Week of Oct. 14, 2008 — MEETINGS, EVENTS & UPDATES
MEETINGS, EVENTS & UPDATES THIS WEEK
TUESDAY, OCT. 14 , 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain. https://fp.auburn.edu/
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info: Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 14, 9:00 am — OPELIKA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Held at the Public Works Facility, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda: A. VARIANCES: 1. Manish Desai, 1705 Columbus Parkway, interpretation of height for sign regulation in Section 7.3 of the zoning ordinance in the C-3, GC-2 zoning district.
TUESDAY, OCT. 14, 11:30 am – AUBURN GREENSPACE ADVISORY BOARD
Held in the city of Auburn meeting room, 122 Tichenor Ave. Open to all.
TUESDAY, OCT. 14, noon — AUBURN COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / CDA - called meeting
Held in the conference room, Auburn City Hall, 144 Tichenor Ave. Open to all.
Agenda: called meeting
TUESDAY, OCT. 14 – LEE COUNTY COMMISSION www.leeco.us
4:00 pm – work session / 6:00 pm – regular session
Held in the commission chambers, historic courthouse building, 215 S. Ninth St, Opelika. Open to all.
TUESDAY, OCT. 14, 4:00 pm – AUBURN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Held in the Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all. www.auburnalabama.org/hpc/
TUESDAY, OCT 14, 6:00 pm – AUBURN BOARD OF EDUCATION www.auburnschools.org
Held in the Auburn High School multi-media room, 405 S. Dean Rd. Open to all.
TUESDAY, OCT. 14 – LEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY UNITY AND HONORS BANQUET – Featuring U.S. Congressman Artur Davis
6:00 pm – reception / 7:00 pm — dinner
Held at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. Cost: $75 per attendee, Tables $750; checks payable to The Lee County Democratic Executive Committee, c/o Patsy Boyd Parker, 2504 Frederick Road, Opelika.
Speaker: Alabama 7th District Congressman Artur Davis
The Lee County Democratic Party is sponsoring this fundraising banquet, which will honor outstanding local, state, and national Democrats, as well as Democratic candidates
Congressman Artur Davis: After two terms in Congress, Alabama 7th District U.S. Representative Artur Davis has earned recognition as a productive and effective legislator who has set a new standard of service for his constituents. As Congressman Davis begins his third term, he is rapidly developing a national reputation as a thoughtful leader who is poised to influence the national debate. In the 110th Congress, Davis has been appointed to one of the most prestigious committees in the House, the Ways and Means Committee. This committee oversees economic policy in a wide array of areas, including tax law, trade policy, and health care, as well as the Social Security and Medicare programs. Davis is only the tenth Alabamian to serve on this important committee in 188 years. Davis also holds a slot on the Judiciary Committee, which covers areas ranging from constitutional law to immigration to the criminal and civil justice systems. He has effectively used this committee to investigate politicization of the judiciary, including the prosecution of former Governor Siegelman. Info: Patsy Parker at 334-745-2591 or Pat1Bill2@aol.com.
TUESDAY, OCT. 14, 6:30 pm – LEE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION / ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Held at the Lee County Emergency Management Office. Open to all.
Agenda: organizational meeting
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15, 6:00 pm – LEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB
Held at the Elks Club, 1944 Opelika Road.
6:00 pm — buffet dinner ($9.00; tax and tip included)
6:50 pm – Program: Dr. Kieke Okma, international health care expert.
Dr. Kieke Okma is an internationally recognized expert on health care systems around the world. She has her PhD from the medical faculty at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands in 1997. Currently a Visiting Professor at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, she has taught and worked in health care policy at numerous universities and centers in the US, Canada, and Europe. She is a sought-after advisor and consultant and she has worked in various levels of government in the Netherlands and the World Bank since 1980.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16 , 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain. https://fp.auburn.edu/
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info: Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16, 10:00 am – PERMANENT JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY / RENEWABLE POWER & ELECTRIC GENERATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Held in room 123, House Judiciary Committee Room, Alabama State House, Mont. Open to all. Ph: 334-242-7600
Agenda includes: discussion of 2008 legislation and ideas for new legislation for the 2009 Regular Session.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16, noon – ART MUSEUM / A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. Free & open to all.
