Reduce, Reuse, Req^cle
By Susan Toms
Book Review
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes takes readers on a surprising tour of the
world of garbage in his latest book, Garbology.
Take a journey inside the secret world of our biggest export, our most prodigious product and
our greatest legacy—our trash. It’s the biggest thing we make.
The average American is on track to produce a whopping 102 tons of garbage across a life
time, $50 billion in squandered riches rolled to the curb each year, more than that produced
by any other people in the world. Humes offers plenty of other surprising, even shocking,
statistics. For example, one in every six big trucks in America is a garbage truck.
But that trash doesn’t just magically disappear. Our bins are merely the starting point for a
strange, impressive, mysterious and costly journey that may also represent the greatest un
tapped opportunity of the century. Humes investigates the trail of that 102 tons of trash; what’s
in it; how much we pay for it; how we manage to create so much of it; and how some families,
communities, and even nations are finding a way back from waste to discover a new kind of
prosperity.
Along the way, he introduces a collection of garbage denizens unlike anyone you’ve ever
met: the trash-tracking detectives of MIT; bulldozer-driving sanitation workers building Los
Angeles’ immense Garbage Mountain landfill; artists in residence at San Francisco’s dump; and
a family whose annual trash output fills not a dumpster or a trash can, but a single mason jar.
Garbology digs through our epic piles of trash to reveal not just what we throw away but
also who we are and where our society is headed. Are we destined to remain the country
whose number one export is scrap—America as China’s trash compactor—or will the country
that invented the disposable economy pioneer a new and less wasteful path? The real secret
at the heart of Garbology may well be the potential for a happy ending buried in our landfill.
“Waste,” Himies writes, “is the one environmental and economic harm that ordinary working
Americans have the power to change—and prosper in the process.”
Local Recycling Meeting
In an effort to increase recycling efficiency in Pine Knoll Shores, we would like input from
homeowners in multi-family units. On Saturday, September 29 at 9 a.m., join
us at town hall for coffee and donuts. The town manager, commissioners and
recycling coordinator will be there to discuss the needs of various imits. We’d
like to know what’s happening at your unit in order to improve and streamline
recycling services there.
; .rij m-.-p, 1 NE Knoll Shores
COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
By Yvette Bannen
The Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on July 26 at 6 p.m. to discuss two
topics of unfinished business. During the public comment period prior to the start of the
proceedings, the President of the Genesis Condominium Owners’ Association spoke about
what did and did not happen with the pruning that took place on the ocean side of Genesis.
Commissioner Danehy made a motion that the BOC deny the appeal of a fine of $7,500
levied on Genesis for violation of the Town’s ordinance regarding oceanfront pruning. The
Association did not apply for a permit, but if it had, the Community Appearance Commis
sion would have gotten involved, and 66 trees would not have been cut down. After discus
sion, the motion was approved 4-1.
Commissioner Danehy then made a motion that the replacement of the trees be delayed
until January 2013, at which time a certified arborist would assess the health of the pruned
vegetation. After discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
The Town fleet management policy was reviewed again, and the policy was amended
to include definitions of “emergency” and “safe driving record.” The policy was accepted
unanimously.
John Brodman, past chairman of the Parks & Recreation Committee, presented a sum^
mary of the results of the Parks & Recreation 2012 survey. The purpose of the survey was
to plan and prioritize future projects and activities. The survey was available online on the
Town’s Web site, and paper surveys were also available. The final total of responses from
full-time residents, part-time residents and renters was 420. The full report, including com
ments, is available at towno^ks.com, and a printed copy is also available at town hall. Based
on survey results, John said the bottom line is that most respondents felt that Pine Knoll
Shores is not the Jersey Shore or Myrtle Beach, and that no taxpayer funds should be used
to create new recreation attractions or facilities. If recreational offerings were expanded, the
preferred method would be iif cooperation vrith other towns and associations, volunteer
efforts, and through user fees. (See related article in this edition).
The regular Board of Commissioners’ meeting scheduled for August 14 was cancelled.
The next BOC meeting is scheduled for August 23 at 6 p.m. instead of at 10 a.m. (Results to
be reported in the October Shoreline.)
TOWN OF
100 Municipa! Circle
247-4353 •
■ 247-4355 • Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
otey.
Vision and Mission
Statement
/
Our vision is to provide a quality environ
ment in which our citizens are safe and se
cure, where individual talents flourish, and
everyone enjoys the natural resources of our
area.
It is the mission of the town of Pine Knoll
Shores to provide concerted and friendly
means of promoting health, safety and social
well-being; develop and implement plans for
the continuous improvement of the town;
and encourage the participation of residents
in service to the town and community.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
MAYOR:
Ken Jones - 247-4353, ext. 17 - Two year tenm •
mayo(iones@townofpks.com
elected in 2011
COMMISSIONERS:
Larry Corsello - 247-0262 - elected in 2009 • admin@townofpks.com
Robert Danehy - 240-2945 - (Mayor pro tempore) elected in 2011 • admin@townofpks.com
Clark Edwards - 726-7429 - elected in 2011 • admin@townofpks.com
John Halada - 222-3940 - elected in 2009 • admin@townofpks.com
Lanry Kacmarcik - 247-3610 - elected in 2009 * admin@townofpks.com
TOWN OFFICIALS
TOWN MANAGER: Brian Kramer - 247-4353, ext. 16 • manager@townofpks.com
TOWN CLERK: Scott Sherrill - 247-4353, ext. 11 • adjiin@townofpks.com
FIN & ADMIN; Julie Anderson - 247-4353, ext. 14» janderson@townofpks.com
PLANNING & INSPECTIONS: Chris Jones-247-4354, ext. 18 • biceo@townofpks.com
PUBLIC SERVICES: Ernie Rudolph - 247-4353, ext. 27 • psd@townofpks.com
PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING - 314 Salter Path Road - 247-2268 • Fax 247-2897
POLICE: Chief Lorrie Lepore - 247-2474 • llepore@towno^ks.com
FIRE & EMS: Fire Chief Jason Baker-247-2268 * jbaker@townofpks.com
Emergency Call 911
Emergency Communications Center (ECC) 726-1911
Public Safety 247-2474
8 The Shoreline I September 2012