Be Careful What You Wish For

E. Boyer

How saddened I was to read in a past issue of the Post that legal action was being considered in the Blair Park/Moraga Canyon project/issue.  Funny, isn't it?  A project for some and an issue for others. 

There are times when I scarcely understand our society.  With so many calamitous issues screaming out for involvement these days, how could this be the one to evoke such rage?  A lawsuit?  Pardon me whilst I retch. 

Certainly we are the laughing stock in places less fortunate. "Those poor, dear FOMC.  Can you imagine the pro-Blair Parkers wanting to have a children's sports field donated to a city whose reputation and existence depends on its ability to attract families with children?  The very idea!  If I were in their shoes I'd sue the pants off that horrible city for agreeing to such a thing!"  I think anyone in favor of such a suit should be carted off to live in Richmond or West Oakland for a month so that they might gain some perspective on what constitutes a real community problem, something worthy of a lawsuit. Never mind that the City and the majority of its residents have determined the project worthy.  Nope.  We want things our way and we'll stomp our feet until we get it!  And, if that doesn't work, we'll behave like grown-up spoiled brats and file a lawsuit.  Little wonder that our town is plagued with the reputation of having spoiled children when the grown-ups display similar behavior.

There is one reason the FOMC are opposed to the Blair Park project and that is that they simply don't want it.  They cite things such as traffic, environmental issue and safety, but do we really think that suddenly parents will hurl their children out into oncoming traffic so they aren't late for soccer practice or let them run in the street with reckless abandon because there's a new sports field?  Are the FOMC suddenly so committed to the cause of the environment that they're prepared to tow the line for this forlorn strip of earth? If so, wouldn't it make sense to tear down all the houses that currently exist in Moraga Canyon to restore it to its original and intended splendor?  The idea that there are Save Moraga Canyon signs in front of those houses is offensive in its hypocrisy.   Part of living in a community is that you often go along with things that are good for the entire community, not just things that are 100% to your liking.  We're all guilty of selfishness at times.  But, if community improvement projects have you so riled-up that you're openly behaving like a jackass, a place exists where you can happily dwell. It’s called the "outskirts."  That way you can have a property large enough so that kids and sports fields won't encroach upon your space. 

Piedmont's reputation and survival is dependent upon its ability to attract families with children.  This isn't revelatory information for anyone living here.  If there aren't adequate amenities comparable to those in neighboring communities, the opposed-to-everything groups may very well get what they want...a nice neighborhood with no noise, no kids and no facilities. 

But, be careful what you wish for, FOMC. With better facilities and supportive residents in neighboring communities, Piedmont's kids and their families may just go away.  And when they do, they'll take our and your property values with them.

Piedmonty

E. Boyer

In case you haven't noticed, there's a contest..er, uh, I mean an election going on in Piedmont. Its really quite the marketing blitz! I guess the days of good 'ole small town elections are a thing of the past. Used to be a candidate would show up and answer questions at town hall meetings, pass out a few pins, toss in his/her cap and hope for the best. Times have changed. I must admit that the giant postcards and snazzy websites are impressive! All with the same basic message of wholesome, civic minded, fiscally responsible "Piedmonty" goodness. I salute these motivated individuals..volunteering their time and expertise in positions that are demanding and often thankless. But, has anyone else noticed the proliferation of lawn signs? What in the world?!? Seems the ban has been lifted...there was a time in Piedmont when the use of a lawn sign was considered an underhanded tactic, thought to turn the election into a popularity contest. I suppose it makes sense. All the fancy postcards, letters of praise, campaign socials and lawn signs can really get a town whipped-up!! Things haven't changed so much then, since the cliquish days of high school when popularity was crucial to one's existence..as adults, some of us are still just as frantic to be part of the "it" crowd. So, we start calculating: If these neighbors have McBain and Fujioka signs then, that's probably who I should vote for. After all, they have nice homes and drink lots of really good wine. On the other hand, the neighbors with the Rood signs have been here for a long time and seem to go to lots of parties so, maybe I should vote for him. Then again, the flamboyant loud-mouth neighbor has a McBain sign and I cant imagine that we share any of the same values. But, the lady who complains about every proposed project has a Rood sign so, that can't be good. What to do? McBain seems to have the Plaid skirt crew, Fujioka appeals to the no-nonsense group and the NIMBYs favor Rood. Thats just for City Council! Then, we have to consider the school board candidates! Good Lord! Swenson has the old-guard Parent's Club types, Raushenbush has the "stay-the-course" folks on his side, Sarah Pearson has the motivated Gen Xers in her camp, Nancy Bostrom has a dedicated Hitchcock cult following and Jon Elliot has the sensible mature, progressives in his corner. Tough decisions, here. One wrong move and just like the inadequate cheese incident of 2010..you could be off the "important guest list" for good! Oh, sure, they've all got a few blemishes but, who doesn't? Not unusual during an election in Piedmont for the poor, unsuspecting candidates to get lambasted: Ineffective in group negotiations, lacking creativity, too aggressive, too submissive, snobby, mean, lacking warmth, inexperienced, dull and of course, anything deemed questionable behavior. Sorry candidates, don't think for a minute that townsfolk aren't counting your every cocktail, keeping a tally of every encounter when you were less than warm and fuzzy, watching through binoculars every..ahem..party your teenagers host, taking note of every snarky outburst and basically scrutinizing your every move. But, hey..none of us are perfect and who among us doesn't have a few skeletons in our closet? Well, most of us don't have actual skeletons in our closets...or foyers but, still..we really shouldn't judge. 

But, in between all the Piedmont pomp of campaign cocktail parties, lawn sign design lunches and general jumping on of bandwagons, its good to take some time to carefully consider the candidates...not just their camps. Popularity has a way of creating the illusion of validity...much like lawn signs.