ohio – Quality Chatter

DEAR CLEVELAND: DEMONSTRATE A BETTER STEWARDSHIP OF WATERFRONT BEFORE PROMOTING GREATER ACCESS

I submitted this OP-ED to The Plain Dealer Commentary Section.

In a perfect world the idea of “re-connecting” Cleveland’s citizens with access to its lakefront–a sentiment often expressed by community leaders, planners and activists–is surely noble and necessary.

However, such “re-connection” must also accompany understanding the significance and importance of the lake’s bio-integrity. If not, then the flood gates will open to more abuse and degradation that our once pristine but still recovering Lake does not need.

The abuse of which I write about is courtesy of the filth that nearby visitors and many residents leave behind. The current lack of understanding or care for such matters is clear every time I am close to the waterfront. Our waterfront is visually filthy with debris–and all coming from human activity and disregard for our environment as well as our everyday fellow citizens.

Please read the entire commentary here: http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/05/cleveland_must_value_lakefront.html

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 5:16 PM No comments:

Idling Engines Wasting Fuel–Is this REALLY always necessary?

I have noticed a seemingly increasing unnecessary and wasteful act in the general public today. It is the increasing tendency to allow vehicles to idle for moments on end. A reason I can overlook an idling vehicle: A hot day where senior citizens with breathing problems are an issue or anyone else with one for that matter where excessive heat may exacerbate a breathing condition. OR, the opposite in cold weather conditions or emergencies like being stranded, where heat or cooling may be necessary for staying alive! After this I have to ask why I see–mostly young people on the kind of beautiful days where you would love to park under a tree, roll the windows down, read and enjoy a breeze–sealed up in a vehicle letting it run?

In a nation where we are destroying the environment for the sake of oil and gas energy which will be mostly used in an economy to produce excessive “STUFF” we simply do NOT need, the last thing we should be doing is something like this. Every little bit of energy wasted simple contributes to the total sum of energy used and wasted for no legitimate reason. Additionally, allowing engines to idle for moments and hours, simply contributes to the conditions that result in weather extremities from which we are trying to shelter ourselves to begin with!

I would have thought we would have already learned such environmental ABC’s and basics in the 70’s, but it seems we have all but forgotten, and need to be trained all over again. And, this kind of collective waste that adds up to be a lot does not stop here…two other most preventable forms of energy waste are the use of plastic shopping bags and littering! But, these are stories that need separate attention. Maybe in a future post.

Meanwhile, to those young people with NO health issues sitting in cars letting them idle for moments at a time, get off your rear ends and out of the car–and go for a walk! Don’t become a future drain on healthcare or the environment!

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 11:02 AM 2 comments:

Hey Media…Stop being a PR Conduit for the Oil and Gas Industry!

Below, is a letter I sent to a reporter, or should I say “repeater” who is one of the thousands who have become a whore to the oil and gas industry:

Dear sir, I have worked with stream ecology for many years. The damage to our water from fracking is clear. Why would Dick Cheney, in ’05 push to ram through an energy bill that EXCLUDED the oil and gas industries from the federal clean water laws? Why? Because they knew this degree of fracking would indeed greatly harm water resources, When you pollute ground water, which fracking can and does, that’s it..water is pretty much ruined. It will be the tax payers who bare the cost of this problem in the future if it ever becomes addressed at all. All people hear is industry and chamber driven information about this activity.

The unreported harms and horror stories have been for years an continue to be covered up by a powerful oil and gas lobby/influence. The paper’s job is to seek the facts as best as we know them and this means not just regurgitating to an ill-informed and gullible public what industry gurus and those who will financially benefit, want us to hear. Any economic benefit from this procedure is short lived, serves a few, yet will bare a far greater cost and impact down the road. We will look back someday and wonder what in the hell were we thinking?

What have we become as a society when we reach the point we are willing to throw our own Mother into a pot of boiling water, think that it is OK, just because a few people make a few bucks for a short time. There are many other cleaner ways to develop a sustainable economy and reduce dependency on oil or foreign energy, and this is NOT one of them contrary to a desperate and demoralized public largely in denial is duped into believing.

It is time to Stop this insanity. We do not need this energy as it is mostly being used to sustain things we simply do NOT need in what has become an insatiable 24 hour FAT MART society of sick people! Stop listening to the hype, marketing and PR of the oil and gas industry and start reporting the unheard story they do not want the public to hear. This IS after-all, a true democratic media’s responsibility.

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 10:44 AM No comments:

NO MORE PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS

To all concerned about litter in the city….

If we can start a “Pick up your Pooch’s Poop” campaign downtown to address the issue of our four legged friends leaving their fragrant all- natural calling cards on lawns, in planters and on sidewalks; which is of course a good move -then why can’t we examine with equal concern, the impacts of litter waste (including cigarette/cigar butts), which makes the effects of dog poop on the environment seem pale by comparison?