Enjoy lunch in the museum café on Thursdays while the lovely sounds of local musicians echo through the museum. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber Museum Society.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16, 1:30 pm – PERMANENT JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY / EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Held in Room 123, House Judiciary committee room, Alabama State House. Open to all. Ph: 334-242-7600
This is the second subcommittee meeting.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16, 3:00 pm — DR. THOMAS VAUGHN / HISTORY OF THE HORSE THROUGHOUT HISTORY
Held in the Special Collections & Archives, AU’s RBD Library. Free & open to all.
Part of the Discover Auburn Lecture Series sponsored by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities and the AU Libraries.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16, 8:00 PM —ALABAMA PUBLIC TV BROADCAST / LIQUID ASSETS
America’s infrastructure is failing. When a bridge collapses—such as the tragic example in Minnesota last year—it makes the national news. But the country’s crumbling infrastructure is also happening out of sight with our drinking water and wastewater systems. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers has given these systems a grade of “D -” in their latest Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. How can we, as a society, make the massive investment needed to upgrade our aging and overused water infrastructure? One of the first steps is to educate people about the value of water and wastewater systems. Staff members from the National Environmental Services Center’s communications and technical assistance units have been working with Penn State Public Broadcasting on Liquid Assets, a public awareness initiative about the condition of the nation’s water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Liquid Assets includes a 90-minute documentary for national public television, combined with outreach materials designed to inspire community engagement. Exploring the history, engineering challenges, and political and economic realities, the documentary—slated for broadcast in Fall 2008—provides an understanding of the hidden assets that support our way of life. Visit the Liquid Assets Web site at http://www.liquidassets.psu.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16, 5:30 – 8:00 PM – LEE COUNTY LITERACY COALITION / TUTOR ORIENTATION
If you’d like to become a literacy tutor, come to this tutor orientation. A light supper will be served. For directions & more info, contact Debby at 705-0001.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16, 5:00 pm – ART LECTURE: KATHRYN BRAUND / LEADING MEN: THE 1826 TREATY DELEGATES
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art (http://jcsm.auburn.edu/index.
Braund’s research focuses on the ethno-history of the Creek and Seminole Indians in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The lecture is presented in conjunction with The Indian Gallery of Henry Inman, an exhibition of paintings, prints and artifacts that focus on Southeastern Creek and Cherokee leaders and warriors of the early 19th century. The exhibit presents more than a dozen original oil paintings by artist Henry Inman (1801-1846), who gained renown as an exacting chronicler of American Western history, primarily through his replicas of a series of North American Indian portraits. The exhibition is made possible through the support of Tom and Ann Cousins.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16, 6:00 – 7:30 pm — SUNDOWN AT KIESEL CONCERT SERIES / NOISY DIERDRE
Held under the pavilion at Kiesel Park, Auburn. Free & open to all.
