Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Covington: Topsy-turvy By Gary Covington Looking in
INVEST millions in a mall, start construction before the necessary permits have been passed, and the SP runs about like a chicken with its head cut off to change the land use zoning.
Dare to establish a nursery -- peacefully growing flowers -- in a 'low density residential zone' and the business bureau files charges and cancels business permits.
It's like the perennial vendors-occupying-sidewalks debate. Sidewalks are for walkers, for pedestrians, to keep them clear of the traffic and out of harm's way so yes -- clear away the kiosks set up by high street stores but also -- level playing field folks -- clear away 'squatting' sidewalk vendors.
A high-street store -- whatever its trade -- loses custom to sidewalk vendors. Stores pay for permits, rent and services while squatting vendors pay nothing.
And what about the walkers, the pedestrians? Magsaysay is a nightmare. A casual stroll is out of the question, 'defensive' walking the norm -- edging round guys repairing tin pots, lucky number specialists, piles of merchandise or folks cutting away at miles of floor covering. Clear the sidewalks but clear completely and clear them impartially.
Look at Buhangin, at the public market, where the filthy, stinking muddy strip, which passes for a sidewalk has, in places, disappeared completely beneath vendors' stalls whose umbrellas now overhang the tarmac of the road. Shoppers and pedestrians are obliged to walk on the highway, the only highway and consequently pretty busy, to Tigatoo, Mandug and all points that way.
And there's a new trend. With stalls breasting the highway motorists are stopping to shop without getting out of their cars; merely rolling down a window, calling out an order and passing up the cash. Never mind that one lane of the road is entirely blocked and never mind the traffic queuing and honking behind. That can go hang.
Magsaysay again -- yes, I'm going to harp on -- and these pedestrian walk/don't walk crossings are great and so are the dropped-kerb access ramps but hold on -- we walkers can't use them because inevitably they're blocked by tricycles awaiting customers and tricycles which won't make way. For heaven's sake traffic enforcers: ENFORCE.
Lastly and look at that -- what did I tell you? -- retired bicyclist and Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is pedaling out of retirement and hoping to compete in the 2009 Tour. I wonder why? Home life too boring? Missed the roar of the crowd and smell of the greasepaint? The fame and fortune? I wish he wouldn't -- stay at home Lance -- bicycling without Lance Armstrong hogging the headlines had suddenly became much more interesting. Like a Tiger-less golf -- amazing; there's other players too!
