The County budget was released yesterday. I am for small government and low taxes, but there are quite a few positive elements to the budget that deserve some praise. As far as I am concerned, Ken Ulman is looking pretty darned smart for the $1.9 Million increase in police protection, particularly in the wake of the shootings at Virginia Tech. Other positive aspects of the budget have to do with the environment. I really hope Ulman has some funds earmarked for any ideas that the Environmental Commission might come up with. Regardless, there are quite a few good environmental projects that he has set aside the funds for:
In releasing his budget, Ulman also unveiled several environmental initiatives, including a plan to replace some county vehicles with hybrids and to test new recycling containers.
Under the plan, the county would buy 25 new vehicles for the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits at a cost of $575,000. Hybrid vehicles use engines that use less gasoline and emit fewer pollutants than those of standard vehicles.
Ulman also proposes setting aside $500,000 to pay for five new hybrid buses, although whether the county gets those buses depends on state and federal transit funding.
Another initiative would spend $300,000 to test new, larger recycling containers with wheels at nearly 5,000 households in Elkridge and Jessup. Residents are recycling more and the containers they currently use are too small and heavy when full, Ulman said.
Ulman also hopes to add solar power to two to three small, yet-to- be-determined county buildings, hire a "green" building consultant to work in the Department of Planning and Zoning, and launch a plan to encourage landowners to grant small lot conservation easements.
I’ll give credit where credit is due- these ideas are a good start. Let’s hope for even bigger ideas in the future.
5 comments:
Free Market, I don't know what makes me feel happier, looking forward to a great weekend, or reading this post. So many people, so often, look at the dark side of all the issues, appreciate nothing, and complain about everything.
Hope your bees are doing well.
Thanks Jim! My wife would argue that I am among those who complain about everything and appreciate nothing ;-). By the way, if you have not already seen “Howard County Issues” this month, you should check it out.
Good morning, Freemarket. I hope you have a chance to go for a jog It's a great day for running.
I did have an chance to read "Howard County Issues". The editor, Mona Brinegar is a very intelligent, and exceptional writer, who has a passion for wanting individuals in office who will work of the citizens of the county. It is my hope that this paper will continue to represent a well balanced, informative, source of information for those in the county who care about how we are governed.
Did you had a chance to read "The View" from Western Howard County. In particular "Bees for Hire"
I Hope you have your tickets for the Al Gore forum at UMBC, they are all sold out.
Say Hi,to you wife for me.
What ever happen to Timactual and the space monkeys???
I am afraid I cannot make any innuendos on the whereabouts of space monkeys or their plans to expedite global warming. All I will say on the matter is that Michael Jackson still owns Neverland Ranch and there are some exotic animals there…
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