April Showers bring - Stormwater Runoff by Julie Backenkeller

A few weeks ago, Frontline (PBS) aired a 2 hour feature called “Poisoned Waters”. It was an eye opening program that outlined, in excruciating detail, the damage being done to US waterways by pollutants, storm-water runoff, manure from large farming operations, and sprawling development. You can watch it on line, at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters/clean/

One of the things we need to keep in mind here in Janesville, is that most of what runs into our sewers, runs eventually, untreated, into the river or the greenbelt. I never realized this until I read a screened notice on the storm drain up north, stating something like “Do not dump anything in here, this empties directly into the lake.” As with most people, I hadn’t given much thought to what happens to rainwater, after it hits the ground. This is also why the City of Janesville periodically sweeps the streets!

Storm water runoff, created by impervious surfaces (roofs, roads-concrete), is the “leading remaining cause of water-quality problems” in the US, according to the EPA. When it rains, or snow melts, water picks up chemicals we have left behind from vehicles, lawn fertilizers, pet and livestock waste – the list goes on. Jay Manning, Washington Department of Ecology, states that storm-water in his state “picks up on an annual basis, a volume of oil that is equivalent to half of the Prince William Sound spill from Exxon Valdez.”

Development contributes to the problem. When rain falls on farm or forested land, it filters down through the trees and plants, through the soil, and moves slowly through the ground to emerge clean in streams and rivers. If these areas are developed, rainwater lands on pavement or rooftops, moves quickly across the impermeable surface, resulting in possible flooding, damage to habitat in and around waterways and damage for people downstream. Urbanization also increases the variety and amount of pollutants transported to receiving waters, according to the EPA.

What types of contaminants are found in stormwater?

According to stormwaterauthority.org, stormwater pollution can be divided into three categories:
Natural — organic material such as leaves, grass clippings and sediment
Chemical — such as detergents, coolant, oil, grease, fertilizer and paint
Litter — such as plastic bags and cigarette
Check out their website at http://www.stormwaterauthority.org/pollutants/default.aspx to learn more.

The newest threat is pavement sealcoats. They may make pavement look nice, but they contain polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that wash off into stormwater, and into our waterways. PAHs are highly carcinogenic, and do not break down easily, thus will remain in the environment for decades.

What can we do? The EPA offers a list of household do’s and don’ts to reduce your personal contribution, and fact sheets about sources of runoff, and ideas for low impact development. http://www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/stormwater.html

Sooner or later, stormwater ends up in someone’s drinking water. Emerging contaminants post a threat to drinking water because older filtering systems are not designed to catch them. Technology for screening and detecting contaminants in the environment can’t keep up with new chemicals manufactured by companies.

Protecting Wisconsin’s waterways is the subject of this in depth study by the WISPIRG Foundation
http://act.americanrivers.org/site/DocServer/Protecting_Wisconsin_s_Water.pdf?docID=5381

email: rockenvironmentalnetwork@charter.net

Why Janesville Should Be Concerned With Diversity by Dave Haldiman

I recently heard about a blog posting asking why Janesville and its leaders should be concerned with diversity. There are ways to answer that some could dismiss as "liberal" abstractions about equality and justice (although I'd subscribe to most of them). My reply to that blogger would be along more practical lines:

1. Diversity is inevitable. The events of January 20th do not represent an anomaly or mistake.

2. Without new, varied and innovative inputs, most any system, species or community will become static and decline, ultimately heading towards extinction (e.g. hemophilia, guillotines, and WW1, if you're European royalty). Okay, that's a bit abstract, but objectively pretty much true.

3. Most times, people who feel excluded develop resentments against the dominant majority. These resentments can be real or imagined (how do you quickly answer someone who claims that because of his neighborhood, his street is the last to be plowed? It doesn't matter whether he's right or wrong). Dangerous infections of attitude result, which are passed down generations, and become more and more difficult to treat throughout a population.
3a. The infected attitudes in the excluded enclaves cost the entire community: more crime and policing, infrastructure and property degradation, and the image/reputation of the community (both within and without).

4. By reaching out to minorities and the disadvantaged in tangible ways, community leaders can invite equity interest. Respect, pride and investment flow both ways. The absence of those attributes from either side equals returning to point three above. When people believe the community cares about them, they care about the community, and they contribute in tangible ways.

