Once a tidal marsh, always a tidal marsh

Spent the early evening strolling around downtown (encountering several family groups enjoying the natural disaster scene) and taking photos of flooding (and the abandoned cars of the morons who thought - "oh, that police warning doesn't apply to ME; I can get through it!" Ha, ha, joke's on you, suckah. I hold photos of numerous abandoned cars, water to the engine block, as evidence.)

But seriously folks. The political scientist Halford Mackinder wrote in 1904, "Man initiates, but nature controls." He was thinking of Eurasia, but the same idea applies locally: we have natural watercourses, and they will prevail - and if humans have tried to manipulate them, well, then let's hope they REALLY understand what's going on.

For example: I stood on Sawyer St and watched the WAVES of water cascade over the st. It looked like the man-made granite-block channel of Proctor Brook wasn't even full, but the water found its way, over the street and through the Leather City Park.

(Which suggests: wouldn't it be smart to create other relief valves or bowls of topography in which the water could pool, without harm to traffic or business? The proposed park on Walnut St could be such a relief valve, and a much more "natural" approach to our flooding problem.) Or, we could just trust the engineers. Yeah, that'll work.

Any human solution is a manmade solution by definition, but some are more respectful of natural processes than others.

reduce re-use recycle

Now that spring is in the air, this blogger is trying to lose the pounds gained over the winter while pounding the QUERTY keys instead of the pavements or the treadmill. (In short, I've been walking in the 'hood again.)

What I've noticed: people in my (downtown) neighborhood do not recycle in large numbers. Estimating, I'd say that one in 5 houses has a bin out on recycling day.

What is up with that? Are people trying to make a philosophical statement about the inefficiency of reuse (and its markets), when reduction of waste ought to be the main solution? Or are they just not convinced that a quick separation of wastes will be worthwhile for our community? Or what?

I am, as always, interested in your thoughts...

Jeeves, bring me my fishnets and eyeliner. Stat!

So the civil rights of transgendered folks may well be tested in Peabody. At the Roundtable, we have been following this story underground for a week or so, waiting to see if it surfaced in the mainstream media, which it finally has.

Salem News: Transgender club alleges discrimination
Salem News: Transgender group, restaurant agree to mediation
Peabody Weekly News: Transgender club, Capone's enter talks

Predictably, there's the usual round of redneck misogynistic commentary at the local rag. So sad: we like to think we live in a more enlightened Commonwealth, but of course (as the recent senate elections tell us) some of us live in a Roundtable fantasy world. The symbolism of "mah gud ol' pick-up truck" trumps high-end college degrees any day of the week. Apparently we prefer (collectively) to be governed by the less-educated.

Nevertheless: Do people have the right to enter and buy food/beverages at public establishments, regardless of their dress? That is, to what degree is dress (as a means of establishing conformance with gender norms) a criterion for admittance?

Discuss amongst yourselves. I'll check back...

Govt for the 21st century

Thanks for all the great comments in the last post! It's terrific to see some serious discussion of downtown issues.

PI is still around town, but as I understand, he's pretty busy with work stuff. I hope he'll be back on the keyboards soon.

I've been scratching my head over here, trying to figure out what the heck has been going on all these years with the Essex Retirement Board. (And all the city retirement boards, for that matter.) Would it not make sense for all the cities and towns to band together and manage their funds cooperatively?

As I see it, there is some clerical/accounting work to be done to take applications, issue checks, keep records and the like. Then, at a higher level, there are investment decisions to make about how to balance reasonable returns with moderate risk. Peabody has a retirement board (volunteer?) and a couple of bookkeeper-types (paid staff). I don't think investment decisions are made locally, although I may be incorrect. Then, there's a whole administrative apparatus in Boston (state-level) that oversees all the local stuff to some degree too.

Not that everything is always better if centralized (my experience with state bureaucrats hasn't been too impressive), but still....Shouldn't we be looking for ways to consolidate and share services wherever possible? A lot of our government structure is "because it's always been that way." Now might be a good time to take a fresh look at what is truly necessary in the 21st century.

