State Spent $2.3 Million to Train 200 in Renewable Energy — Only a Few Got Jobs [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Almost three years later, the Energy Conservation Apprenticeship Readiness Program (ECAR) had just 200 people apply statewide, cost $2.3 million in federal stimulus money and yielded few jobs for the enrollees who were trained.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
GREENFAIL: Syracuse’s little-used electric car chargers being replaced after just months.
#GREENFAIL: Syracuse’s little-used electric car chargers being replaced after just months.
A Syracuse nonprofit got a $700,000 government grant last year to buy and install 68 electric car charging units around Central New York.
But this week, Synapse Sustainability Trust ripped the last of the chargers out of a downtown Syracuse parking lot.
But reader Kenneth Strumpf writes that this is the key bit:
Interestingly, the company that got the grant, Synapse Partners, is run by the county Democratic chairwoman.“Fed by government grants, their company and its nonprofit arm also have strong connections to the Democratic Party.”
A Syracuse nonprofit got a $700,000 government grant last year to buy and install 68 electric car charging units around Central New York.
But this week, Synapse Sustainability Trust ripped the last of the chargers out of a downtown Syracuse parking lot.
But reader Kenneth Strumpf writes that this is the key bit:
The goof-up will have little impact on the public. After all, there are only 30 electric or electric hybrid cars in five counties surrounding Syracuse. There are more charging units than there are cars that can use them.He comments: “I regularly park in a lot containing about a dozen of these charging stations and have never seen a car attached to one.”
Interestingly, the company that got the grant, Synapse Partners, is run by the county Democratic chairwoman.“Fed by government grants, their company and its nonprofit arm also have strong connections to the Democratic Party.”
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson: Calling reforms voter suppression is 'partisan theatrics' or a misunderstanding
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson: Calling reforms voter suppression is 'partisan theatrics' or a misunderstanding | MLive.com
State Rep. Woodrow Stanley, D-Flint, said protests erupted at a committee hearing due to frustration over “a naked assault on that sacred right to vote.”
State Rep. Woodrow Stanley, D-Flint, said protests erupted at a committee hearing due to frustration over “a naked assault on that sacred right to vote.”
THE RISE OF NAKED VACATIONS
THE RISE OF NAKED VACATIONS
When the Carnival Freedom sets sail from Florida next February for an eight-day cruise to Panama, it will offer the same amenities as any other Carnival cruise: three pools, a jogging track, a 1970s dance club and a cigar bar.
But there is one stark difference.
Passengers on the white behemoth of a ship, which can carry 2,974 passengers, will enjoy those facilities naked.
Warning: Few, if any, of your fellow passengers will be supermodels.
When the Carnival Freedom sets sail from Florida next February for an eight-day cruise to Panama, it will offer the same amenities as any other Carnival cruise: three pools, a jogging track, a 1970s dance club and a cigar bar.
But there is one stark difference.
Passengers on the white behemoth of a ship, which can carry 2,974 passengers, will enjoy those facilities naked.
Warning: Few, if any, of your fellow passengers will be supermodels.
Gerald O'Driscoll: How the Euro Will End
Gerald O'Driscoll: How the Euro Will End - WSJ.com
For such reasons, when the euro was created in 1999, Milton Friedman famously predicted its demise within a decade. He was wrong about the timing, but he may yet be proven right about the fact.
For such reasons, when the euro was created in 1999, Milton Friedman famously predicted its demise within a decade. He was wrong about the timing, but he may yet be proven right about the fact.
The Bizarre White House Reaction to Commerce Secretary John Bryson News
The Bizarre White House Reaction to Commerce Secretary John Bryson News
Later in the briefing, Carney said the White House was alerted on Sunday evening and the president was informed on Monday morning. Again, this strikes even the casual observer as odd.
The Commerce Secretary is tenth in the presidential line of succession and there is a government-wide Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) that ensures that the executive branch leadership is accounted for and able to serve.
Did the President of the United States really find out at the same time as the general public that 36 hours beforehand his Commerce Secretary had been hospitalized?
And if so, was his first concern the fact that his staff left him in the dark unnecessarily for so many hours?
Later in the briefing, Carney said the White House was alerted on Sunday evening and the president was informed on Monday morning. Again, this strikes even the casual observer as odd.
