Miami Herald Editorial: "Seize the Sunshine, Save the Land." By Geniusofdespair

Catchy title for yesterday's editorial, reminded me of Heroes, "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World." On-line the Herald changed it to the less dramatic: "Seize the sunshine, save the environment." They should have kept the paper version.

Too bad the editorial will fall on deaf ears because it was good. The Herald Editorial Board knows that their message won't resonate, saying: "The Miami-Dade County Commission, however, stubbornly insists on encouraging proponents of UDB expansion to try yet again." The Herald smartly suggests:

While new development is stalled, the Miami-Dade Commission -- and other local governments -- should stop bemoaning the drop in revenue and think more creatively. They can begin with a reexamination of their land use plans -- the blueprints for future growth. They should consider changes to the plans to promote sustainable development -- by conserving water, building up -- instead of out -- where practical, rewarding green projects and encouraging high-density redevelopment along transit corridors.

Four gold stars for the Miami Herald!

People I like in the news: Thorn Grafton. By Geniusofdespair

Read about Thorn Grafton in today's Business Section of the Miami Herald: Architect focuses on sustainability.

It is good when someone can combine what they love to do and what is good for the planet:

"Anything to save old buildings was exciting to me..." he said.

From the article:

When he returned to Miami in 1977, Grafton initially worked with Zyscovich before starting his own firm. He also met Barbara Capitman, founder of the Miami Design Preservation League, and began working to preserve buildings. (Waste from old buildings contributes up to 45 percent of the material in the nation's landfills, he said.)