Open News Thread

[Metro Jacksonville]

Open News Thread

Post here for news items and areas of discussion.  We welcome all leads and info!

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/453

[spidey]

Poll: Don't cut public safety budgets
Jacksonville Business Journal - 1:59 PM EDT Thursday, May 31, 2007

If property tax reform enacted at the state level necessitates budget cuts locally, Business Journal readers think public safety should be exempt from the ax.

In our latest online poll, readers were asked if budget cuts the city might have to enact should include the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.

Two-thirds of the 121 respondents to the poll think the budget cuts should not include police and fire.

Those opposed to cuts in the police or fire budget often cited the crime level in the city.

"With the crime level here in Jacksonville, I'm concerned that budget cuts in the Sheriff's Office would result in total anarchy," wrote one reader.

Several readers preferred the cuts be made in other departments, and weren't short of suggested targets.

"Why don't they sell the plasma TVs they purchased for the Courthouse that are totally unnecessary and scrap the idea for a new Courthouse or build one that is a lot less money," said another reader.

But those readers not opposed to cuts in the Sheriff's Office or fire department think there's fat to be trimmed in those departments as well.

"There are a number of areas the sheriff could cut that would not affect public safety," wrote one reader. "Get rid of the golf carts and all the touchy-feely crap. Let the cops be cops and stop trying to be nice about it."

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2007/05/28/daily15.html?f=et64&hbx=e_du

[Lunican]

JSO could cut back the number of hours they spend flying around in their helicopter. That would save a lot of money.

What are they doing flying around all day and night?

[spidey]

The JSO helos keep an eye from the sky on criminals on foot who are running away from cops in cars, so that the cops in the cars can find them more easily.   They search for lost people. They also do traffic control from the helos, as well as event control.  

[Ocklawaha]

No Kidding, the wave of the future is in our past. One of the airship companies is now producing a small blimp for law enforcment. It can carry as much gear as the helicopter and has the ability to stay on "station" as long as it is needed. Days at a time if needs be. Has searchlights, FLIR system, whole nine yards. Already in use in some departments, I believe Los Angeles and other western cities. Also maybe CHP.  I flipped out when I saw it. The officer told me, "Hell yes, and it stays up all day and night and uses about as much fuel as a 30 minute chopper ride!"

Ocklawaha

[Ocklawaha]

In the early 1970's the concept of the police patrol helicopter, a patrol car in the sky, was perfected. Today it is the single largest market for helicopters, saving only the military.

 What the helicopter does for law enforcement, the airship can do better in many areas, with dash speed the helicopter's only advantage. Airships are whisper quiet, important to the citizens whose taxes pay for these airborne vehicles. Once aloft they can remain there for a full police shift, with no need to land for fuel every 11/2 to 3 hours. And the airship can carry a variety of sophisticated surveillance equipment, including data links to keep the commanders on the ground fully in the picture. More than that, the airship can easily be a flying command post, with complete C3I capability. (Clicking on the picture will download a 32 kB enlargement of an A-60+ gondola with surveillance system installed.)

Today, the world over, there is ever greater concern about controlling the pollutants that enter our waters and atmosphere, and where possible, detecting and prosecuting those that cause illegal pollution. The airship, with its capability to carry a wide variety of sensors is an ideal platform for the patrol of rivers, coastal areas and industrial and chemical facilities. Only the airship can literally drift with an air mass, taking samples completely undisturbed by its engines or engine exhausts. Modern FLIR systems can detect the depth of oil slicks, enabling the surface units to attack the heaviest spill areas with the proper equipment.

Ocklawaha

[Lunican]

Traffic and event control from a helicopter? Does it really help the situation? Are there more worthwhile things to fund?

[spidey]

Its easier to see traffic situations as they develop,  and how best to direct traffic around them, from a helo rather than from the ground.  

[Lunican]

But is it worth the cost?

[spidey]

If you're asking is it worth the cost to be able to keep track of felons fleeing on foot, then I'd say yes.  If you're asking is it worth the cost to help control traffic, I think one's idea of the value of that service would depend on if they have to drive during rush hour traffic commutes.   :)  

If you are already funding it to track fleeing felons, then my thought is that you may as well get your money's worth out of it by using it in other helpful situations like traffic control to maximize the true benefits of the service it can provide.

[Ocklawaha]

I've got a call into the Airship Company, as soon as I get some hard numbers I'll share them with y'all.

Far Out Man, I thought I was the only one that would consider this. I guess Trolleys and Airships will always have a place in our hearts. As a result our minds seem to keep finding ways to recycle these old and proven ideas.

