Posted by Chris Machielse on Jul 26, 2009 in
Musings Just returned from work and found a story about a request for federal stimulus dollars to build a new fire station here in Grand Blanc. $3.3 million request would enable the fire department a brand new facility to replace an aging one that has issues with its location on Saginaw Street.
“A fire station is needed,” he said. “At this point there’s no other way. To ask for tax dollars (such as a millage) would be out of line.”
Since when is asking for tax money to build a fire station out of line? Services from the fire department, police department, and educational system are essential to the function of a healthy community. I, for one, would have no objection to an increase in taxes if it meant proper protection, not only for residents and businesses from fire, but also for our firefighters, whose safety and usable equipment and facilities are paramount.
I suppose I simply do not understand the viewpoint of those completely opposed to even allowing the public to consider or vote on a millage or tax.
Tags: Fire Fighters, Grand Blanc, Politics, Taxes
Posted by Chris Machielse on May 30, 2009 in
Musings As a citizen of the world’s greatest consumer of energy and major pollution producer, it is discouraging to see easily recyclable bottles, newspapers, et cetera tossed into the garbage. Fortunately over the past week or so, I have noticed that there are places right here in Grand Blanc that allow you to help Mother Earth.
McFarlen Library has a dumpster in the parking lot for recycling paper. Newspapers and regular computer or notebook paper are accepted — I’m not sure whether magazines or glossy paper is accepted here, but if you are already making a stop by the library anyway, it’s a great way to lighten up your trash can and save some paper, not to mention the energy savings that can come from its reuse as opposed to brand new paper. I suppose to make your habits even closer to carbon neutral, you could ride a bike over there to dispose of your waste, but if you are combining your car trips to drive as few miles as possible, then that is fine too.
Kroger has plastic bag recycling. I’m not sure whether any other retailers around Genesee County have this, but I’m sure some others do. There are only a handful of facilities that can recycle plastic grocery bags, even though many are now numbered with the #2 recyclable plastic. Equipment in a normal facility simple jams up on the paper thin plastic bags. But a legit place to recycle these bags is sorely needed, as the world population as a whole uses between 500 billion and 1 trillion (that’s trillion, with a t!) and the bags can take hundreds of years to decompose. Also consider getting reusable bags — these are made out of some kind of fabric and are usually only a dollar or two apiece. Kroger, Wal-Mart, and Meijers all have reusable bags available in their stores, and because they are constructed for repeated uses, they can save hundreds of plastic bags and hold a lot more groceries. Plus, they’re great for toting things around to school or other places, too.
It’s refreshing to see people starting to care about the environment. I am hopeful Grand Blanc will soon have more places to recycle things like batteries or used electronics, both of which are difficult to dispose of properly and can leak numerous toxins into the ecosystem. But in the meantime, even a small step forward is better than no step at all. I look forward to recycling all of my school papers from this year rather than simply burning them or tossing them into the garbage.
Tags: Environment, Grand Blanc, Green, Recycling
Posted by Chris Machielse on May 16, 2009 in
Musings,
Sports,
Technology Went to the girls’ varsity soccer game this past Thursday. Expect pictures and at least an extremely abbreviated game summary on the Banner main site sometime early this next week. It was tough to get decent pictures without a zoom lens, despite our prime location of about three feet beyond the boundary lines. I was, however, able to capture an amazing save by Carman Ainsworth near the end of the game. The angle isn’t the greatest, but thanks to the power of burst mode on the camera, I have compiled an epic panorama through the seconds of the save.
(Click the picture for the full size)
There are two lessons you can take from this: first, bring a zoom lens, and, second, sports pictures where the players move a few feet in each frame are wildly addicting, even without a good angle or powerful zoom.
Tags: GBHS, Grand Blanc, Life Lessons, Photography, Soccer, Sports