J. Garretsons Extra Credit

Rogersville Wrapped Up in National Debate

When workers for Gulfstream Bioflex Energy, LLC, picked the location for one of their latest potential plants, they probably didn’t expect the public outcry they received. Dozens of people from Webster County communities have banded together to fight the plant for a host of reasons, and the battle is turning out to be a real David and Goliath match-up.

Normally, if a plant were being built, the business planning it would send a formal proposal to a county planning and zoning commission, where the blueprints and details would be reviewed and voted upon. That is, if a community has established planning and zoning regulations.

“According to our conversations with the county, they did not know about (GBE’s plans) until a week ago Monday,” Harry Coambes, of the Dutch Creek Neighborhood Association, told local news in August of last year. That’s because BGE wasn’t required to contact the county. The last two Planning and Zoning plans, one nearly a dozen years ago and one in 2005, have been rejected by Webster County residents.

The deal, then, is entirely private, between Gulfstream Bioflex and any landowner they choose to buy from.

Since this realization, local opposition has scrambled to piece together a new planning and zoning proposal. But, like so many legislative acts, results from the Webster County Temporary Planning and Zoning Commission – created in response to the failure of the 2005 zoning proposal – have come too slowly for some.

At least one group, calling themselves Citizens for Groundwater Protection, is doing their best to aid the official process. The group has filed post-trial motions, the first step in what they hope is an eventual journey to the Missouri Supreme Court. The motion is in response to a judges approval of the contested deal.

The main point of outrage for opponents is the plants potential use of groundwater resources. The plant could not only use over a million gallons of water a day – over 440 million annually – but there’s a potential it could pollute the surrounding areas.

Because of the nature of the areas water basin, its weak soil strength and tendency to stand water, “All of the Ozarks is considered at high risk for potential pollution,” said Bob Schultheis, a natural-resource engineering specialist at the Webster County Extension Center in Marshfield and chairman of the Webster County Groundwater Impact Committee, at an August 2006 town meeting on the subject.

But locals have other objections, as well. Ethanol plants have a distinct and unpleasant odor, for example. Any community living down wind of one can potentially see land value fall, which can eventually affect all of its citizens.

There are also many people opposed to ethanol in general. The potential negative impacts, say groups like the Energy Justice Network, could be wide and far ranging.

Mass ethanol use would probably raise the price of corn, a staple in most livestock feeds. This would inevitably lead to higher prices for meat and diary. Ethanol production also uses more fuel than it produces – to manufacture the fuel, plants usually use natural gas or coal, and requires 23% more energy than is produced.

Another potential drawback is, if an ethanol plant is established, it often seeks to sell some of its waste product, a mash of corn bits, to area farms as food for livestock. The feed has poor nutrition, so while this practice may offset any damage to feed prices, it may also attract more factory farming, and all the environmental problems that tag along, to the surrounding communities.

And so the questions swirl. Will the plant be built? Should it? How will either course of action affect the sleepy communities involved in this struggle?

The answers will only come in time.

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Cars for Students

Gabriel Rodriguez knows the pain of losing a friend. He says that for a year or two now, he’s watched Gladys slow down and wear out, and now he’s just waiting for the day she finally rests. But he doesn’t look forward to that day.

“It’s just getting a new one. I don’t want to go through any of that.”

Gladys is a green Chevy Malibu, and she’s pushing ten-years-old. She still works well enough, says Rodriguez, but he says he sometimes feels he’s on borrowed time.

He’s not alone in fearing the new car hunt. It can be daunting, boring, and even – or especially – expensive. A decision is made, often in the span of a day, that must be lived with for perhaps years to come. Naturally, it’s important to make the right choice.

“What’s the right car depends on the purchaser,” says Mark Stevenson, customer relations at Reliable Chevrolet.

Rodriguez says, as a student, his concerns are cost, fuel economy and safety – in that order. After a day of comparing local dealership prices, his favorite was the Honda Fit, one of the highest rated small cars of the year.

“It’s under twelve thousand,” says Rodriguez. “That’s my main concern.”

Mark Stevenson says that sticker price is only half the purchase, though. “Gas mileage is a significant cost, over the course of your vehicle’s lifetime.”

