A Veritable Steal

$157 million here, $157 mil-lion therepretty soon you're talkin' real money.

The Urban County Council was addressed Tuesday evening by their $100k consultant who was paid to value the water company as part of an ongoing investigation into the feasibility of purchasing KAWC.

KAWC attorney Bill Lear was on hand to dispute the reported value of $157 million.

Foster Ockerman, representing FLOW, used the figure to back FLOW's assertion that purchasing KAWC is an affordable option for the city.


"Give Back to the Gorge": A clean-up initiative within the Red River Gorge

The Gorge (outside of Slade, KY in the Daniel Boone National Forest) is an outdoor recreation hotspot for outdoorsy types all over the world, from hard-core rock climbers to more casual campfire hippies. In fact, we daresay some of our younger readers probably got their "start" in the Gorge, in many a rock-infested sleeping bag.

However, the consequence of its popularity and proximity is that this natural treasure suffers from deleterious high-use effects. Problems, predominantly litter, persist at the roadsides, trailheads and trails, and climbing areas.

How many times has your enjoyment of nature been impaired by the sight of a recklessly discarded trailside condom? (If you pack it in, you pack it out. National parks out west have known this for years folks!)

This spring's cleanup effort is organized to encourage an environmental ethic and provide environmental education through active participation in stewardship.

With the endorsement of Leave No Trace, Inc. out of Boulder, CO the transcending theme in this event will be "The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics."

Plan now to attend cleanup, April 26, 2003, culminating the week's Earth Day and Arbor Day celebrations.

For registration information and inquiries please contact Ben Henshaw at thegorge2003@yahoo.com or (859) 268 – 4377. For general information please visit the website at www.allmediastudios.com/gorge.


Cheating a Charity just sucks

According to event organizers, during this past weekend's Make-A-Wish Foundation Retro 60s party, someone stole all of the donated proceeds. An approximate $3,000 in cash, as well as checks made out to the foundation were gone by the end of the night. If you would like to help recoup some of the losses, you can send a check to:

The Make-A-Wish Foundation

4101 Tates Creek Centre Drive - 150 Box 218

Lexington, Kentucky 40517

On the check's memo line, please designate "Retro 60s party."

If you have any information regarding the dastardly individual(s) who absconded with the funds, please phone the Lexington Police at 258-3700 so they can promptly apprehend these rapscallions.


Chipping in?

Lexmark International, has had additional charges amended to a previous antitrust lawsuit filed against the printer manufacturer. The suit, brought by Static Control Components, seeks at least $100 million in damages.

Static Control had been temporarily barred by a federal judge in Kentucky from making or selling computer chips that match remanufactured toner cartridges to Lexmark printers.

Static Control's suit accuses Lexmark of trying to monopolize the market for toner cartridges compatible with its printers.

It also accuses Lexmark of false advertising and unfair and deceptive trade practices.

Printers are relatively inexpensive, and thus, manufacturers make a good portion of their profits selling replacement ink or toner cartridges. Lexmark had tried to stop other companies from supplying cartridges for its printers by installing tiny computer chips in its cartridges. Without the chip, the printer usually will not work.

To combat that, Static Control introduced its Smartek chip The chip allows inexpensive replacement cartridges to work in Lexmark printers.


Need a boost?

The Kentucky House of Representatives passed Rep. Kathy Stein's bill requiring the use of child booster seats for toddlers who are past infant car seats, but not necessarily safe with normal seatbelt restraints.

Stein wrassled enough colleagues to get the bill sent to the Transportation Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Moore, who is running for governor.

The bill could still die in committee, seeing as how the Kentucky legislature allows motorcyclists to ride without helmets, which pass on healthcare costs to the rest of us, who are smart enough to protect our brainpans, even at the risk of the dreaded "helmet hair" effect.

Two words: Gary. Busey.

Anybody want him speaking for the rest of us?


Blowin' smoke

There will be a public hear-ing on Lexington's proposed smoking ban, Thursday, March 6 at 8:00pm in the Council Chambers, located on the 2nd floor of the Government Center 200 East Main Street. The meeting was scheduled to take place in mid-February, but the ice storm and its wide wake forced the meeting to be postponed to the later date. Show up and make your voice heard.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich
Marianne Williamson
John Robbins

Spreading the love

The Gov. Paul Patton scandal has taken yet another turn. It has come out that Patton helped vehicle-enforcement officer Monty Clark get a promotion in part because of his friendship with Tina Conner, Patton's former mistress.

The cabinet's inspector general recommended that the Clark be demoted. The inspector general's report said Clark might be charged with breaking an internal rule barring "solicitation for personal advancement."

Patton has denied misusing the powers of his office during or after the affair, which lasted two years.

Town Meeting

Presidential hopeful, Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) will be at the "Imagine America" Town Meeting on Saturday, March 15th, at the Kentucky Theatre. Kucinich is a leader of the Democratic Party's progressive wing, and an outspoken critic of the Bush administration, especially Bush's push for a war with Iraq.The event will start at 11:30am, and will be moderated by Lexington Mayor Teresa Isaac. Tickets are available for a suggested $5 donation to EarthSave Lexington, and are available at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.

To submit an advocacy/activism activity or event for Quickies, email rkirkland@aceweekly.com, or editor@aceweekly.com.

 
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