Posted on 07. Dec, 2008 by Tony Arranaga in News
I signed up for a cool new site called Livable Streets. It reminds me of Facebook, but geared toward people wanting a better way of living for their community, mixed in with transportation news of the day, and sprinkled with some bike or light rail hot topics. Love it.
Reading the posts on LSN made me think about my purpose and motivation for lightrailblogger.com – other than light rail is just cool. Usually walking the dogs helps to clear my head…maybe it will help me think of my lightrailblogger purpose. I got the gang ready and off we went.
So what’s my motivation for writing lightrailblogger?
First, I think the whole blogging concept is fun, entertaining, and I love to tell stories.
I also love that Phoenix will be like a major metropolitan city with a mass transit rail system.
I’m certainly going to use METRO to get to and from work. I’ll use it to go eat.
I’ll use it whenever I can to save gas, save money, help clean the air, etc, etc.
I also love the citizen journalist aspect of blogging. Showing and telling what I’m seeing by riding METRO and running into interesting people. No doubt each one has a story to tell.
Yeah, light rail is pretty cool.
Seriously though, I feel it’s my responsibility to take the METRO since it’s practically outside my front door. I don’t want to use the blog to preach about being green – especially since I can try harder myself.
However, I think I can blog to try and set a good example by not using my car so much.
All this brainstorming about my mission statement made me think about our economic situation and my Midtown Phoenix neighborhood. These turbulent financial times are starting to show on the streets. Sometimes it’s quiet. Emtpy. It could be nice. METRO will certainly add some excitement.
But I can’t rely on METRO to make my neighborhood seem like a livable street. What can I do to help create a vibrant and livable atmosphere in Central Phoenix??
Hmmm…
Uhhh…
??????
..(thinking)…
pay taxes????
Yes, but not good enough. I can do more.
Then it hit me. I took a moment to stop and enjoy the cool air. The Christmas decorations. The cars and people on Central Ave.
Not bad…stopping to soak in all the sights.
Contributing to the traffic is what makes a livable street. Whether it’s by foot, on two wheels, or rail. Go for a walk with the dogs. Spend money at local retailers. Go eat out at the Good Egg. Do something, just get out of the house and spend time enjoying the neighborhood.
After that, the gang and I made a stop every so often during our walk to look around our Midtown Phoenix ‘hood.
So what did I decide?? My lightrailblogger.com mission statement is still a work in progress.
I will tell you this. As a responsible homeowner/neighbor/citizen my little section of town can’t be a “livable street” unless I do my part to show not only do people rest their heads here, but they also live here, walk/bike/take the METRO around here, and care.
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Nick Bastian
07. Dec, 2008
I love this post… Great example of how we can all make a difference. Thanks so much for the “Phoenix” invite for the “Livable Streets” site. I had previously just been involved with a “national” group from their site. The fact that we now have local representation is awesome. Major props to you!
Yeah, “light rail is just cool”
the lightrailblogger
07. Dec, 2008
Thanks Nick! BTW, congrats getting quoted in the AZ Republic!