New leaf? Or the same old leaf litter? (ie compost)

Tomorrow night, Jan 28, the new director of Comm Devt (she's damned impressive; don't believe the usual carping over at always-good-for-the-cheap-shot TwistedTanners (sorry, TT, your commentship is pretty lame) until you check her out for yourselves) has been invited to talk about the update to the zoning ordinance that has languished several years in City Council committees. (fyi: if you are just now joining the party, the CC doesn't have much of a track record in proactive legislation; they prefer to shoot down other people's ideas rather than standing behind and enacting any of their own. Naysaying being easier than doing real work, as so many bloggers know...)

I don't know what the substance is of the proposed zoning for downtown Peabody. I don't see a lot of chat about zoning substance on Peabody blogs. Here's what this downtowner would be looking for:

• Will the zoning create lively, attractive, exciting streets, with commercial land uses that generate pedestrian traffic and SALES?
• Will it be possible to create streets that are pleasant to walk along, instead of 4-lane "car sewers" that are just carrying through traffic to Salem and M'head? (oh, hi, GP, didn't see you there!)

Tell me why, in these economic "tough times," the downtowns of Salem and Beverly (for example) are chock-full of upscale restaurant patrons and shoppers, while Peabody (which has much better roadway access) has dollar stores, check-cashing establishments, Bingo, and insurance office storefronts (hello? don't we all buy insurance online now??). We have every advantage - wide streets, good access, reasonably atttractive buildings, plenty of parking.

Here's what we do NOT have: interesting restaurants; crowd-drawing cultural events (sorry, Peabody Institute Library); art galleries; one-of-a-kind shops; coffee shops with wifi (hey, bloggers!); did I already say interesting restaurants? C'mon City Council - stop hiding behind boring special permits and MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Happy New Year Everyone!

This past year has been one of the tough ones. So many people having difficulties; some because they were playing it a little too close for comfort, but many others who have been suffering due to no fault of their own.

Some are saying nothing good has come from this past year, but I disagree. There are many who have left us and others who have risen to high places. Times are hard, but they are not hopeless.
I look forward to closing the book on this first decade of the 21st century - not because it was only filled with sorrow and trouble because it was not. No, I look forward to the great potential that a new decade might bring... to new triumphs and new opportunities, to new ideas and new possibilities.

I know that this City, this State, this Country and our World can be a better place when each of us is willing to consider other points of view and to seek consensus with sound reason for all our mutual benefit. After all, we are ALL in this together... no matter what any one of us may think.

I wish you peace and joy, good health
and good fortune this coming year.

Changes in the Blog World yet again...

*** UPDATED ***
The Peabody Patriot has returned. Maybe they were
just experiencing a glitch? Who knows.
But I would rather see MORE blogs, and
points of view, rather than fewer.

It seems that the Peabody Patriot blog (aka Peabody Elections) has left the scene (again.) I am basing this on the fact that it has been several days and all you get is... "The blog you were looking for was not found."

Now that blog was originally titled Peabody Politics and politics was the main focus, so maybe it will re-emerge when the political realm kicks up again.

Now sadly it seems that the new blog, the Twisted Tanner, is more interested in being the National Enquirer of Peabody, rather than a place for adults to meet and discuss issues in an intelligent manner. I had held out hopes... and was certainly impressed with the amount of posts - and comments - even in the very first few days.

And while the posts keep coming, they are lowering any sense of standards each day. Name calling, insulting nicknames, blatant favoritism and rumor presented as fact are becoming more and more prevalent.

This all seems very deliberate and it is obviously the work of one of the previous Patriots (or more than one I believe) and has lost both a Peabody focus and all semblance of credibility.

That is sad and unfortunate for us all.

I was asked if I planned on "Closing Shop" or "Throwing in the Towel." Well, no actually. If I were to decide that bloging wasn't for me any longer, I would write a post saying so and then stop. I certainly wouldn't just disappear... I frankly find that incredibly insulting to the people who read and participate.

And as for "Throwing in the Towel," that sounds like a contest with winners and losers. I certainly do not see this as a contest and I absolutely don't consider blogging, or not, winning or losing.

