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Oct
16
Want To Make A Difference In Energy Policy?
Filed Under alternative energy, Chicago Public Radio, Dick Lugar, economic development, economy, Election 2008, energy, gas prices, Hammond Indiana | 2 Comments
Want to make a difference in energy policy issues affecting the United States and your personal pocketbook during this election season?
An opportunity to stand up and voice your opinion in a forum that promises attention throughout Chicago and Northwest Indiana presents itself.
All you need to do is show up and voice your opinion. One of Sen. Richard Lugar’s staffers will be on hand for the energy forum, so maybe your ideas could make a difference in the way America responds to energy issues.
Northwest Indiana is at the forefront of energy issues — we have BP in Whiting. Windmills are producing energy in Benton and Newton counties. Steel mills are cranking out the metal for more windmills. We have some of the highest energy prices in the nation — special fuel blends and high residential energy rates. The E85 corridor runs right through our region on I-65. Trash-to-ethanol using Lake County trash could soon be a reality.
Don’t you want to be a part of shaping the future of energy issues? Stand up and voice your opinion. For or against off shore drilling, ethanol, more nuclear power, trash-to-ethanol, BP Whiting expasion, wind turbines in Lake Michigan, share your ideas with other opinion leaders right here in Northwest Indiana.
WBEZ plans an energy forum at Purdue Calumet in Hammond on October 28. You must RSVP before October 24, see details below.
Here are the energy forum details:
Energy Issues and the 2008 Election.
Chicago Public Radio, WBEZ 91.5 FM is hosting a community conversation about Indiana’s future energy needs and the 2008 election. This event will be broadcast live from Hammond, Indiana.
Come be part of the audience and join in the conversation. The event will be hosted by Chicago Public Radio’s Gabriel Spitzer along with our Northwest Indiana bureau reporter Mike Puente. Speakers include Marty Irwin, Director of Indiana Center for Coal Technology Research at Purdue University, Celina Weatherwax, District Representative for Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, Jesse Kharbanda, Executive Director of Hoosier Environmental Council, and Otto Doering, Professor at Purdue University in Agricultural Economics.
The event is October 28th at The Calumet Conference Center at Purdue University Calumet, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm.
It’s free, but you must reserve seats by October 24th at www.chicagopublicradio.org/energyforum or call 312-893-2929.
Oct
10
I’m optimistic
Filed Under COIT, economy, Election 2008, Gerry Scheub, optimism | 6 Comments
Despite all of the economic stuff on here lately — and the hiatus to sit back and concentrate on matters in the real world — I am optimistic about the future.
To wit:
The markets may have turned a corner and buyers will start picking up bargains. If they don’t, it is only a matter of time before someone starts buying everything of value is is currently on sale. My retirement isn’t for another 25-30 years or so, so there’s plenty of time for the market to appreciate and for wealth to be built. And, I’m hoping for the best for those who are looking to retire in the near future.
My wife had a car that suffered a fault was covered by the factory warranty with $0 out of pocket. We were fairly loyal customers of Toyota before, but this will definitely earn them some money over the coming years when it comes time to purchase new vehicles. Having said that, we’re also going to get a Ford as well since I’m eligible for the “X” plan. (Disclaimer — I have a financial interest in seeing Ford and GM do well, so go out and buy a Ford or GM product right now!).
I saw Commissioner Gerry Scheub the other day canvassing the neighborhood and he spoke of fighting against new taxes. Any candidate who has fought the good fight against the 1% Lake County income tax and promises to keep on fighting against it has my vote. (Disclaimer — I split my ticket based on issues. When I was in Hobart, I always voted for Rep. Chet Dobis because he voted the right way on certain issues.) It’s a good day in Lake County when a Democrat’s main issue is trying to keep money in taxpayer’s pockets — and that Democrat has a proven track record of standing up against serious pressure to back down from his position.
Also, false voter registrations were caught before they had a chance to infect the system. Of course, I’m sure we’d all figure out there was something wrong if Jimmy Johns had voted 72 times from various polling places in Nov. (Disclaimer — I like Jimmy Johns’ Italian sub, the #5 Vito. I suggest voting for #5 when you go to JJ’s sandwich shop). Also, if the vote takes 12 hours to be counted at the satellite locations and 1 million plus new voters turn out, we’ll all know that a certain community organization has been busy filling out voter registrations. Like the primary and the Lake County vote count controversy, I’m sure it will get us on CNN and everyone knows any publicity is good publicity!
I’m glad to see John McCain saying that Barack Obama is a good guy and calming down some of the more fervent supporters who are ready to launch into Moveon.org-type strangeness. If eight years of Bush-hating has taught us anything, it’s the lesson that haters never win converts. If McCain is going to win, it will be on the merits of his ideas and an optimistic message. Going negative won’t win over the people who are just tuning in at this late date and just opens the door to counter-attacks. McCain realizes this and that’s another reason for optimism.
A new day will be here sooner than we know it and things should work out just fine, no matter what happens.
