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The Environment
In 2007, the concept of being green (and clean) is an idea that is being embraced across our country. No longer relegated to fringe groups, being environmentally friendly is becoming more common in the work place and home. When I look at how I want our community to be when my nieces and nephews are grown up, I want Findlay to be a community that is not only eco-friendly, but is considered one of the greenest cities in America.
There are several things we can do to improve conditions in our community:
- Using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines recommended by the United States Green Building council to promote five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality
- Working with county government to implement a city-wide recycling program collecting aluminum, cardboard, glass, hazardous materials, paper, plastic and tin; using sales of bulk goods to fund and promote this program
- Study of wind and solar energy as a supplemental sources of power; possibility of joining with AMP Ohio consortium and researching loans and grants currently available through the Ohio Department of Development and the Wind Production & Manufacturing Incentive Program
- Purchase of hybrid or alternative energy vehicles for the city’s non-emergency fleet
- Make sure that new city construction uses energy saving guidelines and implements alternative energy sources
- Implementing a trolley system funneling pedestrian traffic into the downtown area while reducing traffic congestion and pollution
- Goal of city being recognized as one of America’s Greenest cities
Someone asked me, “If elected, when you look back at everything you have done in office, what do you want to say will be your biggest accomplishment?”. Without hesitation, I mentioned the recycling program.
Being green by recycling goes beyond the benefit it presents to the city as a revenue source and as an alternative to more refuse. Looking at this as a socioeconomic and public health issue, we realize that the wellness of our citizens, the proliferation of green space and the increase in community activism are lasting benefits that cannot be measures in limited economic terms; they are measured in the success and wellness of the generations to come.
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