Steven Pearlstein’s editorial in The Washington Post today imagined an alternative universe in which a top Wall Street executive took control of a 2006 investors’ meeting, decrying the company’s excessive risk taking, warped loan underwriting standards, and the credit bubble. Pearlstein argues that a business leader who had taken these steps might have suffered in the short term, but could have led many others to reconsider the path to ruin. A link to the editorial is in this blog’s Paperweight section.
Glendale, California resident John McMahon addressed the City Council this past Tuesday on the subject of the cellular telephone antenna T-Mobile proposed to install on the parkway in front of his house on Cumberland Road. McMahon referred to a recent communication from the city attorney’s office to local neighbors, stating to them that federal regulations effectively prevented the city from influencing the placement of cellular antennas.
Instead of allowing telecommunications companies to dictate to us, McMahon said, city staff and council members should take a strong stand, show leadership, and stand up for the community. His comments can be heard at the 4 hour, 16 minute mark on this archived video of the Tuesday, December 9, 2008 Glendale City Council meeting.
Thank you, John McMahon, both for your exhortation to the city, and for the patience and interest you showed during the 4 hours and 15 minutes preceding your time at the podium!
The Glendale News Press today reported on the plans of newly organized Glendale Organized Against Cell Towers (GO ACT), and featured a photo of the banner McMahon placed across the front of his house – check out the link in the Paperweight archives section for December 12, 2008.