The Commerce Secretary is tenth in the presidential line of succession and there is a government-wide Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) that ensures that the executive branch leadership is accounted for and able to serve.
Did the President of the United States really find out at the same time as the general public that 36 hours beforehand his Commerce Secretary had been hospitalized?
And if so, was his first concern the fact that his staff left him in the dark unnecessarily for so many hours?
An open letter to the Rt Rev Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, on the subject of his foiled wind farm scheme
An open letter to the Rt Rev Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, on the subject of his foiled wind farm scheme – Telegraph Blogs
What surprised me about your letter was that a man intelligent enough to have gained two degrees (one from Cambridge) and canny enough to have risen to the not totally immodest heights of the Bishopric of Exeter should yet be puzzled as to why his flock might object to having a hideous pair of bat-chomping, bird-slicing eco-crucifixes plonked next to their tranquil North Devon villages.
What surprised me about your letter was that a man intelligent enough to have gained two degrees (one from Cambridge) and canny enough to have risen to the not totally immodest heights of the Bishopric of Exeter should yet be puzzled as to why his flock might object to having a hideous pair of bat-chomping, bird-slicing eco-crucifixes plonked next to their tranquil North Devon villages.
U.S. NEWS: Why The Higher Education Bubble Will Be Worse Than the Housing Bubble.
Instapundit » Blog Archive » U.S. NEWS: Why The Higher Education Bubble Will Be Worse Than the Housing Bubble.
“Even when homeowners got hopelessly behind on their mortgages, two options helped.
First, they could declare bankruptcy and free themselves of their crippling debt; second, they could sell their houses to pay down most of their loans. Students don’t have either of these options.
It’s illegal to absolve student loan debt through bankruptcy, and you can’t sell back an education.”
“Even when homeowners got hopelessly behind on their mortgages, two options helped.
First, they could declare bankruptcy and free themselves of their crippling debt; second, they could sell their houses to pay down most of their loans. Students don’t have either of these options.
It’s illegal to absolve student loan debt through bankruptcy, and you can’t sell back an education.”
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
More nations exempt from Iran sanctions
More nations exempt from Iran sanctions - FT.com
The state department said that Turkey, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, South Africa and Sri Lanka had all reduced purchases of Iranian oil by enough to be given a six-month exemption from the sanctions, which come into operation on June 28
Oh, the power of "sanctions"!
The state department said that Turkey, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, South Africa and Sri Lanka had all reduced purchases of Iranian oil by enough to be given a six-month exemption from the sanctions, which come into operation on June 28
Oh, the power of "sanctions"!
EyeOnMuskegon: Important meetings Today, Tue. Jun 12!
EyeOnMuskegon: Important meetings Today, Tue. Jun 12!
Remember, when they operate without any citizen input, they operate for those who already have input and that's why we're broke.
Remember, when they operate without any citizen input, they operate for those who already have input and that's why we're broke.
Monday, June 11, 2012
CBC staff: Opposition to Obama is racist
CBC staff: Opposition to Obama is racist | Campaign 2012 | Washington Examiner
She added that "even 'cool,' the term 'cool,' could in some ways be deemed racial [in this instance]."
She added that "even 'cool,' the term 'cool,' could in some ways be deemed racial [in this instance]."
In case you missed it: Port city or tourist town for Muskegon?
In case you missed it: Port city or tourist town for Muskegon? | MLive.com
Do you prefer the concept of an industrial port or a larger focus on recreational and tourism uses of the water?
Is there room for both?
Do you prefer the concept of an industrial port or a larger focus on recreational and tourism uses of the water?
Is there room for both?
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Sheila Jackson Lee Declares Rodney King a 'Great Philosopher'
Blog: Sheila Jackson Lee Declares Rodney King a 'Great Philosopher'
On Friday in response to a Fox News reporter's question about Obamacare, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), a University of Virginia Law graduate, invoked the name of Rodney King calling him a "great philosopher."
Not since Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) expressed concern that the addition of 8,000 service personnel and their families onto the island of Guam might cause it to tip over have Americans heard such moronic craziness.
Do we really pay the Queen of Racism $174,000 per year?
On Friday in response to a Fox News reporter's question about Obamacare, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), a University of Virginia Law graduate, invoked the name of Rodney King calling him a "great philosopher."
