Apparently the Grass isn't Always Greener - Identifying Local Opportunities

Dear readers,

Today I present to you local opportunities in the Gainesville area!

1)
"Driver Unhappy with syncing of traffic lights"
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160124/ARTICLES/160129827/1002/news01?Title=Driver-unhappy-with-synching-of-traffic-lights

This news article is about Michelle Cohan, a Gainesville resident, who complained to the Gainesville traffic operations center about the syncing of traffic lights. Specifically, Cohan mentions the lights at the intersections of NW 16th Boulevard and 34th Street and 16th and 43rd streets. Each light only lasts long enough for not more than 10 cars to pass, a problem at rush hours. Any one who drives during these peak hours in these areas has the same issue. The lights on Newberry Road also had complaints, says Gainesville traffic manager Emmanuel Posadas, and the traffic operations center is looking into it. The real issue is that the lights need to be evaluated and re-synced to fit the needs of the community, while not disrupting the 'main arterial' roads.

2)
"Alachua County Commission votes to move toward civil citation for pot"
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160119/ARTICLES/160119626/1150/news01?Title=Alachua-County-Commission-votes-to-move-toward-civil-citation-for-pot

The Alachua County Commission voted last week to potentially issue anyone who gets caught with 20 grams or less of marijuana with a civil citation, as opposed to being charged with a misdemeanor. Currently, someone with 20 grams or less could possibly have a year of jail time and a $1000 dollar fine. While the county could not have the power to decriminalize marijuana, it does have the power to decrease charges; doing this would be following the footsteps of several other Florida counties. State commissioners have yet to approve the ordinance. This ordinance would help alleviate issues such as young people getting criminal records that haunt them for the rest of their lives. The main backers to this would be people who have previously had their records marred because of silly mistakes as teenagers who wouldn't want it happen to anyone else.

3)
"Dogs patronize Gainesville restaurants, never pick up tab"
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160121/ARTICLES/160129926/1003/NEWS?Title=Dogs-patronize-Gainesville-restaurants-never-pick-up-tab

Recently, owners in Gainesville have begun to bring their pet dogs to restaurants which have begun to both formally and informally allow the practice. While the practice is illegal according to state law, local city governments can issue permits  allowing pets to be permitted in certain outdoor areas, such as porches or patios. However, most restaurants are not dog-friendly or do not have permits for whatever reason. This is a real issue for people who love their pets as family and want to bring them wherever they go.

4)
Rock Gym faces unstable ground, buoyed by locals' support
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160119/ARTICLES/160119614/1003/NEWS?Title=Rock-Gym-faces-unstable-ground-buoyed-by-locals-support

The Gainesville Rock Gym was recently stunned when it found out that its walls were cracking, sinking, and needing repair. It is currently closed as it gathers funds to fix the concrete slabs and move to a more stable location. The problem which caused the sinking is likely the result of a sinkhole, which is dangerous and costly if not discovered in time. The problem not only affects the gym, but also their neighbors, and surrounding properties have been urged to look for any signs that could indicate a possible collapse.

5)
Gainesville acquiring kits to battle overdoses
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/114686/

The Gainesville Police Department is now equipping its officers with drug overdose kits to save lives, a partner project with the Medical Association of Georgia Foundation. Each kit contains naloxone, an anti-opiate medication which has a great success rate in preventing deaths from prescription drugs and other substances, such as heroin. So far, at least 37 police officers in Florida have used the kit to save lives. It is important because officers are often the first to respond to an emergency situation, and having these kits on-hand helps prevent cases where EMTs cannot respond in time. The issue is that drug overdosing is becoming an epidemic, according to the CDC, and there are possible bills in the making which will make drug education and addiction counseling a requirement for anyone taking opioids on a consistent basis. The problem of drug overdose affects not only those prescribed opiates, but also the loved ones of these patients.