tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628593562590154745.post5274717407721852335..comments2023-06-18T11:08:27.838-04:00Comments on minervasoracle: Chester EnvyKristyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17177611312306970783noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628593562590154745.post-58307490844736048632009-05-15T00:23:00.000-04:002009-05-15T00:23:00.000-04:00hi kristy, thanks for writing as i learn more abou...hi kristy, thanks for writing as i learn more about the townfolks from you. i feel like rapunzel in my building coz my husband says it's not so safe to walk around town. now i understand why. it is a shame because i think petersburg is beautiful. it reminds me of manchester, uk and also kansas. <br /><br />in most studies, civil society and their grass roots movements are the most effective way to turn society around. it is not enough to rely on government alone. i am not sure what opportunities are available in a small town like petersburg. i rack my brains for possible jobs, too. i am also trying to understand the dynamics of economic worth, what with the fast-changing economy, credit crunch, real estate and market bubbles bursting. <br /><br />this town may be poor, but the people are surviving and continue to survive. the few people i have met seem happy and cheerful, or maybe they are just as easily curiously smiling back at me. <br /><br />but i believe you have a purpose here and seeing the world has changed your eyes. you must have learned many good things that can be applied home. perhaps you can start a project that will help benefit people? maybe a partnership with VSU? or the various churches?<br /><br />i am sure the town has many youth or volunteers who would like to do something positive, too. id be happy to volunteer too, but i feel i am an outsider right now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628593562590154745.post-1038259232803709192008-11-21T15:25:00.000-05:002008-11-21T15:25:00.000-05:00I agree, but we're not talking about New York City...I agree, but we're not talking about New York City, for God's sake! We're really talking about a small town that has largely managed to saddle ITSELF with inner city problems. I think it's part of the problem, too--this notion that we can shrug, point to Richmond or Baltimore as being "not much better." Where is it written that all urban areas (and I'm not willing to concede that Petersburg even is one) have to have high crime and unemployment rates, abysmal schools and crumbling infrastructure? I think the problems here are fixable; I just think it's going to take a pretty fundamental shift in government's focus. Clarity of vision, hard calls, and patience: I don't know that we have any of these things yet, but we're going to need them all to get there from here.Kristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17177611312306970783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628593562590154745.post-18566334739265549582008-11-19T17:29:00.000-05:002008-11-19T17:29:00.000-05:00...they also have collapsing buildings in that gen......they also have collapsing buildings in that general vicinity too - so be careful what you wish for.<BR/><BR/>I agree with a lot of what you said. It was a little telling when the folks across the street moved. Judy was talking to us about how the city had changed. Her husband grew up here as did his father I believe and she was saying that the 'Burg is great for younger people looking for a nice house at a good price or budding artists, etc. but, she said no one with school age children wants to stay. (THAT explains why Trick or Treat was so lackluster!)<BR/><BR/>I mean I didn't realize it until the other day but Shannon and April are having to start their 5 year plan now for moving out of the city. They have said they cannot afford to send Ayden to private school and they certainly aren't going to send him to some unaccredited inner city school.<BR/><BR/>Friends we had in Richmond ended up moving out to the far west end so their kids would be able to go to Henrico schools instead of Richmond City - can't blame them.<BR/><BR/>Seems kind of cyclical. As young couple you live in the hip, urban areas; then as you get older and have children you retreat to the burbs; finally you become empty nesters who move back to an urban area to be in the center of activity. (Eh at least that is what some RTD story said about older people moving back into Richmond (the Bottom, Canal Walk, and all that cool development along the river).<BR/><BR/>Whaddayado?Chuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16879033172690426879noreply@blogger.com