Broken Pipes

In recent years alarm bells have been sounding off all across the nation about the rising levels of lead coming into homes, businesses, daycare's and schools through the water lines.  Without a doubt and with medical research and doctors backing up the findings, lead in the water system is a danger to the general public and especially for young children.  This has been an issue in the making for decades, impacting several generations and now has become critical.  We have all become aware that the consumption of lead at any level has a long term impact upon little children and their cognitive development.  This is unquestionable a serious problem. 

It’s always has been a problem and the more we have learned about the long term effects of lead, the more we have grown skeptical about how it is used in business, industry, construction and for storage.  For years lead has been a key component in paints, pipes, manufacturing and construction.  Trying to find alternatives and replacing lead piping in aging infrastructure projects and communities continues to be a tall order and expensive.  Regardless of what the financial cost are to replace or upgrade, it pales in terms to the long term physical and mental health of residents. 

The water crisis in Flint, MI helped to raise the issue and gave voice to other cities and states struggling with the same issue.  Additionally, the Flint situation helped us all to understand how serious a problem can grow if not addressed in time.  It also helped us to review processes, policies, adjusting budgets and to take a serious look at what we should be doing now before matters get worst.  In addition, the Flint water crisis became a flash point that stirred a national outcry for change in governmental accountability, water management and environmental stewardship. 

Perhaps the more interesting aspect of any national crisis is not just what happen, but what has been the response to the crisis.  In some cases we witness broken pipes in terms of communications, follow through and clean-up.  And now as we moved on to the next national crisis, we must become aware of the importance of not only dealing with the situation at hand, but also to make sure that our lines of communication are also not broken.  

Treading Water

Don’t you just love it when summer officially comes in Wisconsin, I certainly do.  Although short lived, it does make us feel good to enjoy the warmer weather, if only for a few months.  It’s a time to take advantage of doing a number of outdoor activities including going to the beach, listening to a summer concert in the park, boating on the lake, running in a distance race, family reunion, gardening or just going on a meaningful day trip or vacation.  Without question, it is a time we all look forward to each year.    

On one hand, we see people who are making more than a livable wage or higher incomes.  For them these are great times.  It’s a time to invest in stocks, bonds, housing, and a business startup, become an adventure capitalist or just sit back and enjoy the fruits of one’s labor.  There seems to be no limit on what can be done, the sky is the limit, for these are some of the “best” days of their lives.  It is certainly a time of personal enrichment, renewal, expansion and to “ride the waves until they stop.”       

On the other hand and regardless of what each season brings, a lot of people living in urban America see little to no change at all in terms of their socioeconomic status or living condition.  Today, there are many more people who lives only consist of a daily grind to ink out a simple living and nothing more.  Without a break, each day they find it quite difficult to see any potential opportunity in the midst of just getting by.  Even when working a second or third part time job, they can only do the basic bare medium and yet feel trapped by the reality of real life experiences. 

The one sure thing about treading water in life is the fact that you have to be able to stay afloat, all the while trying to keep your head above water.  It is much harder than you think and to accomplish.  And when you do not have a certain level of education, training skills nor the opportunity, the next incoming wave can take you under.  It is one thing to keep your hands moving and legs kicking, it’s another to see your way forward when all around you looks and feels the same.