December 21, 2009

Besides the suggested topics, there was discussion about the budget deficit facing our city in present and future years. Some in the club think that SCSH residents should be better informed (through email) about city problems, and that would result in improved government. I say, don't bother. (Many would regard such email as spam.) But if you must, start a blog like the Claremont Insider. That blog has 87 posts that mention our Glenn Southard who was city manager in Claremont before arriving here. I note, however, that even intelligent blogs such as the Claremont Insider (and the bloggers who write them) run out of steam after awhile.

Indio City Council agendas, meeting packets, etc., can be read online at Indio.org.

Desert Sun: Cities, be frugal with broadcasts, Indio's credit card tab tops $805,000

• The council meets at 5 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month.
• Broadcast at 9 a.m. Fridays and 8 p.m. Saturdays on TW Channels 17 and 120.

There was some discussion about the effectiveness of the $700+ billion stimulus package and where the money went. I mentioned that the well-being of our economy depends on a healthy natural world. To my mind, economics is a subset of ecology, and we place ourselves (nevermind our progeny) at great peril as we use up the world's non-renewable resources. For more on this alternative view of our global economy, visit these pages from:

NY Times, the SUNY-ESF conference, Revisiting the Limits to Growth after peak oil.