[Summit] Parking & Other Concerns

[libertyliterary at cox.net]

Dear Neighbors,

I can relate to all the concerns expressed  on this  topic, but my biggest one is that we maintain  an atmosphere of understanding  of each other's problems and feelings.  The issues can be addressed without getting onto  a personal level.  Everyone has a point that deserves thought and attention.  Here are a few of mine:

1.  I grew up in New York City - in Manhattan.  Parking there is 
strict, traffic awful, few people have cars.  BUT, (Big But!) , one 
can readily and cheaply get anywhere at all by public transport.
It is useless to complain about so many cars when for many of us,
no other viable options are offered.  That's where a lot of energy 
and effort shoudl be focused.

2.  Some very good people are renters - I like to think that my 
husband and myself are among them.  We are quiet and don't litter.  There are many individual students who are great people and easy to be around.  However, it's a fact that the general character of student-heavy neighborhoods is more noisy and chaotic. (I used to work in the Community Policing Bureau of the Providence Police Department).   No one should be blamed for preferring not to live in such.  Unfortunately, there aren't  really good solutions to  this.  Just playing with parking won't solve it.  Many students don't have cars at all, because they are young, healthy, can get around by bus, bike and walking in the limited area where most of their living is done - near the college.  The "student" problem is less about cars and more about  the prevailing booze culture at American universities.

3.  Condos do tend to cut down on multi-tenant apartments - but at a cost.  They eliminate renters  and result in a suburban-type neighborhood without much diversity.  They drive up the cost of each dwelling so that one-family houses become prohibitive in price. 

4.  Finally, about the paving over lawns concern.  Frankly, in many cases, the concrete is healthier for the local environment than the poisoned areas some call "lawns".  As the director of the Toxics Information Project (TIP), a non-profit researching and educating toxics in everyday living, I can tell you that  a lot of people are getting sick from the lawn pesticides to which we are exposed from other people's spraying.  Birds, dogs and cats crawl away and die after going on the newly treated grass.  They can't read the little lawn signs.  Kids can't or don't read the signs either - and exposure to these products can cause or trigger such conditions as asthma, learning disorders, even cancer.
See our website at : www.toxicsinfo.org/playingfields.htm for just a few articles on the health effects.   As to beauty -  although not perfect, some beautiful, large potted plants and other  decorative options could at least improve the look of those parking areas.

Blessings,

Liberty G