Northeast News
November 13, 2013

A streetcar on Independence Avenue. Seriously? This newsdog is thinkin’ the idea is plum crazy to say the least. More taxpayer cash (it didn’t just fall out of the sky now did it?) thrown at an issue that frankly doesn’t need studyin’!

Anyone with an ounce of common sense who’s driven Independence Avenue at 3:30 p.m. knows that the idea of eliminating lanes in favor of an outdated, boutique mode of transportation is more than ludicrous. Rush hour on the Avenue is an even worse nightmare.

Here’s a novel idea – instead of throwin’ all sorts of stimulus cash at the architects and focus groups, how about sinkin’ some money into infrastructure improvements along the Avenue, such as newer sidewalks, updated lighting, police foot patrols or God forbid, smoother pavement. Gasp! The westbound lanes of Independence Boulevard approaching The Paseo are the poorest excuse for a city street this shook-up news-pooch has seen in a fortnight! We know of logging roads that are smoother than that stretch of pothole infested streetscape.

There’s an old adage: A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle. This newshound would change that up a bit to something more appropriate. This community needs an Independence Avenue streetcar like a man needs a third armpit. Not so much.