Friendly Observer By Arthur Keefe
Ethanol and a state college
A few more words regarding the “big stink” I wrote about recently. The City Council’s environmental protection committee invited SCBI (the Ethanol Plant), to a meeting, which was also well attended by members of the public, and is reported elsewhere in the newspaper.
Firm commitments were given by the company, especially a deadline of January 31, 2013 to have virtually eliminated the noxious smell, and the polluted water runoff into the sea. This is based on the installation of new equipment and a larger lagoon for waste water storage.
They also agreed to commission proper scientific and medical studies into the question of whether their air or water pollution damages the health or environment. They appeared to agree with the City Medical Officer, that independence in such studies was crucial for these to have public credibility.
My reckoning, a good meeting. The councilors were searching in their questions, and the company appeared both contrite and serious about addressing the problems. Time will tell, but they have put their reputation and future on the line with these promises.
At the same meeting, I was able to follow up my recent article on education in San Carlos with the Chair of the Education Committee. I was delighted to hear that she had already discussed the issues I raised with the Mayor and with the DepEd. We will wait to see if any better communication with parents arises as a result of my complaints about Ramon Elementary School.
On the bigger issue of a State College in San Carlos, she insisted that no opposition had come from the private colleges (which were my suspicion). Rather, the councilors were not convinced that dual use of the High School buildings was a viable option. New classrooms are a requirement they believe.
Obviously, this requires a budget, and I do not know whether all of this has to come from the City Council, or whether grants are available. I strongly suspect they are as if an application is made and approved.
An obvious place to begin to develop such a facility is behind the High School or the vacant and available land. The entrance could be via the High School, with the potential to share some cash and perhaps even sharing some resources (such as laboratories, computers and a library).
The real question is not about the logistics, but about ambition. If the city puts the development of a State College into its 5 year plan, and begins work or design and application, it might happen. This was the approach adopted for the new unlikely airport project. A State College stands a far greater likelihood of success, which much bigger gains for the present and future children of the city. The economic multiplies effect of a college, with students and staff migrating to, and spending money in the local economy in potentially greater than that which an infrequently used airport turned to reality on this occasion.
Are the two issues of SCBI and a State College linked? Yes! Many of the technical staff at SCBI was recruited outside San Carlos, as the skills base does not exist here. If we are to attract other high tech companies to San Carlos, and retain the benefits in the community, we need a qualified local work force, to which a State College can make a major contribution.
Firm commitments were given by the company, especially a deadline of January 31, 2013 to have virtually eliminated the noxious smell, and the polluted water runoff into the sea. This is based on the installation of new equipment and a larger lagoon for waste water storage.
They also agreed to commission proper scientific and medical studies into the question of whether their air or water pollution damages the health or environment. They appeared to agree with the City Medical Officer, that independence in such studies was crucial for these to have public credibility.
My reckoning, a good meeting. The councilors were searching in their questions, and the company appeared both contrite and serious about addressing the problems. Time will tell, but they have put their reputation and future on the line with these promises.
At the same meeting, I was able to follow up my recent article on education in San Carlos with the Chair of the Education Committee. I was delighted to hear that she had already discussed the issues I raised with the Mayor and with the DepEd. We will wait to see if any better communication with parents arises as a result of my complaints about Ramon Elementary School.
On the bigger issue of a State College in San Carlos, she insisted that no opposition had come from the private colleges (which were my suspicion). Rather, the councilors were not convinced that dual use of the High School buildings was a viable option. New classrooms are a requirement they believe.
Obviously, this requires a budget, and I do not know whether all of this has to come from the City Council, or whether grants are available. I strongly suspect they are as if an application is made and approved.
An obvious place to begin to develop such a facility is behind the High School or the vacant and available land. The entrance could be via the High School, with the potential to share some cash and perhaps even sharing some resources (such as laboratories, computers and a library).
The real question is not about the logistics, but about ambition. If the city puts the development of a State College into its 5 year plan, and begins work or design and application, it might happen. This was the approach adopted for the new unlikely airport project. A State College stands a far greater likelihood of success, which much bigger gains for the present and future children of the city. The economic multiplies effect of a college, with students and staff migrating to, and spending money in the local economy in potentially greater than that which an infrequently used airport turned to reality on this occasion.
Are the two issues of SCBI and a State College linked? Yes! Many of the technical staff at SCBI was recruited outside San Carlos, as the skills base does not exist here. If we are to attract other high tech companies to San Carlos, and retain the benefits in the community, we need a qualified local work force, to which a State College can make a major contribution.
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