It has been some time since I have uttered a single thought or opinion from the confines of my Cumberland Patriot citadel. I guess with each Spring rain I cross my fingers and eyes and pray that Cumberland doesn't swell with water and overwhelm the antiquated sewer system. I anticipate that while the value of my home declines and gentle waves lap against my front stoop, I will be equally focused on how loudly I have to yell for help over the sounds of airplanes overhead. Will the Springtime waterway that is Cumberland become yet another place for planes to land? Imagine a smooth water landing in our front yards! A handy place to touch down, hmmm?
Okay, we have a new Mayor but much time is being spent cleaning up his predecessor's mess. I am willing to give him some time to move the needle on our town's issues, but in the meantime we will endure higher fees for everything and perhaps fewer public safety personnel to secure this suburban Garden of Eden. Park Ridge is not a dangerous place to live and I doubt a drive-by shooting will take me out in my driveway, but how fast will an ambulance arrive if I need one?
Just sayin.....
Glad to be back..
The Cumberland Patriot
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Friday, August 1, 2008
Now or Never for Robert Ryan
In this week's Herald-Advocate, a story appeared, complete with photo, of 5th Ward Alderman Robert Ryan in the midst of 50 of his constituents, concerned about the development of the former Napleton Cadillac property.
There he stood, one arm in the air, appearing to be fervently focused on the issue at hand. He was having his John Adams moment.
As a member of the Save Cumberland Coalition, I have to ask...when do we get our piece of fiery oratory on our behalf?
If our group formed a human chain across Cumberland to protest the Cumberland Expansion, would he stand with us, or would a photographer have to be there? The Cumberland Extension, according to Mayor Frimark, has been put on the "backburner." Hmmm...no photo opp there.
Ryan has been publicly criticized for his lackluster performance as the 5th ward's voice at City Council. Has he had an epiphany? Is Ryan actually going to meet with the other citizens' groups he represents, or do we wait until we bump into him in the hallway at a City Council meeting?
Of course, there is always that hope that he has indeed had an epiphany. That he will roll up his sleeves and listen-with or without a camera poised to catch him in his aldermanic glory.
The 5th Ward should throw down the gauntlet. It's time for him to represent all of us.
With or without a photographer.
The Cumberland Patriot
There he stood, one arm in the air, appearing to be fervently focused on the issue at hand. He was having his John Adams moment.
As a member of the Save Cumberland Coalition, I have to ask...when do we get our piece of fiery oratory on our behalf?
If our group formed a human chain across Cumberland to protest the Cumberland Expansion, would he stand with us, or would a photographer have to be there? The Cumberland Extension, according to Mayor Frimark, has been put on the "backburner." Hmmm...no photo opp there.
Ryan has been publicly criticized for his lackluster performance as the 5th ward's voice at City Council. Has he had an epiphany? Is Ryan actually going to meet with the other citizens' groups he represents, or do we wait until we bump into him in the hallway at a City Council meeting?
Of course, there is always that hope that he has indeed had an epiphany. That he will roll up his sleeves and listen-with or without a camera poised to catch him in his aldermanic glory.
The 5th Ward should throw down the gauntlet. It's time for him to represent all of us.
With or without a photographer.
The Cumberland Patriot
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Do we have too much time on our hands?
Do we have too much time on our hands?
I have been "waiting in the weeds" of late. I have been observing the PADS uproar, The Taste of Park Ridge inquisition, and I have to ask the question:
Do Park Ridge residents have too much time on their hands?
Although I too, have opinions on the topics that have gripped our town recently, we seem to be mired in the minutiae of that most imnportant entity.....OURSELVES.
I struggle to balance my "citizen role" in the world outside of Park Ridge, with my desire to watch out for myself and my neighbors.
How much community self absorbtion is too much? I don't have an answer.
