Who knew?

Talk about your visionary thinking...



I never thought much about it when they said your average food item travels over 2,000 miles before you get it. I just did not think it was this quick.



Gives me some ideas though..



Cannoli cream pipelines, Maple syrup de-cline railways (ask if your interested, and have funding), and I will not so easily abandon the concept of the BagelRail.

Tragedy strikes to the south of us

Apparently those in Greensboro did not get the memo that retired people are to be courted, as Roanoke does...



Check out this article: Not Greensboring Anymore



Greensboro ranked #40 out of America's cities for singles.



And yes, Roanoke even gets a mention in the article.



I'm very sorry Greensboro, your going to have to deal with a bunch of fun-loving people now.. rather than the retired and in bed by 8 like we get.

Just trying this out..

but I figured why not give you all something to listen to while I play around.



06 djbc-lovelynyc.mp3

Makes sense to me...

"Take this, for example. Oy. The base is an old 1930s building - a rather ridiculous structure that resembles a fascist movie set, but a rare example of its breed. Let us be charitable and note that the tower does not take its foundation into account as much as one might like. It looks like a chrysalis that will produce a robot Mothra.



If such a thing is proposed here, and the architects have sufficient pedigree, I imagine it would be celebrated as proof we’re a “world class” city, complete with the inhuman, arrogant, flavor-of-the-month architecture that title has come to suggest." Lileks



I can't help but draw comparisons between Minneapolis and our own fair city from time to time, mostly when I see things like this.



Don't get me wrong, I certainly do not expect to see any 80-story glass pickles being built atop the former "Day and Night Bank" building. But there is an arrogance to the forces-that-be telling us the Art Museum will represent the mountains - as if the common man is far too common to be able to see the vision, to see the greatness.



Those who mock it as the "wreck of the flying nun" and other things are, in a sense, undesirable - they do not have the intellect to see the beauty in the building, and by consequence - the art contained within.



And of course, this thought is not limited to worldly-art types either. Locally, it's easy enough to find. From the foothills of Mill Mountain, to the lowlands of downtown - the idea has taken hold that the "common man" (which is anyone other than the ones talking) is too blind?/ignorant?/uneducated? to grasp the simple concepts.



And sadly, our elected leaders are neither smart enough, nor bold enough, nor savvy enough to aid the citizens in any meaningful way.



Even those who consider themselves closely allied with them, oft times find nothing but disappointment.



In a nutshell, you have a city divided by it's own citizens, a fully independent city council that feels it answers to no-one. Vote them out you say? Like they are worried about that. They have no fear for their part-time jobs of representing the people. They make far more money, and have far more influence outside of the Municipal Building than they do within it.



So it's up to the citizens at large to stand up for themselves. Organize and revive the city.



I mean we are already getting one giant solar reflector, do we need a matching glass pickle?

New Roanoke 3

I have a feeling I am about to become very unpopular.



I stumbled upon a new phrase this weekend, which really caused me to think hard about Roanoke.



Cultural Sclerosis.



Now there are varying ideas as to what that exactly means, but at it's essence - it's a societal process - as sclerosis is "a hardening of tissue", the culture itself has solidified.



Now let's think about a different, yet related, concept.



Rampant Loser-ism.



How can we expect to attract the best and the brightest when we are constantly bombarded (at home and at work) with tales of young girls whose make it a point to get pregnant before graduation, young men who find it amusing and acceptable to sleep on the median of Crystal Spring Ave. because they spent all their "ride money" on beer, and are too drunk to get anywhere.



And this particular young lad lives in South Roanoke, up towards Boxley Hills.



Or how about the tale of a young girl, 17 - who engaged in adult activities with her mother's boyfriend. In public. And is proud of it.



We hear questions on why our schools have such a high drop out rate, and other asides.



Simple. Education is not valued. Cultural Sclerosis says these things are acceptable.



For the past x-amount of years, the city (and county, which has the same problems - just more spread out) - the losers have won. What good is hard work and an education, when you see so many people living life as they want, "making do with what they have."



Obsolete is accountability, replaced instead by acceptance.



"Well, thats just the way we do things."

"That's just the way he is."



Are standards that low?



