Michael1942's Blog

I recently went to my local UPS office to send several packages. The entrance has its customer parking area directly next to the entrance which is about 20 feet to the nearest parking spot. There is a (2way) driveway next to the entrance and clearly marked in yellow- “No parking “, yet many people ignore this plainly marked area and park there while inside. This creates a traffic hazard as a new customer has to go around the “sittees” who are obstructing the outgoing traffic. The signage is very clear and augmented by a standing sign that stands almost in front of the door. This sign clearly states “No Parking”. As the customer parking lot has an adequate number of handicap and regular spaces so there is never an over flow. What does it take for folks to obey the signage and allow the normal flow of traffic? Each of the offenders certainly thinks that they will only be in the office for a “minute” but in reality it takes a minimum of 5 minutes and up to 15 to transact business. This has nothing to do with the workers but the number of people inside (so calculate 5x 5 or more). For those of you have are guilty of this social malfunction please think about the rest of us.

There are no less than 8 candidates seeking the nod to run for the Mayoral office of Springfield, IL. The field being as crowded as this leads to confusion and the result will concluded by the election of a name as opposed to a person who will possibly be the best fit.
Our political system has become more of a money race than an election campaign with the focus being on the candidates themselves. Some candidates are well known and some are not but being well known does not necessarily translate into the ability to govern a city. What is required to govern is integrity, using the talent of existing city managers and adding some fresh eyes to the existing problems. This office should not be about power (but it is) but about public service and fiscal responsibility. We will hear self serving kudos from and about all of the candidates but we will not know the truth until that person is in office and only then after at least a year into the term. The idea now is to decide if you want to try something new or go with the old. We must remember that we voted them in and we can vote them out!