The 1/1000-scale Greenway Movement
Now that we’re going to be seeing “full-scale greenway” activists running for council, it’s time for a competing vision: the 1/1000-scale greenway movement. The 1/1000-scale greenway movement will call for a five-foot-long greenway in the City Council parking lot.
Of course, there are some people who will oppose this plan as too costly, with its loss of a parking spot. But we must stand up to these people, because it’s the only way the fairies of this town will ever be able to enjoy green space.
Any plans, AAiO, to be running for council yourself on this Lilliputian Greenway Platform?
You’ve got my vote.
posted by FAA on March 14th, 2006 at 2:28 pmWell, first I’m going to form a Big Friends of the Little Greenway group. You’ll see me at council meetings with a green carpet fiber pinned to my coat.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on March 14th, 2006 at 2:33 pmFairies deserve a greenway! AAIO for City Council
posted by DanIzzo on March 14th, 2006 at 5:10 pmI, for one, would definately vote for AAIO. We need someone with attitude.
posted by voter on March 14th, 2006 at 6:08 pmHmmm, 4th Ward, right?
posted by Larry Kestenbaum on March 14th, 2006 at 6:17 pm5th. AAiO would split off a small piece of the Schmerl pro-Greenway vote (1/1000th of it?), perhaps paving the way for a narrow Easthope victory.
posted by Dale on March 14th, 2006 at 6:26 pmI predict a Schmerl victory over Easthope, 60%-40%, in the August Democratic primary.
posted by DaveCahill on March 15th, 2006 at 5:31 pmDaveCahill said, “I predict a Schmerl victory over Easthope, …”
Dave, based purely on the flavor of various posts I’ve seen of yours in this and other forums, I don’t find it surprising that you’d be supportive of Sonia’s possible bid for Council.
But this ‘prediction’ of victory for Sonia … in the context of the generally whimsically tone of this thread … I found it a little perplexing.
I wonder if it’s the margin of victory, at least, that you meant more as standard hyperbolic rhetorical flourish than as a dead-serious projection? Or, for all I know, the projection of a 60-40 victory could be justified based on information the City Dems have gathered.
Just anecdotally, among hard-core OWS Association folks I’ve talked to in the last few days ( folks who know her well, and have worked with her, and share many of her views on historical preservation, and from whom Sonia would be expected to draw a lot of support), the unanimous and emphatic response to the AA News report of Sonia’s possible candidacy has been, “There’s no WAY I’m voting for her!”
Has she actually filed, yet?
posted by HD on March 15th, 2006 at 6:39 pmI don’t think she has filed. The filing deadline is some time in May.
posted by DaveCahill on March 15th, 2006 at 7:55 pm“the unanimous and emphatic response to the AA News report of Sonia’s possible candidacy has been, “There’s no WAY I’m voting for her!””
I remember people saying that about Bush *both* times…..and look what we wound up with……
Not that I’m equating Ms. Schmerl with Bush (man, would that be a mean-spirited comment)…..even though I vehemently disagree with most of her positions, she just wants her neighborhood to be ‘nice’.
posted by todd on March 16th, 2006 at 11:02 pmI, for one, am wildly enthusiastic about Sonia throwing her–you know it’s coming–hat into the ring. With Tobi Hanna-Davies and Heidi Herrell gone, it’s been years since we’ve had a genuine loony to spice up the meetings. And spice them up she will! If you haven’t seen her tread the Off-Broadway boards of the Historic Commission, you’re in for a treat when this feisty diva finally debuts on the big stage. I’ve heard that she and Blaine are already rehearsing a duet of “What Color Shall We Paint Palestine?” that’s going to knock “There’s a Hole in the Bucket, Dear Liza, Dear Liza” from it’s perch as “Greatest Comic Song about Futility.”
And it’s easy to see why Cahill is enthused. The election of Sonia will provide us with a de facto moratorium on all building within the city, because no one can slow down a project like Sonia. People used to go months without porch lights, waiting for Sonia to approve the new bulb. My neighbor’s three kids were murdered by prowlers (on three seperate nights) while Sonia refused to sign off on the lock core he needed to insert into his historic doorknob. Even dead people could enjoy the show as she held up crucial cemetery maintenance projects. She’s like a human emergency brake. You may call this anti-progressive, but for the sake of my sanity I now prefer to think of it as “entertainment.”
I have friends who used to tape the Historic Commission meetings so they could watch and re-watch her scolding and re-scolding Ed Shaffran. I used to think they were crazy: “This isn’t funny! It’s cruel!” But I’m back on my meds now, and I’m learning to relax. All of us should, and a vote for Sonia would be a good start. Just keep reminding yourself that it’s not a real city, it’s just a set. Like the one Archie Bunker lived on, but all turned around so everything faces the opposite direction.
So how about we give the Hat Lady another shot at stardom? You cannot rent this kind of comedy at Blockbuster, folks. You have to pray and pray for it and then elect it when you get the chance.
posted by Parking Structure Dude! on March 17th, 2006 at 11:26 amSpeaking of nutts [sic], what about the lady who got a ticket for walking on the Greenway–er, I mean the railroad tracks. An attorney? Daughter flying in from California to save Momma from jail? Sheez! Just pay the hundred bucks already.
If her attorney is smart, he’ll tell the jury she was breastfeeding at the time. If it involves a tit, you must aquit!
posted by Delgado on March 18th, 2006 at 10:29 pmGiving her a ticket for walking along the railroad tracks ranks with recent City abuses of power such as not returning that guy’s motorcycle after he had voluntarily given it to the police for use as evidence. The City was forced to cough up the motorcycle after critical AA News coverage. I wouldn’t be surprised if the City also dismissed the railroad ticket.
posted by DaveCahill on March 21st, 2006 at 8:28 am