Next, I would like to bring attention to another idea that could help reduce some of the more preventable and annoying components of plastic litter waste: the concept of phasing out or completely banning the use of “single-use” plastic grocery bags in retail establishments. I hope Councilman Cimperman will consider this most radical but necessary idea which is less radical than the problems and money plastic litter is costing us all. Like the city of San Jose, maybe Cleveland should slowly phase out use of those plastic bags for groceries and revert to paper and promote re-usable shopping bags.

It has been done before and needs to be done again as this is another unnecessary component of plastic litter that is choking the environment and simply making the place look ugly. These bags end up in trees, on beaches, along roadways, clogging sewer grates, stuck in the throats of animals and so on. This is common knowledge by now and people will gripe if such a measure is implemented, but so what? They will get over it just like they did the smoking ban and every other change that comes down the pike.

Come on folks, people did not sit around and starve or wonder how to carry something before the advent of these bags and we would see benefits. At least if paper bags become litter, they break down to benign materials quickly. Let’s promote “bring your own”, “re-usable” or paper. Winners will be companies who meet this challenge by offering better alternatives, but the real benefit will be our community-its residents and environment as a whole.. San Jose made such a bold brave and smart move and I am sure we, in Cleveland/N.E. Ohio are just as smart, bold, and brave as our West Coast counterparts. Or not? Have a look: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?nid=1526

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 3:35 PM No comments:

ENOUGH LOUD IN OHIO CITY

NoiseAfter attending the May, 2012 Franklin/Clinton Block Meeting with the featured issue of a variance request by the Harp establishment to host outdoor live music, I have the following comments and thoughts to share and strongly suggest that those who ultimately make a decision on granting a variance, DO NOT do so, for many reasons which will be outlined below.

At the meeting, I was not surprised to experience the indifference, dismissive, smug, arrogant, and entitlement attitudes of some of the persons attending in favor of this variance. Some were musicians, another a bar owner, I believe. I have been dealing with and have been pro-active with quality of life issues, noise being a number one, for several years, and what I have learned is that those who make the most noise, seldom act any other way, and because they’re used to living loud all the time, simply cannot understand how loud their establishments can be to others. They are often wrapped up in their own little world of deafening themselves without regard to anyone else outside their music zone–where such sound encroaches on private property–and hence becomes NOISE to someone else who does not wish to be forced to hear it.

Today’s ultra loud high technology that amplifies this “music” denies such a person the right to enjoyment and reasonable peace in their own home. It can be very damaging to the body as it is very unnatural to be exposed to today’s amplified sounds. The body was simply not designed to be subjected to this kind of noise. Excessive noise exposure has many adverse health affects. Additionally, it is linked to many social, economic, and environmental negatives. I will not use this letter to prove nitty gritty facts, but invite anyone to do their own research. But, in short,exposure to excessive highly amplified sound is a public health issue, and NOT a mere nuisance. It can contribute to hearing loss, learning disabilities, sleep deprivation, nausea, anxiety, headache, hyper-tension, aggressive indifferent behavior, rapid heart beat, and even aggravate post traumatic stress disorders. It results in what audiologists refer to as “Flight or Fight” responses.

According to the US Census Information, it is among the number one reason peaceful law abiding citizens move out of a given area. Cleveland, like many other cities across the nation, have their fill of an already overly-noisy sound scape. Granting Harp a variance simply adds to this already full quota of noise pollution emissions.With regard to existing noise levels in the city, why add more to creating an eventual acoustic sewer? Even in tough times, the least we can have is a good night’s sleep.

It amazes me at how many businesses, as did spokespeople for Harp, attempt to argue about “all the wonderful things” they brought to the neighborhood, or even how well they keep their property maintained. Wait a minute! This should be expected anyway when you maintain a curb front business and should not be rewarded extra kudos, or met with an attitude that suggests that because a bar or club keeps up their property they should be given some special pass to be extra loud! Such to me simply demonstrates how low standards/expectations have sunk.

It amazes me how often, in Cleveland the last few years, that a neighborhood’s taxpaying stakeholders, seem to be held in less regard than loud establishments. When I kept hearing how much Harp contributes to the neighborhood, I had to ask, “What about the neighbors?” Don’t they ALSO pay taxes and contribute to the fabric of the neighborhood?
It amazes me that some who operate or are associated with places that feature live music, seem to think that just because they pitch in some money into the hat of benevolence/charity, that it somehow relives them of their personal responsibility to respect and obey noise ordinances and therefore can be as loud as they wish and for as long as they wish!

It amazes me at how many times I have witnessed establishments being granted variances for such outdoor music, and then over time, abuse their privilege. One’s so called right to be loud, should never supersede another person’s basic human right to domestic peace and tranquility in their own home. Even the constitution is supposed to assure that right.

