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That is the problem with parody - the parodied generally don't appreciate
the humor - they are often blind to it. In this case, the members
of the electric coop didn't much appreciate the accusations about their
coop either. The fact is Bill, the electric coop members asked for
the lights - just like the members of the Food coop ask for organic
foods. Both lights and food serve to advance the health and safety
challenges facing humans. Both member organizations exist to serve
their members' interests.<br><br>
I would have expected a "philospher" to get that much out of
the parody - even though I would have no reason to expect them to admit
it. <br><br>
As to "shields" or "down lights" - I would have only
minor concerns about light intrusion rules when houses are in "close
proximity" to each other - say 100 feet or so. Also, the
standard would have to define an allowable amount of lumens (or some
other measure of light volume) so that we are not relying on someone's
anecdoctal "feelings" about the light intrusion issue. Of
course, the proposed ordinance does not address light intrusion - only
light pollution and energy "conservation". It's a bad
ordinance, whether you recognize it or not.<br><br>
<br>
At 05:20 PM 1/22/2006, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><font size=2>J-<br>
your effort to draw a comparison between light pollution and options in
food purchases is merely grasping at some pretty thin straws.
sorry, but it just doesn't work. except as feeble humor.<br>
Light pollution is trespass. There is no trespass relevant in
organic food options.<br>
BL<br>
</font> <br>
<br>
<br>
----- Original Message ----- <br>
<dl>
<dd>From:</b> <a href="mailto:jeffh@moscow.com">Jeff Harkins</a> <br>
<dd>To:</b> <a href="mailto:london@moscow.com">Bill London</a> ;
<a href="mailto:vision202@moscow.com">vision202@moscow.com</a> <br>
<dd>Sent:</b> Sunday, January 22, 2006 3:46 PM<br>
<dd>Subject:</b> Re: [Vision2020] light pollution<br><br>
<dd>To further amplify the myopic views being expressed on this subject,
let's do a bit of word substitution to see if that might help to clarify
the subject.<br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Mercury vapor yard lights are
good business for the power companies that promote them. To the
power companies it means money but to many of us it means a despoiling of
our night sky and light trespass onto our properties and into homes by
unwitting neighbors. In Latah County today, Clearwater Power has
some 500 mercury vapor yard lights installed on rural properties.
The numbers are increasing and our night sky is fading. Placing
shields on these lights to avoid light going up or laterally is not an
option according to Clearwater Power as these lights are an older model
and cannot be shielded. <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">The basic fact with these bright
mercury vapor yard lights is that the glare reduces the owners ability to
see properly and in effect reduces the owners safety and security.
Shielding these lights not only makes them more effective for the owners
but reduces light trespass and hence conflicts between neighbors.
<br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">The Planning and Building
Commission of Latah County has drafted a good outdoor lighting ordinance
which will require all yard lights to be shielded. Clearwater Power
is opposed as they will have to change out all of their older model
mercury vapor lights for something more modern with shields. To
them it’s all about money but this is our county and our quality of life
that we must work to maintain. There is also a vociferous group of
rural land owners who have no respect for their neighbors and believe
that they should have the right to put up as many mercury vapor yard
lights as they desire. Surely this group of people who would not
know the difference between a planet and a star are in the minority –
count the lights – 500 to date. The majority of rural land owners
as well as all concerned residents of Latah County now have an
opportunity to demand that all these bright obnoxious lights are fitted
with shields. The Planning Commission has done the work and they
now need to hear from all of us. They need our support to pass this
ordinance.</font></blockquote><br>
<dd>Now read this:<br><br>
<dd><font face="Times New Roman, Times">High priced organic fools are
good business for the foodstores that promote them. To the
foodstores it means money but to many of us it means a despoiling of our
budgets as consumers and leads to higher prices for shoppers that don't
want organic foods. In Latah County today, the Moscow Food CoOp has
many varieties and flavors of organic foods. The numbers are
increasing and prices of other foods are rising. Placing price
controls on organic foods is not an option according to the Moscow
Food CoOp as these foods are what we sell and we can't change that.
<br><br>
<dd>The basic fact with these organic foods is that the sale of these
foods prevents non organic foods to be sold in sufficient quantities to
keep the prices low and in effect reduces the amount of food that
these folks can buy - hence it is a health and safety issue. But
selling organic foods not only makes them more healthy but the eaters
weigh less and use less water and sewer services while reducing their
weight and hence their travel costs. This leads to less conflict
between neighbors. <br><br>
<dd>The Planning and Building Commission of Latah County has drafted a
good non-organic food ordinance which will require all food to be
non-organic. Moscow Food CoOp is opposed as they will have to
change out all of their older food inventory for something
non-organic. To them it’s all about money but this is our county
and our quality of life that we must work to maintain. There is
also a vociferous group of CoOp Customers who have no respect for their
neighbors and believe that they should have the right to demand as much
organic food as they desire. Surely this group of people who would
not know the difference between a natural meal and an artificial
meal are in the minority – count the shoppers– 500 to date. The
majority of food eaters as well as all concerned residents of Latah
County now have an opportunity to demand that all these organic foods are
banned from the market. The Planning Commission has done the work
and they now need to hear from all of us. They need our support to
pass this ordinance.<br><br>
<br>
</font>
<dd>As a foundation for understanding the argument and just for the
record and clarification of the context, assume that:<br><br>
<dd>1. Clearwater Power is an electric power cooperative - owned by its
members to serve its members.<br>
<dd>2. Moscow Food CoOp is a food cooperative - owned by its members to
serve its members.<br>
</dl></blockquote></body>
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