Final concert in the City of Auburn’s annual Sundown at Kiesel Concert Series. Bring a picnic supper and lawn chairs. Dogs welcome. For additional information, please contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 501-2930.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16, 8:00 pm – SUN BELT READING SERIES, PART 1
Held at the Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay St, Auburn. Free & open to all. www.thegnusroom.com Featuring: Rafael Alvarez, Chantel Acevedo & Anna Schachner
FRIDAY, OCT. 17 — STUDENTS TO LEAD 60-MILE MARCH FOR HUNGER AWARENESS
A group of Auburn students and concerned citizens will embark on a 60-mile Hunger March from the campus to the steps of the state capitol in Montgomery to raise awareness about the issue of world hunger. Marchers will set out from the Auburn University Medical Clinic and travel southeast on College Street until it becomes U.S. Highway 29. They will continue on to Alabama Highway 81 and conclude on the first day in Tuskegee. On day two, Saturday, Oct. 18, the walk will follow U.S. Highway 80 to Montgomery and finish Sunday, Oct. 19, at 600 Dexter Ave. on the steps of the state capitol. The Hunger March is the finale to Auburn’s Hunger Awareness Week, Oct. 13-19. Throughout the week, an oversized red cup will be available for donations of nonperishable items for the East Alabama Food Bank and also spare change for global hunger relief in the “Fill the Cup” initiative. Another highlight of the week will feature Aubie on a “Tiger Prowl” around campus to help collect donations. The march is designed for walkers only. Relay teams are welcome. To sponsor a participant, call 844-3790. To learn more about the Hunger March and the partnership between Auburn and the United Nations World Food Programme, go to this link (http://www.auburn.edu/event/
FRIDAY, OCT. 17, 10:00 am – ALABAMA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION / Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee
Held at the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM Building), Alabama Room (Main Hearing Room), 1400 Coliseum Boulevard Montgomery. Ph: 334-271-7706.
Agenda includes:
1. Consideration of minutes of meeting of the Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee held on June 27, 2008**
2. Status report and discussion of the strategic planning process
3. Discussion of potential rules to memorialize the strategic planning process
4. Other business
* The Agenda for this meeting will be available on the ADEM website, www.adem.alabama.gov, under EMC Information and Calendar of Events.
** The minutes for this meeting will be available on the ADEM website under EMC Information.
FRIDAY, OCT. 17, 11:00 am – ALABAMA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Held at the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM Building), Alabama Room (Main Hearing Room), 1400 Coliseum Boulevard Montgomery. Ph: 334-271-7706.
Agenda includes:
1. ELECTIONS The Commission will hold elections for Commission Chair and Vice Chair and Committee Chairs and memberships.
2. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 22, 2008
3. REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR
4. REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION CHAIR
5. REPORT FROM THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AD HOC COMMITTEE
6. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE DIVISION 6 – WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS (NPDES-RELATED MATTER)
The Commission will consider proposed amendments to the Division 6 – Water Quality Regulations. The Department proposes to amend rule 335-6-10-.07, Toxic Pollutant Criteria Applicable to State Waters, Appendix A to revise the reference doses for acrolein and phenol to be consistent with the values in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). The Department held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on September 4, 2008.
7. UTILITIES BOARD OF THE CITY OF ANDALUSIA V. ADEM, EMC DOCKET NO. 08-06 (NPDES-RELATED MATTER)
The Commission will consider a “Joint Motion to Continue of the Utilities Board of the City of Andalusia and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management” in this appeal concerning the Utilities Board of the City of Andalusia, Andalusia Riverside Wastewater Treatment Facility, NPDES Permit AL0055417, Covington County.
8. VALLEY BROOK ESTATES, LLC V. ADEM, EMC DOCKET NO. 08-05 (NPDES-RELATED MATTER)
The Commission will consider the “Request for Oral Argument” filed with the “Petitioner’s Rule 335-2-1-.28 Objection to Hearing Officer’s Recommendation to Grant Department’s Motion to Dismiss.” The Commission will also consider the Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ’s) “Order on Motion to Dismiss” and the ALJ’s Recommendation in said Order that the Commission grant Respondent ADEM’s “Motion to Strike and Motion to Dismiss” in this appeal concerning ADEM Administrative Order 08-182-MNPS issued on July 28, 2008, to Valley Brook Estates, Irondale, Jefferson County, NPDES ALR167329.
9. FRIENDS OF HURRICANE CREEK AND ALABAMA RIVERS ALLIANCE, INC. V. ADEM, AND TUSCALOOSA RESOURCES, INC., INTERVENOR, EMC DOCKET NO. 08-01 (NPDES-RELATED MATTER)
The Commission will consider Petitioners Friends of Hurricane Creek and Alabama Rivers Alliance, Inc.’s “Request for Oral Argument” filed with their “Objections to Hearing Officer’s Recommendation.” The Commission will also consider the “Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge on Motion to Dismiss” in this appeal concerning ADEM’s reissuance of Tuscaloosa Resources, Inc., Panther Mine No. 3, NPDES Permit No. 0074012, Tuscaloosa County, effective October 2, 2007.