When this very busy season is done, I will have many things to discuss with you I am sure. We live in a City that seems to breed nothing but controversy and everyone has an opinion on these things. I look forward to hearing your and sharing mine.

Happy Thanksgiving

We are often over burdened in our hectic and harried lives ,
especially during these difficult economic times.
Today, Thanksgiving Day, is a very special time when we
can stop the roller coaster, if for just one hour, and
concentrate on the people and situations that make
our daily existence worthwhile and even joyous.

Please have a safe and joyous day of thanks.

Congratulations Bob Driscoll

The recount is over and the winner of the Ward 4 race is Bob Driscoll... or is it? Well while there were some "issues" (two ballots missing per the Salem News, 10 missing per the bloggers), all involved have come to accept the new results as final.

Councilor Bob Driscoll has been
re-elected Ward 4 Councilor

The process may have had a few glitches in it, but in the end, I believe, the voters were fairly represented.

The Salem News: Peabody's Driscoll wins recount by 2

This was a very good example of real democracy in action. I was so pleased to see that BOTH candidates had decided to ask for a recount in order to ensure that the will of the people was being fairly represented.

I think that as far as City Council races in Peabody go, this was a very respectful and collegial race - two qualities that should be well heeded in many of the other races around this City.

I think Councilor Driscoll should be considering this coming term as his swansong and make sure to get done what he would like to see as his legacy on the City Council. I think it will soon be Mr. Grayson's turn to lead this Ward and to help steer the City.

My congratulation to both gentlemen for a well fought battle and for showing us how to act in both victory and defeat.

Ward 4 Recount Saturday

2,299 people came to the polls in Ward 4 back on November 3rd to cast votes for Ward 4 Councilor. And, as it turns out... only 1 vote really mattered!

Incumbent City Councilor Bob Driscoll received 1,150 votes while challenger, and political newcomer, Jeff Grayson received 1,149 votes.


The next time someone tells you that their vote doesn't matter in this world... send them to Ward 4.

In a race this close it is almost a requirement to have a recount of the ballots to assure that the will of the people is accurately carried out. I was quite glad to see BOTH candidates step up to ask for an official recount of this election. And while it was certainly expected of Mr. Grayson, it was quite the classy move by longtime Councilor Driscoll.

The recount will be done by hand and it will have witnesses (and lawyers) from both sides present. I can only predict with absolute certainty that City Clerk Tim Spanos will continue to do the excellent job that is his trademark for his many years at City Hall.

The Salem News: Recount in Ward 4 Councilor race scheduled for Saturday
Peabody News: Despite thin margin in Ward 4, lackluster turnout at the polls

Now for my opinion.

I absolutely hope that when the votes are rechecked that Mr. Grayson emerges as the winner of the election. This is not because I dislike Councilor Driscoll, because I do not. I just feel that Councilor Driscoll has had his time at the helm, and while he has never really done anything to harm Ward 4, he has not been the tireless and PRO-ACTIVE advocate for Ward 4 that I believe Mr. Grayson will be.

I spoke with both candidates during the election season and I must say that I was wholeheartedly impressed by Mr. Grayson and his energy for Ward 4 AND the rest of the City. He has a vision and new ideas and a huge desire to get to work and try and solve some of these lingering problems faced by the City of Peabody.

Now, Councilor Driscoll has been trying to deal with these same (and evolving) problems the City faces for 22 years. He has needed to come to terms with the knowledge that many times there is just NOTHING that can be done because of the situation, politics, money, connections - you name it! Something always gets in the way of true progress.

Mr. Grayson has not yet been forced to face these (perhaps insurmountable?) problems. And he may indeed find that when confronted with them, he too will eventually find no way to solve them and can only do his best to more for small incremental improvements - all the while desiring great changes.

But he is not yet jaded by the fight or cowed by the enormity of the job. For these reasons I would like to see his new spirit unleashed on the City Council in the hopes that he might be the spark to reinvigorate this flagging body... as well as the community they serve.