Precarious

Precarious, originally uploaded by johnruexp.

I observe daily this death-defying trek to the mailbox by an elderly gentleman on Franklin's pedestrian-averse 51st Street.

This is where the nearby quarry promised to build a useful pedestrian path before they apparently diverted their funding to the scenic (and much-used-by-me) - but none-too-useful - Oak Leaf Trail connector path, which was going to be funded by a federal grant and the local group, JOLT, anyway. 

You know the path I'm talking about: It's the one that requires a parking lot in order to be accessed. I kid you not.

Former Alderman Don Dorsan pushed hard for the quarry to make good on their promise to create a useful, community-building 51st street pedestrian and bike path. This path would have created a safe passage for Franklin High School students and residents interested in traveling sans car to, for instance, Sendik's and whatever else Fountains of Franklin has up their sleeves.

No dice. Short-sighted political manuevering won out. The quarry is off the hook.

So, I personally get a great running and biking path that serves me just fine (though I have to drive my daughter and her bike to it if she wants to use it). Meanwhile, this gentleman hopes to survive another trip to the newspaper tube across the street.