Rep. Mike Noel’s concern for jobs in Southern Utah was addressed by me in a recent letter to the SL Tribune and in a recent e-mail to Mr. Noel:

Dear Editor

Thanks Paul Rolly for the Mike Noel ‘hate my grandkids’ story  http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/55974708-90/noel-state-bill-committee.html.csp

Mike ‘introduced’ me at a Richfield meeting last April saying my environmental activism makes it difficult for his 18 grandchildren to find jobs. He’s concerned with jobs in Southern Utah – so am I.

Utah needs stable, rewarding, sustainable jobs for today’s 21st Century economy. Rep. Noel’s ‘jobs’ are based on 18th Century assumptions of infinite air, water, and land resources. We now know the world is finite. Responsible grandparents should protect the land and environment for our progeny and future generations.

Before I ran (unsuccessfully!) for Congress, I taught engineering at University of Utah and did energy and biotechnology workshops (as a volunteer) for The Leonardo (www.theleonardo.org) .

Eighteen is a perfect number for one of my hands on workshops on science, biotechnology, and energy. I’d love to work with Mike and his 18 grandchildren in one of my workshops – perhaps in Kanab in May during Amazing Earthfest (http://amazingearthfest.com/2013-7th-ae/ ).

Let’s discover and discuss principles, opportunities, and possibilities in a range of areas of science, engineering, and economics. Let’s set up a workshop!

joe.andrade@utah.edu

This is a serious offer. So far, no response. Perhaps Noel isn’t really interested in jobs.