10.TUSCALOOSA RESOURCES, INC. V. ADEM, EMC DOCKET NO. 08-08 (NPDES-RELATED MATTER)
The Commission will consider Alabama River Alliance, Inc. and Friends of Hurricane Creek, Inc.’s “Request for Oral Argument” and their “Emergency Motion for Intervention.” The Commission will also consider Petitioner Tuscaloosa Resources, Inc.’s (TRI’s) “Amendment of Motion to Stay Action Pending Issuance of Order” and “Motion to Stay Pending Issuance of Order” in this appeal concerning ADEM’s revocation of TRI, Panther Mine No. 3, NPDES Permit No. 0074012, Tuscaloosa County, effective August 28, 2008, and reissuance of a new NPDES Permit to TRI also denoted as Permit No. AL0074012 having different discharge limits, terms, and conditions. TRI is requesting that the effective date of the Reissued Permit AL0074012 be stayed pending issuance of a final order by the Commission in this appeal and that they be allowed to continue to operate under the Previous Permit AL0074012 issued October 6, 2007.
11. TUSCALOOSA RESOURCES, INC. V. ADEM, EMC DOCKET NO. 08-09 (NPDES-RELATED MATTER)
The Commission will note for the record Petitioner Tuscaloosa Resources, Inc.’s (TRI’s)withdrawal of the request for hearing in this matter concerning ADEM’s inclusion of certain discharge limitations, terms, and conditions in TRI, East Brookwood Mine, NPDES Permit No. AL0074349, Tuscaloosa County. The issuance date for this permit shown in the request for hearing is August 28, 2008. Since ADEM had not issued this permit yet, TRI has withdrawn this request for hearing.
12. OTHER BUSINESS
13. FUTURE BUSINESS SESSION
* The Agenda for this meeting will be available on the ADEM website, www.adem.alabama.gov, under EMC Information and Calendar of Events.
** The Minutes for this meeting will be available on the ADEM website under EMC Information.
FRIDAY, OCT. 17 , 5:00 pm — IRAQ MORATORIUM VIGIL
Held at Toomer’s Corner. All are invited to participate.
Sponsored by Alliance for Peace and Justice. Bring candles, signs (some will be provided). Join thousands nationwide wearing black armbands or ribbons on the 3rd Friday of each month. See www.iraqmoratorium.com and www.peaceeagle.org.
FRIDAY, OCT. 17, 6:00 pm – midnight — OPELIKA 6TH ANNUAL ON THE TRACKS /Food, Wine & Music event
Held along Railroad Avenue, in Historic Downtown Opelika. Info: www.onthetracks.org
Outdoor wine tasting event held in the heart of downtown Opelika along historic Railroad Avenue. The area’s finest restauranteurs offer a delicious selection of dinner entrees and over 20 selections of eclectic wines. Live music sets the perfect backdrop for a delightful fall evening while the Mainstreet merchants remain open for your shopping enjoyment.
FRIDAY, OCT. 17, 7:30 – 9:00 PM — KAZANETTI STRING QUARTET
Held in AU’s Goodwin Recital Hall.
FRIDAY, OCT. 17, 8:00 pm – SUN BELT READING SERIES Part II
Held at the Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street. Ph: 334-821-5550. Free & open to all.
Featuring: Rusty Spell, Suzanne Samples, Giovanna Summerfield & Johnny Summerfield
SATURDAY, OCT. 18, 8:00 am – noon —- PLANT SALE / SPONSORED BY AUBURN BEAUTIFICATION COUNCIL
Held in the Auburn Chamber of Commerce parking lot, 714 E. Glenn Ave. [near Hastings & AC Fitness] Mums and pansies for sale. Info: call the Chamber at 887-7011 or the ABC at 887-6778.
