SHE WON'T GO!
Normally I like Tom Eblen’s columns for the Hairy-Liberal. But I’ve got a real problem with his latest one.
He starts out alright, suggesting perfectly reasonable questions our City Council might ask the Webb Brothers.
Like: “Does Webb really have financing?”
Sure, yeah, I care about the answer. But Eblen doesn’t just get a free pass because I agree with him.
I’m a fair minded person. I think it’s important to call people out — even your own allies — when they are wrong.
And as he goes on, it becomes clear: Tom Eblen is wrong.
I’m not even gonna get into his Stalinist views on parking downtown. His parking pogrom is all flowers and candy compared to the vitriol he spews next…
[T]he first thing council members should question – and delete from the list – are the two pedways. Most cities stopped building pedways 20 years ago because they sucked life from the streets. These pedways would cost about $1.5 million each. Does anyone but Dudley Webb think that’s a good investment for Lexwebbington?
What?
How about this question: Does anyone but Tom Eblen think pedways are a bad investment for Lexwebbington?
I may be against the CentrePointe project, I might think the Webb’s are ripping off the city for the third decade in a row, and I might even think Jim Newebberry’s performance as mayor has been as inspired as his haircut…
…but I’m not some luddite who can’t see the beauty and utility of progress.
I have been arguing for these pedways since Day 1.
In fact, I am undoubtedly the Webb Brother’s biggest champion on this issue.
Lexington needs more pedways.
I have been entirely consistent on this point. I said it on April 3rd just as I said it on August 6th. I have never wavered, I have not flip-flopped, and I think Tom Eblen is woefully, tragically wrong on this issue.
Whatever disagreements I might have with the Webbs and Jim Newebberry, we agree on this central fact:
We must build more pedways.
I believe this is truly a cause we — proponents, opponents — can all rally around.
I will hold out an olive branch to bring these two sides together.
Let us convene a weekend gathering in the Gorge — call it “Camp David” — where we will hammer out a peace accord on this pedway issue.
Lexwebbington might not need more unoccupied condos. Our city might not need an unfinished hotel.
But we certainly, unquestionably need more ways to get around the city without encountering homeless people.
The final solution to this problem is clear:
More pedways.
I am convinced these peace accords will succeed.
Mr. Eblen, Mr. Webb, Mr. Webb, Mr. Webb and Mr. Newebberry… will you join me?
We can have pedways in our time.
KentuckyElection.org
BONNIE PRINCE BILLY
I’m not too proud of a man to say that this made me cry.
You’ve built a pedway into my heart, Mr. Schankula.
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i got mugged in the pedway from the civic center to victorian square with another friend when i was in 6th grade, by a gang of high school kids no less. right over mainstreet. what a shame…
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Honestly, I kind of agree with Eblen on the pedway issue but I was interested to hear your take on the (non)issue only to get to the point:
“But we certainly, unquestionably need more ways to get around the city without encountering homeless people.”
THAT is why you are fighting for pedways? How about we use those millions of dollars and build another shelter or start a foundation to help get these people off the street instead of just throwing money away trying to get around them?
That is absolutely the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard.
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Agreed. And I don’t understand why liberals love Colbert so much too. He’s a friggin’ Republican!!!!
(Head. Desk. etc…)
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Could we integrate go-carts into the pedways somehow? If so then I will lend my full support to your cause.
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anon: yes!
i believe there is room in the great pedway compromise of 2008 for go-carts.
if my major policy statements are carried out, the entire downtown core will be encircled in pedways — thus creating a perfect track for an annual go-cart grand prix.
it will surely be bigger than the Indy 500, and will assuredly fill all the hotel rooms in CentrePointe at $300 a bed.
samantha: while we may disagree, i thank you for your careful reading of my opinions and your thoughtful critique.
I find it hard to believe that you’re serious about “avoiding homeless people” – right? I mean, you cannot honestly argue against Centrepoint, yet argue for pedways based simply on the avoidance of the homeless – can you? I’m not sure that we do need pedways as I have never had any problem with crossing a street… I DO have a problem with anyone who believes that by not SEEING the homeless, means they do not exist. Such a naive point of view…
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PS – I would, however, be psyched to race in the go-cart grand prix (pedway or no pedway)!!
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Head. Desk. etc.
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being in a pedway wouldn’t mean that the homeless don’t exist, just that the good people of lexington won’t have to share pavement with them.
also, pedways are generally made with lots of windows so I am sure the Webb Brothers’ plan will still enable us to see the homeless. lay your worries to rest!
david = imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarch.
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What happens if the homeless decide to sleep in the pedways? (Phoenix Park will be a parking garage).
We’ll have to step over them now instead of just walking around them and avoiding eye contact.
Unacceptable. You didn’t think this through Schankula.
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The solution is obvious. We’ll only need to use the pedways on rainy days and during the winter. The rest of the time we should pack all the homeless into the pedways so we can use the sidewalks unobstructed.
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you people and your crazy liberal talking points.
homeless people don’t gain access to pedways because there are security guards at festival market, victorian square, triangle center, the hyatt, the radisson, the world trade center and lexington financial center.
haven’t you ever wondered why the security guards are there? it’s to keep homeless people out of the pedways.
the pedways are secure. your petty fear-mongering will not stop the Webb Bulldozer of Awesomeness.
Cincinnati had pedways called skywalks. it ruined the street level atmosphere of downtown and it really ruined it. now they are dismantled and it is much better. you really can’t handle seeing homeless people that much? i believe this blog is called Barefoot and PROGRESSIVE
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Three and a half years later and that desk is still not tired of being abused by that head?
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I suggest that we take the “Lex” out of it entirely and just rename the city “Webbington”. Or, it will naturally evolve: the shiny creatures in the sky will look down with disgust at the subculture of “Lexingtonians” who don’t utilize the pedways. Kind of like the mole people.
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