Or let us not forget the old hymn: "This is the South."



Well I say hogwash.. balderdash and hogwash.



Accountability is not something that can be introduced like a virus, but it can be grown like a crop. And it is up to the community to show that there is a value to education, but not tolerating ignorance - and not giving it jobs, not allowing it to propagate in the workplace and holding employees to a higher standard.



Yes.. I said it - Standards.



If we, as a city, begin to work on the issue of raising standards for ALL people, not through legislation but through daily interaction, then perhaps.. just maybe - all the efforts at attracting and retaining will pay off. Until then, Roanoke is bereft with a low-powered work force.



Not to say there are not some smart folks and such around - but when visitors come from out of town - they see the mountains, the star, downtown and shuttle them out quickly before they have to stand in line at the bank while the teller reveals all the details about her hysterectomy to a poor businessman who just wants to deposit his check.



But I guess the crutch rears it's ugly head again, but that's a post for another day.



The real theme of this post -the message for a New Roanoke... stop accepting, and start raising.



"We've raised our standards, now up yours."

What was that?

Sounded like a bell...



maybe a death knell...



I know I heard something



Mister Mayor.. one word: unwise.

Notice

If you are looking for me.. I've been busy lately - check the SE blog for information.



Of course, thats not all.. There will be another NewRoanoke this weekend.



Plus, once again your humble servant is mentioned in today's newspaper. An Oak-Leaf Filigree with Bronze Palm for the first person to spot me (excludes only a certain Fire Fighter, and the author of the article) and leave a comment.



Plus.. well, lets just say I have been active within the city. Very active.



Infiltration plans proceeding according to schedule. More later.

Tonight.. (your gonna miss out)

Southeast Residents, come on down to the SE Action Forum meeting at the Police Substation on Jamison and 11th - (parking in the rear) @ 7PM!



For the rest of you - here's some music to mope by.. and you should - not living in Southeast and all.. go mope.

How 'cool' do you want to be, Roanoke?

In the quest for 'coolness' and the young professional's dollar - Roanoke keeps coming up with ideas to improve itself. But there is one thing that must work, considering how many 'cool' cities are like this.



Maybe Roanoke should try it:



Startling new figures on NYC's middle class

WABC Eyewitness News



(New York - WABC, April 3, 2007) - There are some truly startling figures out about how much money it costs a family of four to live a middle class lifestyle in New York City.

The costs, according to the figures, is between $75 and $135,000 dollars a year. Those numbers are way above the national average.



And not surprisingly, many families here are having a very difficult time reaching that goal.



Eyewitness News reporter Sandra Bookman has the story.



Brooklynite Erica Casey-Lee says the family finances have definitely suffered while she's been on maternity leave since the birth of her second child, and making ends meet on her husband's salary alone is a delicate balancing act.



A new survey shows more and more New Yorkers are having to do the same thing in order to maintain a decent standard of living and things don't appear to be getting better.



In fact, while the median family income her is just over $49,000 dollars a year, those surveyed said it actually takes $75 to 135,000 dollars a year for a family of four to live a middle class standard of living.



While health insurance, owning a computer with Internet access and having a full-time job were considered essentials for a middle class standard of living in New York, reasonable housing expenses were at the top of the list.



Many housing advocates say that's not surprising in a city where million dollar plus apartments are becoming the rule not the exception.



Still, despite the challenges of making a life here, nearly every single person we interviewed told us any place else simply wouldn't be New York City.



(Copyright 2007 WABC-TV)



______________________________________________



Just think, if we overinflate the Cost of Living, Housing, and the rest of the day to day expenses - it must make a place cool! There is not one major city that does not have this problem, so it must not be a problem - must be a solution.



Of course I jest, but those figures will give anyone pause for thought.

If you will

Once again, I come to you asking for help.



Myhometownhelper.com is set up by the good folks at Hamburger Helper/General Mills to fund community projects. The Roanoke City Police Department has asked for a grant of $4,000 to wipe out graffiti in Southeast Roanoke.



The folks in charge at Myhometownhelper.com decide on the 15th of every month which projects they will fund.



We have 20 supportive comments now, but I would like to see more.



click on this link and add your voice.



