Monday, February 21, 2005

A Face Lift for Downtown

Much ado about appearances.

In Chuck Green’s editorial about what ails Pueblo yesterday he mentions how downtown doesn’t look all that pretty from the high ground of I-25.

He has a point. Especially along the stretch of Santa Fe between 6th and 2d Streets to the west of I-25. There are a lot of older buildings housing on-going businesses that could use a face lift. But it costs money to scrub brick and mortar properly. Also to improve signage. Some things that would improve the appearance of the foremost part of downtown that people travelling along I-25 would see, if they bothered to look. And in periods of economic stress, that’s money that does not necessarily translate into an improved bottom line.

Maybe the anwser, from the city’s perspective, would be to apply something of a veil.

Instead of pressuring the business owners to improve their store front appearance, why not put in something that will naturally appear more attractive from the interstate. Trees.

Yes, they take some time and care to grow properly, but as I’ve mentioned before, in another incarnation on the web, there are some trees that very quickly grow to a height and breadth that would do much to improve the appearance of such sections of town. The Globe Willow is what I call ‘almost instant tree’. In only seven years it can have a height of 20’ and a width of about the same. Their only serious problem, as far as I can tell, is they don’t last very long. Twenty years or so, with proper care. But they are lush and provide excellent shade. Like we can’t use shade in Pueblo in the Summer. Eh?

What I’d do, if I were responsible for this activity, would be to plant a number of trees along Santa Fe. Every other tree planted along a stretch would be a Globe Willow. In between each Globe Willow would be a slower growing and longer lasting shade tree such as an Ash or Oak or Maple. In twenty years, when the Globe Willow begin to go bye-bye, the other trees would be tall enough to take up the task of providing shade and a pleasant appearance. And when a Globe Willow is taken out of the system, a slower growing shade tree would be put in its place to continue the work of beautifying downtown.

Maintenance of the trees would be a necessary task, but we already have a group to maintain such trees in our parks. We could use their efforts to maintain the trees in downtown as well.

With this system, in a few short years, we could have an improved frontage along I-25 as well as much needed shade in the Summer and more amicable shopping along Santa Fe. Such changes in the environment might even draw in more diverse businesses to that section of town.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

More Evidence of Dysfunctional Business Efforts

If you want to attract business to downtown, don’t put government offices in prime real estate locations.

I understand that the City and County Public Health Department is looking for new, or rather different, office space. I can appreciate that need. However, since we’re on the topic of apparent dysfunctional efforts to attract business to Pueblo, let’s talk about this activity.

It seems that there are five locations on the short-list for Public Health’s new digs. One of which is the old Holmes Hardware building. A very nice old building with lots of history, lots of space, lots of parking and lots of useful years ahead of it. Strategically situated at the intersection of Union and B Streets, on the corner of the restoration effort of the historic Union district, it has a commanding presence that many a major retailor would covet, like an anchor location in a major mall.

So, tell me….what is the logic of putting a government agency there? Will it enhance the retail activities of the district? Hardly. So why are the City Fathers not saying, “No way!” As it is, I have not heard a peep out of them about this.

Chuck Green, in today’s editorial, touched on dysfunctional efforts to attract good business to Pueblo. He also mentioned the city’s apparent disregard for historical structures. Here, with the Publich Health Department’s interest in Holmes Hardware, we see both of these fused in perfect synchronicity. Let’s make a government building out of a perfectly good business opportunity.

What we REALLY need in the old Holmes Hardware building is a retail magnet that will draw consumer business to the historic Union District. Not a government agency that will do nothing for commerce in downtown. Something like Borders. I’ve called Borders about the possibility. And although I didn’t do lunch with their CEO, I got the distinct impression that they’d look at the idea.

I mean, Circuit City is okay. So is Barnes and Noble. But they are not Borders. We could use a bit more serious competition in that segment. More attractive shopping opportunities scattered about the city, especially in downtown. And whereas we cannot do well without the Public Health Department, could they not do their work just as well in one of those big vacant buildings along the southern stretch of Santa Fe?

