Sources for Further Study of White Plains

Posted on November 25, 2015 by

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Listed are sources from White Plains, New York: A City of Contrasts:

Online Internet Sources:

Places for Research:

  • Local History Collection and Archives at White Plains Library
  • Westchester Historical Society and Westchester County Archives located  in Elmsford
  • Rye Historic Society

Books to Read:

  • Yesterday in White Plains (1981) by Renoda Hoffman
  • Buckout (2018) Eric Pleska
  • It Happened in Old White Plains (1989) by Renoda Hoffman
  • The Changing Face of White Plains (1994) by Renoda Hoffman
  • The Battle of White Plains (1991) by Renoda Hoffman
  • Historic White Plains by Thomas Rösch (1976)
  • The Jews of Westchester, A Social History by Baila R. Shargel and Harold L. Drimmer (1994)
  • Native New Yorkers, The Legacy of the Algonquin People of New York by Evan T Pritchard (2002)
  • On the Streets Where We Lived, A Pictorial Study of African Americans Living in White Plains, New York From the Beginning of the Twentieth Century by Harold A. Esannason (2011)
  • Westchester: The American Suburb edited by Roger Panetta
  • Cemeteries of Westchester by Patrick Rafferty (2011)
  • The Westchester Historian- Under the Apple Tree: The History of Golf in Westchester County by Dr William Quirin (Summer 2009)
  • Franklin Mile Markers on the Old Post Rd: by Cahal Whelan (2015)
  • Westchester County Airport by Kevin Patterson (2017)

 

Books on Bronx River and “The Hills” of West Harrison

Posted on November 21, 2015 by

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History Books recently published that might be of interest to those drawn to this website are The Bronx River in History & Folklore by Stephen Paul Deville and The Freedom Journey by Edythe Ann Quinn.
The following two excerpts are from the back of the book The Bronx River in History & Folklore and Amazon.com:

The Bronx River flows for twenty-three miles through Westchester County and the heart of the Bronx. It is New York City’s only freshwater river, and it is exceptionally rich in history, folklore and environmental wonder. From Revolutionary War battlefields to native forests and lost villages, its lore and remarkable history are peopled with an array of legendary characters like Aaron Burr and the redoubtable Aunt Sarah Titus. Today, the once-polluted river is revitalized by decades of citizen activism, and it once again plays a unique role in the diverse communities along its length. Stephen DeVillo traces the river’s long and colorful story from the glaciers to the present day, combining human history, local legends and natural history into a detailed portrait of a special part of New York.
Stephen Paul DeVillo is the former development coordinator at the Bronx River Alliance, where he contributed a series of Bronx River stories for their newsletter. He develops walking tours for the Alliance’s Bronx River Rambles that explore the river’s history and environment, and has given historical walking tours for other organizations, including the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct and NYC H2O. He is a longtime member of the Bronx County Historical Society and the East Bronx History Forum.

The following information comes from the White Plains Library website about Edythe Ann Quinn” and her book:

Through wonderfully detailed letters, recruit rosters, and pension records, Quinn tells the story of thirty-five African American Civil War soldiers and the United States Colored Troop (USCT) regiments with which they served. The men all came from The Hills, an African American community near present-day Silver Lake. Their ties to family, land, church, school, and occupational experiences at home buffered the brutal indifference of boredom and battle, the ravages of illness, the deprivations of unequal pay, and the hostility of some commissioned officers and white troops. At the same time, their service among kith and kin bolstered their determination and pride.
Dr. Quinn is a Professor of History at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. She received a Gilder-Lehrman Institute Fellowship for African-American Research and is an experienced teacher, lecturer, and researcher. She used materials from the White Plains Collections and other local libraries, historical societies, and archives in her research for Freedom Journey.

Information about the Bronx River and “The Hills” can also be found in my book White Plains, New York: A City of Contrasts and this website.

Battle of White Plains Video

Posted on November 14, 2015 by

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White Plains Library has made available a video of the Battle of White Plains and the video is on YouTube. There is a link to the video on my FB for book. The following info is from their website:

Battle of White Plains on YouTube

We are happy to present “The Battle of White Plains” in honor of the 239th anniversary of the battle, which occurred in October 1776. This video is an overview of the Battle of White Plains and the larger Invasion of New York in 1776, one of the largest engagements of the American Revolution. Learn how the newly formed Continental Army fought under the command of George Washington to prevent the British Army from taking over the Hudson Valley.  The British hoped to cut in the colonies in half at the Hudson Valley, and the Battle of White Plains was an important moment in the campaign.

