15 March 2017

Humpday Happenings...
Sure is cold outside this morning...a far cry from the mild conditions we all have gotten used to of late. It's only 15 degrees, and it feels like it. Luckily that winter storm we were warned about never really materialized for us to the degree it did out on the east coast.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly sunny skies, temps only creeping up once again to around 28 degrees, and some breezes creating some substantial wind chills. Dress  accordingly and be aware of black ice.
Aren't we glad we're not shoveling up to 2 feet of snow this morning? Yasureyoubetcha!
Now, let's go get ourselves that hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa made so we can steel ourselves against that chill, as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the cereal box is out WHO SAID THAT? quote for the week:
"I don't believe in quotas. America was founded on a philosophy of individual rights, not group rights."
Now THERE is something all the leftards in this country could wrap their brains around...IF they took the time to learn from history. So, WHO said that? 
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post. Meanwhile, back at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts...  *** Next, it's time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MARCH 15 -
---it's National Farm Rescuer Day
(a shame no one rescues us in the ghettoland)
---It's National Artichoke Hearts Day
(sorry, gonna pass on this one)
---It's National Everything You Do Is Right Day
(Oh, how I WISH that were true. That would make my year)
---It's National Freedom Of Information Day
(It's a president James Madison thing)
*** Next up, more proof that those at City Hall practice their own unique brand of stupidity and don't really listen to their citizens, especially if they live on the SOUTHEAST SIDE.
Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/03/14/demolition-of-old-police-headquarters-slated-to-begin-thursday/
Yes, the last bastion of the old Bowser complex, aka the former FWPD HQ will be demolished beginning tomorrow.
So much for TRYING to save the building, and having it repurposed, as some people wanted.
And I think this is the FIRST time councilman Glynn Hines and I actually AGREE on something.
((Councilman Glynn Hines said it is like the Charles Dickens novel, “A Tale of Two Cities.” The city is investing millions of dollars into downtown development but Hines is concerned that development on the southeast side is being ignored.
“There’s a heavy focus on downtown… That’s the best of times,” he said. “Worst of times you have total neglect of economic development on the southeast side.”))
Holy crap...that actually made sense, and mirrors the sentiments that I've had for YEARS!
He is right, however...development down here IS being ignored, but the reason behind such development is clear:
We STILL have too damn much crime (in this quadrant) to make ANY development viable...don't we?
"Aye, there's the rub", right?
((Community Activist Donita Mudd has led the charge for over a year to preserve the building and she says: “This mayor… this administration has just been hell bent on demolishing that building and putting another vacant lot in southeast Fort Wayne,”))
Yep,that says it all.
(( Hines said he is frustrated with the city’s plans to move forward without hearing from the citizens first. “I’m calling the mayor and I’m asking [him] where in the hell is this meeting we should be having on Friday,” said Hines. “If we’re not going to have this meeting, there’s going to be hell to pay.”))
Wow...those are some pretty powerful words there, Glynn. A shame you never really took such action over the last however-many years you've been on council to keep OTHER businesses that left and as well as stem the tide of rising crime with YOUR own people down here. A day late and a dollar short?
Sure seems that way. Now you know how democrats REALLY work, and you're one of them.
But don't worry, maybe King Henry will put up another "park" in place of the Bowser building...lol.
*** Next , and speaking of places where REDEVELOPMENT is taking place in the city, we have this story from Kevin Leininger. Here's the link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/Shifting-numbers-cause-council-members-to-question--2-5M-for-Landing
Always looks better on paper.
The Landing, that was slated for a $2.5 million streetscape "overhaul" might now wind up costing closer to $32+ million, and that's got council talking. I mean, that IS a huge difference, right?
But, this is another one of those downtown-riverfront projects, and they always seem to get the green light and rubber stamp.
Maybe not THIS time, however, as the word "deception" is being batted about.
Guess it pays to still "read the small print", people?
*** Next up, looks like FWCS has another "hard sell" on their hands. here's the story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/Fort-Wayne-Community-Schools--sale-of-Elmhurst-H-S--will-be-a-long-process
Make a perfect special-ed school.
The Elmhurst High School building, which has sat vacant since 2010, will take longer for someone to purchase the property.
((FWCS is giving prospective buyers until July 27 to submit a purchase offer, which gives them time to complete a "due diligence" inspection of the building and property before making an offer to buy. That is different than with most home sales, where the prospective buyer usually doesn't get to have experts inspect the home until after the seller accepts the purchase offer.)) 
If you want to tour the place, it will cost you $250 (non-refundable fee)...are your serious?
((FWCS plans to keep Elmhurst's athletic fields and facilities, which now are used by South Side High School.))
I thought South Side already had THEIR OWN FIELD and facilities. What happened to those?
Funny, the more I read, the more questions I have...typical FWCS.
*** Next, let's leave this crap behind and take a stroll over to "Kitten Corner"...
Well, the cats were somewhat well-behaved...for most of the day.
Waiting to pounce?
Then they got what we call "spazzmo", running about chasing one another (must be a tidal-influence thing)...lol.
Still, when they're "at rest", it kinda makes up for all the hyper-activity.
Guess I got used to older cats wanting a lap to nap in over the years.
"Top of the world, Ma..."
I will say that they keep me on my toes, but I'm still getting used to having to chase them off the counter-top, out of the sink,as well as keeping them from going down into the basement.
It's that curiosity thing with them. I'll be glad when they decide to outgrow that...
*** Last back to the cupboard...this city is a wonderful study in contrasts.
And I wish I meant that in a good way.
The good aspects that make up Fort Wayne are indeed that...good, but the bad ones are becoming increasingly bad.
Just within a mere mile, you can go from nice neighborhoods with thriving retail to a veritable wasteland of businesses and the associated ghetto-esque areas that have caused such a blight.
If we wish to partake in the same amenities that other parts of the city have, we have to GO to those other places. Can't enjoy what we have down here, because we simply do not have anything we can enjoy, unless it's under one's own roof.
And that doesn't speak well of how the city has managed this quadrant, does it?
When you read police reports about assaults taking place around Southgate Plaza at MIDDAY, that stuff kinda shakes one's resolve on how our part of the city is doing. Used to be such occurrences were rare, but nowadays, it's a lot more commonplace. Not that safe to walk anywhere down here these days, is it?
(must be all those "poor" people living around us who are the cause)
Thing is, it doesn't HAVE to be this way, but perhaps, even more troubling, is that it is permitted to continue.
We should never have to settle for that...not in this country.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