I think so. But I’m just a grunt. I could run the logistical activities of a heavy brigade in contact with an ‘enemy’ out of a trunk in the corner of a rat-infested, abandoned rail car. Along with the rest of the brigade staff crammed in there with me. I had a roof over my head to keep out the rain and my feet were dry. But I’m easily pleased…when it comes to where I work. Not when it comes to where I live.

Dysfunctional Efforts to Attract Business to Town

Location. Location. LOCATION!

Any real estate agent will tell you the truth and the power of their favorite axiom (see italics, above). Location is what drives business. And Pueblo is a great location for a number of businesses, of many different stripes. But trying to lure a big cat into a good location for it is sometimes a difficult thing. Businesses, like cats, are rather cautious about going to a new location. Especially if they are comfortable where they are. Putting out something to tempt them is often a good idea. Cities often do this by offering incentives.

We saw such incentives offered to Wal-Mart to put in a distribution center near the intersection of Purcell Boulevard and US Highway 50.

But there can be problems. Generally speaking, it is not a good idea to tempt a cat to make your favorite chair its favorite place as well. Especially if the cat tends to be a bit ‘messy’ or isn’t well house-broken.

My personal opinion is that putting such a major logistics center at that location would have made a mess out of US 50. [Note: See earlier comment.] Especially in light of the information that the trucks would NOT have been using Purcell to reduce the traffic load on US 50. The whyfore of that is still to be explained. And it tweaks my natural ‘paranoia’; some dark plans on the part of nefarious elements within city and county government could have been at work. But that’s another story and it is OBE [Overcome By Events], since Wal-Mart has pulled out of the deal.

Chuck Green seems a bit dismayed about this recent turn of events. I’m not. That location was miserable. There is a much better location at the Municipal Airport’s Industrial Park, I think. Especially in light of the developments relating to the establishment of the Super-Slab, which would be closer from the airport than from Purcell and US 50.

The paper indicated that changes made to the original accord struck between Wal-Mart and Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO), were the cause of the deals collapse. I’m curious as to what those changes were. According to things I heard in City Council chambers, PEDCO was not living up to its contract with the City of Pueblo, vis-a-vis specifications as to the numbers of jobs and how long those jobs were to be permanent. I thought I heard that PEDCO had dropped any such requirement on Wal-Mart. That would seem to be a breach of contract matter. And, if the city did not pursue it, it would have reflected badly on them.

Yes. Yes. Yes. I heard some City Fathers say that the deal was outside of the city limits and therefore not a matter germane to their interest. Okay. What’s PEDCO doing rounding up business that isn’t in the city? The city IS paying PEDCO to round up business for inside the city, right? If PEDCO is working both the City and the County, I’d suggest there is a serious conflict of interest going on here. And that strikes me as a breach of contract matter as well. But I’ve not seen the City’s contract with PEDCO. [Note: Where can I find a copy?] Does it allow for PEDCO to work both sides of the street?

Chuck Green, in his editorial today, was complaining that the people opposed to the Wal-Mart distribution center seemed to “want jobs but not employers”. I disagree; see comments above. What I think we want are jobs in locations that make sense and don’t trash the rest of the living conditions that make Pueblo a great place to live. Bringing in a Wal-Mart distribution center would be great for providing jobs. But putting it in the wrong location makes a mess for the rest of us. Indeed, I know one person that, had the deal gone through, would have moved from his present house, north of US 50, to Northside, in order to avoid having to run the gauntlet.

Let’s get business into town in the locations that work best for as many people as possible. Let’s not turn Pueblo into the Gedi Prime (see science fiction classic, Dune) of Colorado.

Troubles In ‘Paradise’

There’s TROUBLE. Right here in River City….

Chuck Green has an interesting editorial in today’s Pueblo Chieftain. The reverse side of the Pueblo coin. Last week he editorialized on why this is a great place to live. Today, he shows us the other side of the coin. Listing the flaws in the object that makes it less than perfect condition. And the list is interesting.

