Odds and ends 10/17/07

After reading an e-mail saying global warming is in the crisis stage and another saying it's overrated -- both from outfits claiming credibility on the issue -- I have to wonder what kind of investment in education and time it would take to really become knowledgeable on this issue. If I wanted, I could take an hour or so and argue either side eloquently while cherrypicking facts.

That's why I'm most skeptical of politicians ready to use global warming as an excuse to further plans they have for other programs.

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The Herald-Dispatch and WSAZ-TV NewsChannel 3 are sponsoring a public forum on Harris Riverfront Park. It's next Thursday night at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

When it opened in the 1980s, Harris Riverfront Park (hereinafter referred to as "HRP) was the biggest draw in downtown Huntington. The Superblock had been vacant for going on 20 years. HRP was a great place to spend an hour or two along the river. It became a spot for festivals and other public gatherings.

But as with everything else in Huntington, neglect and decline set in. Just as garbage trucks broke down from overuse and lack of maintenance, and as streets collected more and more potholes as patching and paving programs slowed to a halt, HRP went downhill.

No one, it seems, kept it up.

The opening of Pullman Square damaged HRP in two respects. One, Pullman Square became the crown jewel of downtown Huntington, and HRP was forgotten. Two, in building Pullman Square, pedestrian access to HRP was virtually cut off.

Before Pullman Square, 3rd Avenue was one-way westbound. If someone wanted to walk to HRP, he would cross 3rd at a traffic light. After that, crossing little-used Veterans Memorial Boulevard was easy. After Pullman Square, high-speed through traffic was diverted to VMB. With no traffic signal to aid them, pedestrians take their lives in their hands crossing the street. A few months ago, I saw an old man crossing VMB slowly with a walker.

And we don't have to mention crime, vagancy and panhandling problems.

What does Harris Riverfront Park need? Police patrols. Some paint. A good cleaning. Signage directing people there. Elimination of trees where homeless people still live, despite the sweep this past summer.

These and more will be discussed at the forum. If you can be there, great. If not, send along some questions you want asked, and I'll see what I can do. I can't promise anything, but I will try.