November 16, 2010

There were 2 posts published on November 16, 2010 (this is page 1 of 1).

Mordecai board splits Interpretive Center vote

I’ve served on the board of Historic Mordecai Park for over two years now as part of my Parks board service. At most meetings we have few things of importance to discuss. Tonight, however, we were presented with location options for the new Interpretive Center. This was the biggest decision I’ve yet had to make as a boardmember.

The problem was, however, that a boardmember quickly put forward a motion to recommend approval of the location, which staff recommends to be adjacent to Wake Forest Road. In the discussion phase of the motion I made it known that I was not comfortable supporting this recommendation and needed more time to think it over. A vote was taken anyway and passed on a 3-2 majority.
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China punishes source of embarrassment

Shanghai high rises

There was a deadly fire in a residential high-rise in Shanghai yesterday. Over 60 people lost their lives in the blaze, blamed in part on flammable scaffolding.Today, the Chinese government arrested 8 people in connection with the blaze and began investigating claims of unlicensed welders on the project.

What I want to know is why the Chinese government chose not to inspect the construction before the building caught fire. As some news stories pointed out, there are thousands of similar high-rises in Shanghai. It’s an easy bet that a majority of them also cut corners. Will these get any attention? Not likely, unless they happen to catch fire or cause some other incident that can’t easily be covered up.

A friend once relayed the view of one Chinese-American who said “China [is] not known for safety.” I saw firsthand how this is the case. It’s sad that the Chinese government only seems to care after the fact.