Louder Than Words

Here's a good example of preservation in Springfield. This once lovely pediment is an architectural feature of the City-owned building around the corner from me, the boarded-up and neglected former Technical High School. Removed "for preservation" from the building when the back wing was torn from the building a few years ago, it was simply laid on the grass, where it was run over a couple of times by heavy machinery.

The City has a new, much-ballyhooed preservation initiative. Pretty soon the city councilors are going to start blathering about our precious heritage, and I'm sure many will be impressed by the rhetoric. This pediment speaks much louder to me about the breadth and depth of their commitment. Too little, too late, guys!

n.b. to Mayor Ryan: Shovel your city sidewalks, please! My neighbor and I were just out there breaking our backs and bending our shovels, cleaning ours. It's a city ordinance, after all. You're not above slapping code violations on struggling single women for trifles like peeling paint which are not in any way health- or safety-related. This poor neighbor lady, who used up her budget last year on fixing her roof, and who keeps her grounds cleaner and neater than most municipal properties, is complaining about property taxes being raised again. Please show us you're spending on services at least a little of all that $$$ you collect, and not just sticking it in your pockets. Peace.