Charlotte, NC

Remember when Elvis sang “All I needed was the rain …”? Well, it looks like that’s the only thing that’ll keep us from havin’ an all-out water restriction here in Pantherland!

Y’see, Duke Energy and the CharMeck Utilities Department said Wednesday that we oughtta turn off our lawn sprinklers and stop “water-intensive” reseeding or planting the yard until more rain falls. It’s kinda hard for folks to take, considering that so many of ‘em are into their yardwork now that it’s a tad bit cooler. But they’ve said, unless we all becomes ultra-conservative with the H2O, they’re gonna have to put some serious restrictions on its usage — and that could happen as early as next week. Those restrictions are to be stronger than the ones we had in the ’80s.

Now, we already have water-use ordinances (called Stage 2 restrictions) — and, if ya don’t obey ‘em, you can be fined (so far, 427 fines have dented quite a few wallets here). What the ordinance means is that you can’t wash your cars and can only water your lawn twice a week. But you can hand-water lawns — you know … stand there and look bored while you water it with a hose and nozzle … and it’s okay to do that any day.

So, now — barring any more “sky juice,” we might be headin’ into Stage 3, which will limit lawn watering to once a week — and add a few more restrictions. If it gets realllllllllly bad, though, then we’ll be forced to go into Stage 4 which will restrict all outside water use! When that happens, it’ll mean Charlotte’s reservoirs are in a really bad way …

Until this drought is over and done with, let’s “stick with the program,” okay? We’ll be saving our water supply, our money (fines can be expensive, y’know!) … and keep the ITYS from hurting our feelings (”ITYS”: “I Told You So!!”)

ABOUT YESTERDAY’S POST

I’ve already heard from readers who say I was a little tough on those teens who were causing trouble in Garinger, etc. Sorry, but I stand behind what I said; and, sadly, to corroborate those words was a story that appeared in the Charlotte Observer today. Another youngster was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon (a gun) at Olympic High. The loaded .22 caliber weapon was found after he “verbally and physically attacked” the principal.
We can all work toward keeping this from happening again, Charlotte! All it takes is keeping the eyes and ears perked up for anything out of the ordinary, the mouth ready to report it … and a heart to try and help these kids.
When we work together and sincerely try to help our children, we’ll see some magnificent changes in our young people. And, after all, that’s all the Queen City actually has to ensure a future.