Walk or Ride to School Pep Rally Tonight
October 7, 2008 | 1:52 pmFrom 231 Sycamore…
To be clear, tonight is the Pep Rally, tomorrow is when you and your kids walk or bike to their school. (unless you’re a student reading this…then “you and your parents walk or bike to school”)
All details can be found here!
I’m all for the walk and roll to school, but I know that this program is pushed because of the interest of the City of Decatur’s Mayor. Mr. Floyd owns the local bike shop. Just one more example of the school systems incestuous ways. If they are so interested in walk and biking how about putting a side walk on glenndale Ave? It’s only the main way to the park, Clairemont elementary school and Glennwood academy from Glennwood estates and Clairemont neighborhood.
Mayor Floyd does not and never has owned a bike shop, which completely discredits the remainder of your message.
You’re likely thinking of Commissioner Boykin, who owns Bike South, and is (or has been) involved with the Atlanta Safe Routes to School coalition. His passion for bicycling, and stewardship in bringing the program to Decatur, is what the typical constituent would classify as “working to improve the community.”
If you think we’d also be served by the sidewalk you mention, have you gotten some neighbors together to lobby the commission? From the city’s website:
“Residents and neighborhood associations are encouraged to survey their communities to determine support for sidewalk improvements. There is no required minimum level of support. However, wide support from residents for installation of new sidewalks along a street where no sidewalk exists is desirable. As part of the criteria listed above, petitions will be considered in the overall development of a proposed scope of work but should not be regarded as the controlling factor. Ultimately, the City Commission will approve sidewalk improvements considering what is in the best interests of Decatur’s public safety, health and welfare.”
I apologize if my 10 seconds of Googling robbed you of further opportunities to whine with no intention of actually doing anything.
Thanks, Scott.
Scott, I heard you pushed that sidewalk thing through city hall because you are the shadow-owner of all three Decatur sneaker stores.
And now that I’ve outed you, I’m sure the Sneaker Mafia will soon be at my doorstep.
Actually, I’m part of an underground syndicate dealing in black market dog mess pick-up bags. Sidewalk expansion is key to our long-term growth strategy.
I apologize, your right its the commissioner and not the mayor. So that totally discredits my opinion?
The spending of our school is out of hand and corrupt. They are loosing good teacher because of it.
I just believe if your going to push this walk and roll, and I do mean push, children who participate get special prizes for doing so, then provide the safe route for them to do so.
Scott- I have personally spoke to the senior engineer, John Madajewski, and was told that a sidewalk was going in shortley on that street. That was over one year ago. I have also signed the petition to put the side walk in. I walk that street every day and at least once a week have a car get WAY to closer for my comfort while I’m pushing a stroller. Its a windy hilly road w/ cars parked on both sides of the street. I also have a child that rode her bike to school every day for 2 years and every day it worried me.
You didn’t “robbed you of further opportunities to whine with no intention of actually doing anything”. You ASSUMED that I didn’t do anything other than post on here.
Hey, now. I said “if” I robbed you. If I didn’t then no harm, no foul!
Seriously, though, I think you’re missing the point that this is a chicken and egg situation. These walk/roll to school days are political exercises in the sense that their goal is to legitimize and encourage walking and biking to school and, in doing so, increasing demand for the infrastructure that supports it.
So, oddly, it’s exactly the kind of event that can call attention to your missing sidewalk and showcase how important it is to get one built. We’ve got you pushing the city on the issue; what we need is a bunch more of ya clamoring for the same thing. Events like this are your ticket to achieving the political will that can make that happen.
On a side note, I think your concern about Decatur spending (in this instance) is unnecessary. As I understand it (and I’m not claiming expertise), Safe Routes to School is a GDOT program administered in the metro Atlanta area by a coalition of non-profits. Decatur’s participation, I believe, is largely managed as a volunteer effort. The one thing I can think of is that there might be minor expenditures on promotional posters but, if it helps *pave the way* to the sidewalk improvements you need, it seems worth it to me.