4 comments:

A Beer for the Shower said...

"Spazzmo"... I like that term.

I'm sorry to hear that in Fort Wayne the crappy areas are becoming, well, more crappy. Assaults in midday is crazy. When people are that brazen, they're starting to learn they can get away with murder. It's not far after that that it turns into a much more literal meaning, which is terrifying.

Hang in there. We're pulling for you.

Bob G. said...

ABFS:
---Yeah, the city bosses have ignored things down here for so long, hardly matters to City Hall any longer.
Sorry, that NEVER makes any of this bad stuff go away. does it?

Problem with THAT line of thought (read ignorance)...OUR problems are becoming OTHER people's problems, as the bad shit IS moving west and north.
Gonna take some serious "feather-ruffling" against those who are causing the problems down here to solve any of it...not holding my breath there, sad to say.

No one's prepared to call out the "locals" when it's THEY who are the source of many of our problems.
The amount of repeat offenders (down here) bears that fact out. They keep turning them back out.
We can still hope...about all we have left these days.

Thanks much for taking time to comment.

Stay safe out there, guys.

CWMartin said...

I think, were I running city development, I'd require said developments to place a deposit equal to the estimated cost of removing building ans all asphalt, and minimal restoration, before building. Maybe they'd check out some of the already to lease space cluttering up the city first...

"Another park"... with a focal point of a bronze drug dealer being shot execution style...


The Landing- they should be required to publish both the "minimum spending to get something half-assed (For example the 2.5 mil)" and the "What we really intend to gouge you for" price (Which will likely be somewhere above that 32.5 mil).

Who the hell is gonna buy Elmhurst? Some new d-list charter school? They should have tried a Harding-style experiment over there as well, at least get something out of the place.


"... I'll be glad when they decide to outgrow that..." Bob, I worry about your mental health sometimes. Outgrow that, how cute.


"...We should never have to settle for that...not in this country..." But we don't just settle for it, we promote it. We long ago established a culture of waste. Waste packaging, waste food, and unfortunately waste people. We built modern society on the principle of waste-at-will and we are just beginning to see the human consequences of that. If the liberal idiogencia was at all really concerned about the truth, their focus would be on our disastrous urban areas like Detroit and Gary, instead of pissing around with climate change. Because THAT is the real consequence of human wastage.

Bob G. said...

Chris:
---Now there you go again...thinking LOGICALLY and PRACTICALLY...lol.
That's an excellent idea, to be honest.
---Ah, yes...a "monument to stupidity". JUST what this city needs (seriously).
---I think there ARE those on City Council who are considering something along those lines. Whether they choose to ACT upon it is another thing.
---I personally think FWCS should have NEVER closed it and put it up for sale. There WILL come a time when population growth dictates the NEED for another high school (which will cost a LOT more than people realize).
---Outgrow = tire of it and move on to something ELSE...how's that?
---That's exactly it - promotion IS allowance.
Agreed on becoming a culture of WASTE...and we go and exponentially increase such things in the name of kindness or tolerance.
The left agenda is all about tossing SO many things at SO many people SO often and for SO long, no one knows WTH to focus on, ergo, tons of dirt gets swept under a mess of rugs...and nothing gets done except to control, mandate, and regulate things that mean little to nothing.

Sound about right?

Hey, thanks for swinging by to comment.
Much appreciated.

Stay safe (and warm) up there, brother.