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Imagine Olympia Event

Sun, 11/15/2009 - 2:48pm — Berd

The City of Olympia formally kicked off its multi-year comprehensive plan update process with an Imagine Olympia event held at the Olympia Center. It was well attended, estimated at 150 in a story from The Olympian, though I think there were probably more people in total, since people came and went (The Olympian story). I even saw some OlyBloggers. There was a lot of information about the Comp Plan process, music, food, a presentation about the planning process, as well as remarks by Mayor Mah. Janine Gates has a report with more details: Imagine Olympia: Community, the Comprehensive Plan and Cake. Following are a few photos from me:

Imagine Olympia Event
City of Olympia Historical Image

Imagine Olympia Event
Grizzle Grazzle Tune Snugglers

Imagine Olympia Event
Timeline

Imagine Olympia Event
Comp Plan Goal Evaluations

Imagine Olympia Event
Sea Level Rise High Tide Flood Map

Comments

Sun, 11/15/2009 - 8:12pm — chad360

is sea level rise real?

Thanks for the pics Berd-

-do you think the sea level rise stuff is being handled seriously?

chad360

Mon, 11/16/2009 - 12:48am — Berd

Re: is sea level rise real?

1) Yes. Sea level rise is real. It is a scientifically measurable, and measured, phenomenon. As glaciers continue to melt, and over-all sea-temperature begins to rise, thermal expansion will cause the waters of the ocean to expand. So the impact of severe sea-level rise may be some time away. However if steps aren't taken to ameliorate greenhouse gases and global warming, eventually there will be an inevitable severe rise in global sea levels. (Obviously I believe the common sense approach is to proceed in accordance with the precautionary principle. Roller coasters are fun, but I think that people deserve a smooth and safe ride on the plane of humanly existence.)

2) No. I don't think the sea-level rise is being taken seriously. Neither at the international, nor especially at the national level. At least at the international level there is a lot of educational and policy efforts. But are they translating into practical change? In my estimation, not really - or at least not enough. At the national level it is a disgrace. I don't need to go into it in detail. But the gist of it is that the biggest most powerful - the most polluting and destructive - corporations and industries essentially call the shots in Congress (and also to varying degrees at the level of State governments.)

So, the real question is what to do. I think that the answer, quite simply, is to find local solutions and ways to address the problem (rather than relying on governmental higher-ups to come to the rescue.)

Some will say: just build a levee to protect us. So maybe that should be part of the new Percival Landing Plan.

Other will say: we should decide to not build anymore in the flood plain. That's the best way to cut our losses and live in harmony with the natural environment.

Anyway, those are some of my thoughts on the sea-level rise predicament.


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Mon, 11/16/2009 - 12:57am — Berd

Imagine Oly

Purely on the policy side of City Decision Making, I had this thought while on my way to Saturday's event. It's about the new $20 city imposed car licensing fee. I don't like the flat tax. It unfairly targets the economically disadvantaged. I would be in favor of a progressive tax based on the value of the vehicle being driven. I don't think it's right that someone driving a $200 bucket of bolts should have to pay the same fee as someone driving a $200,000 luxury import. I think the city has a role to play in progressive taxation.


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Mon, 11/16/2009 - 10:50am — chad360

in Olympia?

I agree that climate change occurs (it is natural). I was curious if you thought the Imagine process is respecting the local interest in sea level change?

I'm not a fan of levee talk (I'd just as soon see the landfill we call downtown cleaned-up and the site abandoned).

Re; car tax

I'd base the tax on the auto size and pollution aspects (like MPG estimates).

 

 

chad360

Mon, 11/16/2009 - 8:57pm — Berd

Levees and Taxes

Chad, I agree with you about the levee. I am on the "let nature run its course" end of the spectrum - to coexist in communion with nature is my preference (as opposed to say, oh, the dominator approach...)

However, I can't help but be doubtful about the popularity of the idea of "abandoning" the flood plain. It would be nice to get some practical ideas and numbers about the options - all the options. One thing is the river. That adds a significant layer of complexity to the levee potential for.

As far as the taxes idea goes, I like your idea of basing in on gross tonnage, and MPG. Maybe it would make sense to factor a combination of value and environmental impact into the progressive taxation scheme, perhaps with serious incentives for all-electric vehicles.

I would like to see change in how our society relates to the automobile. Toward a more utilitarian approach. I also like the idea of reducing speed limits. If speed limits were lowered in some areas, it would make it much more practical to operate all-electric vehicles. (Of course, there is the serious concern that if many people converted to electric it would have unintended consequences, for example to list a couple harms: outsourcing the pollution (like requiring more coal, or nuclear power,) and also the potential to overwhelm the electrical grid.

Well, there's my free-think on the matter.


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