[Winona Online Democracy]
Phil,
You make some very valid points.
(Dilbert visions leap to mind when I think of engineers.)
;->
Seriously though, how can communities and elected bodies move from
antiquated planning mindsets and old engineering standards towards models
and standards that reflect modern research and best practices?
How can we overcome the rusty status quo and begin to talk about
sustainability, true-cost accounting, systems thinking, and other modern
methods?
Dwayne Voegeli
August 16, 2004
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>
>[Winona Online Democracy]
>
>
>I'll use my two-message limit to respond to John Finn's poke at engineers
>("not trained to analyze the land"). Like many professions, there are
>unflattering stereotypes of engineers that may paint with an unfairly broad
>brush. I personally know and deal with both ends of the engineering
>spectrum - some are unbelievably crude and clueless, others are among the
>most sensitive and creative players in the environmental field today. No
>question, however, that awful engineering projects abound.
>
>We in the public need to take some of the responsibility for the ills John
>pokes at. Projects like Mayo Woodlands - and any other subdivision for that
>matter - must pass scrutiny by some publicly elected body that has adopted
>engineering standards for grading, drainage, streets, lighting, paving, etc.
>What are the engineering standards in place in Winona? Are our standards
>any better or worse than Rochester or anywhere else? Do we ignore or reward
>environmental sensitivity with our adopted regulations?
>
>There is great momentum (or inertia, depending on how you view it) for old
>engineering standards that may not be very innovative, adaptable, or
>sustainable, and there is also great reverence for engineers' opinions. We
>need to critically question the standards in place and ask for what we
>want - and we just might get it.
>
>Phil Carlson, Mpls
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Dwayne Voegeli
Winona County Commissioner
(507) 453-9012
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
359 Pleasant Hill Dr.
Winona, MN 55987
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