Brewed Fresh Daily

Last week I found myself disagreeing with Polensek over the proposed carwash for 185th St. While I’m glad he’s taking a stand against the RTA’s proposed cuts (particularly the elimination of ALL community circulators), I don’t think he’s helping the case by being angry:

An angry Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek spoke for most of the people at the Tuesday afternoon meeting when he said “the cuts you are proposing are falling on the backs of working men and women, the elderly and the poor.”

He said elimination of some circulator routes will harm riders and the businesses who serve them, noting that RTA will stand for “Return To Automobiles.”

Polensek acknowledged to role of fuel prices, but blamed some of RTA’s costs on “million-dollar articulated buses,” the $200 million Euclid Corridor Project, and the Lakefront Line extension of the RTA rapid system.

Interesting that the deficit for public transportation is equal to the revenue from the new Cuyahoga County tax set aside for the proposed Medical Mart (that isn’t happening). Which would you rather invest in? Public transportation or convention center space? What’ll have more of an economic development impact?

RTA riders decry proposed cuts, price hikes

Just got an email from fest organizer Debra Weaver complete with sponsor info. I’d be happy to send it to you if you’re interested:

On September 13, Wick Park will be transformed into a “green world” that will include environmentally oriented businesses, community organizations, and local and regional agencies. Throughout the park, there will be workshops, displays, demonstrations, entertainment, food, and “green” merchandise vendors. The Festival itself will be put together with an emphasis on sustainable practices – minimal energy and resource consumption, maximum recycling and waste reduction…

Youngstown Moxie II: The Grey to Green Festival :Youngstown, Ohio

From Tim Ferris:

At a time when ridership is making buses bulge at the seams, cutting service and charging more for what remains is the last thing you want to have happen. Service and bus routes should expand; administrative staff should be cut; salaries should be cut; grants should be acquired; general taxes should be levied. But service should expand both in the number of buses circulating each route and in the hours of operation.

We found out recently that GCRTA has no idea how many people actually ride these things. We ride quite often, and the fare boxes are always inoperable.

The shopping areas depend on bus traffic. So do schools. So do the legion of newly minted commuters.

Here’s some input from somebody who buys and uses a weekly ticket at all hours and for all destinations…

I agree. Just when a major shift is happening in people’s transportation habits, discouraging ridership is a bad move. Any other suggestions or comments on RTA’s proposed changes? Will you be attending one of the public meetings?

Tim Ferris: this is just about the last place to cut

Tri-C has an important announcement about its new Green Academy.

A week or so ago, the Toledo Blade carried a story about the potential of green jobs in Ohio. The story tracked a new report on green jobs issued by the University of Massachusetts. You can download a copy of this report from this page.

From Chris Varley:

TheStreet.com’s Jim Cramer sees Cleveland and the surrounding rust belt environs as harboring the next wave of true innovation, trumping even the much vaunted Silicon Valley. From ValleyWag…

Tech Futures » Blog Archive » Cleveland Valley vs. Silicon Valley

From Lev:

We are long overdue in having a broad regional conversation about a consolidated or even cloud-based approach to “Greening IT in Northeast Ohio”. Our IT data centers produce more CO2 then our airline industry. The silence in our region has been deafening.

Who’ll take responsibility to convene it?

Bytes From Lev: Greening IT in NEOhio

Brooklyn Centre has been chosen by NOACA as the site for one of four workshops in 2008 conducted by the National Center for Biking and Walking (NCBW).  NCBW will be conducting the four- hour workshop that will identify real-world problems and hands-on solutions for making our community a more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly place.

The workshop will include a powerpoint presentation, a walk through the neighborhood, breakout sessions, and a “next steps” action plan.

The workshop is free, and the public is invited to participate, but seats are limited.  Please contact Rudy Hauret and Gloria Ferris, coordinators for this event sponsored by Brooklyn Centre Community Association.

There are a few slots left so if you have the free time during the middle of the day, go to upcoming for the details.

I’ve spent the last few days in Milwaukee, and a couple of people pointed me to a great series of articles (and video) on biodiesel developments happening in the region. If you have a moment, check it out.

Green Machine: The Making of Biodiesel and Engineers