My passion for saving Cumberland from super-highway status has dragged me kicking and screaming into the processes that determine our community's "way of doing things." We profess humanitarian concerns, but don't want to help in our own backyard. We establish local celebrations that are fraught with personal agendas. We raise our children in a "bubble," and then send them out into the world ill-equipped for reality. And we do it all in the name of safety. We don't want reality to touch us, and so we over-analyze our lives here and forget that we are citizens of a larger world. I am also guilty of this myopic view of community. Maybe, if we chose to dip our toes into the icy waters outside of our bubble, we would be better citizens when we return to the comfy bathwater of our town. Maybe being a sef-absorbed citizen is a good place to start. I'll jump into the cold waters of the bigger picture. Anyone care to join me?
The Cumberland Patriot
1 – 1 of 1
I have been "waiting in the weeds" of late. I have been observing the PADS uproar, The Taste of Park Ridge inquisition, and I have to ask the question:
Do Park Ridge residents have too much time on their hands?
Although I too, have opinions on the topics that have gripped our town recently, we seem to be mired in the minutiae of that most imnportant entity.....OURSELVES.
I struggle to balance my "citizen role" in the world outside of Park Ridge, with my desire to watch out for myself and my neighbors.
How much community self absorbtion is too much? I don't have an answer.
My passion for saving Cumberland from super-highway status has dragged me kicking and screaming into the processes that determine our community's "way of doing things." We profess humanitarian concerns, but don't want to help in our own backyard. We establish local celebrations that are fraught with personal agendas. We raise our children in a "bubble," and then send them out into the world ill-equipped for reality. And we do it all in the name of safety. We don't want reality to touch us, and so we over-analyze our lives here and forget that we are citizens of a larger world. I am also guilty of this myopic view of community. Maybe, if we chose to dip our toes into the icy waters outside of our bubble, we would be better citizens when we return to the comfy bathwater of our town. Maybe being a sef-absorbed citizen is a good place to start. I'll jump into the cold waters of the bigger picture. Anyone care to join me?
The Cumberland Patriot
1 – 1 of 1
Friday, July 4, 2008
Hug A Patriot Today!
Most Americans view the 4th of July as a day off of work, a BBQ, and a few fireworks. When we are at war patriotism moves up a notch and we spew rhetoric that is comfy and noisy, and we all beat our American chests and feel like we are patriots because we uttered a few tired phrases that make us all feel better. Ahhhhh, my patriotic duty is over for the year...phew. Complacency rules. Citizenship in this country is not a passive novelty. It is, every day, conducting ourselves in a way that makes this country the best place on earth to live. Note that I said best; not perfect, not easy, not without conflict. Growth is messy, love is messy, hell, life is messy-why wouldn't a Democracy be messy? The best, most important things are. We have no clue what it was like for our forefathers. To be a Patriot was to be marked for hanging, to ruin one's livelihood, to risk one's land, ....I could go on.
On the 4th of July, of the same year, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams drew their last breath. A fitting end to their patriotic lives, huh?
So, look around you today. Who do you know that quietly lives a patriot's life of decency,respect and helpfulness?
Who throws the paper just a bit closer to your door for you on some mornings? Who calls you when the power goes out to see if you need anything? Who moves your garbage cans when they have fallen over? Who waves and says hello as you walk through town? Patriots, one and all. Hug A Patriot today!
The Cumberland Patriot
On the 4th of July, of the same year, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams drew their last breath. A fitting end to their patriotic lives, huh?
So, look around you today. Who do you know that quietly lives a patriot's life of decency,respect and helpfulness?
Who throws the paper just a bit closer to your door for you on some mornings? Who calls you when the power goes out to see if you need anything? Who moves your garbage cans when they have fallen over? Who waves and says hello as you walk through town? Patriots, one and all. Hug A Patriot today!
The Cumberland Patriot
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wherefore Art Thou Robert Ryan?