If you would like to surf through the Company Web-Site here it is:

http://www.americanblimp.com

Ocklawaha

[Ocklawaha]

KISS THE PASSENGER TRAINS GOODBYE???

Bush takes aim at AMTRAK. If the Administration pulls this off, we will see the end of the Passenger Train in America. This would effectively kill our Transportation Center. It would also add a potential 50,000 automobiles a month from the North East to Florida on I-95! Please help with this important fight. Once the site is back up perhaps we can get this posted in a more visible location. Up to my neck in alligators in the Everglades! (Gee didn't take me long to pick a fight !)

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SAVE AND IMPROVE AMTRAK?
The 110th Congress, which convened on January 4, 2007, has a full plate.  The priorities for passenger rail advocates are:

Amtrak reauthorization:The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (now S. 294) has been introduced, again this time by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Trent Lott (R-MS).  The bill provides for common-sense Amtrak reform and operational improvements, authorizes Amtrak for the five years Fiscal 2008-2012, provides for capital assistance for states, and development of state rail plans.  Right now, the bill needs co-sponsors; see if your Senators are co-sponsors and if not, ask them to sign on!

Amtrak’s fiscal 2008 appropriation: Fully fund Amtrak’s request of $1.53 billion, plus $150 million of strategic investment options.

TAKE ACTION!

It is especially important to reach out to your legislator if he or she is a freshman Member of Congress.

Go to the Senate website and choose your state from the drop-down menu.  The House website asks for your zipcode to be taken to your Representative’s page.

A sample message is presented below.

Several NARP members have asked why we do not offer the “free email and fax service” that some other non-profit groups provide.  Please read this article from the Washington Post that discusses these services’ increasing ineffectiveness.  Although it takes a bit more effort, making phone calls and going through Members’ websites will ensure that your message is heard and documented.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample message to your Members of Congress

(Be sure to include your mailing address to prove that you are a constituent)

Dear Senator / Representative:

Please support Amtrak’s fiscal 2008 funding request and ensure that the Fiscal 2007 funding Continuing Resolution be free of micromanaging language.  While I understand that the federal budget is tightly constrained and that pressures to cut spending are strong, slashing Amtrak funding when America needs passenger rail the most would be a mistake.  Indeed, Amtrak’s operating funds request is down over the past three years: all increases in spending are for capital investments.

[Senators] I also urge your support for the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, S. 294.  The bill, introduced by Senators Lautenberg and Lott, provides real, meaningful reform for Amtrak and a federal-state partnership for capital investments, which is enjoyed by the other modes of transportation.  Please co-sponsor this bill.

Thank you for considering my views.

Sincerely,

Things to keep in mind when writing your elected officials
A couple of pointers to maximize the effectiveness of your message:

When writing elected officials, keep your message brief (one page or 4-5 E-mail paragraphs) and to the point (talk about only one issue at a time).
While E-mail is convenient, many offices are overwhelmed with E-mail correspondence; especially spam.  For optimum effectiveness, fax is the best way to communicate with your legislators.  Don’t discount E-mail, but don’t be surprised if you do not receive a response.  Send all U.S. Mail to district offices, not Washington, D.C.  Anthrax/poison screening is still in effect. Refrain from insults!  Anger accomplishes nothing  If you choose to call, you will likely speak with the elected official’s legislative aid for transportation
Offer to follow up a phone call with a fax or E-mail with more details

Don’t forget to spread the word to other Amtrak supporters.

Ocklawaha

[Lunican]

If funding for Amtrak is cut and they are forced to shut down, it will be gone forever. Look no further than the Sunset Limited for proof.

[JUSTDAVE]

Hypotheticly if I was being followed by a blimp watching me and I had some kind of gun and if I were a bad person. I might take a shot or two at it. How many bullet holes can a blimp withstand. who is going to insure the liability against of the blimp dropping out of the sky even if it falls slowly.

[Screamin Eagle]

LTA's have several drawbacks.

The first is they have large ground crews to launch and land.

The second is they don;t hold up very well in high winds, like our annual Noreaster.

Lastly, LTA's are not very fast. A helicopter can look at downtown, the Buckman, Jax Beach and back to down town in 30-40 minuits. LTA's fly at much slower speeds, and the same journey might take 2-3 hours, depending on winds. Also note an LTA cannot fly in moderate winds, which a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft handles easily.

I fail to understand why we don't have a couple of small fixed wing planes though. They can buzz about at helicopter speeds and use a fraction of the fuel, while doing 80% of the same job.