David
07-28-2008, 12:40 PM
Stupidity in Meriden
Editor:
I cannot believe the, in my opinion, stupidity shown by the City of Meriden in removing the benches at the Meriden train/bus station. If I am to believe, which I don't, that the problem was one of loitering and illegal drinking of alcohol in public, then why not simply arrest the lawbreakers?
Last year I went to the train station at least three times a week, between the hours of five and six p.m., waiting for the train to come in. Yes, it was crowded, mostly with people of color clearly waiting for the bus or train. I say that because I observed the crowd thin out as the buses and train came in and people boarded.
Never did I see anyone drinking in public, nor was I harassed by anyone. If the City wants to do something constructive, I suggest they use their blight ordinance to force the owners of the Colony Street buildings whose backs face the train depot to clean up their act. The backs of those buildings, in my opinion, are an absolute disgrace but in Meriden, I guess it's who you know rather than the difference between right and wrong that prevails.
I wonder if the City even bothered to consult with the Meriden Transit District Board or the Commission for Persons With Disabilities before removing benches primarily used, I think, by low-income minority citizens waiting for the bus or train. Given the way the benches were removed without public review and the utter lack of a timeline to replace them, I suspect the City would like to see if they can tear the Mills projects down before they replace the benches.
COLLEEN CYR, MERIDEN
Editor:
I cannot believe the, in my opinion, stupidity shown by the City of Meriden in removing the benches at the Meriden train/bus station. If I am to believe, which I don't, that the problem was one of loitering and illegal drinking of alcohol in public, then why not simply arrest the lawbreakers?
Last year I went to the train station at least three times a week, between the hours of five and six p.m., waiting for the train to come in. Yes, it was crowded, mostly with people of color clearly waiting for the bus or train. I say that because I observed the crowd thin out as the buses and train came in and people boarded.
Never did I see anyone drinking in public, nor was I harassed by anyone. If the City wants to do something constructive, I suggest they use their blight ordinance to force the owners of the Colony Street buildings whose backs face the train depot to clean up their act. The backs of those buildings, in my opinion, are an absolute disgrace but in Meriden, I guess it's who you know rather than the difference between right and wrong that prevails.
I wonder if the City even bothered to consult with the Meriden Transit District Board or the Commission for Persons With Disabilities before removing benches primarily used, I think, by low-income minority citizens waiting for the bus or train. Given the way the benches were removed without public review and the utter lack of a timeline to replace them, I suspect the City would like to see if they can tear the Mills projects down before they replace the benches.
COLLEEN CYR, MERIDEN