I wonder how many bar or club owners take the time to consider the fact that people who live in the neighborhood, have children, jobs, and responsibilities that require a healthy living environment for them to perform their duties well, just how much noise can affect them from doing their best? They have a livelihood to uphold as well, just like musicians who lament they’re living is being affected!

At the meeting, I was not moved by Harp’s, or other associates attempts to gloss over the pointed issue of noise encroachment by offering a palette full of all the good things they have done for the neighborhood. I viewed this as the pointed issue being twisted into a “the people are picking on us and we are victims” thing.

I hope many who attended that meeting supporting this variance are reading this and hear this well, that is, if their hearing is not already damaged! (I will comment on that as well in a moment) This is NOT and NEVER was an “anti-music/musician” thing. I heard one ridiculous rationale from one woman at the meeting that suggested something to the nature that because she now hears music from Harp, she no longer hears other crime related noises/sounds. Uhhhh… that’s just great.. Let’s just cover the noise the real crimes are making, right? Let’s do the individual trying to break in a house a favor by covering the noise he makes! Nonsense to say the least! Her testament should in NO way help a cause for granting a variance.

Only an irrational non-critically thinking selfish fool would twist this whole topic into such “anti-music” directions as above. I repeat: The subject is as mentioned above… excessive noise emanating off a given premisses and violating the rights of others peace in their own home. It is a simple common sense and courtesy issue that should not take mountains of debating to understand. I also witnessed attempts to stray off the topic of the particular kind of noise at hand, to point out a host of other noises in society. Again, ridiculous. The point of the meeting was to address one issue at a time, and this issue at hand happened to be this particular kind of noise and granting Harp a variance.

Other excessive noises are also not good and have their own negative contributions, but this was not the forum for such discussion. The attitude of those who attempted to articulate that, was one of “Oh, well they make this noise over there…..so I can make my own noise over here” That attitude also reaffirmed my belief they they knew very little about the ill-effects of particular kinds of noises and most importantly, the differences! It suggested to me they, like most people, knew little if anything about the psychology of noise. I would suggest the well crafted book.. “WHY NOISE MATTERS”.

In an attempt to compromise, I attempted to suggest that establishments stop jumping on the bandwagon of louder and bigger is better with this cookie cutter approach to music delivery in a venue, that simply follows a “blast it as loud as you can” game plan–AND, instead, why not tailor the sound for the particular size of the venue? Too often these days, in bars or clubs, you cannot decipher instruments in music, ups and downs, because it is so loud that it is all jumbled together and simply becomes unidentifiable–and NOISE.

Now I want to get back to my mention of hearing loss as stated earlier. It is important to note that those who are exposed to loud music or any noise long enough, cannot hear as well as someone who has not, and therefore really cannot fathom how loud they are really being! They often speak very loudly as well because their hearing has been temporarily disabled to a degree where they cannot even hear themselves speak.

With respect to hearing loss or damage, the following information is from Dr. Louis Hagler. This portion is taken from a summary, prepared by Louis Hagler, MD, and taken from a 100+ page World Health Organization Guideline (Guideline for Community Noise) that provides information about the harmful effects of noise on human health. This document can be seen in its entirety at:

http://www.who.int/environmental_information/Noise

“Given the importance of the problem, occupational noise exposure is fairly well regulated and controlled worldwide. Environmental noise exposure, especially that related to leisure-time activities, has not been controlled in the same way. Given both the increasing number of noisy activities and the increasing exposure duration (such as in loud cars) regulatory activities are to be encouraged. Whereas dose-response data are lacking, based on the limited data that are available, there appears to be no risk to hearing with exposures to 70 dB or less. Daily l hour exposure levels should not exceed 85 dB. It is recommended that exposure to sound levels greater than 100 dB should be limited to a 4-hour period and should not occur more than four times per year. Exposure to higher sound pressure levels and greater duration of exposure are significant risk factors. To avoid hearing impairment, impulse noise exposure should never exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure in adults and 120 dB peak sound pressure in children.”

I am in the opinion, despite the numbers above, that hearing damage can result over long periods of time to even lower decibel levels, much like eating marginally fatty and unhealthy foods may still result in a longer term or slower weight gain. If you have ever walked out of a concert and were temporarily affected in the hearing, you will understand what I am talking about. But, no worries because the deafer they become, let’s just turn it up another notch until we are stone deaf by 40 and then need to go on some sort of public assistance! Indeed, that’s where we’re headed, folks, in the culture of loud.

In regard to the whining “But we might lose business” Another unsupported battle cry of the loud, I have to wonder, are venue owners so narrow dynamic in their creativity that the only thing they can come up with to offer a good time for patrons is to offer mega loud? This is not just happening in night clubs, it is happening in local pubs and eateries too. People are frequently assaulted with audio they did not ask for nor need. You would never hear of someone walking OUT of an establishment because it was NOT loud enough, but you likely WOULD hear about someone waking out because ambient sound levels are just to loud. So, I have to ask….Where are the places where the background music enticed you to want to hear more… and perhaps even buy the record somewhere as you listened closer? Where is the place you can have music playing, but still be able to have a dinner conversation with friends and family, instead of being acoustically assaulted by cacophony?

