Annapolis Capital Punishment

Long a supporter and participant in the ongoing Envisioning Annapolis series, CP is hard pressed to reflect on the recent lecture by author Jane Holtz Kay. This is not an easy post. Okay, hundreds attended--a great turnout--this issue is high on everyone's list of concerns, but, well, we were disappointed, and for a variety of reasons. CP does not wish to dwell on the past in this case. However, while local transportation activists looked forward to this event as a way to spark further interest in effecting real local transportation solutions, we are not sure where to put our energies.

CP has been heavily involved in working, talking, planning and encouraging more and better transportation options for years, the time has come to reassess where we wish to go and how to get there. Yes--it is the transportation meta-problem. How do we move ourselves in order to move ourselves???? While last night's lecture sort of devolved into a grand hand wringing session of what's wrong, CP, who had no intention of going to the mike, stood up at the end to speak, and admonished whiners for finding every reason why they cannot walk, ride a bike or take an Annapolis Transit bus, to quit complaining and start voting with their feet. We have a right to walk, to ride bikes and to expect better bus service. Oh, I could go on...and on, but suffice it to say, CP and other locals will continue to talk, learn and debate how to improve and expand our local transportation options. But for now, the best thing for everyone to do is to understand they can drive less, and walk and bike and use transit more often. Let's all understand what resources we have and make use of them and then we can fully understand what we have and what we need. Get out of your car--and get walking, and riding.....it will be good for all of us!!!