Thanks

New Roanoke 2

Fine. You want the younger generations to come home, make this home, just be here. That's an admirable goal.



Focus.



You cannot buy the youth off with kayak parks and amphitheaters. Seriously.



Focus.



What the youth want is what everyone else wants. A sense of stability, a job they enjoy, and a place to hang out with your friends and have a beer.



Does Roanoke have it?



Somewhat - but the desperation with which they "attempt" to court the young professional is like the stink of fear. It clings.



What makes a city cool? The same things that make it livable. Jobs, services, a mix of everything and nothing.



First thing that young people notice about Roanoke is the beauty. The majestic mountains, the sculpted landscapes - touched by heaven. The 2nd thing is the gritty feel of certain areas - which feels comfortable to those from major cities. 3rd - the serenity of it all.



That's it. Everything else comes later. But the first impact Roanoke makes on someone who has not been here before is those 3 things.



Not the Market - which is a great discovery when they find it. The greenway system is another bonus. Mill Mountain and it's zoo are nearly overwhelming when added to the bowl that is Roanoke.



But let them look a bit deeper, and it becomes apparent that there are cracks in the surface of the bowl.



No support for the kinds of things they want to see, no community to interact with. Low standards, low accountability, and plenty of other chinks in the glaze.



But that happens, and they stick it out - balancing one with the other.



Listen, and focus.



We know Roanoke can be better.



Darlene Burcham recently said that the key to the real revolution in Roanoke is letting people know that this city will not be dragged down by low standards and poor behavior. Direct, honest, and simple. Like that guy that was peeing on the column before the pedestrian walkway Saturday afternoon. Easily 20 people walked by and saw him. Right out in the open, not even attempting to hide it (wearing coveralls makes it hard to shield anything). 20 people walked right by and let this nimrod make our city look bad.



Well, I had a gentle word with this numbnuts - letting him know in no uncertain terms that it was not a bright idea, and a citizen's arrest carries just as much weight with the judge as a cops. Weather it took or not, I can't say - he just walked off.. but that's just one person. If multiple citizens said something - perhaps he would get it through his head... and if not, well - a witness is as good as a photograph.



The power to change comes from Focus.



And that is king.



Focus.

Just a Giglio

I have been wearing many hats lately, and accomplishing much - but you are all going to have to wait a little while longer for the re-launch of Forgotten-Roanoke.com



Just a little. And I was hoping to have it back up and running before the City's kickoff.



Ah well..



I will not be attending the 5-minute parade, as I will be cleaning up SE Roanoke during the Clean Valley Day clean-up.. See the SE Roanoke blog for more information.

New Roanoke 1

"...here is a time when the operations of the machine become so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part; you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus and you’ve got to make it stop. And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machines will be prevented from running at all."

-Mario Savio





There comes a point in history, in a life-story, in this reality that everything must stop.



Wait.



Sit quietly for a moment.



Inhale.



The City of Roanoke bleeds. The city bleeds unyielding to all bandages and tourniquets placed upon the wounds.



7,500 jobs lost in a very, very short time - and still it has not rebounded, not moved on.



What we have here in Roanoke is beyond special - it's beyond mere understanding. We have a workforce capable of anything, but at the same time nothing.



A citizen population which for the most part considers itself under a "Cease and Desist" order by the city itself. Easily distracted by the smaller issues, to the detriment of itself.



A city council which is in no way representative of the citizens, just a small number of them.



In effect, the citizenry of Roanoke is obsolete. Not required for anything other than the taxes they provide and the menial jobs they fill.



And that last statement cuts across the board, across class and race and religion.



Yet, all is no where near lost. Lost has yet to appear on the radar for Roanoke. We still have things no other city on the planet can boast of. Natural beauty being key among them. Wise city forefathers with the forethought to bury power and communications lines underground in the most important area - downtown. Compassion for our fellow man. Vast resources that remain untapped.



We have both wisdom and foresight, yet it rarely is seen. Buried under the oppressive machine that is business in Roanoke. The status quo.



But as I said, all is not lost. There are easy fixes to most of the cities' problems. Remarkably easy.



It just takes vision - and that's where we need to begin.



We have brilliant people living here in Roanoke. People who can see clearly the change that is needed.



