John McElroy was arrested for stealing chickens from the estate of H. B. Walker on Fairview Avenue.
McElroy was walking down Wildey Street with a large sack slung over his shoulder when he was stopped by Officer Martin who asked him what the bag contained. Cautiously McElroy replied that the sack contained wood, at which point the police officer felt the bag with his hand and exclaimed “Pretty soft wood, John”.
He then escorted McElroy to the police station where the bag was turned out to reveal three dead chickens and one living one which made a great squawk and flutter and dashed for freedom. The bird was captured by the police clerk, and McElroy was transferred to New York Penitentiary where he served out a six month sentence.
Miss Edith Cole Turns Four
Miss Edith Cole would have turned 29 last Wednesday in 2012, but on the 29th of February 1912 she celebrated her 4th birthday with her friends, playing games and enjoying refreshments.
However, it was no ordinary 4th birthday party since Edith was in fact 16 years of age. Because she was born on February 29th, her birthday only came every 4 years which meant that unfortunately for Edith, she would have to wait until 1916 to turn 5.
2012年2月28日星期二
Rockport residents weigh in on plastic bag ban
A proposed ban on plastic bags has Rockport residents divided, according to a city sponsored survey that the City Council discussed Tuesday during a workshop.
"Let the marketplace work! Is there not more important matters for city?" one resident asked.
Another resident stated, "For years and years, Europeans have had to provide their own bags. We need to stop the waste!"
The city distributed almost 9,000 surveys with water bills, asking residents how they felt about banning or requiring businesses to charge for plastic or paper bags. There were 688 responses. The survey and a public workshop Tuesday were the first steps the council has made toward the ban. The council took no action at the workshop.
Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Fisher said Brownsville successfully banned plastic bags last year, and he was surprised by the number of Rockport residents who supported a local ban. He blamed visitors for the bags blowing throughout town. The money made from selling reusable bags could be used in a cleanup effort, he said.
Councilwoman Adelaide Marlatt disagreed with Fisher on where the trash originates. She said the trash begins with haulers in town that don't cover their trailers. Marlatt pushed for litter law enforcement.
A plastic shopping bag ban also has been discussed by Corpus Christi city officials this month after residents called for the ban. Beeville considered a ban in 2009 but never voted on an ordinance.
In Rockport, one resident surveyed told the city to fine people who litter instead of making everyone responsible.
"We shouldn't be charged because you're not making people pay for trashing the place," the resident wrote. "I'll end up doing my shopping in another town if I have to pay for bags."
Another resident suggested the city implement a "bag awareness" initiative.
Still, others were concerned about the environment. "Birds should be in the trees," one wrote, "not plastic bags."
Resident Tony Hardee told the council Monday he collected 204 signatures from people who oppose banning plastic bags. He added that the survey was confusing, and it did not include an option for the status quo.
Some residents stated the survey was biased toward banning plastic bags because of the way it was worded.
"There should have been 'leave as-is' options added if you wanted to get a good representation of voter beliefs!" one resident stated.
"Let the marketplace work! Is there not more important matters for city?" one resident asked.
Another resident stated, "For years and years, Europeans have had to provide their own bags. We need to stop the waste!"
The city distributed almost 9,000 surveys with water bills, asking residents how they felt about banning or requiring businesses to charge for plastic or paper bags. There were 688 responses. The survey and a public workshop Tuesday were the first steps the council has made toward the ban. The council took no action at the workshop.
Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Fisher said Brownsville successfully banned plastic bags last year, and he was surprised by the number of Rockport residents who supported a local ban. He blamed visitors for the bags blowing throughout town. The money made from selling reusable bags could be used in a cleanup effort, he said.
Councilwoman Adelaide Marlatt disagreed with Fisher on where the trash originates. She said the trash begins with haulers in town that don't cover their trailers. Marlatt pushed for litter law enforcement.
A plastic shopping bag ban also has been discussed by Corpus Christi city officials this month after residents called for the ban. Beeville considered a ban in 2009 but never voted on an ordinance.
In Rockport, one resident surveyed told the city to fine people who litter instead of making everyone responsible.
"We shouldn't be charged because you're not making people pay for trashing the place," the resident wrote. "I'll end up doing my shopping in another town if I have to pay for bags."
Another resident suggested the city implement a "bag awareness" initiative.
Still, others were concerned about the environment. "Birds should be in the trees," one wrote, "not plastic bags."
Resident Tony Hardee told the council Monday he collected 204 signatures from people who oppose banning plastic bags. He added that the survey was confusing, and it did not include an option for the status quo.
