Do your own fact checking eh?! What kind of fact checking do ya gotta do to see a new school, see new city vehicles, see new cop cars, see new fire engine, see the pond, see the path...what kind of facts need to be checked I ask you? They are all factual expenditures in the last 3 years!!!! And I GUARANTEE you, they will ALL peter out at the same time (momma always said, don't change all your lightbulbs on the same day.) Way way way back in 1980, this town had 3 hamburger/icecream/family resteraunts, & a pizza hut. As teens, we would hang out at the DQ, or A & W or Tastee Freeze, or pizza hut. Today 2/25/10, we have none of those things. NONE. Now I ask you, do you feel the growing of the interchange has helped or hindered our little town? And I ask you, where are your kids hanging out? I watched my teen son get chased away from every slab of concrete that they wanted to skate on. I watched them get chased away from our Main street "park benches" because they were skateboarders. Then they told the kids they couldn't ride their bikes on the sidewalks anymore. What pray tell, were these kids supposed to do? Where were they supposed to go? I know these are un-important things to the majority of this town. They want to grow grow grow! Now...let me set the record straight. I too, like growth. I couldn't wait for Mc Donalds to come to town, it saved me from driving to Sterling once a week for my Big Mac attack. I also thought Walmart would be good. Then BAM! We get what we asked for. The first year of Walmart was OK. Very disappointing compared to Sterling's Walmart. We were laughing at Christmas time because my sister & I would hit the Holy trinity (Walmart/Kmart/Target) in Cheyenne for Christmas shopping, and EVERY time we ended up back at good old ALCO for what we needed. What a hoot. ALCO was now my neighborhood store. It's loss is STILL felt (tears rolling for ALCO) Now you have all the interchange workers
grabbing their grocery's, gas & fast food from out there, and they don't even need to come down town anymore. It is destined to widen the path of discontent between our north & south side. You see, the North is our poor. The kind of poor that doesn't have a car to get to the interchange, the kind of poor that doesn't have a mom with a mini van running them to the pool and then out to the interchange for icecream. The wealthy in this town have become numb to what is really happening. From the day they planted that "community" (slang for rich south side folks)center on the south side w/annual FEES. I can't take it anymore. Their ideas of bringing a community together makes me cringe. I wish these were NOT the facts, but indeed they are. Oh, and as facts go, I understand there are programs for the poor to be included in the "community center" events. IF... they swallow their pride and ask.
(I would rather die)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
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Lets see.. the cop car, city vehicles, firetruck all were in those departments budgets. You act like the city employees went on a spending spree.. The council says yes or no to purchasing them and they also approve each departments budget do they not?? Gary Person doesn't do the entire budget NOR does he approve it.
ReplyDeleteThe pond was done out of donations from citizens. The Community Center was built on ground owned by the city..who donated that land for the purpose of the center. As a long time summer coach I can tell you that yes, people do ask for help with the costs. If they don't ask, I have taken care of it for them by asking for them, no child is EVER turned away. The annual fees were not a surprise to the people of Sidney who voted the center into being in the first place. Bridgeports community center is run for the most part like Sidneys. There are fees for membership and there are daily fees and low cost or reduced cost for those who need it. There is nothing wrong with asking for or taking the assistance, it is what it is there for.
There were town meetings on the North side for the purpose of the residents there to decide what they wanted/needed. The majority voted on the streets.
I also am a "Northie"..going to North "ward" school as they used to call it. I used to go to Jacks little store, play in the park, play kick the can..etc. Mrs. Jeppson, Miss Gish, Mrs. Beyer, Mrs. Folda, Mrs Wilson etc.. and Mr. Rogers as Principal.
We had the Yendis Cafe, The Fort Sidney restaurant, Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, A&W, The Kettle, Virgils, Kentucky Fried, and Dudes. We continue to have: Dudes, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, Virgils, Kentucky Fried and Gramma Joes (where the kettle was) Some are still in the same place, others found it necessary to change locations in order to survive.
I do 99%of my shopping at Sonnys or Safeway..coming down off the hill and driving into town. Alot of other people must as well because I am always in line at the checkout.
We didn't get to choose the size Walmart we have. Even when I had babies, I never went to Sterling, Scottsbluff or Cheyenne to buy diapers or formula. I either went to Safeway, Jack and Jill or Sonnys.
I still know plenty of people who live on the North Side. It is a far sight better than when I grew up there. I know many kids whos mothers drive them to the pool, drive them to get icecream.
For some reason you are all pent up about this stuff. Things change and as much as we like or dislike that change it happens.
I remember finally getting the McDonalds as well.
As far as asking for help so my children can be involved or participate in the centers activities I will ask. Some years I need the help and some years I don't. I always pay it forward somehow if I get assistance.
As far as the skateboarding and the bike riding on the sidewalks go. There are people walking on the sidewalks, coming out of stores etc.. that is not the place for bikes or skateboards. Sidney is not the only town or city who has no bikes or skateboards zones.
I think you have alot to learn about human nature and the kindness that can be shown.
I am not signing my name. Just consider me a True Northie.
Thank you for your comments True Northie.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a learning experience!
Once again you see a side that works, but I see the side that does not work. I know of many family's NOT in that position. Apparently you don't see them, and I can not argue with that.
I am a little perplexed as to you wishing me to learn of human nature & kindness, when you don't see the whole picture? But let me assume you are correct.
Note: Have I ever mentioned Gary Person?
Hmmm...I guess since my "beef" is with our little town losing some of its hometown charm
Example: DQ, A & W, Tastee Freeze, Pizza Hut
I reference these places because we don't have them anymore! Not EVERYONE has a vehicle. Not EVERYONE can drive 3 miles for these SIMPLE things that once were a part of our childhood.
I guess it does have a little to do with developement...So I understand where you feel
maybe I have something against your friend.
Point taken. I simply see a town that is withering out and I find it sad. My ramblings were more to inspire growth IN our town. Maybe I am just aching for the past. If I were shopping for a home town to raise my children, you know...checking out the towns. I would think twice about a town where my children cannot, walk or ride to the corner & get an ice cream. (man.. I focus a lot on ice cream don't I!) Maybe I'm just hungry!
Fatties to the left.
Anyhoot. Thank you for your post. I take it to heart and I will try & do better.
My family and I love to go to Subway for Goodrich icecream..it's right across from the old DQ.. And my kids stop there on their way home from the pool.
ReplyDeleteI am not Gary's friend, I have never met the man. However, I am smart enough to figure out who makes the decisions as far as the taxes and budgets go.
I do see the side that does not work..I lived that side for most of my life. I've walked alot of miles in this town. Did it make me bitter about the North side? NO. I was one of the few kids in my classes at North who had both parents in the same house. Did it make me appreciate just what life is like? You bet. Did it make me strive to do better? You bet.
There are alot of things in Sidney to work on, but from my stand point there are just as many positive things as well. A bunch of things that I did not the opportunity to participate in when I was growing up.
But yes, there IS icecream..and it's a Subway and it's GREAT.
hmmm. I guess I do come accross as bitter.
ReplyDeleteYou are smart true northie.
I don't like to count subway, their icecream has been freezer burned 3 out of 3 times I have been there. Only my opinion! I am very particular about food and I am consious of how much it cost to buy a family of 4 ice cream.
Not cost efficient enough for me. I picture the little kid with a few quarters or maybe a buck, he ain't eatin' icecream there! But I agree that Subway is there. Thank you for your input!