• The ‘ugly’ face of downtown people see as they whiz past on I-25.
• I-25 exits that drop people into ‘ugly’ neighborhoods.
• Inadequate ‘signage’ that fails to promote this place properly.
• A self-esteem issue. Heh….
• Resistance to change.
• Highest teen pregnancy rate in Colorado.
• A disregard for the historic aspects of the city.
• Apparent dysfunctional industry attracting activities.
• An apparent collection of skeletons in a closet; some of which are about to open the door and step into the living room. Presumably to dance a merry jig for eveyrone’s entertainment.

I can’t speak to the secrets he’s referring to in the last bullet. I don’t know what these skeletons look like. He does and I look forward to watching the dancing and commensurate excitement that will result.

I can speak to some of the other issues he mentions. And I think I will. And I invite others to chime in with their opinions. This blog has been established for such a discussion as this. It’s the ideal place for people to actually get a ‘letter to the editor’ published. And in such a fashion as for the whole world to see; that which bothers to look here.

Over the next few days, I’ll address the various bullets. I hope others here have the courage to contribute their thoughts.

Monday, February 14, 2005

Super-Slab SITREP — 050214

House action completed.

According to the Pueblo Chieftain, HB 1030, the legislation to authorize an initial step in the establishment of a four-lane super highway and dual-railroad system to the east of the Front Range metropolitan areas, has passed the state House vote.

This is good news. Actually, this is great news. The momentum is building for building something every city along the Front Range desparately needs, relief from the congestion on I-25 and the rail net.

Forward thinking people, most especially transportation planners and urban developers, will need to re-examine some concepts I’ve heard batted about over the last year or so.

Is Water Thicker Than Blood

Stray thoughts on water issues, politics and family.

So we have the Salazar brothers representing us in Congress; Senator Ken Salazar and Representative John Salazar.

I wonder how they would vote if a matter relating to water quality or sales in the Arkansas River Valley came before them at the national level. I trust that our 3d District Rep, John, would vote as we would vote were in in his shoes. The question is would Ken vote the same way? After all, the metroplexes that covet the Arkasas River water provided a big part of his ride into the Senate.

Based on the fact that Rafael Gallegos (D-Antonito) was rebuked by his fellow Democrats on the House committee that shot down his proposal for cleaner water, I get the distinct impression that when it comes to water, party politics and possibly even family, are ‘out the window’, like the baby with the bath water.

That Unmistakable Sucking Sound

Words will not stop it.

Mr. Rawlings had a nice editorial in the Pueblo Chieftain last week. It was all about how everyplace between Commerce City and Monument Hill is eyeing the water in the Arkansas River Valley to meet their growing demands for clear liquid gold. Lots of comments on how speculators are trying to buy up the water in order to sell it to the metroplexes.

It’s nice to see Rawlings and Company spreading the alarm. Unfortunately, spreading the alarm is not going to solve the problem. Even MORE unfortunate is the fact that our electing people who will fight for the water of the Arkansas to stay in its valley isn’t going to do much good either. Why is that? Well, it all goes back to the early 60s when the Brennan Supreme Court overthrew the constiutition of the Great State of Colorado, along with every other state constitution; Baker v. Carr (1962). It’s called the One-Man/One-Vote ruling and it destroyed the balance of power between the urban and rural communities in every state, save Nebraska. It has a one-house legislative body. It did this by making the state senate nothing more than a glorified state house of representatives.

As it is now, eventually, the metropolitan areas will win out because they have the controlling votes in both houses of the legislature. As an example of this, I cite the results of the recent legislative effort to require that water out of the ‘system’ should be put back in, or exchanged, at the same quality. HB 1181, initiated by Rafael Gallegos (D-Antonito). It was shot down in flames because the concept ‘went too far’. (See Pueblo Chieftain article.)  Admittedly it was shot down in a house committee. And the house, whether the One-Man/One-Vote ruling is overthrown or not, will always favor the metroplexes. But that’s only right. It would be interesting to see what would happen if this bill was sponsored by a state senator. I’ll wager that the metroplex dominated state senate would do the same thing.

