Gabby exposing pot…holes

GABBY SENSES SPRING IN THE AIR and trouble in the streets.  That is in the Bridges, streets and roads.  Yup, as a buddy of mine who travels throughout the city and environs has reminded me of late - the New England winter has once again blessed us with nature’s revenge against streets and roads – POTHOLES.  And at the same time, we have double bridge trouble:  one bridge that seems to never open both ways and another that may threaten to close any day!  But more on this later. 

Back to the Providence lasting impressions - Potholes.  

Indeed, this is the anniversary of our Providence fearless leader’s 2006 budget address, at which time, the good Mayah pledged a new initiative, using a “hotspot” map to identify those roads needing to be addressed first.  This of course makes me wonder how the hot spots are identified – the City website gives a number to call in – is it like American Idol, the most calls win?  Or is it the address, the calls with the right zip get the zippy response?  Hawkins Street;  West End Avenue; Blackstone Boulevard…  how hot is each spot?

I recently visited Hawkins Street, identified as the street the DPW would address first – lucky my highly efficient small tires!  We were able to skirt more than one difficult impression thanks to …”246 pothole visits in just 2 years” – clearly a shining example of the city’s response the Citizen Satisfaction Survey (just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it!)

I do extend sympathy to our Director of Public Works, Sal Soloman  - a man of self proclaimed ‘street smarts’ (see his interview in ‘City News’).   You also have to have some common sense and some street-smarts. Being book smart doesn’t mean you’re gonna’ do well at your job….You have to know the streets. There’s so much to it but the bottom line is common sense and street smarts.

So thanks to the ‘street smarts’ of Sal and his crews, I didn’t get lost in a pothole yet. I know that both the city and state papas and mamas are struggling once again to stretch the budgets to meet the huge variety of needs.  And I’m really not against taxes, if they are directed towards the needs of the city or the state.  As long as it’s a fair game, and one that respects public safety!

And what is it with bridges?  I traveled over the beautiful new blue span towards Fall River last week – but only because I was going North – to bad for those south bound drivers – is there some prejudice against people heading South??  Hey I grew up in the South – it’s a wonderful place to visit!  Now I understand we are going to have another 95 – 195 adventure as the DOT closes more exits and entrances, diverting us further from our destinations…  Don’t we WANT visitors in our city this summer?  We seem to make it harder all the time! 

And then there’s the 95 bridge in Pawtucket – pretty soon only bicycles will be able to travel this span – once again – I DO believe in taxes to maintain our streets, roads AND BRIDGES… but whose vacation are we paying for?  ( Not someone who is traveling over our bridges, to be sure…)

But enough ranting – want to add a few RAVES to this column!  

First, I had the pleasure and honor of attending the Genesis Center 25th year anniversary.  (and I got there over the streets, roads and bridges in our city…)  For those of you not familiar, the Genesis Center is a magnificent family learning center enabling immigrants and refugees to gain English skills, train for jobs, continue education, while providing pre-school education for a rainbow of kids whose parents are gaining language education and more.  As various dedicated staff, board members and students were recognized, I felt the beating of the warm heart that makes our city great.  These are the hearts that WELCOME newcomers to Providence and Rhode Island  (as opposed to some of our elected officials and citizens who seem to want to scare away the exciting addition of new energy, new cultures.)

And finally, Saturday’s sun brought a bumper crop of gardeners to appreciate the annual plant sale for Southside Community Gardens.  This agency two has served our city for more than two decades – offering a chance for inner city residents to enjoy the benefits and bounty of green thumb activities.  

In closing… seems best to stay off the streets, roads and bridges, and tend to the possibilities that only a garden can bring (the irrational optimist speaks out again…)