Through maps, pictures, animations, quotes, and narration, this video walks viewers through the background to the Battle of White Plains and the details of the engagement itself–especially the role of the many hills that define the borders of White Plains.

Video Editing and Animation was completed by Austin Olney, Digital Media Specialist. Research Assistance and Narration was completed by Ben Himmelfarb, Librarian for White Plains History. Narration was completed by Teens from the Edge, Ben Himmelfarb and Austin Olney.

White Plains’ Library Digital Collection

Posted on November 11, 2015 by

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White Plains  Library, White Plains Collection

The White Plains Collections contains many fascinating and informative photographs of buildings, people, events, and landscapes. While there are some photographs included in our general collection, many are part of special collections like the John Rosch Collection, featured here. Rosch owned a photography studio in White Plains and was the first City Historian. This collection contains photographs attributable to him as well as photographs he collected or reprinted. Coverage is generally from the 1870s to the mid-1940s. Rosch was interested in the history of White Plains as well as civic life, and this is reflected in his coverage of dedications and parades.

The White Plains Collection is here for people to use. We assist people–regardless of their level of experience–with historical and genealogical research. We encourage you to contact the Librarian for White Plains History and browse our website for help with your research.

Digital Culture of Metropolitan New York is a service of the Metropolitan New York Library Council

Nice collection of photographs.

Origins of Names for Places in White Plains

Posted on June 21, 2015 by

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What’s in a name? How does a place get its name? Names are used for identification or as a point of reference. Having different names for places helps distinguish the differences between them.

Many of the first roads in White Plains were referred to on maps as to where they would lead. “The Road to Rye,” for example, referred to the former Indian trail that the first settlers used to get to the area. Today, the street is North Street.

As White Plains grew, so did the number of streets. Many roads were added and given names. At times, the names would change though this rarely happens today. Name changes require city government approval. A common trend, though is giving a street a secondary name. Signs for these sections are blue and are hung above the green signs designated for the entire street. Many of these blue signs honor people who have made major contributions to the city.

Many places in the city were named after former residents. Other names relate to the city’s beginnings before and after the Colonial period. Many places have names connected to the American Revolution and the Battle of White Plains. A number of places were named for US Presidents. A few have Native American roots while others are named after geographical features. Then there are the unusual ones like those named after horses.

White Plains’ Library website now has an interactive map of city giving origins for streets.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1WvlOinVQnWh4KGDmEN7YPFfg4II&ll=41.051377923959095%2C-73.77009249608925&z=20

Pet Peeves-Illegals in White Plains

Posted on October 30, 2014 by

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75 S Broadway Now being fixed 2016
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Mamaroneck Ave.
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Man from City Center Apartments toilets dog in Tibbits daily
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Franklin Ave Bottle People going to Stop & Shop
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Man sitting outside parked van on sidewalk N Broadway

 

Got a car? Parking in White Plains is a challenge unless you do it illegally. Police don’t seem to care or go after violators of minor ordinances like noise, illegal bicycling, littering, or even illegal parking in certain locations. Other violations ignored are poorly maintained sidewalks, and poorly maintained properties where no one lives or uses. Bicyclists disobeyed the law about 99.99% of time.

Other violations don’t even register as worthy of the police even noticing include some of the following:

  1.  Vehicles parking on sidewalks, in or  into  crosswalks, and parking is not permitted.
  2.  Bicycling everywhere and disobeying traffic laws (i.e. riding on sidewalks &  in crosswalks, going through traffic lights/stop signs, not signaling, going the wrong way against traffic, parking at signs, trees, over crosswalks and into sidewalks
  3.   Use of motorized scooters and motorized  bicycles, unicycles and hoover boards .
  4. Use of skateboards on streets/sidewalks.
  5. Gas Leaf blowers used at times when banned fir use and blowing everything into streets where cars are parked and traffic is moving. Using 2 or more loud blowers on the same property. And, using blowers at times not allowed.
  6.  Toileting dogs in city parks, on neighbors’ property and over heating/air vents.
  7. Leaving waste bags  in drains, trees, and under trees or on grass.
  8.  Throwing trash from a vehicle..
  9. Use of shopping carts stolen from stores and using them to carry belongings and bottles.
  10.  Smoking in city parks./land/schools.
  11.  Not keeping sidewalks where construction is taking place safe for pedestrians.
  12. ting radios from a car.
  13. Pedestrians crossing in front of moving traffic when not permitted. Cars actually stop for these illegal crossers but rarely for ones that have the right of way.
  14.  Leaving food for feral pigeons and cats on public or others private property without permission from owners.