Not since Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) expressed concern that the addition of 8,000 service personnel and their families onto the island of Guam might cause it to tip over have Americans heard such moronic craziness.
Do we really pay the Queen of Racism $174,000 per year?
NYC principal bars students from singing 'God Bless the USA' at graduation
NYC principal bars students from singing 'God Bless the USA' at graduation | Fox News
A New York City principal has pulled the plug on patriotism by preventing students from singing "God Bless the USA" at their graduation.
.....But Hawkins marched in on a recent rehearsal and ordered a CD playing the anthem to be shut off, staffers said.
She told the teachers to drop the song from the program.
"We don't want to offend other cultures," they quoted her as explaining.
A New York City principal has pulled the plug on patriotism by preventing students from singing "God Bless the USA" at their graduation.
.....But Hawkins marched in on a recent rehearsal and ordered a CD playing the anthem to be shut off, staffers said.
She told the teachers to drop the song from the program.
"We don't want to offend other cultures," they quoted her as explaining.
Detroit faces a choice between acceptance of reality and suicidal defiance
Stephen Henderson: Detroit faces a choice between acceptance of reality and suicidal defiance | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Swallow your pride -- or choke on it.
That's what Detroit is down to in its operatic arc of financial tragedy: a final choice between acceptance of reality and suicidal defiance.
The city's elected officials can let their rogue corporation counsel, Krystal Crittendon, force payless paydays or worse with her quixotically loopy attempt to undo the consent agreement with the state to better manage Detroit's finances.
Or they can act like grown-ups and accept, with just a modicum of humility, that it is their responsibility to determine Detroit's fate, not Crittendon's.
They can order her to stand down, so that other agreements between the city and state (including one worth an immediate $80 million to the city) can go forward.
You'd think there would be no question about the right choice.
But this is Detroit.
So there was City Council President Charles Pugh on Friday, saying he's fine with Crittendon going ahead with her challenge to the consent agreement and with waiting until a judge rules.
As for Chief Financial Officer Jack Martin's prognosis that the city could bounce paychecks as early as this week?
Pugh said it's likely a bluff, an overstatement of the city's condition.
Swallow your pride -- or choke on it.
That's what Detroit is down to in its operatic arc of financial tragedy: a final choice between acceptance of reality and suicidal defiance.
The city's elected officials can let their rogue corporation counsel, Krystal Crittendon, force payless paydays or worse with her quixotically loopy attempt to undo the consent agreement with the state to better manage Detroit's finances.
Or they can act like grown-ups and accept, with just a modicum of humility, that it is their responsibility to determine Detroit's fate, not Crittendon's.
They can order her to stand down, so that other agreements between the city and state (including one worth an immediate $80 million to the city) can go forward.
You'd think there would be no question about the right choice.
But this is Detroit.
So there was City Council President Charles Pugh on Friday, saying he's fine with Crittendon going ahead with her challenge to the consent agreement and with waiting until a judge rules.
As for Chief Financial Officer Jack Martin's prognosis that the city could bounce paychecks as early as this week?
Pugh said it's likely a bluff, an overstatement of the city's condition.
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Muskegon RockStock gets county's OK to use Heritage Landing
Muskegon RockStock gets county's OK to use Heritage Landing | MLive.com
Muskegon RockStock, which has been held since 2008 as a one-day event in Hackley Park, is scheduled for the night of June 29 and all day June 30 at Heritage Landing.
The ticket price is $5 per day. Tickets will be on sale at all Muskegon-area Pizza Hut restaurants by June 8.
The reservation fee for use of Heritage Landing is $1,000, $500 for each day of the festival. Brandon Baskin, RockStock organizer, also must maintain comprehensive general liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1 million and name the county as additional insured.
In addition, the agreement calls for Baskin to pay the county 5 percent of the total admission ticket charges collected for the event.
Muskegon RockStock, which has been held since 2008 as a one-day event in Hackley Park, is scheduled for the night of June 29 and all day June 30 at Heritage Landing.
The ticket price is $5 per day. Tickets will be on sale at all Muskegon-area Pizza Hut restaurants by June 8.
The reservation fee for use of Heritage Landing is $1,000, $500 for each day of the festival. Brandon Baskin, RockStock organizer, also must maintain comprehensive general liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1 million and name the county as additional insured.
