Newspapers are different from blogs for a number of reasons, among them the nasty reality of the deadline. Accordingly, my hunch from the beginning was that last evening's neighborhood forum would be little different from previous meetings, and so I wrote my Tribune column last weekend with a larger picture in mind.
BAYLOR: Stand united, fall divided
While listening to the proceedings, I found myself thinking about the gaping chasm between the ability to think, which prefaces every achievement in human history on planet Earth, and the default sensory mechanism whereby a rubber mallet striking the knee causes the lower leg to stand at attention.
So much has been discussed in this and other venues. Co-editor Bluegill has observed on numerous occasions that neighborhood revitalization must proceed with desired outcomes in mind. Earlier in the week, reader Brandon Smith offered much the same outline, suggesting that support be rallied for certain desired outcomes irrespective of ideology on the part of those advocating for it.
My column today argues that without the messy work of grassroots organization in neighborhoods throughout the city, and a shared sense of purpose, little of substance will be accomplished in reaching these desired outcomes. As was the case last night, concerned residents are capable of articulating matters that are symptoms of the problem, but for so long as we settle for temporary solutions, we'll all be back at the same place in another year saying the same thing again, and hoping that somehow in the end, there will be a difference.
Isn't that the clinical definition of insanity?
Look, I'm not trying to be difficult here, and I'm not criticizing anyone except those deserving of it, like our perennially clueless 3rd district councilman Steve Price, who can sit through two hours of earnest discussion about neighborhood revitalization and conclude that if we only had a licensed garbage transfer station, all would be well. This is a staggering feat of willful non-comprehension, but give him his due: He does have a desired outcome in mind, albeit one where a dumpster would be positioned for him to accept a decrepit patio chair when the people next door complain about it.
Yes, that's all the vision mustered by the typical houseplant, although it does qualify as vision. It should serve to illustrate the virulence of the obstructionism that we're up against, and it should suggest very strongly that the time to plan, to organize and to raise money is now.
That's enough of my tilting. If you were there, please post a comment and give readers your impressions.
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18 comments:
On the one hand I was impressed with the attendance in terms of the new faces & voices that were present. (new as in residing outside the borders of ESNA)
I was disappointed in that many heretofore strong voices on the issues discussed chose not to attend.
I was further disappointed with the status quo position of the city officials as a whole of "We're doing what we can with what we have!" even when it was pointed out repeatedly that the many tools they have at their disposal aren't being used!
Did they hear what was being said? I guess time will tell.
But I hope they at the very least understand that time doesn't stand still.
Tick-toc,tick-------------!
The mayor has promised new, substantial answers in 30 days. I'm wondering what can be accomplished in 30 days that couldn't have been taken care of in the last year.
Roger, I too was just floored by Mr. Price last night. My jaw is still hurting from where it hit the floor when he began talking about the transfer station.
Even as I approached you and Lloyd last night complaining about the meeting last night going for 2 hours and that was the best Mr. Price came up with, I was reeling from the lack of comprehension of issues shown by my councilman. (Let's remember that this was my first encounter with the man)
It was obvious he had written in large letters on a piece of paper TRANSFER STATION and made it his singleminded purpose last night...
By the way...did a representative from ROCK or FOS attend last night?
I know of their concern for the welfare of New Albany and this would have been a terrific chance for those folks to provide some input, no?
Bluegill was absolutely correct in that we have to know what we want to accomplish before we decide on the steps to attain those goals. It seems that it's a concept lost on some of our officials, but I saw alot of others in the room nodding in agreement.
Lloyd, no, I was not in attendence. I started back working Jan 1, no time for wasting time with our lead-poisoned city leaders. Not only are most of the “little people” I’ve met here clinically functionally retarded, ha, we actually pay them to run local government. There will be NO CHANGE, no progress toward revitalization along 21st century lines until we throw out the wrecking crew. I am no longer willing to waste my otherwise hopefully productive breath on people who can not listen. City government has been in hands of two groups for a 100 friggin years: the self-interested, and the otherwise unemployable. That the good citizens who dream and scheme of a better place are fool enough to yet again allow the city to appear to be listening, while doing nothing, just makes me think there isn’t a rational person in the whole town. I’ll support asking the state to take the city into receivership so we can make a fresh start. Otherwise, whatever happens next will just be more waste.
Be sure and let us know how the state thing goes.
Bluegill - I'm serious. They do it in Mass when cities or towns fall apart, why not here? They'll give it back when all the books are clean and transparent. How else do we do this? Get some accountability at city hall?
