Let Them Eat Cake!!

I wrote my first blog for Concord Patch back on July 4, 2011, just a few weeks after Patch had come on the local scene.  In the nearly two years since, I have written 49 blogs – this is number 50.

In the past few days I have gone back and forth as to what I should write about for the 50^th.  Should it be something “warm and fuzzy” or perhaps another stroll down memory lane?  I was certain that I wanted to steer clear of the looming changes in downtown Concord, feeling I had perhaps made my feelings known on enough occasions.

However, my thoughts kept returning to Concord’s beloved Main Street and the important role it has played in my entire life.  Even when not living in Concord, my thoughts would often stray back to those downtown blocks and the tremendous impact they have made.

Recently I had the good fortune to spend an evening in the company of five locals. They ranged in age from 49 to 89. They represented a good cross-section of our community.

One was a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design who works as a Creative Director for a company. There was a couple whose youngest begins high school in the fall. She’s a teacher while her husband commutes. Another was a retired teacher from the Concord School District while the other member of the contingent was a City Councilor.

Naturally the discussion came up about the Complete Streets Project and with the exception of the Councilor, everyone was opposed to the upcoming changes and had valid and well thought out reasons for their disapproval.

Another Councilor I recently spoke with at length brushed me off with the comment, “This is Concord’s last shot to be like Portsmouth or Keene……”

Correct me if I’m wrong but growing up we were told to “...not pretend to be something you aren’t….be the best you can be…..”

Why then is Concord trying to be something it’s not, and I have heard the Portsmouth/Keene “wish” on dozens of other occasions.

Why can’t we just be the best at what we are and first and foremost we are the State’s Capital, which should give us a leg up from the onset.

In the past I have stated, ad nauseum, that one of the city’s biggest fault and a fault that has been consistent over the past fifty or more years, is a seeming unwillingness to embrace the rich history that has been an important part of this community.  Whether destroying the railroad station (there are few still around who ever stood in that awe-inspiring building so sadly they don’t know what they missed), some beautifully built schools, historical houses and buildings and now a reconfiguring of Main Street, we seem unable to revel in the character, quality and uniqueness they brought to our City.

Thankfully in Europe they cherish the rich history and older buildings and what they represent and millions flock to bask in what it represents.  Here we barely bat an eye before calling in the wrecking ball.

I can fully appreciate the point of view of others and their passionate belief that the changes about to befall us are for the better.

Robert Baker makes compelling arguments for livability and the use of bicycles while I am right on board with Allan Herschlag’s urging to create more living space on the second and third floors of often deserted downtown buildings. 

There are wonderful ideas out there and they should be heard.  To do justice to those ideas, takes time and it appears that the Council only wants to hear from supporters of doing it their way.

Turning downtown into a lovely and scenic “park-like” environment is not the magic panacea that will suddenly bring in businesses by the dozens and shoppers by the thousands.  This “Pipe Dream” has been unsuccessfully tried before and after an initial peak of curiosity, things went back to where they were before.

It’s about far more than the number of parking spaces and I know I am not the best judge when it comes to that determination. I generally walk downtown four of five times a week and don’t have the concerns associated with finding adequate parking, parking in garages or standing around waiting at a “Cursed Kiosk” in the bitter cold waiting in line or for it to spit out my receipt. I have, however, helped many of our citizens get up from the ground after they’ve slipped on multiple trips from car to kiosk and back to the car.

What needs to be decided is whether we want a downtown rich with retail shops providing many of our needs with multiple selections or a downtown that is like an extended park and is a place to hang out and dine but not to shop extensively.

Marie Antoinette, the legendary French Queen reportedly said, “Let Them Eat Cake” after being advised about the starving masses in France and their struggles.

It troubles me deeply that we seem to have a City Council making all of these plans to forever alter downtown Concord when there are some horrific and very real problems impacting upon thousands of our local citizens.

The streets in Concord are in abysmal shape.  They seem to be suffering from terminal “Pot-Hole-itis” and in some instances are in worse shape than California streets after a quake.

There’s not enough money to keep our wonderful library open seven days a week and five evenings or to keep our swimming pools open beyond August 9^th, when August can be the hottest month of the summer.

It’s reported that the moving of the downtown clock could cost upwards of $ 50,000, money that could be better spent on an increasing number of citizens who struggle daily with the bare necessities of life.

When I was growing up there was an adage that “if you don’t talk about it, it doesn’t exist”.  There were those who subscribed to that saying and it helped them make it through life without having to view some of the ugly realities.

I have worked for non-profits that provide services and goods for those less fortunate. I also recognize that there are always some who “play the system”, manipulate it, take advantage of it or feel entitled. From my experiences, there are in the minority.

Concord has a growing problem with the homeless and although there are some who are trying to remedy the situation, not enough is being done clearly.

In about four months we’ll be facing November replete with the cold weather and snow and ice, creating a need for shelter.

The financial calamity associated with 2008 changed the playing field markedly and forever. While some of us may have recovered, many never have, despite sincere efforts to make whole again their lives.

Having the prettiest Main Street in New Hampshire, while blocks away human beings hold on by a thread, isn’t going to win us or the City Council any awards.

Let’s take care of our citizens, streets and services first.