He says to pay close attention to the average miles per gallon when shopping for vehicles. But he stresses concern for gas consumption shouldn’t stop once the vehicle’s yours.

“Fuel economy depends so much more on the habits of drivers than construction (of the vehicle),” he says. Small habits – good or bad – can drastically alter fuel consumption.

For instance, he says, “All items draw power, from the air conditioning to the radio. And that power is… taken from fuel.” So, though it might not be an enjoyable solution, leaving some amenities powered off can save dollars and cents.

Driving habits can also have a major impact on gas mileage.

“Jack-rabbit starts, quick stops,” all bad, says Stevenson.

“Probably the biggest misconception here in the Ozarks,” he continues, “is using cruise control too much.” He says the hilly terrain, and the nature of cruise control, often means your vehicle uses too much fuel as it pushes you up a hill, and again uses too much fuel as you go back down.

A new car can be an exciting and even life-changing purchase, but it’s one that should be done carefully and responsibly. It seems generally agreed that when searching for a new or used vehicle, it’s important to make a list of the attributes that are most important and patiently search for the best, and most economical, solution. One shouldn’t be afraid to make phone calls, ask questions, and Google far into the night trying to find that perfect deal.

“Winning the lottery would help, too, though,” says Rodriguez.

The most recommended resource for general car, truck and SUV information was Consumer Reports, who publish an annual magazine and have an easily navigable and highly informative (though most decidedly not free) website, ConsumerReports.org.

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Back to School Thrift

It’s almost time for school, and as students buy books and supplies, arrange housing and transportation, or even shop for groceries, it becomes quite apparent just how quickly finances can dwindle.

“It’s crazy,” says Valerie Pikul, a Springfield resident. “Just textbooks alone costs us thousands a year. And gas is getting so expensive.”

Valerie works full time as a pharmacy technician, but her husband is a full time student. She says, to help make ends meet, she’s become somewhat of an authority on saving money to offset school costs.

“If I could offer any advice, it’s coupons,” she says. “I buy a couple papers every Sunday. Maybe five dollars (for the newspapers) and I save close to a hundred dollars.”

There are countless ways to pinch pennies, says Valerie, but the key is planning and comparing. Impulse buys can be momentarily satisfying, but they can very easily throw a budget off balance.

She admits impulse abstinence may be easier said than done, though.

“The hardest part is just buying what you need,” she says. “Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you need something or just want it really badly. And it really sucks having these deep, like, moral decisions in the middle of Wal-Mart.”

But she says the long term rewards can be worth the effort.

There are a couple steps to smart purchasing.

“First,” says Valerie, “the need/want decision. After that, lots of shopping around.”

It’s okay to look for exactly what you want, she says. But you can still shop smart, by deciding who might have the best deals and selection for the product you’re hunting for.

An example she gave was furniture for dorms or other student housing. Students often live nearly nomadic lives from one semester to the next, and are naturally hesitant to consider furniture that’s bulky or expensive. An often overlooked resource for suitable appointments are thrift stores like Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

“I’ve gotten most of my furniture from them over the years,” she says. “And it’s all been nice stuff.”

She stresses that “second hand” doesn’t mean “thrown out.”

“These are donations, not trash. That’s probably the biggest misconception.” She says she’s often amazed at the quality of many items donated.

If averse to thrift store shopping, there are still great ways to get good deals.

“If you just worry about cost, Wal-Mart almost always wins.” But the thrill of instant gratification can cause many young people to neglect two major outlets, both online.

“Ebay and Amazon usually beat Wal-Mart, if you buy from vendors, and especially if you by ‘used and new.’ If it’s electronics especially, you can sometimes shave off half the cost, and that’s including shipping!.”

But often, quality service can provide incentive to spend a little more.

Darren, a representative at Best Buy, says that’s what Best Buy strives for. “If you need help, just ask someone in a blue shirt,” he says. Some buyers may be willing to pay a little more per product just to talk to more knowledgeable, or even just more numerous, staff.

Even Valerie agrees it’s nice to enjoy some luxury, but warns against such splurges.

“That can be habit forming,” she says. “But I guess we all fall off the wagon from time to time.”