A RE-introduction:
My name is Dianne Patrizzi aka Miss Havisham. I am a property tax paying resident of District 3 in Pasadena, CA. As a member of the artist community, mother of a former Iraq war US Navy Search And Rescue ensign, and observer of local politics and US politics in general, I believe in remaining non-partisan. I am interested in justice, fairness, and what is true, as this is the basis for all of my particular artistic endeavors.
My interests are in issues for the good of the community where social bias and secret agendas should have no place, and in protection of historic documents and landmarks. I believe preservation of important articles to aid in our memory or in illuminating others, is the best defense against future long lasting mistakes.
Politicians whether local or national are ephemeral, yet the legislation they lay down for us to live with is not. Laws they enact; directions they take have lasting effects. It is my fervent hope that the ordinary citizen (that means me and you) will heed the call to become involved. In Pasadena, there is a wealth of intelligence among our residents. We possess the seeds for innovation, first local, and possibly global.
At tonight's city council meeting, if public comment is allowed, I will make a statement to oppose a city ordinance requested by the Rose Bowl Operating Company to prohibit bicyclists from riding more than 2 abreast on ANY Pasadena street.
My name is Dianne Patrizzi aka Miss Havisham. I am a property tax paying resident of District 3 in Pasadena, CA. As a member of the artist community, mother of a former Iraq war US Navy Search And Rescue ensign, and observer of local politics and US politics in general, I believe in remaining non-partisan. I am interested in justice, fairness, and what is true, as this is the basis for all of my particular artistic endeavors.
My interests are in issues for the good of the community where social bias and secret agendas should have no place, and in protection of historic documents and landmarks. I believe preservation of important articles to aid in our memory or in illuminating others, is the best defense against future long lasting mistakes.
Politicians whether local or national are ephemeral, yet the legislation they lay down for us to live with is not. Laws they enact; directions they take have lasting effects. It is my fervent hope that the ordinary citizen (that means me and you) will heed the call to become involved. In Pasadena, there is a wealth of intelligence among our residents. We possess the seeds for innovation, first local, and possibly global.
At tonight's city council meeting, if public comment is allowed, I will make a statement to oppose a city ordinance requested by the Rose Bowl Operating Company to prohibit bicyclists from riding more than 2 abreast on ANY Pasadena street.
Radical Reminder: Pasadena Named Most Bike-Friendly City (Pasadena Public Affairs 11-16-04)
Poor giant delivery trucks (cough), poor wealthy golfers in their big expensive cars (cough)
Pasadena's streets are supposed to be bikeways, cars have guest only privileges.
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I want to thank Dormitas for the open invitation to post to this blog. Your openness, generosity, and initiation is very much appreciated.
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I want to thank Dormitas for the open invitation to post to this blog. Your openness, generosity, and initiation is very much appreciated.
Welcome to the underbelly!
Carry on.
Miss H
12 comments:
I'm so glad you're posting here!
Thanks, Jill! I mean really, thanks. My shyness takes over sometimes and I need a little kick from time to time to get me out of da Funkity funk.
Tonight's city council meeting was very interesting. I saw Grrlie there near the end, if she had been there earlier I would have had the courage to get up and speak. YES! I wimped out and I feel terrible about it.
The council wanted to hear from ordinary non-cyclist club residents. Um, that's me. I can't help but wonder if I could have made a difference in what happened if I would have spoken up!
The city attorney will now draft an ordinance prohibiting riding 3 or more abreast on ANY Pasadena street. This is to be completed by approx. Sept. 15. Mayor Bogaard offered at least a caveat, that in that time period the ordinace could be more refined. I take that to mean, less broad and not so prejudicial against cyclists.
Gawd knows the cyclists are being whipped and singled out as the sole problem. Baffles me! I am a regular runner at the Rose Bowl and the cyclists have never been a problem to me. It's the people with the huge baby carriages and piles of dogs that leave crap on the path and walk the wrong way--in the same direction as traffic. There are pedestrian arrows of direction clearly painted on the pavement that these people refuse to acknowledge!
And, one time a car ran over my toes to get into the golf course parking lot. That hurt!
Correction: 2 or more abreast is prohibited (not 3 as I stated)
Oh, there's more...
At the beginning of the meeting, after the flag salute, the mayor invites the public to speak for 3 min. on any subject not listed in the agenda.
This is a GOLDEN opportunity, people. Hello?
One man stood up and made a status report about China, repeatedly stating the "evil" communist party. That made my pinko curls go straight.
Another person, as resident walker, mentioned Pasadena as a bike friendly city-in support of the cyclists (an issue on the agenda) but I guess since she spoke out of turn--her comments were not considered by the council later when deciding to draft the ordinance (in the face of no public support for it!)
Then...there was the goods: The Heritage Square dealorama. Wow. The Star News has insulted a whole neighborhood and the resulting commentary to council from residents made me shrink with shame. And, I am not even an employed journalist!
Public release of the 43 page report may be grounds for damages, if you want to read into why Mr. Bakewell's attorney made his appearance tonight. Oh my. Can't sue the paper, though. Freedom of the press, and all that.
I missed out on the fun!
We should totally steal Jill's idea and go out to Wokcano after a council meeting.
It's very daunting to speak in front of city council. It's like bringing up the BO problem of the recently deceased at a funeral. It may be true, but no one wants to hear about it. Public comment is at the beginning of the meeting, so it feels a bit like one is a distraction from the real business at hand. Still, it's an important tool and residents need to use it.
Miss Havi, don't feel bad for wimping out. I spent a good bit of the afternoon preparing a statement about the recent violence that I wanted to read during public comment--I wimped out too. August 6, here I come!
I'm equally baffled by the bike thing too. I think it is so cool to be walking around the Rose Bowl and watch the cyclists whiz around. I hate to think that Pasadena is going to enact an ordinance against healthy people engaged in a healthy activity. The Rose Bowl is a unique location--why not put it to good use?
They should have Wrestlemania at the Rose Bowl.
No joke.
It's at the Citrus Bowl next year.
It would be a nice one-off money maker for the city. Well, that is, if no more Chris Benoits happen.
Ladies ladies... no need to be nervous.
Let your main man SH help you give those speeches.
Did I tell you I have my own office in City Hall?
And Kelly, mon cherie, Would you touch me so I can tell my friends I've been touched by an angel?
Aaron,
You're straying out of bounds now...
D.
Maybe we could make some sort of speaking in front of city council support system pact -- like if someone is going to speak and wants moral support, maybe a few of us could arrange to go along and just be there for you if you like.
That's a great idea, Jill.
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