We need visionary leaders - not platitudes and beige-ideologues. We need people who can stir the silent masses, the obsolete, and begin moving towards a new tomorrow.



Thats the first step.



Listening for the exhalation of an entire city.

Comments

Sean, of Sean's Horse Farm and Family Blog, left a comment wondering if I had any solutions to offer instead of just deriding others efforts.



Well, yes. Several - but my solutions are works in progress, as I am actively working within the community to develop them.



However, it does bring me to move ahead with the next series of posts I've been mulling over launching over the summer. But I guess now is as good a time as any.



Coming later today - the start of the New Roanoke series. A comprehensive look at several probable futures for Roanoke, and how to get there from here.



Thanks Sean.

What a long, strange week it's been.

I know you have been waiting, some with baited breath, for this post. Well - I hope your not too disappointed.



Let's begin with this item, from last Sunday - "Many wary of market changes"



Well, considering that none of Center in the Square's "leaked" changes have anything to do with reality - including the turning of the parking area for the market into a "European-style plaza." If the city council does not see the reason to close Market St. off to traffic on weekends who in their right mind would think that they would allow it to be closed permanently?



And did anyone consult with 202 Market - I mean, if you are going to put a giant stage next to them, I would think they should be asked - considering they too will have musical acts.



Not to mention the complete "bad-will" publicity that would be garnered by shoving multiple vendors off the market. My question is this - if it was a signature building 25 years ago when it opened as Center in the Square, whats wrong with it now?



And the idea of moving the vendors down the center of Market St. was a no-go two years ago, despite the "raves" from 2005.



Mayor McCheese, or Emperor Nelson of the Mayonnaise tribe spouted forth multiple times this week with bland platitudes of little meaning. "My desire would be that the farmers and florists on the market remain in the market area as they provide a certain ambience(sic) that makes the market area unique and attractive."



Well, yes - but what does it mean? It means the mayor does not want the farmers to leave the market area. Area does not equal Farmer's Market. This from the future George Hamilton (if you were at the St. Pat's parade - you'd get that).



Then we had another missive from Valley Forward, who actually had a good run of media attention this week. Pres. John Lugar was not exactly rational when questioned following a meeting of the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee on Thursday . "This wasn't unexpected, and it clearly shows the committee is dominated by one well-intentioned person with a very strong personality."



Oh, well bless his heart. At least he did not come right out and call the entire meeting a sham, the vote rigged by those who do not share his "Valley Forward" ideals, and the city of Roanoke a hell-hole. You know he wanted to. But no, he keeps touting that line about being "well-intentioned". If it will take a high-priced inn on Mill Mountain to attract (and retain) more folks like Mr. Lugar and Associated - oh well. Bless his heart, he's so well-intentioned.



Oh but wait - we were treated to a column in the Times by one Robert Fralin, vice-chairman of Valley Forward on Tuesday. Wait - I've read this before. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is simply an old press-release with a new paragraph added. Nice of the Times to give them this much press though, they need it - as the other projects the claim to champion have little or no information available. I'm guessing by the time the summer is over, they are going to wish they never even brought it up. Oh, but do not forget - they have the Gallop for the Greenways which would have been a great way to show they care about Roanoke, had it not been overshadowed by the Inn debacle.



Again, I'm not hating the idea of something on Mill Mountain. A restaurant, a cafe - but not another version of the Hotel Roanoke. Rockledge closed as an Inn, what makes Valley Forward think that the New Rockledge would be any more sustainable?





Roanoke City made part of Fishburn Park an "off-leash" heaven for dogs, and from what I understand - the response has been tremendous. Unfortunately, the ForgottenDogs are not bright enough to understand the concept of "come" and "stay" are not likely candidates for such a facility, but I do wholeheartedly support such an idea.



Oh, and one last thing - I do have my own opinions about what to do with Mill Mountain, how to make Roanoke cool, what to do with the Market area, and so forth. And a lot of them have a base in the Roanoke we will be celebrating with the 125th Anniversary - you'd be surprised what the past can show us, to lead us into the future.



You will be hearing more about them in the future. Much more.