New City T-shirt I want: "The mayor has promised new, substantial answers in 30 days." thanks Bayernfan!
What's fallen apart? And besides, state involvement has only added to our problems. They have a MUCH larger accountability problem than does local government. The way Indiana law works, we're pretty much in receivership all the time. The last thing we need to do is expand their reach.
Gina,
Congratulations on your health improving to to point where you can return to produtive and hopefully happy living.
As to the issues at hand, don't think for a second that I (and the rest of us for that matter) aren't frustrated beyond belief.
I find I have to take a break every so often to retain my composure.
However I will not give the status quo the satisfaction of being able to say "We knew they'd go away if we held out long enough!"
The fact that we are acknowledged is evidence enough that we have their attention.
That being said, now is not the time to fold up the tents and hide in our humble abodes.
Nay it is the time to become more informed, better organiized, and very specific about how, what & where we want to be when we hand the reigns to our prodigy.
We need more voices to understand that we the people are infact in charge. And being in charge means leading the charge, not cleaning up the mess and living off the leavein's after the fact!
I've often noted that after a wild fire is put out the firefighters spend a considrable amount of time stirring thru the ash pile to make sure there aren't live embers left that could restart the flames if left unattended.
Now is the time to move forward, not take a vaction!
2004: I keep waiting for the government to take the lead but they're incapable of change.
2005: I keep waiting for the government to take the lead but they're incapable of change.
2006: I keep waiting for the government to take the lead but they're incapable of change.
2007: I keep waiting for the government to take the lead but they're incapable of change.
2008: I keep waiting for the government to take the lead but they're incapable of change.
2009: I keep waiting for the government to take the lead but they're incapable of change.
Ok, Bluegill, I'll take your bait "What's fallen apart?"
civics
nature
hope
How do those things relate to receivership, which is a financial intervention?
If civics and hope are essential to proper municipal function, isn't it contradictory to claim that those who are "fool enough" to engage in them are irrational?
... going around in circles is irrational.
Expecting an orbit to change without the introduction of outside forces is, too.
Unfortunately, there is no one but to blame but ourselves. We as a community always manage to end up with the same people in the offices for the most part.
And we the community elect them, time and time again. Name recognition plays a major role in that, and the professional politicians know this, and play off of it.
It is useless to expect actual change until the community as whole is made aware of the problems that lurk beyond the vision of back yard privacy fences so to speak.
some change is happening, yes. But by God the laws are there, they are tested and proven, and for the most part forgotten, ignored or unevenly enforced.
We live in a community where Joe citizen will be fined for his car tires being parked partially on the curn with out fail, but companies like CCE, inc. can ignore every single local, state and federal law regarding disposal of waste tires for years on end, and that same company can continue to get city contract after city contract for demolision.
Until we fill the hallowed halls of the city county building with officials who are willing to enforce the laws equally, and effectively, we can not expect any true reversal of the current trend. (even more so when they can use the excuse of no money).
Neighborhood associations, community associations, etc are all EXCELLENT, but we also need a system of education for the voting public to take off the blinders and realize they have been paying a majority of elected and appointed officals for a job they have not been doing properly, to the point that if they were in the private sector they would have been fired long ago.
My fear the education will come when someone wises up and sues the living crap out of the city for failure to protect the citizens it represents when some gets hurt or worse from the rampid decay eating away our city like cancer.
(sorry feeling a but bitter today!)
I agree, educating the public is job one. Neighborhood associations are great but are somewhat "micro" do to their very nature.
To educate on the macro issues it will take mass media. In some ways the Internet can aid in this through the blogs. The only other mass media that we have is the Tribune. The Louisville TV stations are going to show a 10 second clip of a packed room for a smoking or "sex" debate and that's it.
I'm encouraged that the Tribune has taken a more aggressive stance on reporting AND commenting on local issues. The Tribune has a broader reach than our local blogs. Write letters to them. Encourage them. Talk to the staff and give them your ideas. Be brave and go on the record. If YOU are in the paper, perhaps your friends will subscribe and further the reach of the ONLY mass media that we have.
May I suggest that a few of you run for office?
Daniel,
I would LOVE to run for office, and nearly threw my hat in the ring several times.
But unfortunately, I am doing good just keeping my head above water at the clinic, and I do not want to take away from those who need assistance with medical care.
If we manage to get federal monies for the Floyd and Harrison clinics where the atmosphere is more stable, I'm gonna run.
(and probably lose)
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