Post your comments and questions for March, 2017.

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87 Comments

    1. Yes. Sent into the blog team for posting earlier this week. Someone suggested we should respond by making sure all the data of the people voting yes for this should be outed on them. I said, starting with their anthony weiner laptop mentions.

  2. Hi Catherine:
    I want to follow up with you on some ideas you shared in the Local Action Webinar. I am all about #2 Human and Intellectual capital investment. During the broadcast I sent an outline -progress report – of the initiative underway here in Central Florida. We’ve completed the pilot program and it was a big success. The city has agreed to accept more students next semester.

    I want to move onto the next activity but I need some clarification. Here’s what I am thinking: I volunteer with a local organic farm. The owners might be open to taking on an apprentice.

    I know an elderly man (over 80) who would like to sell his grapefruit/orange/lemon tree orchard. He will only sell to someone who will promise never to use pesticides on his trees.

    Our mayor is a fellow who knows all the deep pockets in the city. I guess I should talk to him about some kind of start up funding/ financial arrangements for the successful apprentice.

    Do I have the general concept right? I will wait for your green light before proceeding.
    All the best,
    Katie (aka Catherine in Florida).

    1. Katie:

      There are two issues. Who will manage and operate the farm and who will own and fund it. Take a look at the DVD, The Real Dirt on Farmer John – it shows an example of a group of people who get together and buy the land to leave to the farmer. Can’t hurt to talk to the mayor to see if there were any local investors or angel networks that would be interested in funding on such a basis – or funding a farmer who was committed to caring for them.

      If he sells to the local restaurants, there may also be a connection to investors through them.

      Good luck!

      Catherine

      1. Hello Catherine:
        Thank you for these additional insights. I figure it will take me anywhere from 6 months to a year to investigate all the resources and develop a workable plan (or not).
        What I really wanted to know from you is am I moving in the right direction. Is this the kind of effort (with your suggested modifications) you had in mind?
        My brother was assistant city manager for Cincinnati. He and I’ve spent many delightful hours talking about this effort as well as the student/city exchange we launched this month.
        If nothing comes from these activities at least I feel a lot closer to my younger brother. That’s a very good thing.
        All good things are wished for you,
        Katie

        1. Katie:

          Sounds to me like you are headed in the right direction. When it comes down to helping the young people thrive on Main Street I believe it comes down to who wants to play – schools, community colleges, Chamber, Rotary, angel networks, small businesses, banks…it is a matter of network and finding a first few steps that will be energizing in a practical way for all concerned.

  3. Catherine,
    You posted a good article on the geospatial aspects of gun violence. I think it helps people to visualize what law enforcement has known for years. However, I think the article should have pointed out with what activities was that gun violence associated. Was a person shot due to a drug turf war, revenge, robbery gone bad, crime of passion, etc.?

    I think that the article should have also differentiated between the causes of crime, in general, and gun related homicides. They are similar, but there are differences (e.g. not every robbery ends up with someone being shot). People often conflate the act with the tool used to commit the act. As a slight aside, I feel that giving people extra punishment for the tool that they used in a crime (or if they did something out of “hate”) is not productive or efficacious or even just. The act and the results of that act are what matters.

    In researching gun violence, I came across this article that you may find interesting. I thought the author made some very good observations about comparisons between the US and other countries’ gun violence. Be well.

    Chad

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-10-16/mistake-only-comparing-us-murder-rates-developed-countries

  5. Yup, with the press conference with Nunes today and now this, the obvious is finally beginning to be documented. IMO, tip of the iceberg.

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