Sauntering Sebastopol Sidewalks

[LenInSebastopol]

Ever notice the newspaper stands on Main Street adjacent to the Post Office and next to the bus stop, right in the middle of the sidewalk?
I called the city attorney and asked why they are set askewed from the bus shelter and not in line with that shelter so PEOPLE may walk, stroll, roll or simply proceed down the sidewalk without impediment. His answer: not my jurisdiction. I did not ask whose jurisdiction. As it is "private property" I was advised not to move them and line them up with the bus shelter. I was told that the sidewalk 'belongs' to Caltrans. So I called the regional Caltrans in Oakland and spoke with someone who told me it was not their jurisdiction but the city's!
So I am considering simply burning the newspaper stands (as an act of simple civil disobedience) and see who arrests me and then pursuing the issue in that fashion (CHP or SPD or Sheriff) OR writing the civil grand jury). Just don't know how to have those things moved about a meter and align them with the bus shelter. Is that so big a deal?

[tomcat]

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you what a bad idea burning ANYTHING is, but I think writing letters and making phone calls is a great idea.

It can be VERY frustrating trying to find out who might be the responsible for things like this... and sometimes things do just move in the middle of the night, as if by Magic.

Good luck in your quest to clear that section of sidewalk.


Ever notice the newspaper stands on Main Street adjacent to the Post Office and next to the bus stop, right in the middle of the sidewalk?
I called the city attorney and asked why they are set askewed from the bus shelter and not in line with that shelter so PEOPLE may walk, stroll, roll or simply proceed down the sidewalk without impediment. His answer: not my jurisdiction. I did not ask whose jurisdiction. As it is "private property" I was advised not to move them and line them up with the bus shelter. I was told that the sidewalk 'belongs' to Caltrans. So I called the regional Caltrans in Oakland and spoke with someone who told me it was not their jurisdiction but the city's!
So I am considering simply burning the newspaper stands (as an act of simple civil disobedience) and see who arrests me and then pursuing the issue in that fashion (CHP or SPD or Sheriff) OR writing the civil grand jury). Just don't know how to have those things moved about a meter and align them with the bus shelter. Is that so big a deal?

[LenInSebastopol]

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you what a bad idea burning ANYTHING is, but I think writing letters and making phone calls is a great idea.
It can be VERY frustrating trying to find out who might be the responsible for things like this... and sometimes things do just move in the middle of the night, as if by Magic. Good luck in your quest to clear that section of sidewalk.

Not to be TOO disagreeable (OKm I lied) burning is a good idea, just against the law. I've written letters, made phone calls, etc so Magic is all I am left with. Of course moving them scrumptiously is just as illegal as burning, except for the misdemeanor/felony gigiitty. I am out of luck and believe in that as much as I believe in magic....so.......

[LenInSebastopol]

>>>Pretty soon they will be arresting you for farting in the town square without a permit.

Well, I guess I'd better apply for a permit.

Have I been missing something? I'm downtown at some time just about every day and rarely see a cop. Not that I have any great desire to see one — see one, you've seen'em all — but I just haven't seen them swarming down on the Cookie Company or beating people senseless. Is there something I could do to encourage my being more persecuted?

Peace & joy--
Conrad

Yeah, go down to the Post Office and look at the bus stop next to it. Then look at the news stands next to that. Then move the news stands next to the bus stop so people can walk without playing "dodge". You will have violated private property but no one knows WHOSE private property; to help PEOPLE amble down the street it is MORE IMPORTANT that private property not be violated than the rights of folks who simply wish to walk in and on a public thoroughfare. Good luck

[Yip]

I thought you were overseeing the magical movement of that piece of Real Estate?


Yeah, go down to the Post Office and look at the bus stop next to it. Then look at the news stands next to that. Then move the news stands next to the bus stop so people can walk without playing "dodge". You will have violated private property but no one knows WHOSE private property; to help PEOPLE amble down the street it is MORE IMPORTANT that private property not be violated than the rights of folks who simply wish to walk in and on a public thoroughfare. Good luck

[theindependenteye]

>>>Yeah, go down to the Post Office and look at the bus stop next to it. Then look at the news stands next to that. Then move the news stands next to the bus stop so people can walk without playing "dodge". You will have violated private property but no one knows WHOSE private property; to help PEOPLE amble down the street it is MORE IMPORTANT that private property not be violated than the rights of folks who simply wish to walk in and on a public thoroughfare. Good luck.

Ok, I went down there about 10:40 this morning, walked around the bus stop, over to the news boxes, and did my best to look suspicious. But no luck with attracting cops. What's the best time there for being arrested?