In addition, the agreement calls for Baskin to pay the county 5 percent of the total admission ticket charges collected for the event.
Children's Fountain in Alcoa Celebration Square opens for the season
Children's Fountain in Alcoa Celebration Square opens for the season (video) | MLive.com
The children's fountain at the Alcoa Celebration Square in downtown Muskegon opened for season Friday at noon as part of the Love Muskegon Week.
The Community Foundation for Muskegon County has organized a series of activities to celebrate Love Muskegon Week with the return of national urban promoters Peter Kageyama and Michelle Royal for meetings and workshops.
The children's fountain at the Alcoa Celebration Square in downtown Muskegon opened for season Friday at noon as part of the Love Muskegon Week.
The Community Foundation for Muskegon County has organized a series of activities to celebrate Love Muskegon Week with the return of national urban promoters Peter Kageyama and Michelle Royal for meetings and workshops.
Fruitport school board rejects privatizing custodians
Fruitport school board rejects privatizing custodians | MLive.com
The board on a 6-1 vote Thursday rejected a proposal from administrators calling for the district to privatize custodial services, which would have saved the district $350,000.
Instead, the board agreed to accept concessions from the custodial group that the superintendent said will save the district $110,000.
The board on a 6-1 vote Thursday rejected a proposal from administrators calling for the district to privatize custodial services, which would have saved the district $350,000.
Instead, the board agreed to accept concessions from the custodial group that the superintendent said will save the district $110,000.
Horses take to Muskegon's Pere Marquette Beach for first-ever beach polo match
Horses take to Muskegon's Pere Marquette Beach for first-ever beach polo match | MLive.com
Teams of polo players on horseback took part in Michigan's first-ever beach polo match to raise money for Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Teams of polo players on horseback took part in Michigan's first-ever beach polo match to raise money for Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Musk school board passes sex ed program
Musk school board passes sex ed program | WOOD TV8
But school officials said that the plan was proactive and necessary, citing a 2009 survey done in Muskegon (pdf) that showed 8.4% of students said they had engaged in sexual intercourse before the age of 13.
They also noted the county's pregnancy rate, which is higher than the state's.
But school officials said that the plan was proactive and necessary, citing a 2009 survey done in Muskegon (pdf) that showed 8.4% of students said they had engaged in sexual intercourse before the age of 13.
They also noted the county's pregnancy rate, which is higher than the state's.
No Charges In 7-Eleven Melee Caught On Video
No Charges In 7-Eleven Melee Caught On Video | Baltimore News | WBAL Radio 1090 AM
It was caught on video, but Baltimore City State's Attorney Gregg Bernstein has decided not to file charges against any of the 40 teenagers who were seen on video robbing a 7-Eleven and assaulting the store owner.
The incident took place on the afternoon of May 23 at the 7-Eleven on Light Street, when the store was was offering a "Free Slurpee" promotion.
The teens were spotted on surveillance cameras in the store.
Police say the teens were all wearing school uniforms, and were spotted ransacking the store shelves.
The store owner reported the teens took an envelope containing $6,600 in cash.
It was caught on video, but Baltimore City State's Attorney Gregg Bernstein has decided not to file charges against any of the 40 teenagers who were seen on video robbing a 7-Eleven and assaulting the store owner.
The incident took place on the afternoon of May 23 at the 7-Eleven on Light Street, when the store was was offering a "Free Slurpee" promotion.
The teens were spotted on surveillance cameras in the store.
Police say the teens were all wearing school uniforms, and were spotted ransacking the store shelves.
The store owner reported the teens took an envelope containing $6,600 in cash.
You’re Not Special
You’re Not Special - BostonHerald.com
afternoon, the venue. Normally, I avoid cliches like the plague, wouldn’t touch them with a ten-foot pole, but here we are on a literal level playing field. That matters. That says something. And your ceremonial costume... shapeless, uniform, one-size-fits-all. Whether male or female, tall or short, scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin, each of you is dressed, you’ll notice, exactly the same. And your diploma... but for your name, exactly the same.
All of this is as it should be, because none of you is special.
You are not special. You are not exceptional.
Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you... you’re nothing special.