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Nana Manga Series Ending Possibility

Posted on October 12, 2014 by

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In my venture into Asian TV, I got interested in the manga series/books that many of the Japanese Dramas were based. Nana was one of those series but due to illness, the author stopped writing the series and it was never finished.

Since there were enough flash forwards in the series, I made some conclusions on how things actually turned out. Others have written their versions in Fan Fiction. 

This is my version of how things turned out at the end of the series:

After Ren’s death, Nana O disappears, and Black Stones disbands. Nobuo goes back to his hometown to work at his parent’s hotel and Shinichi becomes an actor. Yasushi becomes a full-time lawyer and continues his relationship with Miu.

Nana I (Hachi) gives birth to a boy Ren named after Ren. With Ren’s death, Trapnest decides to disband. Takumi becomes a music producer/manager. He becomes Layla’s manager as she continues her singing career as a solo artist.  Hachi and Miu go into business together and a detective is hired to find Nana O. Naoki continues to play the drums but with a different group, marries and continues his friendship with Takumi.

Marriage of Hachi and Takumi has its ups and downs, but the couple stay together.  Takumi spends though much of his time in England. Two or three years after Ren’s death. Hachi has a girl and this time there is no question of paternity.  Takumi keeps an apartment in England for work and his son Ren comes to stay during vacations.

Hachi, Yasushi, Shinichi and Nobuo stay friends and continue meeting at the apartment that the Nanas shared. Hachi continues to pay the rent.

Detective tracks Nana O in England; preforming solo in a London club. Hachi then goes to London and reunites with Nana O. They return to Japan and the series ends with a reunion concert.

Since publishing this conclusion, it has been viewed many times and from places all over the world. I wish the author had finished the series or had given permission for someone to do it for her. The story is much beloved by people from all over the world. Let me know what you think about how the series ends.

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Gertler’s Dilemma

Posted on October 9, 2014 by

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Gertler’s Dilemma

A One Act Play by Sandra Harrison
Based on the Life and Death of Mark Gertler, British Artist (1891-1939)

Time: Around 5 pm on the night of June 23, 1939
Place: Mark Gertler’s studio in Highgate, London.

Curtain rises on an art studio where a middle aged man appears. He wipes his hands on a rag, takes off the coat and puts it over a chair. His hair is disheveled and he is constantly looking around. The sun has set and only the early evening sunrays come through the windows leaving the room with many shadows. He walks around the room like he is tidying up. He is restless; constantly putting his fingers through his hair. He checks his watch and continues to roam about the room. Occasionally, he picks up things in the room like a letter, or a paint brush. He picks up a newspaper that is on the floor and is about to throw it away when he decides instead to place it on the table. He sits and reads it.

A few minutes later, he puts down the paper, gets up and paces about the room. He stops at one point to pick up a rolled up canvas that he finds in one corner of the room. He unrolls it and it is the “Merry Go Round.” He takes down the canvas that is on the easel in the room and then opens the “Merry Go Round” as if he was to put it on the easel. Then he lets the canvas go so that it rolls back into itself. He walks about the room holding the canvas in one hand. He makes a fist with the other. He is about to throw the canvas to the floor but stops in the middle of the room.

Just then another man appears in the room. He is a younger version of the older man but the only real thing that is similar is their hair style. The younger man is dressed in clothes from an earlier time. The elder man is still in the center of the room and has not noticed the other. He then turns and throws the canvas back into the corner where he had found it. The young man picks it up and unrolls it.

Young Mark: (From the corner) Ah, your masterpiece, “The Merry-go- Round.”

Elder Mark: (Turning, noticing the younger man the elder Mark uses a cockney accent). Not  you….? Why do you bother?   I will… do it! Just go away!

Young Mark: No. Not, this time. Not, yet. I still think there’s time.

Elder Mark: Time for what?

Young Mark: I think I can talk you out of it. I did before.

Elder Mark: You think, you were the one who talked me out of it. No, it was the blood. I didn’t think  that there would be so much. No! You can’t talk me out of this. (He takes the canvas from  the younger man and starts to toss it away but the younger stops him and takes the canvas). This time, I intend to go to the end.

Young Mark: (Taking the canvas he sets it up on the easel by clipping it in place). There!

Elder Mark: What are you doing? (He again tries to take the canvas down but the younger man blocks
him) It belongs back there with the dust.  

