Tom Petersen: A Special Public Servant

 For a half-century, he served Miami-Dade as VISTA volunteer, public defender, top administrator in the state attorney's office -- and finally judge. He was the only person I wrote two Tropic cover stories on. His quests continue to fascinate and trouble me. My memories of this extraordinary man are HERE.  

Miami-Dade Recycling To Miss Deadline

Miami-Dade's plan to change its recycling won't meet a March 31 deadline. Full story at the right, or click HERE

What To Do with Plastic No Recycler Wants

My esteemed spouse, super-recycler Kathy Martin, found a company that would accept plastic that our local recycling facilities reject. The cost was hefty -- as was the uncertainty about what happens to the stuff. Full story available HERE.  

FPL Finally Gets Smart About Burying Lines

 For decades, Florida Power & Light said burying lines was "not a silver bullet." Then it offered to underground if the community paid. Now, the worst areas are getting buried lines for essentially nothing. For full story see the page on left or click HERE.

Boulevard Market in New Yorker

 Mercy Supermarket, 6600 Biscayne Blvd., was the title subject of a poem by Campbell McGrath in The New Yorker. What would the owner think about this honor? I had to find out. 

Full post HERE. 

Two Ways to Better Recycling

  A major nonprofit group has two proven ideas for bettering every place’s recycling performance: Bigger carts, more info.

Full story HERE.

False Claim about Dade Recycling Deal

 Does anyone want the recycling collected by Miami-Dade County? All the material now from 350,000 homes ends up in western Broward County at a facility run by Waste Management.

Kessler Consulting, hired by the county, reported flatly: “WMI has stated they will not continue providing services once the current contract terminates.”

Well, in fact, Waste Management will be happy to continue to provide recycling services for Miami-Dade. 

Full story available HERE.