I am a resident of the apparently under-served 5th Ward in Park Ridge. Yes, 5th Ward Alderman Robert Ryan has the worst attendance record among all the aldermen, according to recent media coverage by our local newspaper. The Save Cumberland Coalition is a bit....hmmmm....how do you say?...confused....Ryan has introduced himself to us, his merry little band of constituents, and we have voiced our concerns about the Cumberland Extension. He was indeed present at the Public Safety Committee meeting that we all attended, and then again at the City Council meeting we attended as well. His words to us?
"It's never going to happen."
Now, those words should be uplifting to any group seeking support from their fearless aldermanic leader. We should all be able to breath a collective sigh of relief and do the happy dance in our Cumberland driveways.
But, now that his record has been revealed, "Ryan’s many absences have not deterred him from making decisions on significant City issues, however, and his decisions have often been contrary to the expressed desires of his constituents."
How should I process that bit of information?
Should I assume that he does indeed hear all of us? Should I assume he needs a hearing aid? Should I consider him Mayor Frimark's rubber stamp extraordinaire? Do I rush him to the hospital for a brain scan?
"Ryan missed only one Council meeting, but was MIA for a whopping 12 committee meetings in his first year in office even though he chairs no Council committees, and does not serve as a Council liaison to any other City committees or commissions."
As the Herald-Advocate editorial pointed out, he has “one of the lightest loads on the council.”
"He bucked an outpouring of opposition from his 5th Ward constituents when he voted to give the politically-connected developers of Executive Office Plaza a variance to add 8 units more than what the is permitted by the City’s zoning code. He also bucked his constituents living near St. Mary’s Episcopal Church with his support of a PADS homeless shelter there."
Does he know where we live? Should we send him a post card, "Wish You were Here?"
He is the only representative the people of the 5th Ward have to represent their interests in the City Council. If he doesn't show up, does that mean his constituents didn't show up either? Gee, why doesn't he call one of us to sub for him?
Are we supposed to wait for him to represent our concerns? The Save Cumberland Coalition isn't likely to wait for evidence that Robert Ryan has been listening. It is my fervent hope that we will actually run into him at a city council committee meeting..errr...maybe.....? Then we can get re-acquainted...again....
Cumberland Patriot
"It's never going to happen."
Now, those words should be uplifting to any group seeking support from their fearless aldermanic leader. We should all be able to breath a collective sigh of relief and do the happy dance in our Cumberland driveways.
But, now that his record has been revealed, "Ryan’s many absences have not deterred him from making decisions on significant City issues, however, and his decisions have often been contrary to the expressed desires of his constituents."
How should I process that bit of information?
Should I assume that he does indeed hear all of us? Should I assume he needs a hearing aid? Should I consider him Mayor Frimark's rubber stamp extraordinaire? Do I rush him to the hospital for a brain scan?
"Ryan missed only one Council meeting, but was MIA for a whopping 12 committee meetings in his first year in office even though he chairs no Council committees, and does not serve as a Council liaison to any other City committees or commissions."
As the Herald-Advocate editorial pointed out, he has “one of the lightest loads on the council.”
"He bucked an outpouring of opposition from his 5th Ward constituents when he voted to give the politically-connected developers of Executive Office Plaza a variance to add 8 units more than what the is permitted by the City’s zoning code. He also bucked his constituents living near St. Mary’s Episcopal Church with his support of a PADS homeless shelter there."
Does he know where we live? Should we send him a post card, "Wish You were Here?"
He is the only representative the people of the 5th Ward have to represent their interests in the City Council. If he doesn't show up, does that mean his constituents didn't show up either? Gee, why doesn't he call one of us to sub for him?
Are we supposed to wait for him to represent our concerns? The Save Cumberland Coalition isn't likely to wait for evidence that Robert Ryan has been listening. It is my fervent hope that we will actually run into him at a city council committee meeting..errr...maybe.....? Then we can get re-acquainted...again....
Cumberland Patriot
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Flotsam and jetsom...on my lawn
Welcome to the summer storm season. For those of us who live in the "low country" on Cumberland it simply means that it is time for that seasonal "plus" of ......drumroll.....our very own lake! (I just heard Monty Hall).
