I saw the ad for their website in the Decatur Tribune last week and went to it.  I haven't really gone through the site much but I think I get the gist of it - gun toting, Bible thumping, ultra-conservative, right-wing slinging cowboys.  I don't disagree with some of what they say but I can see where such a movement can be taken too far.  One knucklehead, in another state, brought a loaded gun to one of Obama's town hall meetings.  I'm just afraid one of these clowns will try to kill the president "for the good of the country."

I watch Beck's show for entertainment value first; news not so much.  Sometimes he makes valid points but he gets kooky.  He's kind of a doom and gloomer believing we are headed towards Armageddon.  Colbert did a funny piece on him and I made my own little Decatur version a while back.  http://decaturnavigator.com/?p=1352

You gotta keep a sense of humor about things!

Kris

Well, I understand the frustration of a lot of these "teabaggers".  We live in a city that has a history of not being responsive to the citizens.  We have a park board who isn't exactly forthcoming with the public.  The Decatur Township is a joke. We live in a state with a horrible track record filled with corruption.  Our leaders at the national level seem out of touch and unable to find middle ground with reasonable legislation.

This is kind of a petty example but it's current.  Someone I know talked with someone from the EDC in Decatur and according to this person the new bike path isn't going to happen because the money is going somewhere else (who knows where!) and that there will never be any bike paths inside Decatur.  Okay, well why hasn't the public been told this?  He also said that the EDC has no contact with the city council.  Personally I think the EDC is just an example of an unnecessary layer impeding growth and development - when they're supposed to be encouraging growth!  The problem is, the people serving on the EDC are the same tired people year after year with tunnel vision and no accountability to the public.   I don't think anybody involved with the EDC is evil or corrupt but Decatur needs fresh blood in its decision making circles.  I understand where ChangeDecatur was coming from. 

And the way the park district is ignoring all the letters to the editor and worries about Nelson Park from Decatur residents makes me want to scream!  There needs to be a public forum now - not later.  Not when everything has already been decided some outside group who don't know Decatur and don't give a crap about our park or people.

Come to think of it, if the neighborhood group meeting wasn't this Thursday I'd go to their meeting.  I don't agree with everything they stand for but for goodness sakes, government officials at every level need to retake a Constitution exam.

Off my soapbox!

Kris

Yeah, I read the piece you wrote at decaturnavigator and have been meaning to ask you about that...The park district dosen't want the path? Or is it the City? And what does EDC (and Craig Coil, I'm guessing) have to do with it?

I'm a big fan of the bike path (*cough* "multiuse trail" *cough*) program. One runs right in front of my house, and we've not had any problems at all...No driveway problems, no pedestrian problems (that last more than about 5 seconds). I'd say there are moderate number of people who use it – there are definately more people out there exercising and enjoying the neighborhood than before (which is kind of the point, isn't it?).

 

On the ROC story (this issue) you posted today...I'm going to disagree with you a bit. I think you're right: people are fed up; but they're fed up with obstructionist, nay-saying, radical roadblock politicians. Truth is, the batch we just elected in 2008 haven't had enough time to get anyting with long-term impact accomplished. Really, they're not even a single fiscal cycle through their terms...I believe it's simply not possible to make any serious (and honest/supportable) judgements on fiscal performance at this stage...That's why the "opposition" is so desperately trying to block every move the Democrats make...They're terrified the changes in the system being proposed may actually succeed and prove federal government – when managed by ethical, responsible adults – actually works.

 

 

I'm not sure about the bike path - if it's still on or not.  My dad is the one who talked to whoever this person was and my dad didn't really know what economic deveopment group he was from with but I'm assuming it's the EDC.  My apologies if it was someone else but it's somebody who deals with economic development in Decatur.   Maybe somebody with higher connections than me can chime in and say whether the bike path is going to happen or not.  I'd like to see it happen.  I think it would be a great thing for the community but this guy said flat out to my dad, who belongs to the Decatur Bicyle Club, that there's no plans for bike paths in Decatur ever.  Why?  I don't know. 

I was happy to hear tonight that the park district has been communicating with the Nelson Park neighborhood association.  I wish the park district would let the rest of us in on the plans too.  I emailed Bill Clevenger and asked if there were going to be public forums soon and he said that once a planning firm is selected their will be a time for public input.  I'm taking him at his word.  I've spoken to him before and he seems like a really nice guy.  He's part of the EDC too!  :-)  So I stress that I don't think the people involved with the EDC are bad but I do think if we aren't seeing results, then maybe we should try something else.  Term limits are good things.  Decatur needs to expand its "brain base" and think outside the box once in a while.  That's kind of hard to do with the same circles of people serving on all the important boards in town.



