I continue to be amazed at the diametric difference of opinion related to a recent discussion regarding defacing public property. There are two opposing sides - those that see it as harmless fun, and those that see it as something that should be discouraged. For the record, Im not a bit angry at the kids - they obviously werent doing something they thought to be malicious. But I am very disappointed in their supporters, who are quick to claim open season on public property, dismissing it as artistic expression or youthful indiscretion. This is an eye-opening discussion to me. I was raised to respect the property of others, and just because it belongs to the public doesnt make it fair game - because it does belong to everyone in the community, its not right for one or two to stake their claim on it. Ive tried drawing comparisons between public property and recent acts against private property, even offering the example of how I see carving into a public sidewalk is not different to me than carving into someones car. But there are those who see things differently, that, if it doesnt belong to them, then it is seemingly ok. There will be a crew that will spend the better part of a day sanding and resurfacing the concrete, and the work will be complete. But this is the tip of the iceberg. The gate on the new loading dock for the theatre has already been broken by kids pushing and pulling on it until the concrete edge broke off. Riverbend Park bathrooms are locked to the public because of the continued expense of having to virtually rebuild them twice already this year. Street signs, costing around $100 a piece, will be replaced at taxpayer expense, and in the meantime, the risk of emergency providers not making a timely response because they cant find the street increases. And every dollar spent redoing these small, insignificant things cost money that could be redirected to other projects, or reflected in tax savings. My fear is that, with 58% of school-age students being raised in non-parent households, the next generation will be raised with fewer traditional values. As courts follow community opinion by offering lax sentencing when those commiting vandalism are caught, we continue to encourage that behavior. And to some, I can only assume thats just fine. But to me, seeing so many folks working so hard for nearly two decades to make our downtown an attractive and inviting place to encourage new businesses and new jobs, its heartbreaking. Years of planning and fundraising went in to each project, and Ive seen the struggles to get the community where it is. To dismiss destroying that so easily will never be something I understand, especially when those that support them would never, ever consider letting that happen on their property.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 15:20:26 +0000
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