Can't afford law enforcement, so we will add more revenue generating cameras

the Oregonian --


About this time every year, there are new traffic laws that go into effect, and this year 2008 claims to be a little bit tougher on drivers.

Some of the new laws on the books will allow Oregon to add more red light cameras (HB 2508) and photo radar units (HB 2466).

Red light cameras which are typically fixed units mounted at or near the intersection are designed to take a picture of the driver and the license plate of vehicles that proceed through the intersection after the light has turned red. The photos are then used to send tickets to the offending driver.

Milwaukie Police Chief Larry Kanzler sees the cameras as a way to protect officers and patrol cars. Drivers struck -- and totaled -- three patrol cars in the past year while officers were doing traffic stops along Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard. So Kanzler took photos of the crumpled cars to show to legislators this year.

"I said, 'This is why it's not safe for my officers to do red-light enforcement along McLoughlin,' " Kanzler said.

Kanzler added that unlike officers, the cameras can patrol 24-7.

Photo radar is an automated and mobile radar system typically mounted within a marked patrol vehicle to catch speeders, and as with red light cameras, the offending driver will be mailed a ticket.


having friends and family in law enforcement, they have their own opinions about the "automated" system and its effectiveness in regarding "law enforcement" versus "revenue enhancement".

For example, photo radar versus a traffic stop will not capture felons. Every law enforcement personnel that I have personally spoken to about this subject, told me that they capture more wanted people for minor traffic offenses than any other method.

Secondly, regarding Kanzler's point on his officers getting into accidents at traffic stops... without knowing all the details... yes traffic stops are dangerous, however, it is also up to the officer's best judgment of where and when to safely stop the vehicle.

Third, red light cameras and photo radar should not be used replace or reduce the uniformed officer.

I highly recommend doing research on photo radar systems and the companies that provide them to the cities and how the companies profit off the systems.

Merry Christmas and happy birthday Jesus

EPA denies California's request for tighter auto emissions to reduce greenhouse gases also upsets Kulongoski's plan and threatens lawsuit

Ashland daily tidings --

Governor Ted "tax-and-gouge-me" Kulongoski is threatening lawsuits after the US Environmental Protection Agency's decision to reject California tailpipe restrictions that Oregon has adopted.

"Today's decision by the EPA is very disappointing for Oregon and our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming," Kulongoski said.

Kulongoski continued by saying "does not diminish my commitment to combat climate change and I will move forward with any legal or administrative means necessary to make sure Oregon can set its own tailpipe emission standards."

10 other states have adopted California standards to reduce emissions.

have you noticed that more and more issues that Oregon is involved with has been part of the "tri-state" conglomeration of Oregon, Washington and California?

Additionally, as Lars Larson has pointed out with several interviews with representatives of the EPA that the figures do not back up Kulongoski's claim that Oregon needs special regulations for tailpipe emissions.

The article claims that the emissions standards can be met with "off-the-shelf" parts added to the vehicles.

Imagine if the EPA had approved the special California emission standards, where would it stop? Would Oregon have its own standards that differ from California's, which differ from Washington state, which differs from Nevada, which differs from...

It would bankrupt the automotive manufacturers just trying to keep up with all the "special" standards.

So, how much blood can you get out of a turnip?

Portland -- the city gas tax died, so city Commissioner Sam Adams would like to replace it with a "street maintenance and safety fee" instead.
the Oregonian


City Commissioner Sam Adams has dropped his idea for a three cent city gas tax, instead he will ask the city Council to add a "street maintenance and safety fee" onto the water bills to a total of $4.54 a month for homeowners. (businesses will pay a different amount based on their size and traffic)

Of course for Portland, that would bring in an estimated $464 million over the next 15 years which would be used to re-pave old roads, add crosswalks [add bike paths?] fund other maintenance and safety.

State leaders have urged Adams to drop the tax proposal because they are hoping to raise transportation funds statewide in the 2009 legislative session with a significant gas tax increase (four cents) and other user fees, license and title fees.

Adams would like to see a $.12 a gallon increase, phased in in four cents increments in 2010, 2012, and 2014.


of course, little Portland, er... I mean Eugene, is still looking for ways to gouge us for street repairs in a 6-2 vote of sending a bond measure to the voters in May 2008.
The Register Guard

The bond measure would cost a medium value home about $109 a year for 10 years for an estimated $170 million.

Counselors George Poling and Mike Clark wanted to wait until November.

"The extra time would give us more time to increase the confidence level with the public." said Poling.
Clark said the city needs to show residents that it can spend money wisely before asking them for new taxes. “I believe we have some trust to earn back,"

Now that's an understatement

A carbon tax on babies?!? Now I've heard everything

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

A radical proposal to reduce the population has been published by Barry Walters, an associate professor of obstetrics medicine in the Medical Journal of Australia.

Dr. Walters argues that families who have chosen to have more than a defined number of children (2) should be charged a carbon tax, conversely, he feels that those who purchase condoms or undergo sterilization procedures should be awarded a carbon credit.

"population control seems to have gone off the rails in the last 30 years," says Dr. Egger, an adjunct professor of health sciences at Southern Cross University in New South Wales, "it's almost forbidden to talk about it these days. It's almost like smoking-you have to go out in the alleys to talk about it."

we have always speculated that some day they will tax us for the air that we breathe... it looks like they're trying to make that a reality.

"... EPD doesn't immediately dispatch officers to non- injury traffic accident, some burglaries, car break-ins, theft..."

Register Guard


Eugene Police Department (EPD) officers work hard to keep up with demand, however, with fewer officers than other cities, EPD is unable to immediately dispatch officers in some circumstances.

"I don’t think it’s very good service to the public, and I don’t think (residents) think so either, judging from the letters I get,” Eugene police chief Robert Lehner said."

the police officers union and the city hired consultants are demanding that the city Council hire more police officers.