Joking aside -- I'm not clear what you mean by what you're saying. Can you say what happened to you or what you saw happen?

I feel weird getting in the position of defending cops. Probably nobody likes cops except fellow cops and their mothers. Having lived in Chicago and Philadelphia, I have a pretty good sense of the reality of police harassment and brutality, in those little towns, anyway. And I think it's tragic that police -- though for obvious reasons -- tend to close ranks and defend each other, no matter how outrageous the conduct.

But for that very reason, I think it's vital that accusations and complaints against the police really have substance. To complain that an officer has the temerity to exist, or to check out someone whose behavior seems suspicious, or to actually enforce the law, or fail to smile and say "Have a nice day" -- I think that just adds to the credibility gap and the mistrust between community and police that in the long run can be fatal to both.

Peace & joy--
Conrad

[LenInSebastopol]

I thought you were overseeing the magical movement of that piece of Real Estate?

Yeah, just ain't got around to it. Th universe hasn't told me the right time! ?

[photolite]

Just move the damn thing. Are you really so bored that you feel the need to commit an act of civil disobedience? Burning?
Please.


Ever notice the newspaper stands on Main Street adjacent to the Post Office and next to the bus stop, right in the middle of the sidewalk?
I called the city attorney and asked why they are set askewed from the bus shelter and not in line with that shelter so PEOPLE may walk, stroll, roll or simply proceed down the sidewalk without impediment. His answer: not my jurisdiction. I did not ask whose jurisdiction. As it is "private property" I was advised not to move them and line them up with the bus shelter. I was told that the sidewalk 'belongs' to Caltrans. So I called the regional Caltrans in Oakland and spoke with someone who told me it was not their jurisdiction but the city's!
So I am considering simply burning the newspaper stands (as an act of simple civil disobedience) and see who arrests me and then pursuing the issue in that fashion (CHP or SPD or Sheriff) OR writing the civil grand jury). Just don't know how to have those things moved about a meter and align them with the bus shelter. Is that so big a deal?

[LenInSebastopol]

Yeah, go down to the Post Office and look at the bus stop next to it. Then look at the news stands next to that. Then move the news stands next to the bus stop so people can walk without playing "dodge". You will have violated private property but no one knows WHOSE private property; to help PEOPLE amble down the street it is MORE IMPORTANT that private property not be violated than the rights of folks who simply wish to walk in and on a public thoroughfare. Good luck.


Ok, I went down there about 10:40 this morning, walked around the bus stop, over to the news boxes, and did my best to look suspicious. But no luck with attracting cops. What's the best time there for being arrested?

Joking aside -- I'm not clear what you mean by what you're saying. Can you say what happened to you or what you saw happen?

I feel weird getting in the position of defending cops. Probably nobody likes cops except fellow cops and their mothers. Having lived in Chicago and Philadelphia, I have a pretty good sense of the reality of police harassment and brutality, in those little towns, anyway. And I think it's tragic that police -- though for obvious reasons -- tend to close ranks and defend each other, no matter how outrageous the conduct.

But for that very reason, I think it's vital that accusations and complaints against the police really have substance. To complain that an officer has the temerity to exist, or to check out someone whose behavior seems suspicious, or to actually enforce the law, or fail to smile and say "Have a nice day" -- I think that just adds to the credibility gap and the mistrust between community and police that in the long run can be fatal to both.Peace & joy--
Conrad

Nothing ever happened to me, nor did I see anything; I just noticed one day and found it wrong/bad for folks to walk without having to dodge a bunch of crap unnecessarily. I called and wrote and got the run around and just got really perturbed (pissed off is what regular folks call it). Just seems common sense but during the query with the city I was asked if I was handicap, and replying "no" it was relayed to me that if I was then they could address the issue. I learned that the evergreen bushes adjacent to the sidewalk on the park on Jewell Avenue were removed because of one complaint from a wheelchair bound person. Numerous complaints were received as folks could not walk two abreast down that street due to those bushes jutting out onto the side walk. One complaint from a wheelchair person and the issue was addressed post haste. I know the squeaky wheel practice but what happened to common human sense?

As for the "cops" in Sebastopol, I would think that they are more community service personnel helpers. They don't need defense because that "life" ain't happening here; you can't really say Philly, Chi-town, Sebastopol without noting the incongruities of that pattern. They're OK around here.
That said, you are braver and bolder than I. Though I talk smack I doubt if I will go down for a news stand, but at least you had the stones to go down and look suspicious! Others find it so easy for me to look suspicious, so congrats for trying. And thanks

[pearl g]

Nope. Can't say I've ever noticed them.