In the diesel fuel business, it is all about pennies. Fifteen, twenty years ago a price increase of a penny was a big jump and there were sequences of days when fuel prices did not change. So, when I saw the video on the link below about the National budget it really struck a chord. I get pennies and often spend time on the far right side of the decimal but when you get up in the millions, billions and trillions frankly it is harder for me to conceptualize. I thought this would be a great way for my kids and their friends, not to mention my coworkers, to understand the numbers we are hearing about in the news.
What I did not expect is one of the responses I got back from a friend of mine. She requested that I not send her any more political emails. Now, I admit, I can get on my dad’s soap box and rant a bit with the occasional unsolicited opinion about the current world order. What a scary realization- I did not even notice a political bend to the video. If you click on the link it does show the President pledging to reduce the National budget by $100,000,000. My first response was applause and frankly, so was my last response. (Again I like pennies, so saving even a $0.0025 is good by me!) What my friend, who tends to lean a little more left then I do, saw in the first 15 seconds was an attack on the President and that framed her opinion of the video, not the remaining minute, twenty three seconds.
I have watched it a number of times and if it were done 3 years ago and the President at that time was featured in the first 15 seconds, I realize that I would have considered it political too. This would have been compounded by the fact that my leftward leaning brother-in-law is the one who shared it with me! It really is just a great learning tool. I am a huge fan of learning, but realize my genetic skepticism would have made me miss this opportunity too. What a great lesson for me about education. Information is good, regardless of who shares it with you. I still applaud budget cuts wherever we can get them, especially since we just sent in our latest donation to the state and federal government…. don’t even get me started….
http://www.wimp.com/budgetcuts/
My Best, Mary
Mary Fleet Manager Wall DeWitt, diesel, economic recovery, fleet, fuel price increases, petroleum, policy
Hi All
I had an opportunity to hear Meg Whitman speak yesterday. I was impressed. Yes, I know, she does not have the greatest voting record, but when Fortune 500 companies are hiring their next CEO I would hazard a guess that they don’t limit their search to people who buy their product. We need someone to step up and treat our state like a business. A business with a charitable side, but a business. One that is failing and needs to be turned around.
If you have an opportunity to hear Meg, I highly encourage you to go. She started on time, spoke briefly and then took questions. She did not ask for money. (Did I mention she started on time….) You can submit your email on her webpage and they will update you when she is in your area.
At a minimum, follow this link, http://www.megwhitman.com/policy_magazine_distribution.php, and read her plan. 48 pages, it can be read over a cup of coffee or two, on the treadmill, while sitting in traffic… ok skip the last one, but read it. Hiring, I mean electing, people so deeply entrenched, personally- a la the Governator- or professionally in politics is not working. Does it scare anyone that we may regurgitate Jerry Brown. I am horrified.
Then be sure to vote, for anyone you want but vote. Encourage friends, family, staff, and complete strangers to vote. This is the link to apply to vote by mail http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_m.htm Print it, hand it out, vote!
We don’t want to leave our children with our debts. We have to try something new.
My Best- Mary
Mary Fleet Manager Wall DeWitt, diesel, Governor, Los Angeles, Meg Whitman
Well it is time for snowballs in Southern California! During yesterdays meeting, the CARB Board agreed to consider options on the New Diesel Truck Rules. Thank you to everyone who sent a letter. While it feels like just one letter may not make the difference, a whole lot of ones certainly do! See CIOMA’s Hot of the presses release.
Mary Fleet Manager Wall California, CARB, diesel, Diesel Truck
The recent uproar about the validity of the study on global warming, coincides with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) finally being called out by one of their own. While I am a big advocate for getting at least ONE business representative on the CARB Board, I am thankful that Board member Dr. John G. Tellez took a stand. Members of the CARB Board and Staff were aware of problems with the study that was the main support for the truck regulation’s implementation, but DID NOT inform Dr. Tellez and other Board members before they voted on the final rule. He is requesting that the regulation be postponed, so are we and if you have a fleet of vehicles, you should too.
