E.D., Kowalko and Wind. Oh My!
Today I stopped by to pay homage to Delawares most progressive State Rep, John Kowalko. John held a fundraiser in his home to kick off his campaign and to celebrate the arrival of wind power in Delaware. In attendance were some of the political movers and shakers, John Carney, John Flaherty, Dana Garrett and Ed Osbourne. John billed the event as a chance to have great conversation, and I was not disappointed (except when I had to leave early).
I got into a conversation with Ed Osbourne, Dana Garrett and John Flaherty about eminent domain. I then scooted outside to sneak into a conversation with Jeremy Firestone and Nancy Carig (from BWW) about windpower. Wow. I loved sitting down and just shooting the breeze (pun intended) with these people.
I missed the conversation between Ed Osbourne and John Carney, but from Ed’s description, it was a little contentious. I’m not sure the Lt Gov knew that Ed was going to be there. Dana will likely have a post up about it tomorrow, so keep an eye on DelawareWatch.
And let me say that my first meeting with Dana Garrett was very nice. He and I have occasionally not seen eye to eye, but we got along quite well and I think could be good friends. And I think I am going to have to call Ed Osbourne to see if he works on Civic Hybrids.
“They” are building electric generation windmills — ten I think — on top of the mountains near Hazleton, Pennsylvania. For some ungodly reason, the windmill sections have to be transported by truck through my little town of Jim Thorpe.
Well, US 209 South makes a little sidestep to the right, smack dab in the middle of our downtown, beside Packer Park, in front of the old train station. Regular tractor-trailers have a difficult time with this, having to swing wide to the left to be able to make the right turn. The oversized loads require police escort, and stopping traffic, and generally fouling up everything.
Wind power has made me have to wait in traffic for three freaking light cycles at one of our only two traffic lights in town! This is an abomination!
I LOVE my Civic Hybrid….
….having trouble with yours????
Dana,
You live in Jim Thorpe? I was born and raised in Tamaqua. I lived there when Jim Thorpe was Mauch Chunk.
Stella – I have some long-running weirdness with the AC conking out randomly. Doesn’t seem to be the compressor, though, so that’s good.
Dana – I know that corner in Jim Thorpe. I cannot imagine making that turn with a huge turbine. I would have probably flown the damn things in with helicopters…
Of course, the difference here is that all of the deliveries will be by water, so that helps.
I take that as snark, Dana. I remember a piece the Onion did awhile back that juxtaposed the inconveinces citizens of the US face versus the rest of the world. “I hate standing in line……You know that saying life begins at forty….well not in Sierra Leone where average life expectancy is 37.
The piece was titled something like “Smile, you live in the greatest country in th e world.”
At John K’s yesterday, I was standing with Ed O when he was speaking with John Carney (JC).
My take is that JC and Ed were speaking in different languages, with no translator available.
Before JC came over, I asked Ed about progressive, Wilmington attorney Chuck Durante’s comment (in the PDD Yahoo Group) that the veto of the ED bill was fine—that the legislation was unnecessary and poorly written. Ed agreed in principle—that the DE court affirmed that it is illegal in DE for the state or a municipality to condemn a private property for private development purposes. Ed’s counterpoint, however, is that there is a risk (borne out in reality) for a muncipality (such as Wilmington) to make a threat of condemnation. That threat, even of action that is illegal, can still be effective, if made against someone who doesn’t realize that it isn’t backed up by the law. Many homeowners facing such a threat, would cave, rather than pay for a costly court battle (despite the law being on their side). This, says Ed, is the reason that we need legislation that more clearly prohibits such threats.
JC drifted past, and Ed pressed JC on the Ed issue. JC concurred that ED should be prohibited in cases leading to private development. He shared that he felt that it would be useful to permit ED more often in the case of Wilmington, specifically to overcome ‘urban blight’ areas. On some level this makes sense, however Ed counter-argued that he would like to see the rules for the application of ED in Delaware to be even across the state—that advances that he achieves in his situation should be available to every Delaware property owner. An even playing field sounds quite attractive.
JC’s strongest arguments were focused on what Wilmington actually did. He claims that they did not condemn any properties, but rather took the first step, of notification. They notified some property owners that their properties were classified as possible ED properties. JC stated multiple times that this was merely notification, and that this is analogous to open government—keeping citizens informed of what’s going on.
Ed was unsuccessful in multiple attempts to explain to JC that many property owners, especially those of limited means, would receive these notices as threats of condemnation, and as intimidating.
To me, an observer, I feel that both Ed and JC were set in their perspectives, and that neither budged an inch. However, Ed and JC are not ‘equal’–Ed is a property owner, and speaks for himself. Ed has no obligation to be 100% open-minded. He is not paid by our citizens to represent them. JC is running for governor. He has a duty and obligation to have a position on important issues He also has a duty and obligation to listen to constituents. For ten minutes (until he was ‘saved’ by an aide, who compelled JC to leave the BBQ to meet another obligation), JC seemed uncomfortable being pushed on this issue by Ed. I was not impressed with JC’s open-mindedness.
Yesterday at John Kowalko’s fund raiser, I saw no reason to change my endorsement of Jack Markell to be our next Governor.
Ed’s counterpoint, however, is that there is a risk (borne out in reality) for a muncipality (such as Wilmington) to make a threat of condemnation. That threat, even of action that is illegal, can still be effective, if made against someone who doesn’t realize that it isn’t backed up by the law. Many homeowners facing such a threat, would cave
Another reason for the property owner to cave while the municipality is making illegal threats is that the threats (on thier own) make property values murky.
That is exactly what happened to me in Dover and John carney is a lucky SOB that I was not at that thing because his take on this is pure bullshit.
You have a Civic hybrid? I’m jealous!
It was nice meeting you. I think we’ll get along just fine. Did I tell you that you at first I thought you were Delaware’s hottest blogger until you told me you were LG?
Thanks, Dana. I actually am Delaware’s Hottest Blogger, but I have been inflating Donviti’s ego with the intention of crushing it at Drinking Liberally.
I have a 2003 Civic Hybrid, but I was forced into it. Someone wrecked my previous car (parked in front of my home) and there were only two choices in the hybrid market: the Civic (brand new model) or the butt-ugly 2003 Prius. If the car hadn’t been totaled, I would have waited another year and bought the new Prius. The mileage is just so much better on the Prius.
I would have loved to have seen the Osbourne-Carney tete-a-tete.
I called Sen. Harris McDowell at his home on July 3 and left a message asking him to explain his flip-flop on SB245. In front of me is a letter from Sen. McDowell that says his home “is the best place to reach me when the General Assembly is on break or out of session.” I’m still waiting for a reply and will call him again soon.
Sen. Blevins actually replied to my email about her changing vote, which I appreciate. She said she had some questions about the constitutionality of SB245, and Gov. Minner pointed some stuff out in her veto message that needed to be addressed. I replied to the senator that perhaps the senate would be wise to employ an attorney to address constitutionality before a vote on the bill. I also reminded her that attorney Bill Lee said he would have signed it.
June: Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk united to become Jim Thorpe somewhere around 1954, so you’re at least as old as me! 🙂
Meatball: While as a good Republican, I much prefer nuclear power or burning hydrocarbons to increase CO2 emissions, I won’t actually complain about wind power. I just don’t want to see government mandating it. If private investors or companies think that it’s a good investment, then they’ll make such investments.
If private investors or companies think that it’s a good investment, then they’ll make such investments.
Unlike, of course, the nuclear power or burning hydrocarbons industries who don’t make a move without a government subsidy.