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Down in the Summit
Is the Summit Up or Down?
Reading the Summit Neighborhood Association blog I saw our neighbors to the North embroiled in a brouhaha over a proposed sign on the Rochambeau Branch of the Providence Public library. Seems like they got their panties all in a bunch over a sign recognizing a donor who made a sizable financial contribution to the branch. The sign measures 14' by 18'', and I guess it offends some of the delicate sensibilities over there in Hope, oops, I mean Summit. I guess for the arbiters of taste there, the sign signifies poor taste. Woe be the donor (Does no good deed go unpunished?).
Click on the Summit link above and you can read all about the brouhaha. I especially enjoyed reading Maurice (Madd Dogg) Methot's comment. (I LOVE MO-REESE!, just as Boston Celtic for life Tommy Heinsohn used to exclaim "I LOVE WALTAH". And to paraphrase the Globe's Bob Ryan, "Why can't Mt. Hope get citizens like that!")
I mean no disrespect, for Mr. Methot makes a nuanced, well thought out, articulate argument for his concern and addresses and provides a thorough analysis of the subtext beneath the SNA's actions. I believe his comments are right on the money, as usual, and though it may take some effort to read and digest all he offers, it is worth the effort.
Find also of interest the District 8 Crime Report courtesy of District 8's Lt. Commander, Lt. Sciavulli.
Reading the report and the comments, you will find that blaming the victim is big in the Summit. Instead of bemoaning the fact of rampant crime, criminal behavior, and lax law enforcement, victims in the Summit are stupid or careless and actually victims of their own naivety for forgetting where they live. Even the victims blame themselves.
What's wrong with this picture?
It is great that the Summit finally has a working blog and some give and take among the residents and the organization. I applaud.
But what the Summit really needs is more subsidized housing, more poor people. Like Mt. Hope. Then they will have more to worry about than signage and ridiculous "bump outs". Ah, the liberal gentry: don't you just love 'em.
Not in my backyard!
John Twomey
Posted at March 12, 2007 05:27 PM