Young Mark: I disagree. It is an important serious work. Perhaps, your best.

Elder Mark: An important work? Rubbish.

Younger Mark: That’s not what D. H said.

Elder Mark: Rubbish! He only saw a copy (and starts to speak very quickly). And, it scared him so much  that he did not wish to see the original. His exact words were not very… complementary, if I  recall. But, this doesn’t matter. Everyone hated it. Even the people, who didn’t actually see it,  hated it. I should nev’er have done it. I should have nev’er painted it… but left it up here (he  points to his brain). I wanted people to take me seriously.

Young Mark: But, they did. Let’s see, D H said…

Elder Mark: I know what he said. It doesn’t matter. Everyone hated it.

Young Mark: It scared them. What did Lawrence say? Yes, it shows the, “dark instinctive forces in man.”

Elder Mark: He also said it was … a horrible work…

Young Mark: …and, beautiful. It is the best modern picture I have ever seen. I think it is great… and  true.”

Elder Mark: (Ignoring him) And,he also said it was terrifying. He was too frightened to come  and look at the original. Saw only the copy.

Younger Mark: But, he did say it was a great work.

Elder Mark: (He takes down the canvas and throws it back into a corner the room) So what? People want  pretty pictures, not great works. They want to decorate their homes with pretty little things. What I  paint is not for this. I paint with passion and want to inspire. This to me is wonderful. But no  one understands them?

Young Mark: You have to be patient. They will understand someday and maybe now with the coming of  another war, people will understand it. You should show it again. Remember? You want people to  think. You want people to know that the war machine is nothing to take lightly.

Elder Mark: What? War is popular. Pacifists are the unpopular ones. They are… unpatriotic…. unBritish.  Men are destined to go to war even when they don’t know what for. Now, this war? Oh, god I can’t  imagine. I don’t want to. This German, Hitler. The devil himself. I can’t live through another war. And, to think that Marjorie chooses to stay in France. And, with that man, no less. What about  Luke? He would be safer in England? But bloody hell, there’s nothing to do about it.

Young Mark: I agree, that Luke would be safer here, but that’s why you must be here when he returns.

Elder Mark: I knew you would just twist things around. It doesn’t matter about Luke being with me. I  was never a good father. All I have done is brought him pain. All those surgeries? The pain? I wish  ….. I could have taken them for him. I only brought him pain. What type of father does this to his son? Not a bloody good one, that’s for certain.

Young Mark: How can you think this? Your son loves you and I know he would want you-

Elder Mark: He doesn’t see me. What does it matter?

Young Mark: It will. He expects you to be here. An absent father is always better than a dead one.

Elder Mark: He will understand. Marjorie will explain it to him.

Young Mark: Like this can just be explained away. No one will understand it. So how will he? Not your  brothers, nor your sister. Not anyone. They will only think how selfish you were to do such a  thing. It is unthinkable, unforgivable. You leave your burdens with them. How pitiful.

Elder Mark: But, what about me? I can’t bear it. I need to end this. I can and I will. It’s my choice, not theirs.

Young Mark: We all have choices. You need to make the right one.. Everyone endures pain. Even people who are happy…

Elder Mark: (Shouting) I am a failure. As a man, a husband,  a father, a brother and yes as a  painter! I can’t pay for own keep for god’s sake! Never mind provide for others. Just a failure all  around.

Young Mark: You are not a failure. And, you’ve been in debt all your life. So that’s it? You can’t pay your bills? You’ve managed before… you will manage.

Elder Mark: The medical bills? The loans from the Jewish Educational Aid Society? It is endless. But this is worse.

Young Mark: Your brothers will help you. Your friends?

Elder Mark: My brothers have done enough. They have their own families to think of. I hate asking for money. I feel ashamed. I can’t even support myself or my family. This was the most difficult thing I ever had to do. Do you know how miserable I must have been to beg?. Asking my family to help me when they are so poor? I felt hopeless and alone.

Young Mark: But…

Elder Mark: I am going to lose my job and then what? War time has never been good for artists. I do not fear being part of it but England is and no war has been good for me. I cannot create the work I  want to. I have never been able to do the work that sells. I need to have artist freedom to create  great works that I wish to paint. And, not just the ones others wish to buy.

Young Mark: This is nothing new. You have been this way before. You can get through this.

