AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February
February 2008
Time to grow up about driving
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
These words caught my eye in the Sunday paper a week ago:
“In Sandy Springs, four police officers quit directing traffic in school zones because of their concerns over drivers, mostly adults, talking on cell phones and not paying attention.”
This is one of those times I wish we’d learn a lesson but I have a pretty good idea nothing is going to change.
As Sandy Springsteens our love affair with doing what we want when we want usually rules the day. We seem to have more than our fair share of adults, and I use that word with grave reservation, who act as though the universe revolves around them.
Usually the sight of a police officer directing traffic should be enough to get and hold an adult’s attention, but apparently too many of our peers would rather chat merrily away rather than wait a few minutes to make a call.
I’ve seen it in our neighborhood. The parents drop the kids at school and common sense gets left as well. The phone gets dialed, the cigarette lit and the coffee mug is put back into play. Three items, two hands not on the steering wheel at the same time and someone who should know better zooming off to start their day and woe-be-unto anyone who might be in their way. The stray jogger. The delivery guy. The police officer.
These people do seem to have the ability to pound their horn if you get in the way. Or flip someone off.
It has been suggested that there be no-phone zones around schools. Folks, do we really need a law to tell us how to behave responsibly? Are we really that rude and self-absorbed that we can’t gets the kids to school without a phone conversation?
If a law is enacted I’d suggest that anyone breaking it be hit with two penalties. One, their phone is immediately smashed with a hammer. Two, it’s their turn to direct traffic while the police officer gets to sit safely off to the side.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Jim Osterman
Do local issues get lost when there’s a national race?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Quick - can anybody tell me what local offices and initiatives will be on the ballot this November? Anybody? Bueller?
The late Speaker of the House of Representatives “Tip” O’Neill once stated that “All politics is local.” Unless we’re talking star power, then local politics can’t hold a candle to our fascination with the national players.
And that’s too bad because we get so caught up in the national races we neglect to find out enough about the people who will be affecting our lives on a day-to-day basis. Sure, presidential candidate X wants to lower your taxes with some plan that will need years to navigate the U.S. Congress, but local candidate X can actually do it in one evening with one vote.
The problem is that the national races seem more fun to watch and are easier to keep up with. National candidates have millions at their disposal, enough to hire a small army to make them look and sound good. It’s the ultimate reality show, but those things are for entertainment and election should be serious events for serious people.
It’s easy to get seduced by national politics. They are several press accounts of former President Bill Clinton and Democratic hopeful Barack Obama showing up at their individual rallies and having the affect of a rock star walking in. I’m sure they’re nice guys, but rock stars? Don’t think so.
I was talking to a friend last week and jokingly asked if he’d been watching the debates. In all seriousness he said he didn’t pay much attention to what was happening nationally - not near as much as his local city council and state legislature contests.
His point was that we get so caught up in the national races that we neglect to think about the quality of the candidates running our business. He said the way the presidential candidates scurry around, and the way the media pursues them, makes him wonder if they all shouldn’t feel just a little sheepish about their conduct.
I know it’s only February but wouldn’t now be a great time to find out what we should be keeping our eyes on right here in our own backyard? Who’s with me?
Anybody?
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Jim Osterman
Reality bites as children grow up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week I got the letter I’ve been expecting for years. It’s the one every parent eventually gets from the Department of Chronological Change/Reality Bites Division. It read:
Dear Mr. Osterman:
According to our records as of Feb. 5, 2008 your son Zachary Payne Osterman reached the age of 21. As such it is time for a modification and paring down of certain parental duties and perquisites. These take place immediately and there is no appeal.
1) We do realize that being seen as an adult in the eyes of the law can be quite different from presently demonstrated behaviors, but no one said life is fair. Indeed, we believe it was you who said that many, many, many times to the former minor child during the last 21 years.
2) Your advice to him is still welcome, if and only if the aforementioned 21-year-old requests it. However, it is now wholly expected that your opinions will be best kept to yourself unless solicited. Failing to heed this is at your own risk, and keep in mind this child will be choosing your nursing home.
3) Likewise, it’s time to curb the usual questions. The following list is meant as a guide and does not reflect everything you are no longer welcome to ask about. Refer to this list often. Please refrain from questions like:
How late were you out last night? Where did you go? Who were you with? Who else is going to be at the party? Are there going to be chaperones? Will there be drinking? Are you saving? Are you going to class? Are you studying?
4) Under no circumstances can you say: “Because I’m your father and I say so.” That phrase is now void.
We do realize that these changes should not be confused with no longer caring, worrying or thinking about your new fully legal adult. You are still free to hug, kiss, call, write letters/e-mails and offer support and encouragement. The phrase “I love you” can be said freely and with impunity.
Lending money is strictly up to you.
This may be hard to assimilate, but if you raised a good, responsible, loving kid then the process of letting go (okay, just between us; loosening your grip), well, 21 is an opportune time.
After all, it’s time to grow up. You, as well as him.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: Jim Osterman
Is a pool-less summer really necessary?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s unusual to think about swimming pools is February, but last year’s drought has forced a conversation while we’re still in the middle of winter.
If things don’t change on the water supply front there is a chance community pools will sit dry this summer, as it would take thousands of gallons to refill them, then more to keep them full all summer. But there is already there is a move afoot to petition state officials for exemptions.
I have an e-mail from one city council member urging Sandy Springsteens to make their feelings known to the state legislature and the Environmental Protection Division (EPD). Some of the reasons cited include the importance of kids learning to swim, not to mention giving them an outside activity during their break from school.
At the other end of the argument is, well folks, we’re in a drought. We need to be conserving water and the decision to let the neighborhood pools operate business as usual shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Why is it we’re all so eager to do the right thing until we might be personally affected, possibly inconvenienced, by the right thing being done? Does every neighborhood pool need to be open at the expense of our - for the moment - endangered water supply?
If a parent want their kids to know how to swim, can’t they make other arrangements this summer? A little homework and the resourceful parent could find indoor pools that are in operation right now that offer swim lessons.
As for giving kids something to do this summer, I’m all for them being outside in the sunshine and fresh air. But will the lack of community pool mean those same kids are going to have nothing else to do but watch TV and play video games? Can’t we as a community come up with other ideas that don’t involve tapping a natural resource?
What would it say about Sandy Springs if we were to successfully get our pools open during a drought? That we only care about an environmental issue when it doesn’t affect our quality of life?
Would it really be so bad in this town for the pools to stay dry for one summer? Maybe we’ll get lucky and there will be enough rain through the rest of winter and into spring, this whole discussion may become moot.
But let’s think about what it says about us when we prefer a short-term fix against long-term problem.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Categories: Jim Osterman
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