CITIZENS BLOG

THANK YOU

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:48:24 -0800

There is so much more to be done and even though we have not accomplished some of our short term goals - they still remain as milestones we work toward - together. I want to thank Dan and Susan and everyone who has been helping them to move forward in areas that I believe will be beneficial to all citizens in northern Idaho. There has been encouraging news and progress from the Governor's office to the cities and that is worth noting. We are just getting started and I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm and positive attitudes.

NOW. Has anyone been watching the NEWS the past few weeks about Ethanol? Anyone have comments? I thought for sure the wide coverage given to the subject this month would have had the blog ticking with thoughts?

Let's hear what you know, think, or feel ... Ray

IDAHO GOVERNOR BUTCH OTTER

Tue, 22 May 2007 10:08:21 -0800

Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter has signed an Executive Order to have the Department of Environmental Quality, led by Toni Hardesty, coordinate efforts by state agencies to track greenhouse gas emissions.

"It is incumbent upon states to take a leadership role in developing responsive state-level policies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, develop alternative energy sources and use energy efficiently," Otter says in his executive order.

I have posted links to a story written by Rocky Barker in the Idaho Statesman and an op-ed piece that congratulates our Governor for his leadership.

Read about it and discuss it WRITE HERE. I am convinced that we cannot ignore our responsibility to CONSERVE in our homes and our businesses. We can do it as a City too. I think most folks understand that getting a smaller water or electric bill is a good day at their house. Our parents and grandparents called it COMMON SENSE.

I know you are looking and reading...now how about joining the conversation about conservation.

EARTH DAY

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:19:00 -0800

Earth Day 2007 and if you were wondering "What Can I Do?" Whether you agree or disagree on Global Warming you and your neighbors, family members, and coworkers can probably agree on conservation issues. Go to the website and check out what 13 year old Savannah Walters of Florida did or Ted Barnes of Washington State, or even Wang Yongchen of Beijing. If you are ready to be truly inspired you will find out what 6 year old Ryan Hreljac of Ontario did to make a difference. The idea is that if everyone adopts a new combination of behavior and attitude that results in Climate Consciousness we can work together to make a World of Difference! Ray

the CITIZENS BLOG

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:11:57 -0800

To Everyone,

I am happy to tell you that I have joined more than 367 Mayors representing over 55 million Americans in all 50 states when I signed the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

Sandpoint will create a Climate Action Plan to guide decisions and policies that will help it to achieve it's goals. Climate CAN at www.climatecan.org has made a strong commitment to assist with research and logistics to help create this plan. Climate CAN will continue to help educate the public on how each of us can become part of the solution.

I firmly believe that it will require a new way of thinking and doing on the part of each citizen of the world. It will take an attitude and behavior change that I call "Climate Consciousness". On this site you will find many things that lots of us can afford to do right now to reduce our carbon footprint.

Betsy and I have sold a couple of older cars, replaced conventional light bulbs with florescent bulbs, combined many of our errands into one car, turned our thermostats down, and Betsy tells me she has been washing our clothes with cold water only for years. I was not aware of that since I only have a vague idea where the washer and dryer are located at our house. However, I have always appreciated that my clean and folded clothing appears magically in my dresser.

The point is that we can each do something and together with people from all over the world - we can make a World of Difference!

This site is for everyone. It's called the CITIZENS BLOG. All of you have a voice, information to share, and ideas worth some volume. Put it right here. I encourage every citizen of all ages to contribute their thoughts and ideas. Share information and educate each other. I look forward to the community conversation.

Ray