Walking

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday, here in the Hudson Valley, was one of those top ten most beautiful days. My wife and I along with another couple, took for the most part, a leisurely stroll on the "Walkway over the Hudson" in Poughkeepsie, NY.  The views, foliage and the river were a sight to behold. The walkway is a refurbished 1.5 mile railroad bridge that was transformed into a pedestrian walkway. Walking is great exercise and an easy and safe to do. Or is it?

In this country, walking is now becoming a dangerous thing to do, with increasingly more accidents occurring each year. How is this possible? It is possible when one lacks common sense. The reason for more pedestrian accidents while walking is due to texting while walking. Yes texting while walking. The majority of these accidents happen in large cities and the incident rates are rising rapidly.

Twenty five years ago in New York City, you could always tell who was a New Yorker and who was a tourist. The New Yorkers were always looking down, so as not to step in any dog pooh and to avoid sidewalk cracks and to watch for the all important curbs and other obstructions. The tourists were always looking up at the architecture of the buildings. Today, the tourists are still looking up, which I don't think will ever change and the New Yorkers are still looking down. But now, the New Yorkers, as well as residents in other big cities, are still looking down, but not for dog pooh etc. They are looking down at their phones so they can text. Texting while walking is becoming a very dangerous activity. While people are texting, they are not watching where they walk and consequently become the victim of their own lack of common sense. I read, see and hear more and more articles about people who are texting and get hit by a car because they didn't see the crosswalk sign that said, don't walk. Or they walk off a curb and hurt their ankle, leg or back. They also walk into sign posts, light poles etc., etc.

All of the accidents could have been avoided if only they had used some common sense. My common sense tells me that obviously if you need to communicate with someone while walking, the old fashion way of using a cell phone to actually talk, (with your voice) is a far better and safer way to do it. Think about it, you don't have to look at the phone while talking, what a novel idea.

I do have to admit, that while on our walk yesterday, I did see a handful of people walking while texting. Even though the surface of the walk was smooth with no cracks and obstructions etc., those people were missing some fabulous views and gorgeous fall colors seemingly painted on the hills and mountains that were so clearly visible. Their loss.

Til next week.

Peter

Apathy Part Deux

Hi Everyone,

This past Friday, I worked for our local school board for their referendum vote to increase our school taxes to replace the high school's football field, the surrounding track and a new boiler amongst other items. For your information, since the majority of you don't live in my school district, our football field and track were replaced seven years ago and has a 15 year note. The field had a ten year life expectancy. Since there was a Friday night football game on the same night of the referendum vote, I had an opportunity to check out the field and track, up close and personal. I am no expert on football fields and/or tracks, but to me, both of them looked just fine with no obvious deficiencies. I then wondered if a new field and track were to be installed, since the original field's note had eight years remaining, how much more and how much longer would we have to pay?

That was the gist of the referendum, but that is not really what today's blog is about. In my 3/18/12 blog, I wrote about the lack of voter turnout at elections. Well last Friday's vote was no different. Out of approximately 18,000 eligible voters, a total of about 1,107 voted. Doing the math, 1,107 votes represents, 6.15%. This vote was about whether a new field etc were needed and whether our already high school taxes would increase. It absolutely amazed me that only 6.15% of eligible voters voted. What is wrong with that picture? Everything!!! I do not understand why more people don't vote. Oh right, the name of today's blog sums it up best...... apathy. The definition of apathy is, "lack of feeling, absence of emotion, indifference". That is what is happening and what is wrong with school votes and elections in general. Why don't more people vote? Could it be the day of the week, Tuesdays when voters are asked to vote? Well, our school board decided to hold the vote on a Friday. They may have had ulterior motives for having the vote on a Friday, with a Friday night football game to boot, but the end results were no different.

With next month's Presidential election happening, the largest percentage of voters will vote, as usual. Why is that? Do people really believe a presidential election is more important then their local elections and school budget vote/referendums? Of all the democratic countries around the world, the United States consistently has the lowest percentage of voter turnout. Apathy must end and voter interest must increase.

FYI, the final vote for last Friday's referendum was 368 yes and 739 no, so the referendum was defeated. But the real outcome is that 6.15% of the eligible voters or 1,107 people determined the outcome for 18,000 people. To me, that just doesn't seem fair or right. But that is the way our system works. So my common sense solution is for everyone to vote each and every time. It is our duty and more importantly, it is our right to vote! Never pass up the opportunity to vote. Take your stance and vote!!! Don't let a small minority determine the outcomes for all!

Editor's note: On 9/23/12, I gave out my Common Sense Award, CSA #5. My mistake, it should have been CSA #6. My apology to all.

Til next week.

Peter