My concern for Ohio City, and because I have been considering investing in a home in the neighborhood after renting for so long, is that it is over-the-top catering to such uncreative overly-loud music venue types for the sake of quick money and a mostly non-resident party-type crowd between 21 and 34. Sure, there are many short term gains to be made for a few, and it is good to have a healthy scene for such a group, but short term gains is NOT how elected city leaders or neighborhood movers and shakers should be thinking.

They need to be thinking in long terms of creating a neighborhood environment conducive to people wanting to live in it, not just eat and party….then go back to a suburb. Let’s also cater more to those who wish perhaps to raise a family—-OR cater more to the age bracket that actually spends the most in the economy, between 35 to 55. This is a largely overlooked and ignored demographic. I do not want to see the neighborhood become mostly what are essentially glorified bars, but unfortunately, that seems to be where a lot of the agenda of OCI, the neighborhood’s supposed premier development group, has ventured lately. Its seems they have become a marketing group for such establishments in question, rather than a community group that promotes healthy balance in the neighborhood with respect to quality of life issues such as noise. .

Granting of a variance sets a bad “we did it for them so we have to do it for everyone else” precedent. It should NOT be granted now…or at least until existing establishments have proven they can respect the existing rules/ordinances which govern noise. The burden of proof about what is overly loud should not be on residents shoulders….nor be left up to the hearing damaged bar owners or musicians to decide! Most of us know very well what too loud is and if we cannot exercise some common sense in this issue, then I shudder to think in what direction this neighborhood is going.

Afterall, we would not have had to craft new guidelines, rules, and ordinances to govern noise if not being too loud was being respected in the first place. And bar owners who testify that they are not really responsible for what happens outside their establishment: You most certainly are responsible for what goes on outside your premises when the origin of the issue is on yours and in this case we are talking about sound emanating from your property, that goes on for too long and is simply too loud.

At the meeting, I heard some pro-variance folks bemoan that if this “too loud” thing was a problem, why didn’t they (residents) come to meetings, or call, or why they (bar owners) didn’t get any complaints about it. Well, I have to answer that question by saying that just because no one may complain does not mean the problem does not exist. Second, you can easily say no one is complaining, but that does not make it true. I beg to differ because noise is among the top complaints the police receive.

Interestingly enough, their questions to such, in turn, beg the question from me….and so I ask, WHERE are the establishment owners at block meetings? I only see them there when they feel they are being picked on! Many have overstepped their boundaries and privileges in regard to offer live outdoor music, and then cry when new rules or stiffer ordinances need to be crafted to remind them that they need to exercise a little more personal responsibility and common sense, courtesy, and manners. Its really simple folks…. all the residents want is for you to respect their right to peace in their homes. Do you get it? Why is that so difficult to understand? Or does it take someone acoustically assaulting you when it is NOT convenient for you… to finally get it?

Finally… Be a good neighbor… and respecting basic rights to reasonable peace goes a long way, for no amount of charity, curb appeal and so on excuses obnoxiously and continual in-your-face loud that violates current laws and ordinances, and ultimately another’s right to peaceful enjoyment of their own home. Your rights, END where theirs begin and this is about respecting that concept. Clearly many of you do not, or you would not be at such a meeting defending your sound invasions in other people’s homes.Hey! I have an idea for a charity…. How about the right to peace, comfort, safety, and enjoyment of, in one’s own home?!

No variance granting for Harp. Enough is enough. Its nothing personal.

I am amending this article with the following final thought……

I would like to note that much of this issue is about the amplified OUTDOOR music and its impact on the nearby residents in being intrusive and denying them the right to peace and enjoyment of their own home. It is about addressing the impact of the kind of outdoor “entertainment” that is so often offered at venues these days that have been gentrified away from the small neighborhood social clubs or bars they used to be when the loudest components were just a juke box, or an maybe an acoustic band.

These former venues shared neighborhoods with residents and were gathering places for locals, but were rarely as loud as these newly fashioned venues which may occupy these former social halls or neighborhood pubs. The technology just perhaps wasn’t this loudly evolved or so often used. THAT’S the difference! This new sound we hear is NOT tailored with respect to proximity to residences. This is another part…and POINT which many who defend LOUD just seem to not get!

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 8:25 AM No comments:

WHY DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND IS A PERFECT PLACE FOR A VEGAN FOOD CAFE!

Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, when you search deeply enough, has many restaurants that offer vegetarian or sometimes even vegan choices, but not nearly enough to keep up with the slow but growing desire for such food. As Vegetarians or Vegans, some of us grow tired of the places that offer so called “options” because of the rather narrow and bland representation of this wonderful cuisine—And, perhaps with the frustration when mentioning the word “vegan” for example, to restaurant servers and being looked at as though we just fell out of a tree! Yes, some of us understand the true diversity of the vegan diet and it opening up a whole new array and cornucopia of food choices and flavors—well beyond the common perception of such food as having only lettuce and tomatoes from which to chose!

Having said the above, when I first yearned for a genuine and exclusive vegan cafe to be located in Cleveland, contrary to popular opinion, I thought downtown would be the perfect place to begin representing this great food! Why? Well, that is what this essay is all about……

At first mention of a vegan cafe and a good location, the usual opinions I have heard from the supporting crowd of such food are the typical arty eclectic enclaves that exist in Cleveland such as Tremont, Ohio City, Detroit Shoreway, Coventry, Lakewood, and so on. While these locations would all probably foster well a new vegan cafe, I thought that just perhaps a more visionary, daring and much less obvious choice would be to locate one in the epicenter of Northeast Ohio in the heart of downtown Cleveland.

First off by locating here, we can bring the tasty world of vegan food to a much more diverse audience “beyond the choir” so to speak. We can demonstrate that this food can integrate with many other foods and be a success—which would blow down the myth that such a cafe is limited to the kinds of places I mentioned above!

Tasting is believing, and we can introduce and perhaps make more vegan believers out of those who would have never otherwise considered trying what is simply good food. Add to this, a sad testament to the status of fresh food availability these days in America, unlike our grandparents, many inner city people do not have as much access to healthier food choices, and having a vegan cafe right on downtown Cleveland’s public transportation HEALTHLINE is a great way to send the message of better eating. Thousands of downtown office workers and visitors alike, will also have the option of better and more delicious eating other than the heart attacks in the box.

Secondly, Cleveland’s Public Square, especially the S.E. Quadrant, offers an historic, charming and somewhat romantic ambiance backdrop for the vegan experience. Looking outside the window of The Flaming Ice Cube in downtown Cleveland is worth the visit alone. You can even stroll over to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument afterward and view this gorgeous monument and museum from the inside. Its FREE!

Another reason downtown is really a good selection is because it is central to all Greater Cleveland locations and convenient to nearby adjacent neighborhoods—all served by public transportation and even a free circulating trolley bus service that runs every 12 minutes or so…and can drop patrons off virtually in front of the cafe. The downtown location also re-connects more people with their downtown and offers them a chance to utilize it and discover its actual conveniences, contrary to some opinions of those who have not ventured into town for a long time. There is plenty of nearby parking for reasonable rates. All parking facilities are within a 3 to 12 minute stroll to the cube if you are taking your own transportation…and offer a great opportunity to “walk up” an appetite before your meal, or afterward, walk off your meal! While you’re at it, take in all the great downtown architecture on the historic avenue.

Lastly, but not the least of reasons, or the end of reasons for that matter, I think downtown is a great location, is that being here offers a chance to support the core of the region, which essentially keeps business and vibrancy in the urban hub. By making this choice there is a benefit to animals—and most vegans, by nature, tend to be animal lovers. What is the benefit? As mentioned, supporting the core contributes to its success, and its success then contributes to keeping urban activity in the urban hub—and thus takes on a benefit of reducing natural habitat consuming urban sprawl.

You can help Ohio’s natural heritage and paradise will not be paved to put up a parking lot if we all just ventured into town and supported more local and independent owned businesses. You just may find the experience unique and rewarding. So, I hope I shed some light on why this location is actually a good one. Come down to learn downtown the way your grandparents knew how to utilize it and you will see that it is a lot more convenient than you might think!

Finally, visit the Flaming Ice Cube website to learn about all the convenient delivery offerings and more….the downtown Cleveland location offers! The Flaming Ice Cube is in the street level of the historic Park Building—directly across from the Soldiers and Sailors Monument—and a 3 minute walk west of the E.4th Street entertainment district–on Public Square! Just remember…”the cube on the square”

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 8:25 PM 1 comment:

Kasich–Do Not De-Rail Rail, or Joke is On Ohio!

Dear Governor Elect,

I am writing to urge you to re-consider your opposition to passenger rail in Ohio. (3C Corridor project) The following personal feelings are why we must not bypass this great opportunity. I am sure many others will touch on so many issues I have left out, as one letter cannot explain it all, but it is with the strongest plea I ask you to not jump to conclusions about 3C that will ultimately kill a great opportunity for Ohio.

Ohio has for too long had its transportation infrastructure built around the needs of the automobile, rather than the pedestrian. And, part of this has been abandoning a once intricate network of rail lines across the state. Because of the decade after decade steering of transportation funds towards all that is car, we as citizens of this state have been denied the freedom of choice and alternative. To have a freedom of choice, I would think, would be a philosophy you and your party can respect and appreciate….and better yet, help to foster by making the transportation choice a reality.

