It's Labor Day Weekend, dear reader, and the last thing you are thinking about is Brian's blog. So, I am going to be nice (and realistic!) by sparing you from reading one.
Please remember as you celebrate Labor Day those who went before us to fight for good working conditions for Americans.
Have a great weekend. We will get together again on Tuesday.
My wife, our Yorkie and I have been driving to the Midwest and back the last few years to visit relatives and reacquaint ourselves with America. We love traveling, but usually take a plane and see the country from 30,000 feet. Instead, we have been traveling the interstates and state highways visiting relatives, national parks and generally enjoying the ebb and flow of our country.
While we have lived in various parts of the country, it's been fun (between 5,000 and 5,500 miles each trip) to revisit places from the past and discover new ones. You may enjoy, dear reader, some reflections on traveling by car today as compared to many years ago.
First of all, it's a lot more comfortable. Cars with air conditioning that travel on interstates instead of small roads makes the driving worth it. My early memories of windows open to admit the air (usually hot and humid) and highways that required slowing down at every small town with a stop light made for a challenging trip.
Second, it's significantly safer. Much of the credit goes to the 1950's Interstate Highway System (thank you President Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower!) that keep cars moving at a steady pace on a divided highway, median center strip, and limited on/off ramps. Traffic fatalities, while still unacceptable, are a fraction of what they were compared to the former state highways. I will never, ever forget the brief but awful concept of two lanes with a middle lane for passing (both directions, no less!) that were death traps.
Third, the cleanliness of America's highways. You are surprised? You disagree? Well, reader, the highways of the past were used as places to pitch garbage out of cars, particularly beer and soda cans. So what has changed? For one, Americans don't treat their highways with the disdain they once did. Cleanliness campaigns ("Care for California and "Don't Mess with Texas" for instance) and highway beautification efforts (President Johnson's wife, Ladybird, was a one-woman cleanliness tornado), and fines for littering helped. Often not thought about is the significant impact of cash for recycling, particularly cans and bottles. Why toss it out the window when it can be redeemed for money?
Fourth (but important to dog lovers like my family) is the growth of pet-friendly motels. Yay! No more need to put dogie or kitty in a pet-jail while on vacation...instead book him/her with you into a friendly Holiday Inn Express, Best Western or rest place of your choice. Yes, there is a small fee, but happiness is having our Yorkie travel by car with us and sleep on the motel floor in her portable bed.
I would like to conclude with what I would call a "somewhat" plaudit: road signs. In the Interstate Highway Act, Congress was wise to keep signs a distance from the roadway and some restrictions as to where they could be prohibited. Signs are a necessary evil (when and where is the next gas station?!?), but no one wants them spoiling beautiful views of America. All-in-all I think they got it right.
There are two road sign exceptions, however. For those of you that, like me, remember the pre-interstate highway system, you probably miss the many, many Burma Shave signs. Growing up, I joined my brothers and sister in trying to see who could first see and read the rhyming Burma Shave signs. And, sadly, the signs for world-famous Wall Drugs on Interstate 90 no longer lead you directly to the store; you are now required to leave the interstate at one of those non-descript exits (#29A?) to drive off to the old and little used state highway (wasn't it 40?) to get your goods and bumper sticker ("Where's Wall Drug?" "I have been to Wall Drug.")
So, to test the old axiom that the past was better, try gassing up that old beater, slip a water bag over the front hood ornament (oops, wrong decade), roll down those windows and drive through the desert at night to keep cool, and stop at Wall Drug where you can buy your foamy Burma Shave!
Coming Soon...
1. Orchid and Onions Awards.
2. Common Academic Standards: About Time
Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail abriancalhoun@gmail.com
Newspapers and the electronic media has been filled with pros and cons on the proposal to build a Muslim mosque in lower Manhattan, a few blocks from the 9/11 Trade Towers tragedy. Everyone seems to have an opinion as to whether the area "near" ground zero is too sacrosanct to build a mosque.
The issue of mosques, incidentally, is not limited to the New York controversy. Opposition to mosques is also raging in Tennessee and Wisconsin. And recently, a mosque in neighboring Madera was vandalized. So, dear reader, what can we say about religious tolerance or intolerance in Fresno? I believe that Fresnans can be very proud of themselves.
A few years ago, the greater Fresno Muslim community purchased land on Nees Avenue in Northeast Fresno to build a mosque and their Islamic Cultural Center. That long stretch of Nees is the home of numerous Christian churches, many with very conservative congregations. Did they oppose the building of the mosque and cultural center? Absolutely not! To the best of my knowledge, there has not been a single negative incident encountered by those practicing their faith at that religious site.
As a former Fresno council member, I was invited to numerous religious and educational events at the Islamic Cultural Center. I loved their food and thoroughly enjoyed participating in their activities. I learned much about their religion and their cultural practices. It was a wonderful experience.
The mosque's iman and the Cultural Center's director have been very active in reaching out to the community to share their facilities and to participate in both secular and non-Muslim religious activities. Fresno residents, in turn, have returned the courtesy.
