Case in point: last Thursday I was driving to work. The road I drive on takes me over Cotton Bayou. The morning air was cool, and the water in the bottom of the ravine was warm, creating a layer of mist that hung in the gully. The sun was just rising above the horizon and sparkling through the trees onto the mist as it floated and moved in the slight breeze. All of this was framed by the dewy dark grassy green of the sides of the bayou and the dark depths of the trees behind. It was sublime, and the sublimity of the moment was heightened by the transient nature of the scene. Ah, Moment, thou art indeed wonderful! Stay, thou fleeting Moment!
But like all such Faustian moments, they must move on. The promise lies in the future of such moments to come.
In the meantime, it's time to get to work.
I have had a couple of people write comments about some of the things I have written. I would like to respond:
Libraries are the repository of learning and knowledge for a community. They reflect the highest values of the community, and show that we are interested in more than just sports. The introduction of public libraries has taken a varied path in the United States, from one-room schoolhouses to the great Carnegie Libraries that instituted libraries all over the country. And the commentator rightly points out that libraries can be much more - internet research, english language classes, remedial reading, adult contimuing education, and other public functions are all ancillary uses to which libraries may and should be used. As I focus on creating a new comprehensive plan for the City, a City Library will be one of the top priorities I have. It is good to hear from people who share this priority.
Sidewalks, paths, and trails are also very important to our community. As I have written in previous posts, transportation options should be varied. It is frustrating to me that I have to drive my children to school when the schools are within walking distance. In an age where obesity is an affliction for all, and an ever-increasing health risk (especially for those who are least prepared to pay the high price of health care) it makes sense for communities to look for ways to increase physical activity. Not everyone is well-suited to competitive, team-based sports or activities (opportunities for which abound in this community). Many people would just like to go for a walk. Right now, our community is not well suited to provide opportunities for this. Rest assured, I am working on it. The park that is being planned right now will include miles of paths and trails. I am requiring the potential for connectivity between neighborhoods as a main design feature of the park's trail system. Further, there are miles and miles of pipeline easements and CWA (Houston's water canals) easements that could easily be interconnected to create a system of trails and paths that make it easy for people to get anywhere in the City without having to even get on a road. These need not be expensive, concrete covered paths per se, but should be organized and planned such that interconnectivity is heightened.
PS - I would like to respond to the commentators directly, but I don't know how without an email address. Shoot me an email at bcobabe@montbelvieu.net and we'll talk. Or stop on by my office - I am here all the time!
1 comment :
Your blog is looking technicolor! It sounds like you are making a huge difference in creating a more walkable community. Good for you, and for the people who support that vision in your community.
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