While I understand that it may be difficult to expect those to fathom any other mode of transportation other than the auto-dependent sprawl model by which they were raised, I want you to understand the importance of a viable transportation alternative from people who DO understand the many benefits and conveniences.

By not supporting this project, we embarrassingly will lag behind other states that will move forward reaping the economic benefits such as job creation and linking our major cities as well as linking markets in our cities with others in the country.

By not supporting it you are driving away the young professional population that will chase and achieve their dreams in other states and cities where rail is an option. Those professionals in my age group 25 to 45 would overwhelmingly support the system.

In your own campaign, you stated that you did not want to see young people leave Ohio and achieve dreams and creating a home someplace else. How then by not supporting this project, do you not see that the results will be exactly what you said you did not want to see?

By not supporting this project, we are faced with an increased cumbersome burden to deal with over crowded highways and a never ending maintenance and construction spending nightmare. The last thing Ohio needs is to make itself more of a slave to road building and/or maintenance. This scene is just making us more co-dependent on oil in a time we need to be reducing it! Few benefit from that. In addition, the added air pollution and other environmental degradation that will have its own set of consequences by being yet another component to fostering an unhealthy populace that will be less productive in our economy. Who can even begin to put a price on that sort of aspect that is never even considered?

On a personal note touching on environmental and personal health—by designing all our transportation infrastructure around the car, you are forcing me to have no choice but to be subjected to the vile emission fumes spewing out of vehicles that are either illegally modified in the exhaust mechanisms, systems that are malfunctioning, or even systems that use a Diesel fuel mix–which to me–is unbearable as it gets sucked right into my vehicle chocking me! And, since your party quite often shuns social responsibility and accountability by wanting less watch dogging on corporate America, I doubt the industries responsible for being party to this this will do the right thing to satisfy those who have not the resources to fight them in court.

By not supporting passenger rail you are denying thousands who do not wish to drive or place themselves on highways and roads—or those who cannot drive—the choice they deserve. By not supporting passenger rail transportation alternatives in Ohio you are essentially forcing many who simply do not wish to drive, to take on all the expenses associated with car ownership and driving. By not supporting the passenger rail you are denying Ohio tourist dollars by those who may be visiting our state wanting to travel it via rail, relax, take their time and take in our state’s interesting natural beauty, art, history and culture. By not supporting passenger rail you are forcing many, who cannot afford it, to be a slave to the gas pump.

These funds Ohio was awarded for development of passenger rail cannot be spent for anything else and it would also be embarrassing if another state seized this money gladly at out of expense economically as well as the expense of our integrity and character.By not supporting this project, you may even impair any future federal funding for transportation grants in Ohio.

Do you really want Ohio to be the backwoods laughing stock that closed the door on a major opportunity? Degraded images do nothing at all to attract people to want to remain living here—or to attract new progressive long term investments in Ohio.

All the bad image scene will attract however are those who see Ohio as desperate to take anything…and will simply abuse our state economically, socially, and environmentally—and when they have reaped from us all they can, will move on. Is this the kind of fly by night investment in our state that you really want to see? That which is run by those living someplace else while raping Ohio?

In this wonderful land of choice, you are giving us little to no choice by not supporting passenger rail. And, I, like the thousands of others I know who would open heatedly and overwhelmingly support this service, will likely leave Ohio to seek places where their leadership has far more of a progressive vision as to the countless benefits that can result from this project.

It is for all the above and so much more I urge you to take a far closer look at what you’re doing…Look at the undeniable facts about this project so someday you do not look back and say to yourself.. “What was I thinking?….” while other places reap the benefits that will bypass Ohio and leave us in the dust.

One person such as yourself should not have the power to impose your will on a whole state. So, I urge you to not turn this into an “Us versus Them” political ego power and control game. Please do what is right for many instead of satisfying those who simply want to “be right” In a state of 11 plus million, we need a choice. And the only choice should not be to get in your car a drive, period. That in itself is a joke on Ohio.

Regards,
Robert Carillio
Ohio Voter

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 2:37 PM No comments:

Please Ohio, Once Again—Just Say NO To The Gaming Industry Hype!

Here is my rather redundant editorial on the latest gaming proposal idea!

Ohio… Psssst.. Listen up.. Please STOP being sold a bill of garbage that casinos are the be all end all cure for economic woes. Just because many surrounding states bought on to this bandwagon, does not mean we have to follow the leader and do a “monkey see monkey do.” Nor does it mean they’re right and we’re wrong.