Pat yourself on the back, Fresno. All of you, regardless of your religion (or lack of one), should take pride in not being an "anti" as are some folks in other parts of the country. Thanks.
Coming Soon...
1. Orchid and Onions Awards.
2. Common Academic Standards: About Time
Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail abriancalhoun@gmail.com
In 2008 voters passed Proposition 11, which directed the recruitment of a 14-person commission charged with redrawing California's political boundaries for state legislative and Board of Equalization districts. The commission is to be representative of various political parties, sex and ethnicity. Now that the once-in-a-decade census is completed, average citizens, not politicians, will design the geographical boundaries of California's political districts. This process should result in the elimination of the current practice of the Democratic and Republican parties gerrymandering districts to protect incumbents of each party.
I decided to throw my hat into the proverbial ring for appointment as one of the 14 commissioners. As an independent voter (officially "decline to state"), I have always hated gerrymandered political districts. My own legislative district, for example, is heavily oriented to one political party. Therefore, no one from the other major party-- much less a smaller political party--has a chance of being elected. This is wrong, and I felt that I had the interest and skills to be an effective commissioner.
The finalists for the commission would be required to spend a significant amount of time redrawing legislative district boundaries. No compensation other than mileage, meals and lodging associated with travel to meets and hearings.
Applying for the position was arduous. A detailed application had to be completed and reference letters submitted.
For those of you following my "good government" efforts, you should know that I failed, flunked, was knocked out of the running. And dumped in the first cut! (By form-letter like e-mail, no less.) How embarrassing! My head is hanging in shame.
But, to be honest, dear reader, I knew my chances were pretty slim...about as remote as receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature. Unfortunately, the selection panel was not particularly interested in older, white males that have served as a local elected officials. Bad bona fides for California!
While I am resigned to minding my business in Fresno (while, of course, entertaining you with my blog), I must admit that I am disappointed to not be selected. I believe I would have been a good commissioner. Oh well, it is good knowing that so many California citizens are willing to take the time to apply, and for 14 of them, to improve California's governance process.
Coming Soon...
1. Orchid and Onions Awards.
2. Fresno and the New York mosque controversy.
Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail abriancalhoun@gmail.com
Campaigning door-to-door in seven elective office campaigns (four as county supervisor in Wisconsin, two for city council in Fresno, and one for county supervisor in Fresno) has introduced me to thousands of people. Pushing doorbells--as I like to call it--generally results in a polite thank you from the person at the door after my brief self-introduction and proffering of campaign literature. Every now and then, however, I would encounter a particularly nice or nasty person. And then sometimes--even less often--I would meet a real character. No character I have ever met at the door can ever top Woody Laughnan who recently passed away.
Little did I know during my doorbell pushing for Fresno City Council District 2 in 2000 that Woody's modest condominium on a shaded street in northwest Fresno would result in more than an hour of his grilling of my position on everything from the First Amendment to air pollution from dairy cow gas, to the conflict in Bosnia. Actually, it wasn't as much him asking me questions than it was Woody TELLING ME what I should be thinking and doing.
At first I thought he was just a crank and that I would have to suffer through his monologue hoping that he would soon let me go (and reward my patience by voting for me in the upcoming election). The more I listened to him, however, (periodically getting my opinions into play), the more I enjoyed our discussion and the more I respected his wit (disguised as criticism), even when he treated me as if I was a "scheming, low-life politician promising everything and doing nothing."
I finally was released that afternoon from Woody's clutches but, as it turned out, that would not be the last I heard from him. I walked away thinking about all the doorbell-pushing I could have done in the hour plus that I spent at his door (no, we did not sit down and it was a hot summer afternoon!). I also didn't think I would hear from him again.
I was fortunate to be elected to the city council for two 4-year terms before being termed out. Woody did not forget me, however. He periodically would call my office and give me the riot act for a decision I made or, more commonly, for something (usually pretty "far out") that I did not do. No one, and that includes me, likes criticism, but usually he was right.
My council assistant and I never failed to chuckle reading his periodic "newsletter" that would arrive in the mail at City Hall. It was so outlandish that the mail room staff asked me if it was a threat and should be reported (remember, this was now after the 9/11 World Trade Center bombing). No, I told them. It's just (my friend?!?), Woody, off on his Don Quixote quest to change Fresno, California and the world (to include Council member Calhoun) by making government his style of democracy.
Woody visited my office once or twice and I would see him periodically at public events. He seemed to always be happy to see me, but would never fail to tell me what I was doing wrong. Usually, but not always, he was right.
I miss Woody. Fresno has lost a character, but a character in the finest sense of the word. He said what he thought. He demonstrated love for his community and country not by showy patriotic flag-waving but by honest, constructive criticism.
Truth be told, I never knew if he voted for me.
Coming Soon...
