Homers -- What's going right

CLEAN UP, RECYCLE: The four fall Clean Up CR events collected nearly 483 tons of materials from Cedar Rapids residents. The best news is that nearly two-thirds of it was diverted from the landfill. The half-price appliance drop-off event also had a good response: 578 appliances for recycling at the landfill. For more information on year-round recycling, contact the landfill at (319) 286-5162, or www.solidwasteagency.org.

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WIND GARDENS: We applaud Linn County supervisors' decision to have a Texas company assess our area's potential for wind-power generation, toward a proposal to develop small-scale “wind gardens” at several county-owned locations. The company bears the cost of the study, as the county explores an option for possible savings and greener energy.

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STRONGER TOGETHER: Regional cooperation and initiatives are seen by many development experts as vital to growth and quality of life. And Linn County supervisors' decision to join an Interstate 380 lobbying coalition with neighbors Johnson and Black Hawk counties should boost our region's voice at the Legislature. Could it lead to initiatives outside the Statehouse?