We should not be trying to build an economy around this sort of thing…. Something that simply has no accountability where the money goes. If people read closely through the proposed issues (as in the past you will find that there is NO guarantee we’d make anything from these entities. Too many loop holes; too many empty promises. We should not be building an economy around entities that help to produce and foster bad and self destructive habits—that in the long run, could be a cost burden on the state, Example: bankruptcies, etc. I can see it now, already economically depressed…..what a time for gaming promoters to pitch their goods! (especially when their own industry is in decline!) People gamble and drink when depressed…and we see people peeing away their government assistance checks on gaming! This will NOT attract high end gaming enthusiasts as Vegas. We will NOT be the gaming destination place like Vegas. Gaming promoters are in business for one thing: PROFIT! NOT charity to states! Please see past the smoke and mirrors, Ohio.

Even if proposed right… I am still not sold on this idea. If we want to help our economy, we’d be trying to lure and promote high tech jobs and workforces that perhaps can have our region being the hot pit for cutting edge green technologies, such as windmill manufacturing, alternative fuels, green vehicles, solar panels, recycled product manufacturing, etc. Such would display a contrast and total change from our industrial polluting past manufacturing base. The jobs that could result in a green economy…. could help foster a better populous in body, mind, and spirit by creating a healthier environment—and hence—this could help keep people living here long term and raise their family. Can you see how such an economy would be a contrast to what depending on the tobacco, booze, fast food, and gaming industry, helps to trickle down produce in the population?——A sad sap bunch of obese mental numb heads who are so down and out and misinformed, that somehow they become deluded into thinking gaming will cure everything from world hunger to cancer! Absolutely pathetic if this is the best this entire region can do for economic re-development.

Let me reiterate…. How about Cleveland and Ohio in general, being a world leader in green or other future technologies? For every product produced, there is a job behind making it, marketing and selling it. It is time Cleveland and N.E. Ohio re-invent itself from the past economies—and placing a band-aid on the economic woes right now with the gambling hype is NOT going to sustain a long term future economy—nor should we build one around such that ultimately is a contributing factor in producing the mediocre mid-west ‘Kielbasa Kid” mentality that is so pervasive throughout our region.

Every state, every city in this region having a casino, is the same as seeing the big box “Sprawl-Mart” stores all over the place—and what is so very special about that? Would such a scenario have people coming from all over to see just another casino? I don’t think so, and rather, I see the scene as a soon to be a dated one…so pase. Seen one seen ’em all! Please, Ohio, don’t follow this extremely deceptive bandwagon and instead…. discover all the other alternatives to build the economy–and the entertainment sector, in particular, that really will lead to making Cleveland, N.E. Ohio a place people will want to live, work and play—and visit. Let all the others who thought this was the answer, look at Cleveland/Ohio and envy us for something we have that they do not—all because they were all too busy following the leader…to a road that leads to nowhere, nonetheless!

Lastly, I plead again…..Many think Ohio is a joke because they have voted the gaming down so many times. Ohio is only a joke if many of you posters actually believe this is going to salvage the economy…and are duped into thinking this is the only thing we can do to make the city/state shine and be attractive for the future. When people are desperate, they’ll latch onto anything that sounds promising with little question, as long as the hype is all the tootie fruttie nonsense people want to hear. The casino hype is a classic example of what I am talking about. Why do you think promoters hit this whole part of the country hard in the first place? It is easy to lure the hungry and desperate. Please tell me you’re not this desperate Ohio, that you will allow anything at any cost set up shop in your state, as long as the promoters spew all the right ‘jobs and taxes’ B.S.

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 8:45 PM

SAY NO TO OHIO ISSUE SIX GAMBLING!

I oppose issue six for several reasons. Before going into a few reasons why it is nothing more than a con to benefit one casino operator, I want to talk a bit about the twisted philosophy we are buying into these days when it comes to curing economic woes—and who we chose to rely on to pull us out of them!

Perhaps it is time people in Ohio stop making ‘deals with the joker’ in attempts to cure economic/social problems or generate better business.

Let’s look at a few examples:

* Schools—stop making deals with the junk food industry thinking you are going to get revenue from, say, vending machines–because the dollar amount the junk food industry yanks from you versus what you keep is not worth it the resulting growing number of obese kids we are helping to produce who could one day place a big strain on health care costs!

* Bar owners who complain about no smoking laws…. Pssst… Stop thinking you have to rely on tobacco to drive your business. Alternatively, develop a new vision or philosophy as to how you can generate more business. Shouldn’t the food, drink, or atmosphere be the cornerstone attraction? Is it worth ruining your interior with smoke and making people sicker?

* Now we have bought on to yet another vice driven revenue rescue source…gambling as the panacea to cure all social/economic woes. If the best Ohio can do for economic development is to nurture the ‘bad’ under the belief that it will ultimately do good, then this is a sick and twisted cultural mentality that needs to be re-evaluated and perhaps changed! It is a mentality as sick as a gambling addiction. Only those in the treatment industry thrive from such a philosophy–and the vast majority of people do not.