"Regulate Pawnshops" by Bambi J Matzke

I am writing all of you a note, hoping to have a city regulation passed on Pawn shops. Yes, I have a personal experience that I have had to go through two years ago relating to this issue. But, most regulations, local ordinances, or laws are passed out of someone's bad experience. I will relate that experience down the road. But, the recent Gazette article has fueled my fire. Especially when the first sentences were.

Richard Erdman has more people wanting to sell him their televisions, jewelry and even their family heirlooms.

"You feel bad when it holds a sentimental value to them," The Coin Shop pawnbroker said. "There are some people that are really hurting out there."

This I know is a lie. He does not feel bad at all. But enough of my feelings.

In Eau Claire they have an ordinance requiring that pawn shop owners submit electronically their pawn sale slips. This has saved the taxpayers in that city a lot of money by allowing detectives to go back on the street.Contact the detectives in the Janesville police department and see what they have to say. They will tell you that this has been a problem. This is a computer age, it would be much easier to keep track of sales by computer. I might ask but then why use paper? I think we all know the answer to that.

With GM shutting down soon, and Lear and LSI, I think the council needs to be proactive, before someone sells their sisters Heirloom $10,000 ring to The coin shop for $150.

The point of my request for regulations is that this is a computer age, where everything is bought and sold with a computer trail.

Why is a pawn shop owner not required to have a name in his file and be able to look it up right away. If I walk in and say I know my Television was sold by John Smith, did John smith sell you a tv?

When I was missing an heirloom piece of jewelry, I went into the pawn shop on Center avenue and they looked through their paperwork with me standing right there, they were very willing to help me right then.

I went into the Coin shop and Richard Erdman was not out front but his employees said that they could not give me the information without a police order.

I went to the police department and Officer Blank went with me, then Mr. Erdman appeared and I gave him the name of who I thought sold it, and he said nope, did not buy it.

It was not until 4 months later after Detectives got involved did he admit that he bought the jewelry. He never once returned my phone calls. If you want to know how the pawn shop downtown works, talk to the Detectives down town. Ask if they have had them under surveillance. Ask them if they have bought new tvs in the box without question.

I leave you with this article.http://www.govtogovsolutions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=129

"Sustainability and Janesville's Comprehensive Plan" by Julie Beckenkeller

Sustainability – preserving working lands for future food growth.

Janesville’s Planning Commission has voted to send the City’s Comprehensive Plan to the City Council for adoption. Commission member McDonald made a logical argument, when he stated that this “Smart Growth” plan does nothing to actually protect vital farmland from development. It may slow development, but there is no protection element to the plan. If you haven’t reviewed the plan for yourself, then log onto the City’s website, and click on the link to the left for Comprehensive Plan.

As a member of Janesville’s Sustainability Committee, I remind myself continually what it means to be sustainable, with every decision. The EPA’s website defines sustainability as “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In regard to farmland preservation, should this plan be considered sustainable by the citizens of Janesville?
According to the National Geographic Magazine, the future rests on the soil beneath our feet. This year food shortages, caused in part by the diminishing quantity and quality of the world's soil have led to riots in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. By 2030, when today's toddlers have toddlers of their own, 8.3 billion people will walk the Earth; to feed them, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates, farmers will have to grow almost 30 percent more grain than they do now. Connoisseurs of human recklessness will appreciate that even as humankind is ratcheting up its demands on soil, we are destroying it faster than ever before. "Taking the long view, we are running out of dirt," says David R. Montgomery, a geologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
The plan admittedly earmarks more land than actually needed for the future projected growth of the City of Janesville, much of that growth is out, instead of up. In light of the recent economic situation, perhaps a closer look, an ounce of precaution, should be taken.
In communities across the nation, there is a growing concern that current development patterns -- dominated by what some call "sprawl" -- are no longer in the long-term interest of our cities, existing suburbs, small towns, rural communities, or wilderness areas. Though supportive of growth, communities are questioning the economic costs of abandoning infrastructure in the city, only to rebuild it further out. (smartgrowth.org)
“The comprehensive planning law, written only 10 years ago, uses terminology that today is outdated as a roadmap to the future. It tells us to plan for transportation and utilities, but doesn’t say a word about climate change, energy conservation or sustainability. As a result, we’re driving full speed ahead into the past”. Writer Rich Eggleston
Local programs are not yet completely in place for landowners to protect their farmland, and need to consider both farmland conservation and a land owner’s rights. Conservation easements would permanently protect land from development, but landowners would have to donate their land, instead of getting paid for it, because there is currently no land trust fund set aside in Rock County. Yet.
If you are interested in commenting on the Comprehensive Plan, contact Janesville’s City Council at citycouncil@ci.janesville.wi.us

