Archive for June 27, 2008
A Better Deal Elsewhere For Wildlife West?
by John Weckerle
We have posted several articles here about the treatment that Wildlife West Nature Park has been receiving from the Town of Edgewood. Wildlife West, a community asset providing employment opportunities, educational programs, an enhanced zoo, and great entertainment, has faced what appears to be outright hostility from the Town government since the March election. Despite the fact that the Town’s attorney has stated that there may be way to legally fund the annual Town music festival at the Park, Mayor Bob Stearley has remained adamant that any support for the event represents a violation of the anti-donation clause of the State Constitution. Knowing that tax revenues would increase as a result of new gross receipts for the Town, Mr. Stearley has resolutely insisted that the Town is too strapped for cash to make a contribution to the event, a claim we have repeatedly disputed here – and based on this article in the Mountain View Telegraph, it would appear that we were right in disputing it. Thus far, the Edgewood Town Council has gone along with Mr. Stearley’s positions with little resistance. According to the article, Mr. Stearley committed at the July 18 meeting to asking the Town attorney to look into ways to fund the music festival and, in a request dated June 27, Mr. Stearley instructed the Town attorney to report to the Council at its July 2 meeting.
Certainly, this treatment has been difficult for the folks at Wildlife West, and for those who have selflessly donated money, provided food for the animals and materials for improving the Park, and volunteered to make the Park the outstanding community asset it has become. Now, it would appear, that at least one nearby community recognizes the value of the Park, and might just be willing to give it the treatment it deserves. »» A Better Deal Elsewhere For Wildlife West?
“Grow Your Own” Redux
by John Weckerle
It’s Friday, and that means it’s time for another sustainable vegetable garden update. The plants all appear to be doing splendidly. The yellow squash and zucchini are still too small to pick, but with luck we’ll be able to sample them over the coming week. The lettuce in Bed 2 has provided us with the basic ingredient for several excellent salads, and it looks as if we can expect for that to continue at least into the near future. Three of the tomato plants in Bed 1 are flowering, and we’re looking forward to that first tomato – and then all the ones after it. »» “Grow Your Own” Redux