Everybody thinks the Great Compromise that exists at the national level, in Congress, is a great idea. I wonder why they can’t see the importance of it at the state level as well. And if it is such a good idea, why the heck aren’t they fighting to get it back?

Brennan’s decision is probably the most egregious example of judicial activism in American history. And we, here in Pueblo and the Arkansas River Valley are having to live with the consequences. If the Pueblo Chieftain really wants to get into the thick of it, it will start looking for a case to spearhead an attack on the infamous Brennen decision to get our state legislature to look, act and behave as the Congress does, where there is balance between the populous areas and the rural.

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Mutual Respect Requires Honesty

The police department’s efforts to win the trust of the citizens will be in vain if it is not willing to examine actions in the public light.

Juan Espinosa, of the Pueblo Chieftain staff, has a good ‘editorial’ in today’s edition. He’s addressing last Thursday’s efforts at public relations efforts conducted by the city with regards to the growing concern that the Pueblo Police Department has an attitude problem.

This segment of the article caught my attention….

Pino’s family questioned why police have been reluctant to release reports on the incidents that led to the young man’s shooting. A lawyer for the family said Police Chief Jim Billings had not returned calls from the family. Chief Billings countered by saying the family had missed an appointment with him to discuss the case. He offered to set another date. Pino’s mother said she was not ready.

The question that it brought to my mind is, where is the official police and coroner’s report on the shooting of Daniel Pino? Surely they have been completed and are on available. What does it take to see the reports? A Freedom Of Information Act law suit?

I remember my days living in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the 70s. I recall two incidents where the police had to kill someone in their contacts with the citizens. One incident was right out of Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty for Me. A mentally unstable man came out of the door of his room with a kitchen knife and attempted to stab one of the detectives who had come to question him about a reported criminal activity. In the other incident a guy started shooting at the officers. In both instances, the LPD held a public hearing to explain their official reports on the incidents. The citizens respected the police department’s actions in both instances. The public hearing to brief the citizens worked very well in accomplishing that.

I would suggest that it would be in everyone’s interest if the PPD adopted the same policy. If someone is shot by an officer, then the PPD should hold a public hearing to explain the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

Friday, February 04, 2005

Girl Scouts, Beware!

Or….letting no good deed go unpunished.

An interesting report from Durango.

Seems that a couple of sweet kids, who decided to skip an opportunity to ‘parte!’ in order to do a good turn for their rural neighbors around Durango wound up going to court and paying $900 for their efforts to promote community. So, instead of going to some place where they might get drunk and or ‘accosted’, they baked a bunch of cookies and went from farm to ranch to home dropping off a dozen or so and knocking on the doors.

One each Wanita Renea Young, age 49, claims she suffered an anxiety attack from the delivery. She reports that she thought they were burglers, or worse.

She had such an anxiety attack that she went to the hospital…the next day. So, in order to recoup her medical expenses, along with punitive damages for ‘pain and suffering’, she did what any red-blooded American woman would do…she sued! [Note: Please excuse the sarcasm.]

Judge Doug Walker, who heard the case, decided in Young’s favor with regards to medical expenses. However, the ruling denied the punitive ‘pain and suffering’ request.

Personally, when I’m having a bit of anxiety, I use a homeopathic materia medica; Ignatia. Two pills under the tongue. Works every time.

For burglers and other intruders, I’ve something a tad ‘stronger’; Plumbum Metallicum in non-homeopathic doses.

In the future, I recommend to Mz Young that she might do better to consider those alternatives.

For the civic minded young folk, in Durango and elsewhere, be careful as to whose door you knock on. And it doesn’t have to be at night. Especially now that a legal precedent has been established.

And for the two young ladies….let that be a lesson for you. God only knows WHAT. But, as one general officer addressing the assembled classes at Benning School for Boys said….

“Good judgement is based on experience. Experience is based on bad judgement.”