I Won't Say It

"Riverlands pollution test reveals new contamination" read the headline in the Town Common this past Thursday.

"New contamination" is a misnomer.  It is not new, in fact, it is quite old.  It is only new to those that are assessing the site.  They missed it the first time around.

Saying "I told you so"  is juvenile, and non productive, however, this morning I am feeling like a kid.  Still, I won't say it.

On November 26, 2007 I wrote about the Riverlands, after taking a walk along that trail with Mary.  "We Bought A Dump, Now What?" received comments assuring me that everything was going to be fine, in fact the town had secured an extra $25,000 to help fix the land.

$25,000.  Yep, that'll do it.

On December 1st, I again wrote about the Riverlands, "About That Dump We Bought", and included some photos we took along the trail of all the debris at the old dump.

According to this weeks article about the Riverlands, the engineering firm hired by the town, Tighe and Bond, will be using new methods to asses the areas of concern.  I am sure the new methods include looking around.

The selectmen would like the area of contamination delineated so that a fence could be erected to keep folks away from the contamination, and out of harms way.  The conservation agent, Glenn Colburn expressed concern that fences could block the migratory routes for wildlife.

In the meantime, there will be no remediation of the land that was used as a dump for many years.  The heavy metals dumped there such as chromium, and lead, will continue to seep into the earth, and into the river.  The trail will be laid out, signs will be erected to warn hikers to stay on the trail, and we will make do.  The selectmen would like it sooner, than later.  Why the hurry now?  Maybe because little has been done since the land was purchased with the exception of making it off limits, and confirming what most in town that knew the land, already knew.

Six years ago there was discussion about the land, and what to do with it.  Some had a vision of what the land could be, and many knew what was on, and under the land, but it was still purchased during our "spend now, pay for 40 years"  period.  Now, there is still discussion on just what the heck to do with this mess we bought in September of 2007.  Six years do not erase, or ease the criticism, it only prompts one to ask, "What the hell has been going on for six years?".  An engineering assessment for six years?  A formula for land remediation that has been labored on for six years?  I have no clue, and it would be nice to know that the past six years were used effectively, instead of the just hoping we would forget about the contamination on the land.

Bottom line is we should never have purchased the land without a bit more due diligence.

Let's see what comes of this latest foray into resurrecting the "Riverlands".  Afterall, we've been waiting for almost six years, what's another few months?

Oh, and I won't say it.  No, that would be really childlike, and wouldn't solve anything.  I can think it, though.

Think Before You Click

"If I could read your mind love
What a tale your thoughts could tell
Just like a paperback novel
The kind that drugstores sell"

Gordon Lighfoot sang prophetically about wanting to read his loves mind back in 1974.  Now, 39 years later, he no longer has to wish for it.  No.  All he needs to do is follow his love on Twitter.

Ten to one, he drops her after a day.

When I was a young man, I was handed down the maxim of not talking politics, or religion with others.  Arguments, and differences of opinions will always ensue, and friendships have been know to die because of it.  Keep your ideas to yourself, unless specifically asked for your opinion, and then think a bit before sharing it.

If you are on a campaign that requires your to share your views, then so be it.  Your ideas, beliefs, and views will either hinder, or hurt your campaign, and that is totally expected.

As always, know your audience, and hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Todays media siphons ones thoughts out of our heads as if we all lived in a 1950's science fiction movie.  Once out we then actually type them, and click a button insuring the world will be privy to those thoughts.  We share far too much, and it is not the outside world that has broken into our minds, it is us that have opened the gate, and let out thoughts run rampant across Twitter, and Facebook.

I do it, too.  Much too much according to Mary.  I may share a picture of a pie Mary just baked, or post where we're eating out, maybe the show we are at, or a funny video.  Everyday things.  Things I would do without Facebook, and in person.  I hope I don't post any  pie photos, or restaurant check-ins that offend anyone, or change a persons opinion of me.

Actually, I know I don't.

But, there are those that do, and this week I have witnessed it twice from sources I would never have expected it.  The first time was on Facebook the day of the Presidents speech about guns, violence, and how our children are affected.  That day, the President had four young kids behind him on the stage with their parents as he spoke. He shared an example of how each one felt about the Newtown massacre in order to show just how the events of that day affect others.  In this case, how it affected the children.

What I saw on Facebook was posting by a local journalist with four photos.  A photo of Adolf Hitler with young German children, a picture of Mao Tse Tung with Chinese children, Joseph Stalin with Soviet children, and lastly, President Obama with those children on stage the day of his speech.  The caption was a line from Pink Floyds song, The Wall, "Hey, teacher, leave them kids alone".

Really?

The posting threw me.  Was this journalist comparing Hitler, Mao, and Stalin to Obama because he involved children in a speech that had everything to do with children, and how guns had killed other children?

This time, that writer let too many of his thoughts escape.  Sharing a political thought, or opinion is totally different than what this posting offered.  It revealed a side of the man I had not seen before through his writings in a local magazine.

I won't read him again.  I don't need that kind of hate, and negativity in my life.  The respect I once had for him, his craft, and talent, are gone.  

Later in the week I stumbled on the Twitter feed of a local politician that should be limited to 144 characters a year, never mind per Tweet.  As soon as a thought burps to the top of his head, he sends it out as a Tweet.  

Makes sense.  Share everything one thinks with the world.  It's the best way to ingratiate yourself with your constituents.

