As Bush approaches, Peters proposes energy plans
As President George W. Bush came into
Linking the Republicans might seem to be a natural match, but these days Knollenberg, like many other Republicans, is distancing himself from the president, who now has a dismal public approval rating.
“The fact that he is coming in shows the Republican Party in
Although Peters had some choice comments for Knollenberg and Bush, the primary focus of the conference was on Peters’ plans to deal with the high cost of fuel and how it is impacting municipal operations.
“I’ve been extremely frustrated with the lack of an energy policy,” Peters said. Peters proposes a short-term and long-term approach, starting with reining in oil speculators and going after price gougers. Long-term he wants to see development of alternative energy sources.
“We have to make a serious commitment to research,” he said.
But he doesn’t approve of off-shore drilling or drilling in environmentally sensitive areas. The oil companies, he said, already have access to 67 million acres of oil fields where they aren’t drilling.
“Even if they were to drill, an impact (on prices) wouldn’t be felt for 10 years,” he said
Also taking part in the conference were Birmingham City Commissioner Scott Moore, Waterford Township Supervisor Carl Solden; Royal Oak School Board Member Kevin McLogan;
All described how the high cost of fuel is impacting their community or working conditions.
“We’re considering more outsourcing,”
DeBoyer said the West Bloomfield Fire Department is already $7,000 over budget this year for its fuel expenditures.
“We started shutting trucks off at the scene, which is something historically we don’t do.” But allowing trucks to idle burns gas.
Timpner said some police departments are severely curtailing police patrols to save gas. One department, he said, has limited its officers to drive only 45 miles per shift. Other departments, like
“We have less officers on the street today than we had on 9-11,” Timpner said.
Yet, Peters said, Knollenberg has voted against funding for such operations as COPS, the Community Oriented Policing Program.
Echoing the theme of change, Peters said. “The policies of the past are not working now.”
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