Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:13:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: Linda Allred Cooper
Subject: The Bus
I am lovin all the bus comments – pro and con. Stimulating, entertaining, and constructive conversation is my goal.
Randy (not Voller), thanks for asking about my son’s racing career (although, you sly thing, you claimed you are not interested in how we spend our time). Yes, my son races “round track” for a living. Yes, that requires gas, oil, etc., and I suppose some folks (non-fans, I’m sure) consider it an “antiquated quaint Southern tradition” although it is a multi-billion $$ industry growing in popularity every year. Cooking with fat back could be considered “antiquated quaint Southern tradition” too – but I have pintos on the stove as I’m writing this. Just call me old fashioned.
BTW: there are bus races at some tracks and yes – they are exciting to watch. If you like, I’ll be glad to send you a schedule and maybe we can carpool and watch the race together – being “green” by carpooling and all that.
Did you know the racing world is constantly looking at ways of improving and becoming “green”? I’ll be glad to send you information about this if you are really interested and not just attacking for the sake of attacking. And for you fans out there, go to www.MichaelCooperRacing.com to learn more about Michael and his career.
But, all that takes us away from the bus topic.
The bus and any form of public transportation will take time to become a success or fail. Randy Voller and others (he wasn’t by himself in this decision) are making this effort in hopes that it will succeed. Your decision to “wave to you as my passengers and I drive by in my car” is your choice. But, who nominated you to be “the decider” about how the rest of the world feels about riding the bus? Why can’t you drive your car and others ride the bus in peace without attacks and constant complaints. Do you have a constructive alternative to the bus? We’re talking Public Transportation here – not water, sewer, or any other topic. Just Public Transportation. And please – be constructive.
I visit the Arlington, VA / DC area quite often. When there, I use the METRO. Why? Parking in DC is horrendous!!! The stuff of nightmares. And that’s after you fight the traffic!! The Metro is so much easier – but it does require some effort. I walk to the nearest METRO station. I walk from the METRO to whereever I am going – usually the National Archives and/or DAR Library, both of which are 5-7 blocks from the nearest METRO station.
Why bring that up? Because once upon a time Arlington, VA and even DC were very small towns with little traffic. Pittsboro and the surrounding area is growing – and so are the traffic problems. I think Mayor Voller is being pro-active in trying the bus now. Why should he (and we) wait until the traffic problem is out of control. Why not try to get out in front of the problem and find a solution now if we can. Maybe the bus is not the answer – but at least he is trying – not just sitting around and complaining and attacking.
And yes, the bus and/or a METRO requires a change in habit. It may not be as convenient. It may require driving part of the way, parking and changing vehicles. It may require walking a distance. Growing up required me to start wearing a bra, and trust me, I didn’t like it and still don’t like it – but that’s part of my price of growing up. Pittsboro is growing – some changes we may not like are coming. Why not work now to find the more favorable options for transportation?
Now, you asked when I would be seen on the bus. I am a professional genealogist (www.NCProGenealogist.com) who works from home (online) most of the time although I do go to the NC Archives quite a bit. The Archives is located in downtown Raleigh. A bus from Pittsboro to Chapel Hill does not get me where I’m going. Hopefully there will be a bus from Pittsboro to Raleigh soon. When that time comes, you’ll more than likely see me on it. The combo of gas and parking gets really expensive – a bus ticket will, no doubt, be more economical for me. Until then, I am forced to drive but try to carpool with other genealogists whenever possible.
Linda Allred Cooper
shamless plugger of my son and my own businesses