I don't need to know every thought he is developing as the day evolves.  There is no filter on those burps.  What I knew of this man prior to reading his unfiltered thoughts was much higher than what it is now.  

Needless to say, the local journalist is no longer a "friend" on Facebook.  I choose not to contaminate my life with his thoughts.  I don't use Twitter, I just went on it after receiving an email following up since I had signed up for it when I bought my iPhone a few years ago.  The email recommended people I may know.  I clicked on one, and now, I regret it.

Should have left well enough alone.

Yes, I do use Facebook, and I do write here, on this blog.  I use the current media, and at times I may share a bit too much of my personal life, but I have promised Mary to be better.  I am opinionated when I see a wrong, or something that needs some reconsideration, and I want to initiate a change, or correction.  I also share humor, history, and bits of life. 

I will not cross the line.  What you read here, and on Facebook, is just me.  If you know me personally, you will never be surprised by what you read here.

I was surprised earlier this week.

Remember, that yours thoughts are your own, as is your opinion.  You can choose to share, but your choice of just what to share, how to share it, and whom to share it with will dictate how you are perceived by everyone.

Typing and clicking is not a benign activity.  You touch others each time you do it.

There, (click) you've been touched.  Now, pass it on in a good way.

Then And Now

Covered bridge at Old Sturbridge Village in the late
1950's.

Same covered bridge today from the opposite direction.

The Sidewalks Are Clear! The Sidewalks Are Clear!

I was driving along Route 20 from Route 148 this morning, on my way to do some errands, when I saw in the distance, a small Bobcat type type tractor with a snowthower attachment on the front of it clearing the sidewalks.  It was actually clearing the sidewalks on the north side of Route 20 while being trailed by a "support" pick up truck.

The tractor was taking out the entire snow berm that usually separates the street from a cleared sidewalk leaving only small mounds of snow around the utility poles where it could not reach.  One long section that had been cleared by hand the owner of the property along the side walk was left intact, and not bothered by the tractor.  Good idea. 

The cleared sidewalks looked great, and safe passage along Main Street in Sturbridge has been restored.

Now, whether the timing of the sidewalk clearing had anything to do with yesterdays post here on this page, or folks contacting the town hall on their own, or maybe it was just scheduled to be cleared today anyway, it doesn't matter at this point. The clearing may be a few days late, but what matters is the sidewalks along Route 20 have been cleared by the town, as it always should be.  Pedestrians can once again safely walk along Main Street without having to run the gauntlet in the street from driveway to driveway.

To whomever made the decision to clear the sidewalks today, thank you.  Well done.  Nothing can replace keeping our residents safe when it is within our power, and is our responsibility to do so.  

It's going to be a long winter, keep up the good work.

Shame

For five years I have used this space to write about many things, many of those were about Sturbridge.  The good, bad, and the silly were all written about here.  My inspiration to write is the incredible pride I have in being a resident of this town.  When I see something that is wonderful, I have written about it, as well as when I have seen something that could use a bit of fixing.

I've also written about the downright foolish things.  There have been a lot of those.  I live for those moments.

Today I felt something I have never felt about my town before.  I felt shame.

I saw many people walking on Route 20 because the town will not plow the sidewalks.   The recent storm dumped a foot of snow on Sturbridge, and our roads were tended to in good fashion as they always are, but for yet another winter our sidewalks were not touched.  The town has ruled that those that own a business, or their home, along a sidewalk must clear the sidewalk in front of their property themselves.  The town will not do it.

How is the towns responsibility for the town built roadways any different than the town built sidewalks is beyond me.  Property owners aren't required to shovel the street yet, but there may come a time.

Driving along Route 20 showed almost the entire sidewalk was untouched except in some areas that had been shoveled with a path about 18 inches wide from property line to property line, and then stopped.  Some of the shoveled areas still had many inches of snow left in place.

The most ludicrous sight I saw was the sidewalk along the town owned land at the corner of Main Street and Cedar Street had been plowed by the town right to the property line, and at the property line the the unplowed sidewalk remained.

I'll tell you what this says. It says that the town will only make safe for the residents pieces of sidewalk along town land.  At the end of the town owned land, where the unplowed sidewalks live, where the safe town path has led you, is a path that is obviously unsafe to tread.

The town knows this, but will continue to clear bits and pieces leading to the unsafe paths forcing you to walk in the street. The town is actually encouraging you to walk in the street, instead of using the sidewalks we paid to have constructed.  When the sidewalks were built they were built as year round sidewalks, not as seasonal paths.

Imagine a family pushing a stroller on a sunny winter day on the roadway of Route 20 near Motel 6, and a car being driven by a driver unfamiliar with the area rounds the bend, and takes out the entire family.

It can happen, but lets just sit back sand see how long it will take.  Like we are waiting to see when the next fatality occurs at the intersection of New Boston Road, and Route 20.

Bottom line is the sidewalks were built to make foot traffic safe for people along the roadways in town.  They were built for us as year round structures.  We did not agree to them being three season.

If the town can drive their tractor from the town shed to the corner of Main and Cedar, and back again, then how much more money is it going to cost to clear the sidewalks on the way there, and back again?

Really.  How much money did we save?

I challenge the Selectmen to give a rational reason why this bylaw is in place along with an accounting of just how much money has been saved since it went into effect.

Are we in that much fiscal trouble here in Sturbridge that we can no longer afford to perform simple highway maintenance?