This weekend

The post you have all been waiting for is coming. If you have been watching the news, reading the paper, or listening to the water-cooler crowd talk - you know what I'm talking about - but the subject is so vast, so complex that it is taking me a while to get it all into one post.



But I will.



keep your eyes peeled.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to the Forgotten-Wife, who I am sure is enjoying her reign as queen of Roanoke-Photos.



Posting will be light, but expect some well placed vitriol in the overnight hours as I post about the.. no - we will wait on that one.

Wait for it

Market plan could uproot 53% of vendors displaced by Center plan.



I'll have more to say later on - but for now, I've got a day from hell.

It ends

After watching the way the city handled the Police officers greviances, the Sheriff's morale-boosting plan, and authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages in city parks until 11:15pm.. one can only wonder how far into madness the City Council is willing to sink before the next election.



Making no friends is no way to run a campaign - and there are 4 seats up in the next election.



Come to find out today, contractors in the city have to be bonded each year. In most sections of the country - contractors need be bonded once, and carry that for the duration of the job. Bonding costs in the neighborhood of $12,000. And the city, in all it's infinite wisdom, insists that without a current-year date on the bond - it's not valid.



Tell that to the lawyers.



Double time now. Bring on the chaostrophy.



How about an individual, scouted and hired by the city to do a certain job, unable to do that job because the city does not understand the concept of Myspace, or it's value to the particular defined task.



Which they defined...



How it pains me to tell friends: "Come down to Roanoke, vacation and relax, but leave your common-sense at home. It has no place here."



I speak to you folks daily, from all walks of life. And no one of you can understand the operations of the machine. It astounds you to watch as the simplest concept gets skewed and changed into the biggest non-issue around.



You have faith in family, faith in G-d, faith in your job - but no faith in the City upholding it's end of the bargain. Like the schools.



And no, I do not need to illustrate that point - if you can't figure it out, you need to read the paper more often.



It's time for the citizens to do what the city cannot. Have faith in each other. Believe that it is possible for the city to get better, and it will. The "SoRo" minority cannot hold power over a populous motivated.



And do not think it is always South Roanoke behind everything. Or Carilion. Most often, it's blind ignorance or fear of movement that stifles the city.



It all comes down to the same issue - time after time. Who controls your hope?



The city council would certainly like to stifle that hope - the dream of a better future in the city, because it would mean they would have to make the highly unpopular choice of actually doing something. Unpopular amongst them. Watch a council meeting once - it only takes once before you, like Mr. Wishneff - are so beaten by the wet mop of Status Quo that you begin to lose hope.



Hope is the first step, fear is the mind killer.



Now, it ends.

Cost vs. Quality

13 pages. I can't wait to see that in print. Someone must have it.



A 13 page letter written by Darlene's office to tell the Roanoke cops "No. Not yours."



Here's a secret for you. Unspoken for a while.



Southeast Roanoke (our humble abode) is apparently larger than one might initially imagine. Not only does it run from the tracks south, Vinton west, and 581/220 east - but it includes the communities of South Roanoke, Garden City, and borders on Clearbrook and the gravel pits. That's including Avenham, Franklin Rd., Mt. Pleasant, Mill Moutain, Fallon Park....



Thats a large area. And only 3 cops patrol on each shift.



3 of Roanoke's finest, covering an area the size of a small Soviet-bloc country. Somehow it doesn't seem right does it?



Well, the reasoning is even more interesting. In order to keep appearances of staffing, the city reduced the maximum number of police on the force - because, well - it would never do to be understaffed now would it?



So when the city police ask for concessions - I say we should give them something. You are asking 9 of Roanoke's finest to do more in a 24 hour period than most cities ask of their officers.



Roanoke City Police run single man patrol cars, easily the most dangerous of the options for police. And how long before backup arrives.



You'll have to pardon me, but I'm the son of a cop - and this is a disgrace. I feel for the fine officers of Roanoke's own - they deserve better than this.



But a 13 page letter, outlining how much you've done, how you've given and bent over backwards.. and here we are running 3 unit shifts. No partner in the car, no backup in close proximity.



Take your letter and shove it.



Like I said - completely anonymously, I would welcome a copy of the letter. Just for my own edification.



(this will be cross posted to the SERoanoke blog)