Greets and felicitations, hon. Hope everything is well since the last time we corresponded. Around these parts we’re getting into the latter part o’ the summer – it must be so, the boob tube is chock full of “back to school” ads, witch must be churning the tummies of the kiddies enjoying their long retreat. Tennyrate, here in the Asylum by the Sea, things are as yew might expeck.
This past weekend the latest version o’ the Savin Rock Festival took place, and, as yew might expeck, it was a success for the most part. Hundreds if not thousands of residents and visitors clogged the thoroughfares to get to the Old Grove and its environs. Since Cobina’s domicile is nearby, we were able to hear some o’ what went on without setting foot outside the house. In a sort o’ way it was nice. It was a reminder that things are really gettin’ back to normal after the lockdown nonsense of 2020.
With this festival done, the city kind o’ settles into a pattern of getting the summer over with in a way. People do summer things, but there is always the thought that in jest a couple o’ weeks, the rhythms of life go back to normal. Though we ain’t been in school since Harding was in office, it’s amazing how much the academic year affects almost everything.
Of course, one of the things that will be decided in the next few days is who will be the candidate for various offices. One setch contest is being conducted in the 116th districk betwixt Trenee’ McGee and Joe Miller. The two have raised a kerfuffle over the last few weeks cuz McGee is anti-abortion and gave an impassioned speech in April over that fack. Miller is pro-abortion (no I ain’t using pro-choice, that’s jest a euphemism), and was called out by McGee for being a “supremacist,” something for which she ain’t apologized for – and shame on her. People can’t disagree about anything these days without somebody bringing race into it – McGee is Black, and Miller is White – and, of course, he’s the worst of the worst because he is a “he.” Yew know the nonsense, I don’t hafta spell it out.
Meanwhile, Miller calls the isshew the fight for the “soul of the Democratic Party” – no hyperbole there, huh?
Frankly, with this little scrum, both candidates are showing that neither of them is worthy nor mature enough to represent the districk – but the fack they have a D by their name means one o’ them will.
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Sammy Bluejay came in t’other afternoon and we were talking about Barry Lee Cohen’s decision to go further – possibly – in reversing the decision against him in Superior Court regarding the election dispute over Absentee Ballots. Now, I ain’t gonna recap the entire isshew, but suffice it to say that the judge saw merit in his complaints, but was unwilling to call the election fraudulent. In other words, she punted.
Well, a request to reconsider was denied, and now Cohen can appeal the case to higher courts up to and including the state Supreme Court – witch interestingly once that the title Supreme Court of Errors. Sammy is interested to figger out what isshews the appeal will address. As yew know he likes to git “into the weeds” of things.
When it comes out – the appeal brief – Sammy can’t wait to read it. I’m glad he will, cuz my days o’ reading long legal briefs and opinions are perty much over. Once we find out what will happen, we will give you a full report.
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Nelly Nuthatch, meanwhile, has been nattering to Cobina about what some people call the “night life” at the Beach, particularly Old Grove and the stretch to Bradley Point. The fack that a certain number of vagrants occupy the area in the wee hours ain’t news.
Heck, over the years people have been arrested or worse in the West Walk pool, police have been called down there for other reasons, and it’s a well known “secret.” The problem is getting some attention, however, cuz the vagrancy ain’t dissipating with the first light. People are getting skittish about going down there, lest they be confronted by vagrants. It’s not a pretty site. It’ll be interesting to see what happens now that the issue has “seen the light o’ day” so to speak.
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Madame Olga stopped in with her crystal t’other afternoon and was wondering why things at the Haven site are moving about as slowly as they are? About three or four months ago, Herroner said there were negotiations going on betwixt the city and the Simon Group, the alleged developers of the Haven, once touted to be a high-end retail mall when it was announced almost eight years ago (this October).
It’s been more than two years since the fences were put up, some demolition has taken place, but it seems to be stalled – once again – with boarded up houses rotting in the noonday sun. One of the negotiation pernts was supposed to be temporarily opening up Water Street to relieve traffic congestion in the First Avenue-Elm Street area. Well, that ain’t happened, so one figgers the negotiations either went south, or other matters caused it to be put on the back burner. Never fear, Cobina will find out.
One wonder, though, was there a drop-dead date on the agreement to develop the property? In other words, did the city protect itself from delays setch as this? Maybe a deadline of some sort on developments is the way to go in the future. It sure as shooting will let the taxpayers know that things will either move, or the developer will be bidding adieu to the property.
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Iva Lootey dropped by for tea, and wondered about Beach Street. A few weeks ago, the stretch from about Morse Park to the junction o’ First and Second Avenues was a driver’s nightmare, and a repairman’s dream. The Burma Road had fewer bumps and potholes. Well, the Highway Dept. must have been out cuz the holes were patched – at least temporarily. It ain’t great, but it’s better than having your gassamobuggy realigned every time yew traverse the area.
But there are rumblings the new developments that are supposed to go on Beach Street may have hit a “snag.” Wonder what that means? Effen yew remember, the roadway of Beach Street is set to be redone with a seven-foot adjustment in height similar to what happened near the Water Treatment facility down the road. The flooding there has been a problem for decades, and the raising of the roadbed is seen as way to protect the road, the beach, and what is on t’other side of the street.
It is said an agreement was reached concerning the purchase of the former Chick’s Restaurant, and that a new eatery is planned for the property once the former place is torn down. Well, the consortium that purchased it is said to be miffed with the city for “being difficult.” That is a familiar story. Whilst city leaders look for economic development, doing business in the city ain’t the easiest in the world.
Iva is hearing that the frustration is getting setch that the entire deal might be in trouble. Different words but the same old tune, ain’t it?
Meanwhile, we ain’t seen nor heard about the development that is supposed to be happening at the former Savin Rock Conference Center. One wonders effen that hit the proverbial “snag” or is still something to look forward to. Around these parts one never knows. It’s always a guessing game – and a looooong guessing game. We never do anything in a timely manner in this burg, always years and years.
For example, the Enterprise Zone was announced at least two years ago – jest before the end of either 2019 or 2020. What has happened over there? Nary a thing. All the ballyhoo about it, and special acts making it a special taxation districk etc., and nothing…crickets.
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With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez.