Roberta
Member
Vigil founding member
Posts: 1,025
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Post by Roberta on Jan 5, 2009 12:49:42 GMT -8
I really like the pretty Montrose Christmas lights in all the trees along Honolulu, however I definitely have mixed feelings about them now. I've learned that every year they are cut down in little pieces and thrown away. This is many thousands of lights, so even if they are cheap (which I guess they are, hence the willingness to just start over every year), this really violates the principle of "reduce and reuse". (Don't know if the cut-up castoffs get "recycled", seems doubtful.)
The strings of lights are too flimsy to bother winding up and saving for another year, I'm told. In fact, it takes a lot of attention to keep them all burning even for one year, says my source. Sections of them will go dark and finding the trouble lights for replacement is very labor-intensive.
I think it is a safe bet where these lights are made, a country very low on the international list for labor rights, or for even basic civil or religious freedoms.
Surely there is a way to beautify Montrose (and promote shopping there, the bottom line for such decorating), without environmental waste and without supporting a repressive regime. I'm going to pursue this with the City of Glendale (apparently our friends in the Shopping Park Assoc. don't manage the lights!). Let me know if you want me to keep you posted.
Roberta
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Post by Sharon W on Jan 5, 2009 13:16:46 GMT -8
Since the city manages the lights that probably means all those along Brand Blvd including our vigil site at B & B will be tossed too. Our particular southwest corner remained dark despite the light strings being taped up for the season, too, due to a bad circuit per Steve Zurn. Especially festive with the boarded up Mervin's, too.
I say, you go girl! The city could ask for service clubs to get groups of kids to install and remove and maintain more lasting lights. It would keep them out of trouble too. Kids and Rotarians and the like!
Thanks for asking me to participate in this forum, btw. Sharon W
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anni
Administrator
Administrating Designer
Posts: 1,604
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Post by anni on Jan 5, 2009 14:14:12 GMT -8
Yes, Roberta...I'd love to know what's happening and how I can help!
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Brian
Administrator
Posts: 3,778
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Post by Brian on Jan 5, 2009 23:00:43 GMT -8
I'd want to hear what the city officials say about recycling -- that's key. But even assuming they recycle everything -- I mean, they must! -- plenty of carbon was spewed making the lights and wires then transporting them here. Then more when they're recycled. Not to mention, while thousands of the little buggers were burning. But now I'm sounding like Scrooge again. Couldn't some nonprofit like Goodwill find some uses for the discarded strands and, with plenty of extra bulbs added to the city's donation, also have the resources for the labor needed to maintain them? Just a thought. Thanks for asking me to participate in this forum, btw. Sharon W It's fantastic having Sharon on this board. Welcome!
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Post by Sharon W on Jan 8, 2009 13:49:13 GMT -8
Roberta spoke eloquently last night at the city council meeting. Meetings are usually available via streaming video from the city's website and the two afternoon meetings from yesterday are up but not the council meeting yet. I expect you to be able to see her eventually.
She got applause from the crowd, which is rare for a council meeting and usually frowned upon by the council. In contrast, almost anyone who speaks at a Board of Ed meeting gets a hand. Different culture.
Mayor Drayman wasn't amused and lectured a bit about how it was the MSPA not the city who contracted and paid for the lights and that things are changing and these types of lights aren't even going to be used much any more. He did concede the lights on Brand are city done. I noticed the GWP folks who were giving the presentation on compliance with anti global warming legislation were grinning sheepishly as Roberta spoke. People attending for the cell phone tower issue told Roberta she did a good job as she sat down.
I had advised Roberta to put in her card for the agenda item on global warming thinking she would get to speak earlier in the meeting because our mayor has been putting general oral communications at the end of the agenda. Of course, he changed last night, letting it go in its regular place. At least Roberta got to speak before the hordes of anti cell phone tower folks.
There was no response on whether the cut up lights were recycled in some way.
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Roberta
Member
Vigil founding member
Posts: 1,025
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Post by Roberta on Jan 8, 2009 16:12:08 GMT -8
My first time at city council was scarey but exhilarating, I hope this helps at least draw attention. My response to Drayman's little lecture, (and incredibly dismissive attitude to anything except "who pays" -- global warming be damned, it is all about jurisdiction to him! But at least he didn't say I was screeching.) was to write up a version of my comments and send to the NewsPress.
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Brian
Administrator
Posts: 3,778
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Post by Brian on Jan 9, 2009 15:25:06 GMT -8
Roberta spoke eloquently last night at the city council meeting. Meetings are usually available via streaming video from the city's website and the two afternoon meetings from yesterday are up but not the council meeting yet. I expect you to be able to see her eventually. I found the city of Glendale's webpage. The video link to Wednesday's city council meeting is still dead, but I'll keep checking: www.ci.glendale.ca.us/video_archives.aspApparently our fearless founder is too modest to post about her appearance first. Thank you, Sharon, for making us aware of Roberta's speech, the reaction of the audience and city officials -- and writing a great report!
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Roberta
Member
Vigil founding member
Posts: 1,025
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Post by Roberta on Jan 12, 2009 8:57:38 GMT -8
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Roberta
Member
Vigil founding member
Posts: 1,025
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Post by Roberta on Jan 12, 2009 9:03:29 GMT -8
Hi, me again. Jeanne provided me with the following link for green holiday lighting, and best of all for free recycling of old lights. I sent it to the Glendale city manager, in case they haven't sent all the old lights to the landfill yet. I expect that our Mayor will soon announce it as a great source he has discovered for both LED lights and a place to recycle old ones! www.holidayleds.com/holidayledscom_christmas_light_recycling_program
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