Some residents stated the survey was biased toward banning plastic bags because of the way it was worded.
"There should have been 'leave as-is' options added if you wanted to get a good representation of voter beliefs!" one resident stated.
2012年2月16日星期四
Hawaii legislative panel OKs proposal to charge fee for use of disposable shopping bags
A proposal to collect fees from customers who choose disposable paper and plastic shopping bags is gaining support as it works through the state Legislature.
If lawmakers pass the House Bill 2260 this session, Hawaii would become the first state to enact this kind of pro-environment legislation.
The measure has been touted as a way to discourage shoppers from using single-use shopping bags by charging an extra 5 cents per bag. The average person uses 400 plastic bags each year, advocates say.
Mark Fox, Director of External Affairs for the Nature Conservancy, told a House committee Thursday that the legislation has two benefits: "It works on changing people's behavior and encourages them to bring reusable bags. And if you're unable to change your behavior, you can contribute to helping our watersheds."
Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island counties have enacted measures to limit use of plastic bags. Melissa Pavlicek, testifying on behalf of Safeway and Times Supermarket, said plastic bag bans on Maui and Kauai have led more shoppers to ask for costly paper bags instead of bringing their own reusable totes.
The grocery chains support the bill but requested the state use some of the fee to help them cover the cost of administering the program. Sixty to 70 percent of the collected fees would go into the natural area reserve fund for watershed protection, restoration and reacquisition.
Supporters note the bags require fossil fuel for manufacture, harm marine life when they end up in the ocean, burden overcrowded landfills and wind up as unsightly litter.
"Only 10 percent of the watersheds are currently protected, and that's taken 40 years to do," said Guy Kaulukukui, deputy director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. The disposable bag fee could help protect Hawaii's mauka forests and all priority watersheds within the decade, he told lawmakers.
Carol Pregill, president of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, noted the proposal puts the burden on consumers, rather than businesses. The retailers Pregill represents support the bill, but want to ensure future changes would not result in additional costs to merchants, she remarked.
Stuart Coleman, of the Surfrider Foundation, told committee members he was excited to see the bill moving after four years of urging the state to take action.
"We feel like we're going to be turning a problem into a solution," he said.
Coleman pointed out that it was unusual to see so many diverse groups united in support.
"This is kind of win-win for everybody," he said. "We've got businesses behind us. We've got government agencies. We've got environmental groups and just a whole wide array of school groups and citizens groups and such. It's very inspiring to see everything coming together."
If lawmakers pass the House Bill 2260 this session, Hawaii would become the first state to enact this kind of pro-environment legislation.
The measure has been touted as a way to discourage shoppers from using single-use shopping bags by charging an extra 5 cents per bag. The average person uses 400 plastic bags each year, advocates say.
Mark Fox, Director of External Affairs for the Nature Conservancy, told a House committee Thursday that the legislation has two benefits: "It works on changing people's behavior and encourages them to bring reusable bags. And if you're unable to change your behavior, you can contribute to helping our watersheds."
Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island counties have enacted measures to limit use of plastic bags. Melissa Pavlicek, testifying on behalf of Safeway and Times Supermarket, said plastic bag bans on Maui and Kauai have led more shoppers to ask for costly paper bags instead of bringing their own reusable totes.
The grocery chains support the bill but requested the state use some of the fee to help them cover the cost of administering the program. Sixty to 70 percent of the collected fees would go into the natural area reserve fund for watershed protection, restoration and reacquisition.
Supporters note the bags require fossil fuel for manufacture, harm marine life when they end up in the ocean, burden overcrowded landfills and wind up as unsightly litter.
"Only 10 percent of the watersheds are currently protected, and that's taken 40 years to do," said Guy Kaulukukui, deputy director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. The disposable bag fee could help protect Hawaii's mauka forests and all priority watersheds within the decade, he told lawmakers.
Carol Pregill, president of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, noted the proposal puts the burden on consumers, rather than businesses. The retailers Pregill represents support the bill, but want to ensure future changes would not result in additional costs to merchants, she remarked.
Stuart Coleman, of the Surfrider Foundation, told committee members he was excited to see the bill moving after four years of urging the state to take action.
"We feel like we're going to be turning a problem into a solution," he said.
Coleman pointed out that it was unusual to see so many diverse groups united in support.
"This is kind of win-win for everybody," he said. "We've got businesses behind us. We've got government agencies. We've got environmental groups and just a whole wide array of school groups and citizens groups and such. It's very inspiring to see everything coming together."
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