Keep Leaders On Task by Judith Detert-Moriarty

The fall 2008 elections are now over and the next election cycle will undoubtedly begin almost immediately. Some are relieved. Some are excited. Others are disappointed. Indisputably, all are amazed by this monumental moment in our nation’s history. Yet, many are probably wary and skeptical for a variety of reasons. Some will ask if we can trust the newly elected leaders? Will they honor their campaign promises?

We should be asking: "What can we do now to help keep the elected representatives on task doing the work of the People?"

Don't let them think now that you've voted, their job is done. Congratulate the winners. Thank those who have listened to you. You have hired them to make good decisions for our nation but in subsequent days, months, and years, your input is more vital than ever. Tell them what you expect they should accomplish. Tell them how you expect them to go about making change.
A functional and flourishing democracy is far more than simply voting. Get serious about your daily role and be a participating citizen throughout the year. Demand accountability by letting your political representatives know they are your employees and you are paying attention. Stay aware of post-election actions and when promised changes aren't forthcoming, demand answers. Visit your elected representatives asking the tough questions face-to-face. Flood their offices with e-mails, snail mail, faxes, and phone calls with your concerns, with your questions, with your suggestions and with your thanks when it is deserved.

Whether campaign reform, tax relief, an end to the war, health care, Social Security, or any of the myriad of other issues that concern you, let those now elected know you are relentlessly watching and paying attention very closely for that next election cycle will be here again sooner than we can imagine.

Autorama, Cheese Days and more by Bob Keith

This past weekend I was able to start the threads of a regional venture I hope to expand on after I return from my third media project in Iraq. I will be dissecting Wisconsin culture. I was able to visit two events, in two adjoining counties, in two most different cities that share the same language and peoples.

The Beloit Evening Lions Club; the Coachmen Street Rodders; and, the Blue Ribbon Classic Chevy Club donate their time and donate the proceeds from the Beloit Autorama to charitable causes. The event has been held annually for over 30 years down along the Rock River in Beloit, Rock County's southern most large city. Find the Autorama on the North side of Beloit in Preservation Park. "Old cars" is the mantra. The Green County Cheese Days in Monroe, Wisconsin is held every two years on even years. The event was started in 1914 and has evolved into the bi-annual event everyone recognizes today. It celebrates the industry of cheese making - hence, the high school mascot name, "Cheese Makers." Monroe is a city in an island of agriculture. Cheese products are a result of that ubiquitous farming industry. To this day while other dairy regions of Wisconsin and the nation at large flounder and divert to cash cropping out the land, the Green County area boasts many dairy farms. Find Cheese Days clustered in the old downtown square in that consummate Midwestern city.

The Beloit Autorama is probably not an aberration. Beloit has long been an industrial town and the roots of that blue-collar culture still resonate today. Beloit is just a few miles from Janesville's General Motors plant. I worked in Beloit in the late 1970s. My co-workers always had a work in progress in their garages - a lost-cause car being rebuilt. It is fascinating to see a culture like that handed off like a track and field baton to the next generation - even though the industrial face of the community has changed.

The farms of Green County still plod on, the milk trucks peruse the many back roads and main drags picking up the fresh milk from the farms - often from three-time-a-day-milkings. I know my dad would only milk the herd twice a day. Green County still often marches to a drummer from even before my Dad's time. I worked in Monroe for a time, years ago. The building my company used shared its space with a firm that used cheese making bi-product as fertilizer spread for farm fields.

Along the river in Beloit during Autoroma you will find a flee market catering to trading parts, wheels, and tools. Hundreds of old cars, refurbished or otherwise line the grounds - owners chat and compare notes. The controversial Amphicar even made a cameo. The Cheese Days Parade boasts a host of old farm tractors. The Beloit Autorama boasts a host of old cars and trucks.

