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Tuesday, October 7, 2008
ASK THE ADVOCATE
| Every Monday through Friday, The Advocate will answer questions from its readers. One question will be answered per day. Send questions to asktheadvocate@theadvocate.com. |
| Tuesday, October 7, 2008 |
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Q: May I ask if the authorities that be are checking to see if we are getting a whole gallon of gas for the price at the pump? A: “The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Weights and Measures Division performs calibration checks on all retail motor fuel dispensing devices at least once a year,” agriculture department spokeswoman Laura Lindsay wrote in an e-mail. “Each device must be within an allowable plus or minus 6 cubic inches volume for a test delivery of 5 gallons and compute the total purchase price to within $0.01 (price per gallon X number of gallons). If the device is off by more than 20 cubic inches, it is rejected for use and cannot be put back into service until repaired and passes a re-inspection by the department’s weights and measures inspector. If it is off by less than 20 cubic inches, the station can continue to use the device but is ordered to repair the device within 72 hours. The fuel dispenser would have to pass a re-inspection to remain in use. If the computed value is off by more than $0.01 the device is rejected for use. The agriculture department also assures proper labeling of fuel dispensers for grade and type and that the pumped motor fuel meets octane and other fuel quality specifications. Consumers can call the department’s Division of Weights & Measures at 1-800-247-1086 if they have questions concerning gasoline quality or measurements.” |
| Friday, October 3, 2008 |
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Q: I was wondering if all of the fallen trees being picked up around town after the storm are going to a landfill or are they being sent to a paper mill to be used. There is more than enough to do something useful with it, such as maybe turning it into mulch. I have heard that in Dallas, waste trees are turned into mulch for the community to get. You clean up and the waste is then used and doesn’t fill a landfill. A: Pete Newkirk, director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Department of Public Works, said the trees, branches and other green waste are being taken to a debris staging area before the material will be recycled for other uses. “They will be chopped up and used for mulch, fuel or sold to a paper mill,” Newkirk said. As of Sept. 30, the debris contractor, Ceres Environmental Services, had picked up 1.34 million cubic yards or debris from the hurricanes Gustav and Ike, he said. |
| Thursday, October 2, 2008 |
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Q: Where are the lions and tigers that were at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo? A: Construction of the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo’s next attraction, “Realm of the Tiger,” necessitated the demolition of the original large cat exhibit at the zoo’s entrance, said Phil Frost, zoo director. Prior to demolition, the zoo had to relocate the cats living in the exhibit. All larger cats, like cougars, lions and tigers are now on loan to other Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoos, while the smaller bobcats may be viewed at the small cats’ area of the zoo, Frost said. The new exhibit “Realm of the Tiger” will have an Asian theme and will feature tigers, Siamang gibbons, a walk-through aviary with Asian birds, plus a Koi pond and rock garden. Construction is projected to take around a year, Frost said. |
| Wednesday, October 1, 2008 |
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Q: Recently a tennis player died at one of the BREC facilities. Does BREC have defibrillators at their parks? Are employees trained in their use? What about at the YMCA facilities? A: Health clubs with more than 50 members have been required under state law to have automated external defibrillators on site since 2004. To comply with the health club law, the East Baton Rouge Parish Recreation and Park Commission has 12 AEDs at its fitness centers and pools. BREC, however, does not have any of the devices in its gyms or recreation centers. Spokeswoman Kristi Williams said the agency is looking for funding to buy more of the devices for those buildings. “We’re trying to get them as soon as we can,” Williams said. She said two local cardiologists recently donated a pair of AEDs to BREC, but the agency hasn’t decided where it will place those once it receives them in November. Williams said BREC trains all of its full-time staff and park rangers in CPR and the use of AEDs. The YMCA also has AEDs at its locations to comply with the health club law, said marketing director Kristen Hogan. |
| More questions |
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The Advocate keeps Ask The Advocate content online for one month. |
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Send questions to Ask The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588; or fax to Ask The Advocate, 225-388-0297; or e-mail to asktheadvocate@theadvocate.com. |
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