Quote:
Originally Posted by Yellow band
Here I am again, talking about the pro's and con's of living in an *old* city neighborhood.
I think it is very important to patronize local businesses. Times are tough for the entire 99%! don't forget that. As we are asking the 1% to pay their share, I think those of us that can pay a little more, should. I give my money to as many businesses in my neighborhood as I can. CHOICE. Yes, it may cost me a dollar more. But it will keep that business here, and keep a local mom or dad working. (maybe that mom or dad doesn't have a car, or there is a reason real specific they are working at Mary's Nut and Bolt store)
I moved into this neighborhood 15 years ago, with promises of big things to come. GENTRIFICATION!! Revitalization. Well.....
To date: The elementary school has closed. Merged with one 6 miles miles away.
The Grocery store closed. Nearest one is 3.5 miles away.
The Post office sub station closed. Nearest one 1.5 miles away. That closed. Main post office 3 miles away.
Bus route cut significantly. No week end service unless you can walk one mile. Week day service routes are ok if you work....every 30 minutes, from 6a until 9a and again from 3p to 6p. two buses late night 11:45p and 12:30a. Holiday service, one every two hours.
Laundry mat closed.
Two banks moved away CREDIT UNIONS (TWO) STAYED!!
Major hospital 4 blocks away.
OK, Mostly I've told you what has left. This is the city people. Who would move into this neighborhood? We are walking distance to the major down town area.....16 blocks or less. Dense in senior citizens.
I patronize my local businesses because these are the things that make a neighborhood. The elderly people/ and the very poor, need these things to be here. They can't rely on mass transportation system to help them get around (mass transportation is free to them, paid for by the Pa. Lottery) what good is it, if it doesn't come into the neighborhood?
Absolutely, you have to force change. The rerouting of the buses had little effect on me. But you can bet I was at every meeting speaking. Basically I told them what I told you. I even tossed in some census numbers. These things effect everybody. Do not buy your stamps at a mac machine because it is convienient. How long has it been since you have used your post office? What will you be saying when your post office closes?
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You mention the post office, bus system and small business imploding in our current economy.
Today, at work, I performed an expensive service and the customer handed me a Hundred Dollar bill and while I was presenting her change and as she was leaving her 'tip,' somehow the customer swiped back the $20 dollar bill... I didn't realize how fast it happened, but she ended up not paying fully for her service. I doubt she will ever come back and make it right. When we counted the till tonight, I handed back the tip she supposedly left me because I won't be a part of cheating - even if it hurt me the most.
Also, the USPS is downsizing it's locations and service centers here. I have a client who has logged 24 years of service who will lose his job by the end of this month. He *was* full time; he's been working a reduced schedule and lost considerable benefits under the federal pay system, et al.
Also, recently, a long tenured bus driver from Tri-Met kicked a young Latino mother and her baby off the bus in the dark (late at night), and other riders left the bus in protest over the treatment the bus driver gave to her. She's a student learning English at a local PCC campus in the Beaverton/Hillsboro area and her professors saw the news story about her and helped her to make a statement to law enforcement (and TriMet investigators) about what happened that night. She didn't feel like she had any choice but to leave the bus with her crying baby - which according to others on the bus, was not crying as badly as the bus driver portrayed the situation. The bus driver is no longer an employee (or maybe still relieved of duty pending the investigation), but racism is alive and well in the suburbs of the Portland Metro area and in Portland as well.