2^nd Byte – My Personal Green Plan

The real green question is not what are you going to do, but rather what are you doing now.  I head a little known, but very important green group here on the coast called 2^nd Byte.  2^nd Byte is a non profit group which refurbishes donated computers, installs a licensed operating system, and licensed software.  We then place the computer with an individual who needs the computer for work or education but could not normally afford one.  We are developing computer services that are on the cutting edge.  For Example our terminal Services Project allows an individual with an old clunker of a computer to run Microsoft Office 2007 on Vista by using a simple web browser.  Our system has been up and running since the spring.  Microsoft’s same Service running on their own server farms was only announced last week and is called Azure.

We also recycle humans by working with youth at risk, people with disabilities, seniors and retired people.  Some bring us valuable skill sets; others bring simple enthusiasm, tireless energy, and dedication to our cause.  They all, almost without exception, are gaining better people skills, a better knowledge of computers, and a much better understanding of the needs on the Sunshine Coast.

We have started an environmentally friendly scrapping operation.  Equipment that can not be saved is reduced to its basic parts such a metal, plastic, cards, motherboards and power supplies.  Parts are being sorted and properly stored so we can either use them as repair parts or sell them to finance our operations.  Items such as scrap metal are responsibly recycled.

I hope to soon announce another major financial donation which will keep the lights on for some time.  I am also working on a donation of approximately 40 tons or six containers of electronic equipment.

Why Am I running?

My agenda is simple.  Keep doing the advocacy work that I am doing now.  Fix all of the above, (and a lot more) in a financially responsible, business like manner.  We need to get the Town of Gibsons back on track running as any successful multimillion dollar business should be run, which in reality is what the Town is!  The extra $500 I will receive on top of my disability will be a God send right now, and you know I will work very hard to earn it.