TED Talks winner has a great wish…

TED Prize wish: Use art to turn the world inside out

http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf

Livability

Livability is the first concept I embraced when I decided to run for City Council. There are multiple problems that Carbondale needs to work on, but they all revolve around livability. The United States EPA recently partnered with HUD and DOT in a partnership for sustainable communities effort. Here is what they say are the guiding principles behind livability.
Livability Principles
Provide more transportation choices. Develop safe, reliable, and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote public health.

Promote equitable, affordable housing. Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.

Enhance economic competitiveness. Improve economic competitiveness through reliable and timely access to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs by workers, as well as expanded business access to markets.

Support existing communities. Target federal funding toward existing communities—through strategies like transit oriented, mixed-use development, and land recycling—to increase community revitalization and the efficiency of public works investments and safeguard rural landscapes.

Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment. Align federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding, and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy

Value communities and neighborhoods. Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods—rural, urban, or suburban.

Start Up America (Start up Carbondale:)

Start Up America!
“Entrepreneurs embody the promise of America: the idea that if you have a good idea and are willing to work hard and see it through, you can succeed in this country. And in fulfilling this promise, entrepreneurs also play a critical role in expanding our economy and creating jobs.”
-PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, JANUARY 31, 2011

Obama’s Plan to Win the Future: Better Buildings Initiative

What follows are two promising highlights from the Better Building Initiative announced by President Obama. Follow the link and read the While House release! My two favs:

Race to Green for state and municipal governments that streamline regulations and attract private investment for retrofit projects: Much of the authority to alter codes, regulations, and performance standards relating to commercial energy efficiency lies in the jurisdiction of states and localities. The President’s Budget will propose new competitive grants to states and/or local governments that streamline standards, encouraging upgrades and attracting private sector investment.

The Better Buildings Challenge: The President is challenging CEOs and University Presidents to make their organizations leaders in saving energy, which will save them money and improve productivity. Partners will commit to a series of actions to make their facilities more efficient. They will in turn become eligible for benefits including public recognition, technical assistance, and best-practices sharing through a network of peers.

Voting has started! My first time voting early…

Early voting. I’m now a fan, after officially casting my ballot this afternoon in the Civic Center. It was quick (if you don’t count the weeks I’ve been trying to decide on that third seat vote). There are so many good choices! Happy voting.

Vote Early at…

Jackson County Courthouse in Murphysboro

Carbondale Civic Center – Feb. 14 – 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SIUC Student Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

City Council Meet and Greet

City Council Meet & Greet; photo from Southern Illinoisan

Thanks to the League of Women Voters for hosting a city council candidate “meet and greet.”  It was a sweet and I enjoyed talking to a variety of people and covering a lot of bases. I was quizzed about everything from housing and zoning to schools and business growth. Here is a link to the quick Southern Illinoisan blurb about the event.

Here Comes CarbonSoup!

What is CarbonSoup? An experiment in micro-financing…with soup. It’s fun, and it’s a way to get creative projects off the ground while building vital networks for growth and innovation. Check us out at www.carbonsoup.org and join us on facebook so you can stay updated on all the soup to come!