That’s like an inner spirit win. It may have been considered small, but has huge meaning when you know you have been heard. To have them act on the repair is so validating.
Around here (northern California) the City gets upset when you fix a pothole in front of your house that you have reported for the last three years -although that’s what you do for a living.
I've heard one Midwest suburb never misses a chance to point out that they own the easement in front of homes until it comes time for it to do something like remove a dying tree that's launching giant branches down onto the street below. Then they slow-walk you for a year. When that happens, you have to write the police department, note for the record that you're reporting it as a safety hazard (make sure to get a delivery receipt!), and that you cannot/will not be liable for anything that might happen to passing cars or pedestrians. Ask me how I know this...
Being seen to do the right thing is an important activity for any level of government. Small things matter too, because they signal intent and encourage people to be an active part of the community.
Sometimes, we just let things skate for so long, that nobody fights back any more. A couple fo weeks back, I took at train to our capital city, Bern. As the train slowed to enter the main station ther, we passed the "Reitschule", a so-called cultural centre. Completely covered in graffiti and a lot of barbed wire. It has been so dominated by the left that any interference is fought tooth and nail.
To call it an "eyesore" would be kind. To have this as a welcome sign to our capital is offensive. Of course it is the city's problem to solve for, not the Federal government's. That said, there should be zero tolerance for this kind of decayed area. Given it is our capital, I think some strong arm tactics are called for. I would doubt a few citizen's letters will help.
In the face of such abject failure of leadership, it is warming to hear that Valencia does things better.
That’s like an inner spirit win. It may have been considered small, but has huge meaning when you know you have been heard. To have them act on the repair is so validating.
Around here (northern California) the City gets upset when you fix a pothole in front of your house that you have reported for the last three years -although that’s what you do for a living.
Wow. This isn't funny, but it made me laugh.
And it reminded me that - yes - basic maintenance often never happens.
I've heard one Midwest suburb never misses a chance to point out that they own the easement in front of homes until it comes time for it to do something like remove a dying tree that's launching giant branches down onto the street below. Then they slow-walk you for a year. When that happens, you have to write the police department, note for the record that you're reporting it as a safety hazard (make sure to get a delivery receipt!), and that you cannot/will not be liable for anything that might happen to passing cars or pedestrians. Ask me how I know this...
What a great story to read.
Being seen to do the right thing is an important activity for any level of government. Small things matter too, because they signal intent and encourage people to be an active part of the community.
Sometimes, we just let things skate for so long, that nobody fights back any more. A couple fo weeks back, I took at train to our capital city, Bern. As the train slowed to enter the main station ther, we passed the "Reitschule", a so-called cultural centre. Completely covered in graffiti and a lot of barbed wire. It has been so dominated by the left that any interference is fought tooth and nail.
To call it an "eyesore" would be kind. To have this as a welcome sign to our capital is offensive. Of course it is the city's problem to solve for, not the Federal government's. That said, there should be zero tolerance for this kind of decayed area. Given it is our capital, I think some strong arm tactics are called for. I would doubt a few citizen's letters will help.
In the face of such abject failure of leadership, it is warming to hear that Valencia does things better.