Short note of congratulations to Mario Fraioli

Auburn man finishes 51st in yesterday's 112th Boston Marathon!! That's world class!!

Fraioli finishes in 2:30:24
Mario Fraioli of Auburn led the Sunday Telegram’s five “Faces in the Crowd” across the finish line yesterday.

Fraioli, the former Auburn High standout and Stonehill College All-American, ran a 2:30:24, good for 51st overall and 29th amongst American men.

Earth day

This day for what used to be called ecology has actually had quite an effect since it started in 1970. Before the first Earth Day there was no EPA, no Clean Air act, and little focus on protection of drinking water. In the US this really put us ahead of places like Europe which for the longest time had no equivalent of the EPA for environmental considerations like we did in the 1970s. They did eventually when the German Green Party(and later around the world) the brought issues of nuclear proliferation and pollution as well as social injustice to the forefront in the 1980s.

Consider the world before and after in a few examples - with the advent of ban on lead paint and gasoline and car catylyzers (all of which were fought tooth and nail by the big 3 auto makers) our air quality and lead levels (measured in children's blood and environment) were much worse than today. Our cars are more efficient and safer also now.

Bald eagles were near extinction thanks to DDT, and wolves and other species were also endangered. Both of those are now off or soon to be removed from the endangered species list.

With the focus now on global warming thanks to Al Gore's 20 something years of advocacy and Nobel prize we stand at the dawn of a new era in global cooperation, both out of necessity and when you read the data determined self-interest.

What it comes down to according to clever folks like Amory Lovins from Rocky Mountain Institute is that unclean practices usually indicate waste, and an opportunity for saving resources (including money). I think if we're wise we'll get out in front on global warming, energy conservation and cleanup issues locally and as a nation. We can't afford to pollute, squander and waste like in years past.

I'm encouraged by even local candidates who seem to get it on these topics, and when I speak with community activists like Bob Platukis (you need to be online Bob in this day and age!), who has been investigating wind energy for the town. Change does start small, but the effects scale and can make a global difference.

There's still work to do also on the health front - the rise in asthma may be linked to increased ozone levels due to air pollution. There's evidence an increase of smog leads to premature death according to recent information. Being at the crossroad of so many highways we should take note of this.

On a town level, don't forget btw to bring your mercury to the BOH (daily) and other household hazardous materials on Saturday May 3.

Here's a couple more links:

The Freecycle network is a networking site for promoting reuse.
Find recycling centers near you with this link.

Patriots day, marathon day

It's been a few (12) years since I ran it. Good day for it too - kind of cool and light breezes.

Here's a link to how things are progressing. Looks like it could be a record. Funny but they used to start things at noon, they started at 10 this year.

Pentagon report calls war in Iraq a debacle

Here's the story and the Pentagon report.

It was published by the university's National Institute for Strategic Studies , a Defense Department research center.

It's amazing they would admit this.

Maybe they are preparing the way to bow out. I just hope and pray for a speedy resolution to this conflict which has cost us so much blood and treasure ....

A mess in Holden caught on tape

Quite a fiasco has gone down following the HS fight broadcast on the internet.

Now there's threats of retaliation - given their ages these kids will be lucky if they're not charged with assault as adults.

I think it demonstrates the power of video in our culture especially when posted publicly on the net. Youtube is littered with videos like this. I'm sure law enforcement and prosecutors lick their chops when something like this happens because I'm pretty sure it prejudices people against the aggressors.

I'm glad we don't have any of this in OUR town ... (yeah I know it could happen anywhere ;).

A word on Eleena's candidacy

My wife's blog is at

http://education4auburn.blogspot.com

I've added a link on this site.

In short, check her out. She's bright, inquisitive and has some good ideas for improving the schools, effectiveness of the school committee as well as getting the town to work together with respect to school issues. She's a mom, Simmons College alum class of 90-somethingmumble with double major in graphic design and advertising. I won't pretend to speak for her nor really promote specific ideas of hers explicitly as she's her own person and an independent woman.

I will say that communication of information and managing processes (like the long term strategic plan) are two of her strengths.

Definitely give her a look and listen. Frankly, she was a little nervous at the Camp Gleason event. I thought the questions were clearly geared for the incumbents. But that's just an introduction anyway - check her site out and give her consideration with your vote.

New wind power in Auburn? Yup - all 385 feet of it!

Worcester Envelope is considering a huge windmill tower on their property.

I'm very encouraged in one sense, but cautious. A 400 foot tower would be a potentially VERY imposing structure. I think we need to see a rendition of the views from around town for this - with a balloon test at a publicized time at the proposed height to see where it could be seen around town. After all the "Auburn hills" are part of what gives our town its character and inviting nature.

I'd also like to see the TOWN get out in front on this, to save us taxpayers money. The article claims it would be cash flow positive in 10 years. If rates go up that could be sooner ... and then you're making money after that.

This is something our public sector should take a cue on from this private sector company. On the whole - I think we can demonstrate real leadership as a town on green power and renewable energy with proposals like this!