None of the above helps to foster a healthy body that will be competitive in today’s economy, so who can begin to measure the revenue losses that come from a physically and mentally sick people?–which we are–and growing! Again, only those in the treatment industry gain. What about the rest of us?

Continuing further, lets look at some of the technicals why issue 6 should be opposed. For starters, some of the language suggests that some revenue will help those addicted to gambling. OK, Let’s use gambling to help the gambling addicted. That’s like selling cigarettes to pay for lung cancer research!

Next, if you read through the issue authored by the gaming industry, there are simply too many loopholes that could result in the casino paying absolutely NOTHING to the state because the language states that the casino would pay “up to” x amount of revenue. “Up to” could mean nothing. The gaming industry is in business for one reason–PROFIT…NOT charity. other language in section 6 of the issue reads as follows: (d)The remaining gross casino receipts taxes collected shall be distributed as follows: ten percent (10%) to the county in which the casino is located and ninety (90%) to be distributed on a per capita basis among all 88 counties in Ohio, such funds to be deposited into the general fund of each county and spent at each county’s discretion. Where is the accountability here?

I hope Ohioans will remember even just these two examples of language in the proposed amendment that has unaccountably written all over it when they vote. The question is…Are we really going to generate revenue for the state? If so, at WHAT COST???

Sure, several other states have jumped on the casino bandwagon and it may seem like the latest thing to do BUT—If everyone is playing monkey see monkey do, why would Ohio be so different or special enough to attract tourists in drones? A casino? Its just like another Wal-Mart or Walgreens on the corner; nothing special! Are we going to become a destination place like Vegas where people travel to gamble, many of whom actually have some money to blow…or, do we become the gaming industry’s patsy? The answer is probably the latter.

The gaming industry cannot wait to get its hands on Ohio for several reasons, one such reason is because they know many areas in Ohio are economically depressed—and what can often accompany such depression? You guessed it…Drinking and gambling! Stage set…A great place to help nurture a bad habit tinder box and profit at the same time. Some people would even be prone to spending government help money on gaming!

Ohio can be progressive and unique—and say no to the casino rave–and instead spend the money developing and investing in real jobs and fostering a quality workforce, create high tech family sustaining jobs, green jobs–and maybe a green economy to carry us long into the future–and not develop economies that prey upon and make worse already ill social scenes. Contrary to popular myth, casinos will NOT produce the kind of jobs we need in Ohio for its long term success–instead, produced will be many dead end, low paying service oriented jobs already plentiful. The gambling promoters are like opportunistic vultures waiting to swoop down and feast on the weak and dying–and in a time Ohio is weak, they are opportunists. You can do better than follow the gambling band wagon, Ohio.

P.S. On one last footnote: If you read through the constitutional amendment, the proposal basically sets up a monopoly for an out of state casino operator and also leaves little accountability to assure criminals are not employed or involved with the operation of such an establishment. There are simply way too many loopholes in the proposed amendment. Leave the state constitution alone.

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 7:54 AM

Habitat Of Cleveland Area — And Ohio Streams

Photo: Ohio Stream Rainbow Darter “Cleveland’s most colorful fish!”

The text below was featured on an aquatic habitat exhibit I designed featured in the Hocking Hills State Park Visitors Center. The following describes the habitat and functions–and some of it’s animals.

The next time you see, a fallen tree of log-jam in the river and think it looks untidy—Think again because there is a purpose to be served! The aquatic habitat simulated in this display represents aquatic habitats found near the banks of a typical Ohio river or stream–often on the ‘inside’ of a ‘bend’ in the river. They are called “Pool Habitats”

The tree roots you see stretching out of the banks aid in the stabilization of riverbank soils naturally preventing erosion. Above the water’s surface, limbs from these same trees provide shade along the riverbank. This shade keeps the water from becoming too warm during summer months. Too high of water temperatures could rob the river’s water of much needed oxygen.

Leaves falling into the river from the trees provide food for aquatic creatures such as crayfish and aquatic insects which in turn become food for fish or birds! Leaf litter and woody debris settling on the river’s bottom offers refuge for small fish. This environment will then attract the larger fish like Smallmouth Bass, which are sought by anglers. Additionally, habitats like these often provide the best fishing. Can you find the leaf litter and woody debris in this display? Rivers with banks heavily forested with trees such as Cottonwood and Sycamore usually have the highest water quality.

Species of fish which may be found in pool habitats are various types of minnows including Southern Redbelly Dace, Common and Stripped Shiners, Creek Chub, Bluntnose Minnow, and Sand Shiners. Darters and Sculpins are other types of fish that often vacate the riffle areas of streams and rivers to seek calmer waters in the pool habitat. Larger species visiting the pool habitat include Bullhead Catfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass. Pictured below are a few types of the fish mentioned above, that frequent the pool habitat. How many can you find in the aquarium?

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 9:43 AM