1. Orchid and Onions Awards.
2. Striking out on the State Citizens Redistricting Commission.
Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail abriancalhoun@gmail.com
Ten years ago Tom and Aletha Lang established the Aquarius Aquarium Institute. The mission of the Institute is to elevate public consciousness and understanding of our aquatic world. The purpose of the Institute is to foster respect, understanding and conservation of the world's aquatic ecosystems through educational programs, interpretive exhibits and aquarium propagation, spawning and rearing of aquatic species. The Institute offers environmental teaching programs to help bring educational parity to Central Valley students and citizens of all backgrounds and cultural groups.
The Institute is working toward the eventual construction of an outstanding aquarium on the Institute's 10-acre property located where State Highway 99 crosses the San Joaquin River in Northwest Fresno. Years of fundraising and local government support have recently resulted in the critical extension of City water and sewer lines to serve the Aquarium. Award-winning local architect, Arthur Dyson, AIA, has designed the Aquarium.
The recent year resulted in the wonderful donation--valued at more than $1.7 million--of 12 major aquarium exhibits and associated equipment from the Steinhart Aquarium's former Howard Street location in San Francisco. Everyone involved with the Aquarium's future is keeping crossed fingers for success with the State of California Proposition 84 Tier 1 grant of $7 million which, if received, will build Phase One of the Aquarium.
I am a Founding Member of the Aquarius Aquarium Institute. I was particularly pleased to work closely with the Lang's and the Institute's board of directors as the City of Fresno council member representing Northwest Fresno during the early planning stages. I am so impressed with the progress made so far and encourage my blog readers to visit http://www.aquariusaquarium.org/ and, hopefully, become a member of the Aquarius Aquarium Institute.
Activities of the Institute include:
* The popular Teaching Tidepools! Program for pre-school and kindergarten classes.
* The annual Earth Day Run for the Reef attracts runners and walkers of all ages to the Shops at River Park in Fresno, where the Sugar Pine Trail provides the route for the timed 5k run and 2-mile run/walk.
*Collaborating with RiverTree volunteers, the Fresno Fire Water Rescue Team and scuba divers organized by Aqua Sports dive shop, to pull trash, tires, invasive plants and other debris from the San Joaquin River and clean its banks.
* World-renknown speakers providing lectures and demonstrations on timely marine-related issues.
* Mentoring high school students in the Environmental Lab at the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART), a project-based charter school operated jointly by the Fresno and Clovis Unified School District.
* Sponsoring with Aqua Sports the California tide pool animals in the large exhibit tank at the Big Fresno Fair.
* Collaborating in marine research with experts throughout the United States.
I look forward to the day, not too far in the future, when families from the Central Valley can, in just a matter of minutes, visit their local aquarium !
Coming Soon...
1. Orchid and Onions Awards.
2. Striking out on the State Citizens Redistricting Commission.
Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail abriancalhoun@gmail.com
The Fresno Visitors Bureau is on the political and financial ropes. The City of Fresno is not about to continue paying most of its funding--$1.2 million. In fact, Mayor Swearengin proposed and the Council approved cutting the bureau's budget by half. The day of reckoning for the bureau is fast approaching.
There has been a long history of poor policy decisions and management at the Convention and Visitor's Bureau. While on the City Council a few years ago, it was obvious to Mayor Autry (and to most, but not all, of the council members) that the bureau's board of directors was a rubber stamp for the bureau director, that some city employees were less than competent, and that the bureau was floating on a sea of public financial subsidy.
Much (but not all) of that changed when the city hired SMG, a private events management firm, to run the events center, pushed the bureau's director to retire, and significantly downsized the board of directors.
Unfortunately, all these changes improved the bureau but did not solve other underlying problems: the city subsidy continued to remain high, many of the hotels and motels in Fresno County did not charge a "pillow tax" for supporting the bureau, the board of directors continued to provide weak policy oversight, and the director appointed at the conclusion of the Autry administration was not qualified to manage the operation (ironically, he recently resigned to take a school principal position in the Wisconsin city I resided in many years ago).
An additional problem facing the tourism-related industry in Fresno is the significant over-building of hotels and motels that took place prior to the recent recession. The occupancy rate is way down from what it was previously.
As reported in the Fresno Bee in late July, the bureau and its supporters are now trying to create a tourism business improvement district. If approved, the district would require hotels and motels to pay an assessment to fund their own convention and tourism-marketing entity.
Tourism is important to the greater Fresno area. It brings visitors and revenue that have significant benefits for the area. I have serious doubts, however, as to whether leadership is available to pull off an assessment district. Maybe the sad reality is that the bureau needs to fail in order to succeed. A new entity--just like the Phoenix--needs to rise from the ashes of the current Convention and Visitors Bureau. The price for the City of Fresno's limited subsidy would be a complete county-wide "pillow tax." The other option is for the City of Fresno to provide zero subsidy while allowing those hotels and motels (or others) paying a tourism tax to reap the benefits.
I wish the local tourism industry well as they grope for an answer to a very difficult problem. They should know by now, however, that they will have to do the heavy lifting since the City of Fresno has neither the interest or financial ability to help.
Coming Soon...
1. Orchid and Onions Awards.
2. Is there an aquarium in our future?
3. Striking out on the State Citizens Redistricting Commission.
Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail abriancalhoun@gmail.com
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