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The city is now accepting proposals for what will be the first residential development in the state of Wisconsin fully powered by renewable energy sources, Ald. Tony Zielinski said today. Net Zero Energy project in Bay View, located on the former U.S. Army Reserve site at 2372 S. Logan Ave., encompasses an entire two-block area within walking distance of the Bay View/S. Kinnickinnic Ave. business district, and with easy access to Lake Michigan and downtown. One major incentive for potential developers is help defraying costs.
The
Alderman Zielinski said the future residential units at the site will most likely be powered entirely by solar energy and wind power. "This will be a catalytic project showing that homes can be powered by solar, wind, and even geo-thermal energy sources, emitting zero green house gases," the alderman said.
"We think this location is beneficial because it is likely that Bay View residents will quickly see the benefits of 100% renewable energy and will choose to use it to power their own homes and businesses," said Alderman Zielinski, a member of the Common Council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee.
According to the Department of City Development’s RFP, development proposals for the site must be net zero energy, meaning that the amount of energy created on-site through renewable energy resources annually is equal to or greater than the amount of energy consumed annually. In addition, a high level of sustainable building elements and energy-efficient practices is required.
In fact, according to Alderman Zielinski, Congress has approved a 30% solar tax credit with no cap for both single-family and multi-family homes, and Focus On Energy offers an additional 25% rebate to eligible renewable energy residential projects in Wisconsin.
Using 100% renewable energy (and not fossil fuels) helps create jobs in the U.S. and locally, according to Alderman Zielinski, as local workers are hired to manufacture and install the energy systems for the residences. "Milwaukeeans will benefit ultimately because they’ll see the initial wave of ‘green sector’ jobs and business growth that’s expected to take place during the next few years, and we’ll all benefit as well by the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions," he said.
"And instead of cutting a check to the energy company every month, owners of 100% renewable energy homes will actually receive a check from the energy company as it looks to invest in these important new energy sources," he said.
Proposals must be submitted by January 17, 2009. To learn more about the project please go to www.mkedcd.org/realestate/ArmyReserveSite/Main.html
Winter Ice Fishing Survival
Jan 27, 2008 | 10:20 PM PST
Category:
Weather
Winter recreation is a great time of year. We enjoy ice fishing, sledding, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing to name a few. This week the temperatures are expected to soar into the 30’s and 40’s. With this thought in mind, I felt it was appropriate to talk about ice safety.
Ice on ponds, rivers, and lakes can be affected by many things. The strength and the thickness of the ice must be known before any activity by you or a family member takes place on it. Safety is of paramount importance.
The rule of thumb for ice safety is as follows:
- 2 inches of new clear ice is ok for walking on.
- 4 inches of new clear ice is ok to spend time fishing on.
- 5 inches of new clear ice is ok to snowmobile on.
- 8-13 inches of new clear ice is ok to drive a vehicle on.
REMEMBER – RIVER ICE IS USUALLY 15 – 20 PERCENT WEAKER THAN POND OR LAKE ICE.
Slush is a danger sign. It indicates that the ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and indicates it is weak and or deteriorating.
Temperatures, precipitation (snow, sleet, rain) are all factors that affect the strength of the ice.
Never check the ice alone or try to rescue a victim of an ice failure. Why? Because you could end up going from rescuer to victim very quickly. If you fall through the ice, try to climb out toward the direct you came from. You know the ice was strong up to that point.
In closing, be aware that ice thickness and strength can vary from location to location. By following the few safety tips you can be safer and enjoy the many winter activities in our great outdoors.
Wanted - your snow blower
Jan 16, 2008 | 12:27 AM PST
Category:
Weather
WANTED – Your snow blower
Mickey the Mope and Sneaky Sam are cruising your neighborhood looking for your snow blower. That’s right they do not care if your rich or poor, young or old, they want your snow blower and they want it now.
Thieves need two things to complete the job, ability and opportunity. You have the capability to control the opportunity provided to a thief by following a few simple guidelines.
The most important item to remember is NOT to leave your snow blower out in the open. When you are done using it put it away. Do not leave it in the driveway, yard, front sidewalk, alley, or any other location unattended. The thugs will take your snow blower in the blink of an eye. It only takes less than 15 seconds to pick it up, throw it in a vehicle, and be gone with your property.
If you see a suspicious vehicle or people call the police. Reporting accurate information to include day, date, time, and location of the suspicious activity is essential to catching these thugs. Be specific in your description(s).
Describe people from the top down. For example: white male, 6’, 200 pounds, red baseball cap, glasses, green zipper jacket, blue jeans, grey gloves, brown shoes. Observed entering a green GMC pickup truck, truck plate 12345, loud muffler, decal in the rear window, last seen going north on Jaberty Street on December 29, 2007 at 3 AM.
When you provide this information to the police request they do a follow up phone call to you with their findings. You will want to k now that they are investigating the information you provided to them.
In summary store your property in a secure location. Do not leave it out in the open unattended. Call the police about suspicious people and vehicles, and take back your neighborhoods. Be vigilant and stand up for what is right.
Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion, or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle – when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.
Anonymous
Vacations Are Great
Jun 24, 2007 | 6:50 PM PST
Category:
Weather
Vacations are great! We look forward to them all year long. In fact we spend hours planning for them. We gather maps, buy new clothes, check out our camping equipment, and look over our vehicles.
Be sure to cancel the mail and your newspaper(s). You can cancel your mail via the internet by going to the USPS web page. It is simple and safe. Cancel your newspaper(s) too. Newspapers stacked on the front porch are a dead giveaway you are not home.
Leave on several night nights and a radio. The appearance of someone being home is a deterrent to the ever watching burglar. Notify your local police department and ask them to keep an eye on your home too.
If you have a pet, make sure they are cared for too. Ok, you have taken care of those items, but wait . . . there is something else to do!
Before you go be sure to let a family member know of your itinerary and a contact phone number. Remember that your church, mosque, or favorite charities continue while you are away. So before you pack up and head out mail in your offering/donation so they can continue their missions in the community.
Have a great vacation and I look forward to you checking out my articles when you return!
Flooding is a deadly threat to you and your family. Children like to play in and around water. Adults tend to dive through water crested roadways. Now is the time of year our City rivers and creeks fill to capacity.
National Flood Safety Awareness Week is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.weather. gov/floodsafety
