Being barely a week on the forum, I may have missed something (a discussion/thread/issue/etc.)…but I haven’t seen anything on the
“sustainable” trend. Basically, the urbanization of the suburbs:
Agenda 21 (moving away frmo private property ownership). The next town over from me just built a new
Shop Rite (major grocery store chain on the east coast). About 50 feet from the store (which sits literally across the street from a Railroad station) is a huge brand new building.
2-3 months ago, I walked through the parking lot & onto the work site for the building & started a friendly chat with one of the young workmen. I asked (pretty much knew the answer, but feigned curiosity) if the plan was for retail on the bottom & 2-3 levels of apartments on top.
“YES! Exactly!” was his reply
“And it’s one of 5 brand new projects we’re building across New Jersey!”.
“And I’ll bet they’re ALL next to train stations?” I queried.
“Why yes!” came his reply
“How did you know that?”“Oh just a guess.” I said & then was on my way.
The long term plan…which starts with reasonable requests to recycle more efficiently & install brand new
“smart” thermostats, etc…then run costs up so high that rather than being forced out of our homes…we abandon them due to the soaring costs of upkeep. Many municipalities have stopped issuing new sewer maps (can’t build new developments without a sewer plan) & designating more & more land as untouchable for building). My utility has mailed me @ least a dozen offers for a
"free" smart thermostat (along with a
$50.00 credit the month I let 'em install)...which I simply pitch into the trash.
The armored vehicles are backup for those of us who’d rather retain our present living arrangements. Nothing that I think I’ll see in my lifetime…but the concern is for the next generation.
I don’t know if that’s why your county is ramping up the hardware. But it’d be worth looking into. Begin by searching for "Sustainable" initiatives. The United Way has offered several seminars in neighboring counties (which I infiltrate) labeled
"Where Will Alice Live" in which compassion is pushed as the reason for creating more sustainability in the wake of a diminished job market & a tough economy.
Random find from a Bing search:
http://www.edcc.edu/sustain/- What do we mean by sustainability?
“Sustainability encompasses four intertwined ideals: economic wellness, social justice, human health, and biodiversity and ecological integrity. It is a systemic concept, relating to the continuity of economic, social, institutional, and environmental aspects of human society.”
PS: Do not mention "Agenda 21" - virtually all sites have disassociated themselves from it as it's a Red Flag. You will be ridiculed & then offered a drink of fresh hemlock iced tea.