Find both of these events in mid-Septembers, just 35 miles apart, sharing the same geography, and cultural cuisine. This year they shared the same weekend. Brats, corn on the cob, hot dogs, burgers, beer, and Wisconsin colloquialisms are of course shared by both crowds.

The Powers of RLUIPA by Judith Detert-Moriarty

There is a little known federal act which is impacting YOUR life every day and I you probably have never heard about it. Those who have been already living with it's adverse consequences, know it all too well. It's known as the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA). Rarely have bills ever sailed through Congress with unanimous approval (albeit most legislators weren't present to vote) to the President's desk in less than 4 weeks with no public hearings.

Yet, RLUIPA is just such legislation.
In essence, RLUIPA favors the interests of religious institutions over the interests of their secular counterparts rather than it's original intent to p rotect religious believers who may be vulnerable to discrimination. Even if an existing zoning law (signage, historic preservation, parking, at-risk population facilities, etc.) is void of any discrimination, Congress ruled strict new scrutiny needs to be applied to city zoning regulations thus putting the burden of proving a negative (i.e. no religious discrimination) upon the city. Realistically, what cities have the financial where-with-all or tax-payer approval to spend millions proving they are not being prejudicial or discriminating? RLUIPA thus gives religious institutions special rights which other citizens, organizations, and facilities do not enjoy.

Theoretically, RLUIPA can be trumped by "health and safety" concerns, but even that was proven an abstract, dubious recourse in Janesville when it was a very valid concern with the opening of a local facility some years ago - and which remains even today. The fact so few people are even aware of RLUIPA indicates why its danger is very real.

In the past few weeks, RLUIPA has impacted Janesville yet once again when It was the city attorney's opinion that RLUIPA preempts the city from regulating church signs. Any church can threaten to sue a city under RLUIPA (and usually win) when denied anything they want while any other citizen/organization/institution has to abide by existing federal, state, and city regulations and statutes. RLUIPA gives religious landowners a SPECIAL right to challenge land use laws which t heir secular neighbors do not have. Some churches do try to abide by the law and act responsibly for their own, and the community's best interests. Others see this as a new opportunity to make lots of profit and build tax-free empires (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_2_32/ai_77482609 ). The local issue of too-bright light from a church sign may seem very minimal but the same law has led to far more severe problems and damage done since RLUIPA became law in 2000. http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hamilton/20060126.html
When the issue of a prairie planting on a local church property arose this past summer, it was odd that the city attorney didn't also advise the City Council this was a mute question - a waste of Council time and city research - given under RLUIPA the church could plant whatever it wanted on the land even regardless of environmental considerations. It's no wonder organized churches love RLUIPA but states, cities, secular charities, historic preservationists, homeowners, and even legal experts and the courts are seriously concerned.
As one writer confronted with the reality of RLUIPA noted: "Imagine that you live in a peaceful, quiet neighborhood and that the house next door to you has just been sold. But curiously, you hear rumors that the house has not been purchased by a family or individual, but by a church of all things. Being a conscientious yet perp lexed neighbor, you walk next door to meet your new neighbors and inquire into their intentions. The church’s pastor greets you in the front yard and excitedly explains, “Yes, this is just the perfect site. ..." Read more of this article at http://works.bepress.com/daniel_lennington/1/and then realize similar and worse situations have been happening in Janesville since 2000.

RLUIPAs objective was very well intentioned. Because of it's very vague language, the consequences have been very unintentional and disturbing. RLUIPA has been affecting neighborhoods in Janesville since the day it was signed. Throughout the nation there are numerous law suits on their way to the Supreme Court where it will eventually be reviewed. While these cases make their ways through the courts, the devastation being caused across the US continues unabated.
Ultimately what the people or a community think is acceptable, and what is legal to other people and institutions, simply doesn't matter under RLUIPA. What any given church wants to do on it's land, it will be able to do because of RLUIPA protections (http://74.125.95.104/search?q=cache:vw-PYghvrEQJ:www1.law.nyu.edu/journals/legislation/issues/vol6num2/Geller.pdf+religious+land+use+and+institutionalized+persons+act&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=29&gl=us) Today churches literally hold cities, neighborhoods, and individual families hostage to their whims.
Whenever any single institution has that much power, the people need to be informed and beware.