My Best, Mary
December 7, 2009
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via Fax: 916.558.3160
Subject: Need to Postpone On-Road Diesel Truck Regulation
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
I am writing on behalf of my company and the 1,300 businesses we serve in Southern California to request that you postpone the On-Road Diesel Truck Regulation. Two California Air Resource Board members have asked that the Truck Rule be set aside due to ethical and legal implications surrounding the development of that report and the qualifications of a key individual who authored the report. We concur.
This regulation has the potential to put many small and medium-sized businesses out of operation due to its expense. We are a financially stable, 64 year old company, with deep enough roots to survive the current economy, but even we are considering shutting down certain segments of our business due to the onerous cost of the this regulation. Unfortunately, many of my customers are in even worse positions. The loss of these businesses will have a dramatic domino effect on the economy of Southern California. The Board must address the affordability of this regulation.
Delay of the regulation will not adversely affect air quality as the economic downturn has already significantly reduced diesel emissions through reduced trucking and construction in the state. This was verified by CARB staff recently at a public workshop where, with no action, the state will meet 2011 SIP commitments for NOX and PM2.5.
Strong management of California’s well being REQUIRES that you delay this rule. Ethics and morality demand that you look at CARB, its Board and what their lack of honesty will continue to cost this state and the people trying to live here.
Mary D. Wilson
President and Third Generation Petroleum Marketer
Mary Fleet Manager Wall CARB, Diesel Regulation, Gevernor Schwarzenegger
This email and photo that was sent around right after 9/11, reminds me of how lucky we are to have young men and women fighting for our freedoms and that when we see them here at home, we should thank them. To all of our armed service men and women, to our Veterans and to those that our still abroad…We stand by you.
My Best,
Mary
If you haven’t served aboard ship — “manning the rail” is a shipboard ceremony reserved for only high ranking dignitaries, such as Heads of State.
This is an e-mail from an Ensign stationed aboard the USS WINSTON CHURCHILL.
________________________________________
Dear Dad,
Well, we are still out at sea, with little direction as to what our next priority is. The remainder of our port visits, which were to be centered around max liberty and goodwill to the United Kingdom, have all but been canceled. We have spent every day since the attacks going back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high-security watches, and trying to make the best of our time.
It hasn’t been that fun I must confess, and to be even more honest, a lot of people are frustrated at the fact that they either can’t be home, or we don’t have more direction right now. We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated as we are, I don’t think we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects. About two hours ago the junior officers were called to the bridge to conduct Ship-handling drills. We were about to do a man overboard when we got a call from the Lutjens (D185), a German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier in Plymouth, England. While in port, the Winston S. Churchill and the Lutjens got together for a sports day/cookout on our fantail, and we made some pretty good friends. Now at sea they called over on bridge-to-bridge, requesting to pass us close up on our port side, to say good-bye.
We prepared to render them honors on the bridge-wing, and the Captain told the crew to come topside to wish them farewell. As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer announced through her binoculars that they were flying an American flag. As they came even closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast. The bridge-wing was crowded with people as the Boatswain’s Mate blew two whistles- Attention to Port- the ship came up alongside and we saw that the entire crew of the German ship were manning the rails, in their dress blues. They had made up a sign that was displayed on the side that read “We Stand By You.”
"We Stand by You"
Needless to say there was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and we cut our salutes. It was probably the most powerful thing I have seen in my entire life and more than a few of us fought to retain our composure. It was a beautiful day outside today. We are no longer at liberty to divulge over unsecured e-mail our location, but we could not have asked for a finer day at sea. The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew, and it has truly been the highest point in the days since the attacks. It’s amazing to think that only a half-century ago things were quite different, and to see the unity that is being demonstrated throughout Europe and the world makes us all feel proud to be out here doing our job.
After the ship pulled away and we prepared to begin our man overboard drills the Officer of the Deck turned to me and said “I’m staying Navy.”
I’ll write you when I know more about when I’ll be home, but for now, this is probably the best news that I could send you. Love you guys.
Mary Fleet Manager Wall