Reason Rides a BMX Bike
In hindsight, everything that happened in the BMX tête à tête was simply a matter of intelligence. Not all of the information relating to the BMX park was know by everyone at the same time.
For instance, when the Miles Neighborhood meeting flyer was distributed on Sunday, August 14th it was not mentioned that the agenda for the next Pima County Flood Control meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 25th was going to be solely about the BMX bike course. Several key players knew this fact but did not think it important to share this information with others.
In the meantime, BMX supporters, who were in the majority, sensed that they should insist on making their position known in a motion. That motion was reluctantly adopted.
A few minutes after the Pima County Flood Control meeting opened Thursday evening, everything became clear. If the Miles Neighborhood Association had not acted on the motion and just settled for more questions, this Flood Control meeting would have been a complete bust.
Both Barrio San Antonio and the BMXers who built the BMX course wanted it to stay exactly as it is now constructed. No changes. No additions. No improvements.
Andrew, the Miles Neighborhood Co-chair took the floor and supported their position. He then defined “just like it is,” based on the recently approved motion There will be no lights, no spectator stands, no parking lot, no BMX events and if the construction crews level the course, the BMX bikers who built it in the first place will rebuild.
Everyone at the meeting agreed and smiles appeared throughout in the room. Then the Flood Control moderator closed by saying that the final call will be made by the City’s Risk Management office. If they approve then the project can move forward. If not… well, there will be no BMX park. Still, the smiling continued.
In a month or so, the two neighborhoods are planning a potluck something or other to get to know each other better. Then when the next project on the Arroyo Chico agenda, park benches and things, is up for discussion, they will do the intelligent thing. Ask questions about the process first and then ask what are the options, if any.
For instance, when the Miles Neighborhood meeting flyer was distributed on Sunday, August 14th it was not mentioned that the agenda for the next Pima County Flood Control meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 25th was going to be solely about the BMX bike course. Several key players knew this fact but did not think it important to share this information with others.
In the meantime, BMX supporters, who were in the majority, sensed that they should insist on making their position known in a motion. That motion was reluctantly adopted.
A few minutes after the Pima County Flood Control meeting opened Thursday evening, everything became clear. If the Miles Neighborhood Association had not acted on the motion and just settled for more questions, this Flood Control meeting would have been a complete bust.
Both Barrio San Antonio and the BMXers who built the BMX course wanted it to stay exactly as it is now constructed. No changes. No additions. No improvements.
Andrew, the Miles Neighborhood Co-chair took the floor and supported their position. He then defined “just like it is,” based on the recently approved motion There will be no lights, no spectator stands, no parking lot, no BMX events and if the construction crews level the course, the BMX bikers who built it in the first place will rebuild.
Everyone at the meeting agreed and smiles appeared throughout in the room. Then the Flood Control moderator closed by saying that the final call will be made by the City’s Risk Management office. If they approve then the project can move forward. If not… well, there will be no BMX park. Still, the smiling continued.
In a month or so, the two neighborhoods are planning a potluck something or other to get to know each other better. Then when the next project on the Arroyo Chico agenda, park benches and things, is up for discussion, they will do the intelligent thing. Ask questions about the process first and then ask what are the options, if any.
“Great Need for Cereal, Peanut Butter and Canned Fruit”
That’s how Jacob Coldsmith, Logistics Manager at the Community Food Bank put it in his email to me last Wednesday. Until January 2012, these kid related food products are in short supply and Jacob is reaching out to One Can A Week for help.
On the right is the flyer we passed out to our neighbors this past Sunday. As the fates would have it, we’re off to a great start. (See weekly donations below.)
If these items fit into your donation plan, that’s wonderful. But remember, any food donation you make is truly appreciated.
It Must Have Been in the Air
Even before the Urgent Need flyer hit the streets, people were already preparing to donate cereal, peanut butter and some canned fruit.
Barbara Farragut on 12th Street collects food in her sister-in-law's small, Cul-de-Sac neighborhood every three months.. This Sunday the collection was nothing but cereal, Mac & Cheese and some peanut butter. It got us off to a good start to help hungry kids, but Barbara is still shaking her head. “How did they know?” she asked.
We collected a total of 180 lbs. of food. The money we donated amounted to $133.00, two checks for $125.00 and $8.00 in cash.
Aida, the sister of Lenny Cota-Robles, one of our 12th Street volunteers, donated a one hundred dollar check. Surprises like that are just so … surprising.
See you Sunday,
Peter
Even before the Urgent Need flyer hit the streets, people were already preparing to donate cereal, peanut butter and some canned fruit.
Barbara Farragut on 12th Street collects food in her sister-in-law's small, Cul-de-Sac neighborhood every three months.. This Sunday the collection was nothing but cereal, Mac & Cheese and some peanut butter. It got us off to a good start to help hungry kids, but Barbara is still shaking her head. “How did they know?” she asked.
We collected a total of 180 lbs. of food. The money we donated amounted to $133.00, two checks for $125.00 and $8.00 in cash.
Aida, the sister of Lenny Cota-Robles, one of our 12th Street volunteers, donated a one hundred dollar check. Surprises like that are just so … surprising.
See you Sunday,
Peter
No comments:
Post a Comment