Monthly Archives: August 2009

No Money, No Parks?

Posted on August 31, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

While the threat of closing popular recreational areas—or reducing public safety funding—has often been government’s way of stimulating acquiescence to tax increases (County Parks threatened to close the Parkway in 2004 under much less perilous economic times) this does appear … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Parks, Politics | Leave a comment

Meanest City, Homelessness, & Public Safety

Posted on August 30, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

Los Angeles was recently ranked as the meanest city in the nation—as reported by the LA Daily News—for its successful efforts to reduce the crimogenic degradation unrestricted homelessness often creates in urban areas, and a revealing story from City Journal … Continue reading →

Posted in Homelessness, Politics | Leave a comment

Water Bond

Posted on August 29, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

One hopes this bond discussion—as reported by Capital Weekly—forms into a bill that includes the much needed elements of building additional dams for water storage and a canal to move water from the water rich north to the water poor … Continue reading →

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Parks Again On Chopping Block

Posted on August 28, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

As this story from the Sacramento Bee notes, County Parks is again facing cuts, and one is rather dramatic—the proposed closure of Gibson Ranch Regional Park. As local governments discuss forming a JPA for the Parkway, as we noted in … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Nonprofit Management, Parks | Leave a comment

ARPPS Letter Published Today

Posted on August 27, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

Suburban growth has its place Re “Urban blueprint evolves” (Page A1, Aug. 24): In this analysis of the future growth patterns in our region, the tendency to dismiss the value of suburban development in favor of urban fill-in is misplaced. … Continue reading →

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Urban/Suburban, Both Smart Growth

Posted on August 26, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

In this analysis of the future growth patterns in our region in the Sacramento Bee, the tendency to dismiss the value of suburban development in favor of urban in-fill is misplaced. Both are smart growth patterns, smart for different people … Continue reading →

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Transportation Failure

Posted on August 25, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

Many years ago, a horrible set of decisions were made by public leadership that attempted to re-direct this primarily suburban and car oriented state into an urban and mass transit oriented one, directly against the best interests of the public … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Politics, Transportation | Leave a comment

California Failing, Badly

Posted on August 24, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

In a major marker of how well California performs in the business sector, a new report from Pacific Research Institute ranking labor performance, shows us almost last, beating only Michigan and Mississippi. An excerpt from the news release with link … Continue reading →

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Innovative Technology, Some Cool Things

Posted on August 23, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

These are some really great designs that do good while being cool, well…maybe the cutlery pen isn’t too cool. An excerpt from Fast Company. “Most people bury the greeting cards they receive in drawers, but you can bury Garden Greetings … Continue reading →

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Governor Wants Dams

Posted on August 22, 2009 by David H Lukenbill

It is heartening to see the governor exhibiting common sense regarding the huge need for additional surface water storage for California as part of any new legislative water plan, as reported by the Fresno Bee. Now what is crucial is … Continue reading →

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