Water is not everywhere

A significant element of what we covered in Civics 101 had to do with resources and the husbanding thereof. The costs and energy associated with getting water to our sinks and dish washers were noted and notable.

Fresh Air's Terry Gross interviews a water expert here:

Currently, one out of six gallons of water acquired, treated and pumped by water utilities in the U.S. leaks back into the ground before it can be used by a home or business. This, says Charles Fishman in his new book, The Big Thirst, will change — but only if technology at water utility companies starts to improve.

"The average U.S. home pays an average of $34 a month. So our always-on, unlimited, almost universally reliably safe water costs us about $1 a day. Our water bill is less than half what our cable TV bill or our cell phone bill is. So cities are starved for financial resources and water utilities are often in terrible shape. In Philadelphia, there are 3,300 miles of water mains in the city, and they replace 20 miles a year. They're on 160-year replacement cycles. One of the officials from the Philadelphia water utility said to me, 'We want to make sure we get the 20 miles right.' That's not a question of money, it's a question of public resistance to digging up streets."

Getting out the word

It's taken a little time, but some open media, or semi-open media, are sprouting up in the Sarasota area. For those who might be interested in getting the word out about events, causes, issues, and gatherings, two relatively new and efficient web platforms are helping groups in the community share information online.

The first is Saraota Patch, the local branch of the burgeoning national network of news and info sites owned by AOL, but enjoying the advice and oversight of a team of veteran journalists.

Patch is making use of a variety of "new media" tools to enable people not simply to "post" a message, but also to link to it, to share it with others on Twitter, Facebook and blogs, and to evaluate its impact.

Recent example: I wanted to share info about the upcoming Friends of Sarasota County Parks (FOSCP) fundraiser, so I went to the Events page on Patch and clicked on "Put it on the calendar." After a painless registration, I was able to post an entire press release with photos, pinpoint the location on a map, and include contact information. Best of all, the finished announcement received its own link, which means it can stand alone, and be linked to from a blog or social media platform (e.g., Twitter). Since it was posted, it's been recommended five times on Facebook and tweeted as well, so I know it's being seen.

The second resource was created for Friends of Sarasota County Parks (FOSCP)-- it's their new website offering information about various events in and around the county's considerable network of parks.

In order to post to the FOSCP site, you need either to be or to know someone who is a member of a FOSCP chapter (i.e., a "semi-open" resource). With access to the site, members can post images, text, links, essentially anything that can be done on a blog. As with Patch, you can go back later and edit the info if anything needs to be updated.

Again, the page you create with your information receives its own link. So, although it's not yet integrated with auto-tweeting and such, you can still insert links, as I am doing here, to see the same Snook Haven event on the FOSCP site.

Two last points: first, both Patch and the FOSCP site are young endeavors that will grow as awareness of social media expands. The power of the mobile web for organizing -- whether for corporate marketing or for more citizenly engagement (e.g., Tahrir Square) is still in its early stages.

Second, both Patch and the FOSCP site -- as well as major blogging platforms, Twitter and Facebook -- are all available to anyone on the Net, at no charge. This is free speech -- all that's needed is that people step up and use it.

Public.Resource.Org

A site for anyone interested in making government more open and accessible is Public.Resource.Org. Among other efforts, it offers directories to a wealth of government agencies - the Patent Office, IRS, GPO, GAO, etc. - as well as to laws, public safety codes and information that the site calls the "operating system" of the nation. A non-profit site for the public.

Advisory Board Applicants for City of Sarasota Needed

Sarasota, FL: The City of Sarasota is seeking individuals who are interested in their community to serve on City Commission Advisory Boards. The following positions are now open:

Board of Rules and Appeals:
- One seat for a mechanical contractor
- One seat for a fire alarm contractor

Bobby Jones Golf Course Advisory Board:
- One seat for an individual with a financial services background
- One seat for an individual with experience managing a recreational facility
- One seat for an active user of the Bobby Jones Golf Course facilities

Citizens With Disabilities Advisory Board:
- Two seats with no seat requirement

Civil Service/General Personnel Board:
- No seat requirement

Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Board:
- One seat for an individual involved in planning or design in the Downtown Redevelopment Area
- One seat for an individual involved in construction development in the Downtown Redevelopment Area
- One seat for a representative of the Economic Development Board
- One seat for an individual involved in finance or banking

Human Relations Board:
- One seat with no requirement

Newtown Community redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Board:
- One seat for a representative of the Economic Development Board
- One seat for an individual involved in planning or design
- One seat for an individual involved in finance or banking

Nuisance Abatement Board:
- Two seats with no requirement

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Advisory Board:
- One seat for an individual who is a City resident

Preference is given to people who live or own property within the City of Sarasota. All positions are voluntary and are appointed by the City Commission of the City of Sarasota. To apply for an Advisory Board position, visit www.sarasotagov.com and click 'Citizen Advisory Boards' or visit the Office of the City Auditor & Clerk, 1565 First Street, during regular business hours.

For more information contact City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini:
941-954-4169.

Lighthouses and autopsies

Here's an NPR story about what is a "public good," which is defined for the story as: "something that we all need, that will make our lives better, but that the market will not and cannot provide."

For example:

... autopsies and lighthouses are useful examples of what economists call a public good — "something that we all need, that will make our lives better, but that the market will not and cannot provide," says Charlie Wheelan, who teaches public policy at the University of Chicago. More - with some intriguing comments.