“Without adequate staffing, these objectives are nothing more than lip service to our community,” Willy Edewaard, president of the Eugene Police Employees’ Association, wrote to Mayor Kitty Piercy

Edewaard commenting on Eugene's high property crime rate,
“... We got into this business to chase criminals and get people’s property back,” Edewaard said. “But all we are doing is reacting. There isn’t a lot of proactive policing going on.”

the Eugene city Council will have to decide if and which public services that it will have to cut to fund more police hirings.

perhaps, one place to start, would be to get rid of the separation of "patrol officers" and "traffic officers".

For example, I would rather see the motorcycle police patrolling the neighborhoods than sitting out on the roads running radar. Motorcycles are cheaper to run than patrol vehicles, have wider visibility and flexibility. However, the motorcycles are part of the traffic team and therefore are not typically used for "patrol" purposes.

Another important issue, the 2008 Summer Olympic trials that will be held in Eugene.

How can a city that is so understaffed now, cope with the extra estimated 18,000 people per day visiting the city and provide adequate protection?

The answer, they can't!

The frustrating point is we apparently have no problems coming up with millions of dollars for the Emx bus system or any other pet projects, however, when it comes to our basic protection, we seem to fall flat on our faces.

Verizon's "IN" network: just don't assume

Robin's Commentary

Chances are if you're a Verizon customer, you've heard about the Verizon's "IN" network that allows customers to talk with unlimited minutes from Verizon to Verizon customers.

I'm a long time Verizon customer and I also subscribe to the "IN" network for the unlimited minutes to another Verizon phone. While I think it is really a great option, as I found out with both of my cell phones, just because you are a Verizon customer does not mean that you are automatically enrolled in their "IN" network.

On several different occasions, I have called Verizon to verify that my cell phone is included in the "IN" network, and I have even entered the phone number on their website which is supposed to also tell you whether or not you are "IN".

In both cases, I was informed that my cell phones were included, only to find out on my bill that they were not.

To give Verizon credit, they did adjust my bill on one of my phones without any hassle, however, my other phone which is still on an older plan had to be updated to the "family share" plan in order to be included in the "IN" network which also left me owing an extra $60 on my phone bill for the minutes that I was told at the time was included.

The point, if you're a Verizon customer, just don't assume and start racking up minutes without verifying that your phone is part of the "IN" network first.

Another child suffers the consequences of their parents decision to break the law

the Oregonian

Alejandra Trujillo a 20-year-old college student who was arrested on misdemeanor fraud charges on November 16 for producing incorrect identification when she went to have her drivers license renewed at the Hillsboro DMV office, is now being held indefinitely by ICE.

Trujillo who has been in this country since she was eight years old, will be deported to her native country Mexico.

Lorie Dankers, spokesperson for ICE, said that the agency regularly scans the rolls of county jails looking for individuals that are foreign-born and has the authority to flag an immigrant in custody if they have probable cause to believe that an immigration law has been violated.

"The sentiment across the country is these people are committing crime across our community, and they're not even here legally," Dankers said. "Do you want those people as your neighbors?"

Trujillo's friends and family along with other community members marched in front of Washington County Jail Wednesday with signs reading "no human being is illegal" and feel that deporting Trujillo does a disservice to the community.

there is no mention in the article about Trujillo's parents legal status. In either case, it is very doubtful that Trujillo came here by herself at the age of eight into this country.

Personally, I feel that bringing any child into a country illegally which will result sooner or later in that child facing federal authorities for being illegal should be considered child abuse by the parents.

California residents pass ordinance allowing ID cards for illegal aliens

The New York Times
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors gave preliminary approval to an ordinance to make life easier for the large number of illegal immigrants by allowing municipal identification cards to anyone living in the city regardless of their immigration status.

“I think it’s admitting the reality of the situation that we depend on, our tourist and hotel industry depends on, a labor force that’s supplied by, for lack of a better term, undocumented residents,” said Tom Ammiano, the supervisor who sponsored the bill. Mr. Ammiano described the measure as “a passport of sorts,” to “take the kid to the library or open a bank account, or report a crime without being deported.”

San Francisco already has a "sanctuary" policy forbidding local law-enforcement and other officials from assisting with immigration enforcement.

personally, I think this sends a message that enforces the opinion about the lack of respect for the law.

so why stop at illegal immigration?

How about issuing a "free pass" to people that have committed other types of crimes so they do not have to worry about being arrested when they go out in public?

Seriously, what's the difference?

A Carbon Tax?

the Oregonian
Portland -- city officials plan to charge hundreds of dollars for each new home that is not extremely energy-efficient in order to curb the growth of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, it would require an energy efficiency report as part of every existing home sales.

The "carbon fee" would be levied upon builders who merely just comply with the energy efficiency requirements of the Oregon building code.

"Builders in Portland on Wednesday were already pushing back.

"There is no way the homebuilders will ever support a mandated program," said Jim McCauley, vice president of government affairs for the Homebuilders Association of Metropolitan Portland. "This has largely been a totally internal conversation with only select invited parties." "

The plan would also help maintain the city's reputation for "green living" and creates friendly competition between Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Austin, Texas to try and "out green" each other.

"City Commissioner Dan Saltzman acknowledged that home builders may react strongly against it. To ease the industry into the fold, he said the plan would include a two-year period of city-funded technical support and education for builders."

Saltzman said that the idea for inspecting the energy efficiency of existing housing would be to disclose the information to home buyers, sellers, and the city.

The plan will go before Portland residents, in hearings, in January. With passage, the carbon-fee rules would be in place by 2010.

sounds to me like the only thing "green" about this proposal, is the tax revenue that it would generate.