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City leaders should lead on gas savings
Published Sunday, June 29, 2008
With gas prices climbing like kudzu up the Natchez bluffs, our community needs to get serious about reducing fuel usage before we’re buried beneath a mass of winding and twisting fuel bills.
Perhaps no better role model exists to lead that effort than our local governments.
City, county and parish leaders need to put immediate measures in place to curb fuel use while continuing to provide essential services.
Some of the options are no-brainers.
First, public workers shouldn’t take vehicles home unless it’s really likely that they’ll be called out from home for emergencies.
Note that the measuring stick for this shouldn’t be “ever” called out for emergencies, but “likely.”
We have a number of agencies that feel like the fact that they have access to a public vehicle means it’s theirs to use as they see fit. Well, we hate to break it to you, but it’s not.
It’s a public vehicle and its use needs to be limited to public needs only. No trips to the grocery store or even to get you, Mr. or Mrs. Worker, to and from your house.
The rest of us drive ourselves to work and you should, too.
Obviously, a few exceptions exist.
Police and fire vehicles need to remain in almost constant use, however, even with those, we may find ways to reduce our usage.
Smaller engines which benefit from improved fuel mileage just makes sense.
Gone are the days in which police officers need vehicles that can “outrun” bad guys. In most cases, criminals cannot outrun the radio and the “net” of force it provides.
Let’s use technology and our brains to fight back the kudzu before it overcomes us all.
Comments
Posted by Natchez3 (anonymous) on June 29, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good article.
When I was a kid in Natchez I remember some cops rode a motorcycle. Also when you went downtown those same cops walked the streets in Natchez. Not such a bad idea for today!
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on June 29, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Smaller police cars would help. Motorcycles and horses would too. Of course we would need a paddy wagon for arrests, but that would be O.K. It would not be on the streets constantly. When I say motorcycles, I don't mean huge Gold Wings or Harley-Davidson's. I mean something less than 500cc, so they would still be fuel efficient.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on June 29, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've lived and survived through several 'gas crisis' so this is nothing new to me. I've waited in line for hours to get my quota of 10 dollars if I had the right lic. plate number for that day. I lived through the 'water shortage crisis' which taught me and the kids how to take millitary showers, 'food shortage crisis' where we learned to tighten the belt. We surived them all and so will all of you. You can do it!! You are strong, free, sensible Americans who will probably face many more crisis as I have. God and I have faith in you.
Posted by acedog (anonymous) on June 29, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
if they stop riding there wife and kids around on off days that would help.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on July 1, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AMEN!! good article ND!!
Posted by snowqueen (anonymous) on July 2, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know that some of the deputies and majors and local cops do use their law enforcement vehicles for personal use. At the high cost of gas it is a shame that the sheriff and police chief are allowing this to happen. Oh I forgot they are using the law enforcement vehicles for personal use also. I guess that explains it.
Posted by natchezusetobe (anonymous) on July 2, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Destiny, sounds like you're around my age, but I agree with you about people surviving this mess. One way is for people to use alternative means of transportation to get around these days. One way that sounds unique is a story I heard on the news here in the Memphis area about a man in tenn. who has made ethanol out of kudzu. You talk about the weed that ate the south, we have a ready supply of the stuff, don't we? Keep up the good work. later
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