Transition Island Blog

Even as it enriches Arab rulers, the recent oil-price boom is helping to propel an extraordinary rise in the cost of food and other basic goods that is squeezing this region’s middle class and setting off strikes, demonstrations and occasional riots from Morocco to the Gulf.

In Jordan, the soaring price of oil led the government to remove almost all its costly fuel subsidies this month, pushing the price of some fuels up 76 percent overnight. In a devastating domino effect, the cost of basic foods like eggs, potatoes and cucumbers doubled or more.

In Saudi Arabia, where the inflation rate had been virtually zero for a decade, it has reached an official level of 6.5 percent, though unofficial estimates put it much higher. Public protests and boycotts have followed, and 19 prominent clerics posted an unusual statement on the Internet in December warning of a crisis that would cause “theft, cheating, armed robbery and resentment between rich and poor.”

A sneaky peek at our own future?
Read more on “High oil prices take a toll on the Gulf’s middle class“

Litter louts, illegal smokers and graffiti vandals, will soon be fined on-­the-spot around the Island.

In response to public con­cern, from April 2, the IW Council introduces this new initiative. Built on the Clean Neighbourhood and Environ­ment Act 2005, it allows fines from £30 to £300 to be imposed by fixed penalty notice.

Offences will include dropping litter, includ­ing cigarette butts, spraying graffiti, fly posting or leaving refuse outside their homes  too far in advance of collec­tion day.

It will be similar to the Council’s strategy with dog owners who fail to clean up after their dog.

The fines will not be used to gen­erate income, as the Council has been accused to profiting from car-park charges, and the Government from speeding fines.

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So often, you hear people say “Someone ought to do something about that”. Most of us have probably said it from time to time. But now someone is actually doing something about it!

This article from the Isle of Wight Council’s Press Office

Town Centre Managers Clean Up Lukely Brook
Date published: 08/02/2008

Newport’s town centre managers joined forces with one of Isle of Wight Council’s Community Support Officers to clean up one of the town’s rivers.

Armed with a grappling hook forged free of charge by local blacksmith, Vectis Armoury, Neil Perry and two town centre managers fished out five shopping trolleys from Lukely Brook as well as two roadworks signs and a bicycle.

The shopping trolleys were returned to B & Q and Sainsburys and the old bike was taken to the local tip for recycling once the clear up was completed.

Isle of Wight Council is currently drawing up a programme of works to clear up waterways on the Island as part of its on going “One Island” programme.”

More detail on the Council website:

Leading by example

Rudy Giuliani, Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001, showed that dealing with relatively minor problems in a highly visible way brings forward community support.

He brought innovative strategies in for reducing crime, reforming welfare, encouraging economic growth, and improving the overall quality of life.

Crime was halved, welfare numbers were halved while moving over 640,000 individuals from benefits to the dignity of self-sufficiency AND creating a record 450,000 new private sector jobs.

Despite various criticisms of the type politicians always seem to receive, he was a highly popular figure, credited with making New York the City that other cities looked up to. As news of the City’s resurgence has spread around the nation and the world, tourism grew to record levels.

Our Island could do with some of that.
And rescuing dumped shopping trolleys might be the start of it!
Is it time to volunteer some free time to help clear up?