"That's why the "opposition" is so desperately trying to block every move the Democrats make...They're terrified the changes in the system being proposed may actually succeed and prove federal government – when managed by ethical, responsible adults – actually works."

That's an interesting point.  I don't understand the mob like opposition to President Obama.   And the health care debate (can't really call it a debate but...) has been ridiculous.  However, I think people mistrust government and rightly so. There's so many bad examples everywhere we look.  It's hard to be too trusting.  But I really think the biggest problem is the media fanning the flames on both the right and the left. Play with fire is a dangerous thing!  People need to chill.

Sorry for all the typos.  It's been a long day!  Time to go to bed.

Lo l – I didn't notice any typos (insert great minds statement here)... Yup, Bill Clevenger is a very nice guy. I haven't had any deep philosophical conversations with him, but the light social ones have always left me thinking he's a pretty smart, well meaning cookie.

 

I don't get the mob mentality with Obama – against or for – either. I'm not especially a fan-boy, but I really don't think he's had enough time in office (or cooperation in the Senate) to affect any real change (there's a reason Presidential terms are 4 years, you know!)

Regarding health care stuff - I think Kris is right on the money.  I know a number of smart reasonable people who have much less trust of government than I have who are sincerely worried/concerned.  We need to listen to them - and honestly respectfully address those concerns.  (I tend to have more of a distrust of business than I do of government)  There are reasonable concerns regarding increasing spending as well.   And I don't blame the older folks for being scared  - NOT because anyone is really out to get them but because they are a vulernable group and very very dependent on their health care.

I think we Democrats need to remember that we won a couple states in both the Presidental election and the congressional elections that USUALLY vote Republican.  We need them for a majority - so I think we need to be listening to their needs not demanding they listen to ours.  Or we can be hard axx about it and wait another how many years until we have some power again??? 

I'm for getting as much done toward fixing health care as we CAN agree on.  To heck with the games.  At least we'll be that much farther along.

-------------------------------------------

On another note:  here is some cool info regarding the city website - you can get tons of info RIGHT ON LINE NOW!!!

One other comment  -  I have found Bill Clevenger to be a very nice man, open door and willing to listen and I think with his heart in the right place.  He actually looked my phone number up and called me before regarding a comment I posted on the H &R Blog - got to say I respect him for that.

I'm sure they will get public comment before moving too far regarding Nelson.   I'd just call him directly and ask regarding your questions.  I'm sure he would appreciate it.

Sue

I signed up for the Regional Network Conference last night at the CONO meeting but I don't remember what classes I signed up for and what days they happen on.  LOL!  I guess they'll give everyone a schedule and let me know what classes I'm in and the times.  I'm going to be out there mainly to soak it all up and learn.  I'll probably bring my little video camera too.  I'm dangerous with that thing!  But it's fun.

I'll email Mr. Clevenger later about the bike path.  I hate putting him on the spot like that but I'm interested in its' fate since it's supposed to be  near my neighborhood.  I think it would be a great thing for the Ravina/Home Park area.  I know how much wildlife is in our neck of the woods and how great a place it would be for people to bike or hike through.

When I get an answer, I'll let everyone know.

Kris

LOL!  That's too funny. 

Well, I haven't heard anything back regarding the bike trail.  I see that there's, what looks like it could be a future bike path, by Center Street where the path is proposed to go.  It could also be a private drive, so I can't really tell.  ;-)  I noticed that there's no email addresses to our elected park board of commissioners on the Park District website.  Uhm...I wonder why.  Gheez, all I want to know if the darn thing is being built or not.  A yes or no answer is pretty quick and easy to give.  Is that too much to ask?  Who the heck am I supposed to contact to find out what's going on?

Ugh!

Hmm - That is strange.  There are email addresses for the directors, but not for the elected Commission...

Well, Jack Kenny was my principal at Stephen Decatur.  I doubt he would remember me though.  I was going to be voted the most forgettable student of my graduating class but nobody could remember my name during the voting...

Boy, is it aggravating not to be able to get a simple question answered.  Maybe I need to call in Geraldo to investigate.  He cracks me up.  I remember him covering the hurricane that hit Galveston a couple years ago.  It was night and he was standing outside broadcasting live in hurricane force winds with debris flying behind him.  I half-expected to see the Titanic and the Edmund Fitzgerald to sail by in the distance.  I so hoped a fish would fly into the picture and slap him in the face.  That was a hoot! 

Anyway...does anybody know about the bike path.  Anyone? Someone? Knock-knock, anybody there?  I'm just a lowly voter and taxpayer who wants to know...