decide whether or not to MANDATE that all builders be required to make all new construction fully handicap-accessible ... including ramps, rails, etc. We're not talking about just City structures here; ALL homes, ALL buildings. Am I the only one who thinks the City is way overstepping their boundaries of authority in attempting to legislate how a home will be constructed? Once again ... isn't there ANY more important issue in which our elected "representatives" should invest their time?

Oh, and what's the deal with "ozone alert" days conveniently and consistently coinciding with the days Austin's air quality is officially measured? Are our representatives, by chance, issuing "false alerts" to boost those scores? Wouldn't that be tantamount to cheating on a test in school?

As long as I'm asking the City why, I have a few other questions. Why is a certain country in Europe profiting from Austin's tollways ... tollways the taxpayers of Austin have ALREADY paid for? Why are we pouring millions upon millions of dollars into a plastics recycling program that is neither profitable NOR a viable "green" solution? Why aren't we taking advantage of technologies that allow landfills to be used as clean energy sources?

Seems to me the City spends so much time sucking up to every hippie liberal with a heart that bleeds for baby dandelions that the real issues that would have a real impact on quality of life in Austin just don't get addressed. Since they seem short on them, I'd like to respectfully offer a couple suggestions to help the City distinguish between "feel-good" propaganda and real issues:

(1) How about standing behind the employees the City hires and trains as they go about trying to do their jobs (e.g., police officers, refuse collectors, and anyone else whose "office" is Austin's streets)?

(2) How about REALLY stepping up the availability of mass transportation and enforcing already-existing traffic laws to help control air quality, traffic congestion, and make commuting a viable option for more people?

(3) JUST SAY NO when some misguided cluck demands that the City provide services and paid hours to save the life of a wasp or cricket or whatever they're whining about. You're professionals fercripesake - act like it!

(4) THINK and RESEARCH OPTIONS before implementing policy. Is it really better to give all cyclists the right of way in all situations on the road ... or might better cycling traffic management be in order? Maybe more bike lanes, or even designated trails. IS that recycled denim insulation really the best available option long-term, or just a sounds-good bandage?

(5) How about legitimate efficiency and efficacy studies to measure the value of new programs and policies?

(6) How about doing something about all the panhandlers who so obviously cultivate that "homeless bum" look, then go home and pay their $2k/mo mortgage payment tax-free? Every cop in town knows the "professionals" on sight - why not develop programs that get them off the street corners and into civil service work that pays an honest wage and makes taxpayers out of freeloaders?

(7) How about some economic stimulus programs for long-time residents of the East side, who are now being pushed out of their neighborhoods in favor of nice, new condos for folks who can afford their lofty price tags? How about some neighborhood rehab funding for the folks who ALREADY live there? Has a "sweat equity" program ever been so much as considered for these folks?

Overall, I think Austin is a GREAT place to live, and our leaders do a good job. There are just a few decisions they make on the population's behalf that really make me wonder whether they've ever stopped to verify that their "green" policy really is green, and not an abundance of moss.