Elder Mark: But do I want to? My desire is gone. I can’t endure life. I am cheapened by my poverty. That’s all there is. Don’t you see? My work, that’s all that’s ever been important to me  The roundabout is like life you know, not just war. The ride goes round and round, like the cycle of life. You get on at birth and then off at death. No one has control of this cycle at birth but after that they do, more and more as they stay on the ride. I choose to get off this merry go  round. It is my choice and I am ready. Otherwise, I am just waiting to die.

Young Mark: But what about the things in live that people experience that give them great joy and  happiness. Accomplishments? Love?

Elder Mark: Yes, now that’s the rub. These things don’t guarantee happiness. Perhaps it is more a state of mind than the experience itself. I have accomplished many things. My work that I thought was great has only been a disappointment. And, love? I know I have loved but was this really loves?  Unless one is loved back can one’s love be true? Was I ever loved?

Young Mark: Your mother loved you unconditionally.

Elder Mark: I mean real love. My mother loved me so much but she was my mother. I was her youngest  and in her eyes the darling boy who could do no wrong. But, she’s gone. Memories are not enough.  She was always there for me but I can not live on memories alone.

Young Mark: There are others.

Elder Mark: Oh? Even my best friends are gone.

Young Mark: So, this is because of Carrington?

Elder Mark: What? I closed doors on this part of my life long ago.

Young Mark: But, her death must have had an effect on you. Her death was a suicide. She shot herself.

Elder Mark: I know this but I don’t think this is about her. Not now. Maybe our break up was. My reason for doing it before.  But, not now. This time I am ready.

Young Mark: But, before you didn’t go through with it. Perhaps, you always had the hope that Carrington  would come back to you.

Elder Mark: Never.

Young Mark: I think Carrington’s death is a part of this.

Elder Mark: She was gone from my life long before. I knew years ago that I would never have her. Her  letters were just her way of keeping me there just in case we things didn’t work out as she planned. Maybe, they never did, for her either but that was her problem.

Young Mark: Her death by her own hand is just an excuse for yours. It is interesting that she used a  gun. Just like you had tried to do those first two times.

Elder Mark: She shot herself because of Lynton. He died. It must have painful for her. It just proves that she never, never ever loved me. I was just a thing she played with while it was convenient. She threw me away for a man who could never sexually satisfy her. Can that be love?

Young Mark: For her it had to be enough. What choice did she have? But, I do believe she cared for  you. She knew you before Lynton. Those years at the Slade. What about all those times? Those letters must count for something.

Elder Mark: So, what of it? I was the only one she could talk art with and she just strung me along. For ten years. My god, ten years. She drove me crazy. I did things that I still regret. I was like an animal. My lust! My hunger for her. How could I attack Lynton like I did. The things I said. Such hateful things. I loved her. I don’t think anyone could be hers completely. She had so much vitality. She was just one of those women who drove men wild. I lost friends because of my love for her. How could I have blamed them? It was the madness. My jealousy. I could never share her and that was probably the only way one could be with her. The only one she truly wanted was Lynton. He loved her but not sexually. She was jealous of his lovers for God’s sake.

Young Mark: Yes, but you never stopped loving her yourself.

Elder Mark: None of us could. She had that impact on people.

Young Mark: So, then, why not think this through? There will be others.

Elder Mark: You make it sound like finding someone to share your life is so easy. No, I am finished with love.

Young Mark: How harsh.

Elder Mark: Yes, but I have to be realistic. Finding that person that can share everything with you and still love you. That is impossible to find. At least I had my time.

Young Mark: But, there are always other things to consider.

Elder Mark: Yes, but I have my own concerns.

Young Mark: What about being Jewish? Jewish law prohibits suicide. Have you abandoned that too?

Elder Mark: Being Jewish? I have not felt Jewish for a long time. I can’t even speak Yiddish anymore. The last time I was in a synagogue was when I took Marjorie. It was such a shock. I don’t belong in this world anymore. I have no connection to that part of my life anymore. I don’t know how my being Jewish ever helped me.

Young Mark: How you forget. All those paintings. You were hailed for that work.

Elder Mark: I never wanted my Jewishness to define me, or my art.

Young Mark: And, the Jewish Educational Aid Society? What about William Rosenthal and his support?

Elder Mark: Yes, I appreciated this but now the Society wants their money. My Jewishness was helpful but it was also a hindrance. I could never find the place between these worlds that were a part of me. Many people helped me but still I was a failure as a working artist.

Young Mark: There is still time to resolve this. This can be your reason to live. You can still find peace. Go back to your roots.

Elder Mark: I can’t. I won’t. I can’t go back to what I have long forgotten.

