Montebello E-News

May 1, 2008

Life is a corrupting process from the time a child learns to play his mother off against his father in the politics of when to go to bed; he who fears corruption fears life.
Saul Alinsky, 1909 - 1972,
generally considered the father of community organizing.  Alinsky is often credited with laying the foundation for the grassroots political organizing that dominated the 1960s. Later in his life he encouraged stockholders in public corporations to lend their votes to "proxies," who would vote at annual stockholders meetings in favor of social justice.

[That is an interesting take on corruption.  Does that mean that we should do nothing about it?  Change the punishment for it?  Or, perhaps, we should find a more effective way to prevent it because it is prevalent?]

So far, we have noted many deficiencies in the capitalism which we practice.  The purpose behind such a look has been to encourage thought and action about how to make capitalism work better.  Also, we have looked at possible solutions.  We continue looking at possible solutions.  

Mentioned in previous parts of this essay, ESOPs, a local currency, and a specialized chamber of commerce are examples of solutions.  The better solutions create a “climate for cooperative capitalism” without involving government.  Yet, there are situations in which government can play a useful role.  

The November, 2007, Fortune Small Business has an article called “Nana Technology.”  

When Arlene Harris’s mom bought a cellphone in 2001—mostly for emergencies, but also just to stay in touch—she discovered the hard way that the technology wasn’t nearly sophisticated enough for someone of, shall we say, post-retirement age.  Harris’s 80-year-old mother couldn’t read the text on the tiny screen, much less punch in the correct numbers on the hamster-sized keyboard.  The experience was so frustrating that her mother ended up keeping the phone turned off most of the time.  … Harris, a 47-7ear veteran of the wireless industry, decided to do something about the problem.  …she was going to make a cellphone designed for the over-65 crowed.  Her Jitterbug phone, with its jumbo text, oversized buttons, and ergonomic ear cushion, seems to have hit a sweet spot in the market. …  In September, Verizon Wireless announced the Coupe, a $20 phone designed for older folks. ... 

If Montebello had a commission which invited inventors of socially-useful products to consider Montebello as a location for manufacturing facilities, we might see jobs created locally.  If the commission acted as an intermediary for Montebelloans to invest in the manufacturing facilities, that would bind manufacturers to Montebello.  Yes, risk would not go away, but the risk would be reduced because the products would be screened before the commission made any recommendations.  

What is different here from a municipal department of economic development is the involvement of residents, who become stakeholders in manufacturing facilities and, thereby, have a voice in the operation of those facilities.  Another benefit might be that residents would invest in their community, making fewer very risky investments like playing slot machines or sending money to some faraway broker investing in some faraway venture.

FOR EVERYONE.  More on the Montebello Hills.  The Montebello Hills Task Force of the Sierra Club advises that, if you are interested in what happens to the Montebello Hills, from continued oil extraction to the construction of houses to the creation of a nature preserve, you must ask the city to put your name and address on a notification list, so that you receive updates.  The updates cost you nothing.  The first big update will be the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Montebello Hills Specific Plan.  To be put on the list, contact Michael Huntley, City of Montebello , 1600 West Beverly Boulevard , Montebello , California 90640 , 323.886.1477, 323.887.1488 fax.  Also, the task force asks that you encourage other residents to put their names on the notification list, so that we Montebelloans be well informed about the plan for the hills.

FOR YOUTH, PARENTS, TEACHERS.  Young people invited to submit Earth-saving ideas for Lorax Challenge. Deadline:  May 31, 2008.  Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Ashoka's Youth Venture, http://genv.net/ , in partnership with Earth Island Institute, http://earthisland.org/ , have announced the Lorax Challenge, an opportunity for people between the ages of twelve and twenty across the United States to turn their ideas for helping to save the planet into reality. The challenge invites teams of young people to create action plans for their Earth-saving ideas. To be considered for the Lorax grant, a venture team must be youth-created, -led, and -managed; be community-benefiting; be structured as a lasting organization (meaning not just a one-time event, but rather an ongoing entity such as a new school club, a business or a new community organization); involve a strong team (meaning at least two people) with clear, attainable goals and budget and the commitment to lead their venture; and have at least one "Ally" -- a supportive adult who guides and encourages the team. Selected teams will receive funding of up to $1,000 each to turn their ideas into a reality. In addition, five grand-prize winners will receive a free trip to the University of Florida for a weekend of activities, learning, and fun. (Please note that only high school students are eligible for the Grand Prize.) Visit the Youth Venture Web site for complete program information and application procedures.

FOR EVERYONE.  Commission meeting.  The Montebello Traffic Safety Commission is holding its regularly-scheduled meeting on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 7 p.m. at city hall.  The meeting is open to the public.  For more information, 323.887.1200.

FOR CITY COUNCILORS, CITY STAFF, COMMUNITY  LEADERS.  Are we at the back of the line?  April 15, 2008, from Euronews.  “Проект ‘Вера.’  Жители Гейдельберга и Дюнкерка поверили в то, что на местном уровне можно добиться многого для экономии энергии и сбережения природы. При поддержке Общеевропейской программы "Разумная энергия" опыт двух городов будет распространен на другие муниципалитеты стран Eвросоюза. Уже свыше 100 городов намерены последовать этому примеру.”  Translation:  “Project ‘Faith.’  Residents of Heidelberg and Dunkirk believe that, on a local level, they could go far in saving energy and preserving nature.  With support from the European Union program ‘Wise Energy,” the experience of the two cities will be distributed to other municipalities in countries of the European Union.  Already over a hundred cities intend to follow that example.”

FOR EVERYONE.  The importance of volunteers.  This week, April 27 through May 3, 2008, is National Volunteer Week.  Sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and the Hands-on-Network, this week has been set aside to offer opportunities to thank some of America 's most valuable assets, our volunteers, and to recognize the myriad of ways they improve our communities.  Read more about National Volunteer Week, and find tools and resources to help you recognize our nation's volunteers:  http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/seasons/nvw/.