The base of my driveway has disappeared, a water skier has just gone by, and my front steps have been transformed into a pier.
So, I haul out my fishing gear, pull up a chair, and start casting into Lake Cumberland for muskie. It's our very own seasonal recreational feature, a bonus if you will, of living on Cumberland. The waves lap gently over my lawn and.....wait.... there goes an enormous tree branch. I hear it's sigh of relief, and I swear I hear it say, "This is the place." For it is true-my place on Lake Cumberland is where all good tree branches go to die. Then, quite obediently, all the leaves, twigs, and wrappers follow suit. A unique blend that I call, "Cumberland Flotsam and Jetsom".
Now, I know that somewhere beyond the wilderness of Lake Cumberland there must be a Park Ridge city engineer who has some explanation for my lack of sewer drainage. A wise, sage-like keeper of all engineering knowledge. Should I leave Lake Cumberland and go in search of this creature who knows all about what dwells beneath Cumberland? I have heard from others who have tried that it is a long, dangerous quest that can only lead to one place.....a city called Park Ridge.....it is there, I am told, that I will find a council of caring elders who care about what happens to all who dwell in the land of Park Ridge. The citizens of Lake Cumberland wonder about that.
Let's invite these leaders to spend some time on Lake Cumberland, do some fishing, and learn something about life on our wild life sanctuary. Perhaps, then, it won't seem like the ideal North/South route through town that should be extended. That would ruin the fishing.
Say NO to Cumberland extension!
The base of my driveway has disappeared, a water skier has just gone by, and my front steps have been transformed into a pier.
So, I haul out my fishing gear, pull up a chair, and start casting into Lake Cumberland for muskie. It's our very own seasonal recreational feature, a bonus if you will, of living on Cumberland. The waves lap gently over my lawn and.....wait.... there goes an enormous tree branch. I hear it's sigh of relief, and I swear I hear it say, "This is the place." For it is true-my place on Lake Cumberland is where all good tree branches go to die. Then, quite obediently, all the leaves, twigs, and wrappers follow suit. A unique blend that I call, "Cumberland Flotsam and Jetsom".
Now, I know that somewhere beyond the wilderness of Lake Cumberland there must be a Park Ridge city engineer who has some explanation for my lack of sewer drainage. A wise, sage-like keeper of all engineering knowledge. Should I leave Lake Cumberland and go in search of this creature who knows all about what dwells beneath Cumberland? I have heard from others who have tried that it is a long, dangerous quest that can only lead to one place.....a city called Park Ridge.....it is there, I am told, that I will find a council of caring elders who care about what happens to all who dwell in the land of Park Ridge. The citizens of Lake Cumberland wonder about that.
Let's invite these leaders to spend some time on Lake Cumberland, do some fishing, and learn something about life on our wild life sanctuary. Perhaps, then, it won't seem like the ideal North/South route through town that should be extended. That would ruin the fishing.
Say NO to Cumberland extension!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Do they count trucks in Bedford Falls?
The first breezes of summer always lure me to my "front stoop." Maybe it's just a brief lapse, a Jimmy Stewart moment, where my Capra-esque reality includes sitting on my front steps greeting neighbors, maybe a glass of wine, and gazing up through the boughs of a few old Elms...ahhhhh. I am transported. I am in Bedford Falls. Scratch that. I glance down at the glass beside me and it is in motion. A semi is peeling down Cumberland, and I kid you not, my glass has moved a fraction of an inch. Not a seismic event by most standards, but enough to get my attention. So....I have a plan. I am going to find a seismograph and monitor the vibrations of every semi that shakes my home as it uses Cumberland as a preferred north/south route. Perhaps every home on Cumberland could be wired to the street and we could calculate the cumulative "after shocks." Maybe if they reach tsunami proportions Mayor Frimark's glassy gaze would flicker, wave, move,....SOMETHING...and we would see evidence of some glimmer of understanding. I am prepared to wait until I see that glimmer. I just have to find a pulse first.
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