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ELECTION DEADLINES:CT. 24 = DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR GENERAL ELECTION
Voter registration forms available from:
– boards of registrars: Lee County Courthouse – 737-3635, Chambers County – 864-4313, Russell County – 298-1443
– at Auburn City Hall, and
– online at http://www.alabamavotes.gov
OCT 30 = DEADLINE TO REQUEST ABSENTEE BALLOT
Application form available from the circuit clerk’s office (737-3543 in Lee County).
Note: The completed ballot must be mailed in time to reach the circuit clerk by noon, Nov. 4 or hand delivered by the voter by 5 p.m. Nov. 3.
ELECTION RESOURCES:
TO CHECK CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING CLAIMS: http://www.factcheck.org.
NON-PARTISAN INFO ON THE ALABAMA JUDICIAL RACES: http://www.lwval.org/
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JOSH SEGALL FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN / Volunteers needed
Volunteers requested to come in and help make calls, stuff envelopes, canvass neighborhoods, and to help on Election Day. In Opelika, contact John Haffner; 334-745-5146; john@segall2008.com. See Josh’s first debate with Rogers here and the new TV ad here.
TOXIC DOLLARS? / Rogers campaign donation
In August, the Anniston Star ran a piece about Compound 1080, and its link to a PAC run by Rep. Mike Rogers. Compound 1080, also known as sodium fluoroacetate, was banned by the EPA in the 1970s, but allowed again for limited use in the 1980s. Tull Chemical, located in Oxford, is the only U.S. manufacturer of Compound 1080. The chemical has been used to kill predators and opossums in the American West and New Zealand, and it has been blamed for 16 human deaths in the U.S. The owner of Tull Chemical, Charles Wigley, has donated $1,500 to Rep. Rogers American Security PAC. At the same time, there is a bill before Congress that would ban the production and distribution of Compound 1080. Hopefully these toxic dollars won’t keep Rep. Mike Rogers from doing the right thing and voting to protect the citizens of Oxford by banning Compound 1080.
Info courtesy of Alabama Conservationist e-newsletter – www.conservationalabama.org.
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EPA DESIGNATES AUBURN UNIVERSITY AS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday designated Auburn University as a Center of Excellence for Watershed Management, enhancing Auburn’s efforts to address water quality and availability issues in Alabama and the region. This is only the fourth Center of Excellence to be designated in the Southeast and the first in the state of Alabama.
Auburn President Jay Gogue and officials from the EPA and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize the partnership. The EPA program works with colleges and universities to provide communities with hands-on, practical products and services to solve watershed problems, such as pollution control and water availability. Some of the benefits of being a recognized Center of Excellence include receipt of EPA technical assistance and EPA letters of support for grant opportunities. To read the news release, see this link (http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/
EPA PERCHLORATE DECISION: EPA CALLS FOR COMMENTS; EARTHJUSTICE PLANS TO FILE LAWSUIT
For full article, go to Water & Wastewater News http://www.wwn-online.com/
Comment period: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on its preliminary determination not to regulate perchlorate in drinking water at a national level. EPA will make a final determination for perchlorate after considering information provided in the 30-day public comment period, according to an Oct. 3 press release.
Earthjustice lawsuit proposed: Nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice said it plans to sue EPA over its refusal to set limits for perchlorate in drinking water. The firm would be representing the Environmental Working Group and other organizations concerned about the health effects of perchlorate. A primary ingredient in rocket fuel, munitions, and explosives, perchlorate has been linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women, newborns and young children nationwide. An Earthjustice press release described the decision to not regulate perchlorate as a victory for the Department of Defense and military contractors.
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CITY OF AUBURN – BOARD & COMMISSION VACANCIES
Tree Commission — Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 4 city council meeting.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board — Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 18 city council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact the City Council and/or the City Manager. Info about the Boards & Commissions available at www.auburnalabama.org/boards/.
CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/
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Thanks for your interest and support.
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Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
Oct. 13, 2008
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