Yes, you’ve been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. You’ve been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. Yes, you have. And, certainly, we’ve been to your games, your plays, your recitals, your science fairs. Absolutely, smiles ignite when you walk into a room, and hundreds gasp with delight at your every tweet. Why, maybe you’ve even had your picture in the Townsman! And now you’ve conquered high school... and, indisputably, here we all have gathered for you, the pride and joy of this fine community, the first to emerge from that magnificent new building...
But do not get the idea you’re anything special. Because you’re not.
afternoon, the venue. Normally, I avoid cliches like the plague, wouldn’t touch them with a ten-foot pole, but here we are on a literal level playing field. That matters. That says something. And your ceremonial costume... shapeless, uniform, one-size-fits-all. Whether male or female, tall or short, scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin, each of you is dressed, you’ll notice, exactly the same. And your diploma... but for your name, exactly the same.
All of this is as it should be, because none of you is special.
You are not special. You are not exceptional.
Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you... you’re nothing special.
Yes, you’ve been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. You’ve been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. Yes, you have. And, certainly, we’ve been to your games, your plays, your recitals, your science fairs. Absolutely, smiles ignite when you walk into a room, and hundreds gasp with delight at your every tweet. Why, maybe you’ve even had your picture in the Townsman! And now you’ve conquered high school... and, indisputably, here we all have gathered for you, the pride and joy of this fine community, the first to emerge from that magnificent new building...
But do not get the idea you’re anything special. Because you’re not.
Detroit boaters left high, dry as Erma Henderson Marina remains closed for foreseeable future
Detroit boaters left high, dry as Erma Henderson Marina remains closed for foreseeable future MLive.com
Council sided with local boaters who have been complaining for months about the process, arguing that the mayor's office hand-selected Hume despite a worthy proposal from a black-owned business group with close ties to the marina, believed to be one the first racially-integrated docks in the nation.
Council sided with local boaters who have been complaining for months about the process, arguing that the mayor's office hand-selected Hume despite a worthy proposal from a black-owned business group with close ties to the marina, believed to be one the first racially-integrated docks in the nation.
Gov. Snyder 'will stay focused' on his job in light of second failed recall attempt
Gov. Snyder 'will stay focused' on his job in light of second failed recall attempt | MLive.com
Michigan Rising leaders are ending their recall attempt today, saying they fell “well short” of their goal of collecting 200,000 petition signatures by June 1.
Michigan Rising leaders are ending their recall attempt today, saying they fell “well short” of their goal of collecting 200,000 petition signatures by June 1.
Transportation Secretary LaHood releases plan to combat distracted driving 'epidemic'
Transportation Secretary LaHood releases plan to combat distracted driving 'epidemic' | MLive.com
The "Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving" includes the government investing $2.4 million in pilot projects in California and Delaware to crack down on those who text or use their cell phones while driving and challenges the auto industry to adopt new and future guidelines for technology to reduce the potential for distraction on devices built or brought into vehicles.
"Distracted driving is an epidemic.
While we've made progress in the past three years by raising awareness about this risky behavior, the simple fact is people are continuing to be killed and injured – and we can put an end to it," LaHood said in a release.
The "Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving" includes the government investing $2.4 million in pilot projects in California and Delaware to crack down on those who text or use their cell phones while driving and challenges the auto industry to adopt new and future guidelines for technology to reduce the potential for distraction on devices built or brought into vehicles.
"Distracted driving is an epidemic.
While we've made progress in the past three years by raising awareness about this risky behavior, the simple fact is people are continuing to be killed and injured – and we can put an end to it," LaHood said in a release.
Michigan House Republicans expand upon income tax relief plan
Michigan House Republicans expand upon income tax relief plan | MLive.com
A new measure detailed Thursday would provide longer-term income tax relief by dropping the income tax rate to 3.9 percent by 2018.
The legislation would come in addition to a short-term plan already approved by the House and now pending in the Senate, which would speed up an already planned income tax rate reduction from 4.35 percent to 4.25 percent late this year.
A new measure detailed Thursday would provide longer-term income tax relief by dropping the income tax rate to 3.9 percent by 2018.
The legislation would come in addition to a short-term plan already approved by the House and now pending in the Senate, which would speed up an already planned income tax rate reduction from 4.35 percent to 4.25 percent late this year.
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