Young Mark: Your family can help you. Let them help you. They deserve that right.

Elder Mark: The right? Over my life? My life is in my hands. And, no ones else’s.

Young Mark: No, I do not believe this. You owe people, your life, your being, the your ever essence of life.

Elder Mark: No, no, no! And, besides, it doesn’t matter. I can’t endure.

Young Mark: You have struggled to hard just to give up. There is always tomorrow.

Elder Mark: My isolation is extraordinary. I am alone. Yes, if only I was like my brothers. To be an ordinary workman. I should have been. But, no, I desire perfection and brilliance. How can I endure with an unordinary life. Oh! God! Do I deserve this? To be so tormented by my own ambition? I am cut off from my own family by class. And, by them I have been raised to be equal to a class I hate! They do not understand me, not them. I am an outcast. I laugh at all the dozens of notices of me from before (he goes to his desk and grabs up a papers in his fist and waves them at the younger man). A lot of them praising my talents. Oh! Yes I am quite well known …and yet alone!

Young Mark: You wrote this to Carrington back in 1912.

Elder Mark: Nothing has changed. I  do not belong anywhere. I never really fit in to any group or class. Being an artist has done this to me. It isolates me from the rest of society. And, poverty is the root of it all.

Young Mark: And, yet you paint these people in “society,” this world you live in. Your work transcends time, and class. Your friends were of a class outside your own beginnings.

Elder Mark: I needed them to support my work. I entertained them. It served a purpose. Some kept me around for amusement and others…lusted for me.

Young Mark: You were a good looking man. You still are. You know? You still have an attraction. Your students respect you and some even have crushes on you.

(Mark starts gathering rags from around the studio. He then stuffs them under the door and makes sure the windows are air tight and locked. He then takes a mattress and places it under the door knob so that no one can enter from the outside. He turns on the gas and the stove. He lies down on the floor and with open arms and waits).

Elder Mark: (from the floor) You can go now.

Young Mark: No, I think I’ll stay. There is always hope that someone will come.

Elder Mark: Suit yourself. No one is coming. I made sure of it. (And with this said the older man lies still with his arms spread wide. There is a smile on his face).

Young Mark: (stands by as the room darkens).

Addendum:
Mark Gertler died on June 29, 1939, at the age of 47. He was survived by his wife Marjorie (though separated) and their son Luke, as well as his two brothers and two sisters. Mark was buried in Willesden cemetery with a plain gravestone. After his death, there were two exhibits of his work and more recently there was a retrospective at the Ben Uri Gallery in London in 2002.

Mark Gertler likeness was portrayed in some literary works of fiction. His paintings are still being used as covers of books, the inspiration for curriculum and even short films. His works can be found in different parts of the world. Most notable is the “Merry Go Round” which is owned by the Tate of London, England.

Facebook: White Plains, New York: A City of Contrasts

Posted on September 28, 2014 by

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Complicated: White Plains’ Four Masters

Posted on September 17, 2014 by

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No curb cut; sidewalk blocked. Cop not directing traffic. Area has many pedestrians with disabilities. How is a wheel chair to navigate through this? Told officer there was no ramp and he basically laughed it off.

The four governments (Federal, State, County and City) in White Plains that operated agencies, offices, courts, parks, roads, housing and even the waterways all complicate the running of the city. Governments are huge bureaucracies that have elected officials who bring in cohorts to become department heads with their own agendas.  Often these heads are men who protect their domains by discarding criticism and input from the public.

Often my calls/e-mails/letters go unanswered and are passed on to those with little power to enact change. When speaking to some of these government heads, I often feel like they don’t care and get treated rudely. I recently called the Transportation  Commissioner’s office and was told me that I was not listening to him when he was talking.  He kept cutting me off. I called to voice my concerns about recent traffic lanes marked in the city and not to listen to a bureaucrat who spoke to me  like I was a child. The Mayor called me months back after I told the woman who answered the phone in his office that he never responds to my correspondence.He was timing me and complained that I was taking up too much of his time. I am surprised he didn’t send me a bill like a lawyer does. And, still nothing happened to correct the dangerous construction sites that I was complaining about.

Often the government has long time employees that are left to do their jobs without much oversight or regulation. And, when out in the public they blatantly disobey city, state or national laws. City workers including law enforcement personal have been seen by me smoking in prohibited areas, driving through red lights, making illegal turns, parking in crosswalks, using hand held cell phones while driving, and texting while on duty.

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City worker on hand held cell while driving.

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