Streetcars and Budgets Online
I was so happy to see the streetcar running in the Lower Garden District today that I found myself battling an overdue wave of tearful joy. The atmosphere along the avenue was wonderful. The route to Napoleon was lined with officials and RTA drivers in their purple shirts. Passers-by were taking photos and honking and waving. I had to fight back tears because I had to go to work. I didn’t want to show up all puffy and unable to stop crying, so I called Craig to be sure he’d be able to take a ride with TBK on my behalf once they started to accept actual passengers.
My co-workers were as happy as I was to hear my report of the cars rolling. Some gleeful arm pumps were happening in the otherwise quiet environs of Law Library Circulation in support of the streetcar’s return along the Avenue.
Once at the library, I received some more rather positive news . . .
After bitching last year, in this post and to Stacy Head about the City’s Budget not being available online . . . Councilwoman Head has come through and helped to make it so:
The other really important part, the shedule for hearings on the budget is here:
2008 Budget Hearing Schedule
This is when and where to show up in person to do some really effective bitching. Bitching here does us little good.
We all know that the streetcar line needs to get finished to Carrollton ASAP and we also know the Budget must get approved with provisions for our Inspector General’s funding. So we aren’t completely gleeful yet . . . we still have some happiness in reserve.
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It’s amazing the dichotomy between what seems “critical” to those in the “devastated” parts of NOLA and those in the “non-devastated” sections. I fully understand how the return of streetcars would be important to Uptown folk, and it assuredly would have been a lot more important to me had this been taking place prior to August 2005. Alas, it isn’t…and sadly it may be awhile before this has the same kind of impact for me as it now does for those on the dry side of the divide. Congratulations to you guys on your progress!
Heh. Point well taken, Puddinhead.
I will say, though, that (as one who lived in the “devastated” city before moving to the “non”) I hope my neighbors on the Isle experience the same delirious joy over other truly “critical” improvements to the city’s infrastructure, as they do for the streetcars.
I’d say the recent reopening of the Robert’s Fresh Market on Robt. E. Lee would qualify in the same class as the streetcar’s return. A simple thing like being able to stay in your own neighborhood and make groceries is a tremendous step forward.
Yeah, I agree, I was very happy for those folks in Lakeview to be getting a grocery store, finally. It must make them just as happy. These basic things make us feel so much better as things become more functional across the city and the quality of life improves.
Now, if only we could make a dent in the crime, but economic development is part of that and there is some movement in the right direction on many levels. That, as well as the criminal justice reforms like Court Watch and the rebuilding of the NOPD facilities, the DA’s office shakeup, etc.
The streetcar’s return in the LGD reminded me that we are turning some critical corners from rebuilding to recovery. Our education system, with it’s new leader, is another entity to watch for signs of hope and improvement. It’s taking some time but it does feel like forward motion!
In his recent column on the streetcar’s return, Chris Rose quoted our favorite streetcar driver hollering to the cars stuck in front of him on the line, “Get out the way!”
In his recent column on the streetcar’s return, Chris Rose quoted our favorite streetcar driver hollering to the cars stuck in front of him on the line, “Get out the way!”
He got the line wrong! It’s, “Move that buggy!”
Its something that you can see! I am glad they are back. I will take my ride tommorow and bring my camera. It was not that long ago that I was putting my Open House signs on the tracks along with a flyer box. Time flies.
You know, Puddinhead, while on the one hand I completely agree with you-on the other hand, I couldn’t disagree more.
The Streetcars, whether they are running up and down St Chuck, or Canal, or Carrollton, or wherever, are, no matter what else gets thrown into the basket, a very solid, very true symbol of this city-for both citizens and well walleted travelers alike.
Also, truly, the return of the streetcar service is a pretty good example of just how hard all of this has been for ALL of us. Just think, it shouldn’t be that hard. It’s a wire to provide direct current, an electric motor, a chassis made of steel and wood with at least some parts that are pre WWII, a set of tracks, and a contact sticking up to make contact on the wire. Now, I ask you, how fucking hard is that to fix?
Well, when you do it our way, as with virtually every single thing that the city has anything to do with repairing, it’s pretty damned hard, apparently. Now, better than two years later, we have some of it working. Anyone within 4 or 5 blocks, in either direction off of St Charles, can hear that thing whine by their corner (and yes, you can hear it that far-I am near Danneel and Napoleon and the sound at night is remarkably clear) and the occasional ding of that bell.
I saw the thing running yesterday when I walked over to get the paper and I ended up going over to the corner of St Charles and Gen Taylor just so that I could watch a few of them roll by. It was, honestly, remarkably satisfying. I love that sound. And, today, I love the fact that it sounds like progress-even if it is a 75 year old steel and wood car rolling down the middle of St Charles. It’s progress, just the same.
I can’t wait to see how many new comers get into fender benders with the new cars!
It is like watching car wrecks after a snowstorm in the North.