View from the Cheap Seats
August 31 - September 6, 2015
Ride on
By William O. “Bill” James, Jr.
I planned on having this column talk about the similarity that life has to roller coasters. I was not planning on talking about the ups and downs of life. Instead, my plan was to pontificate about the phenomena that, the longer life goes on, the less that the ups and downs seem to affect us. Once you have been around the track a few times, most of the fear is gone because there is a lot less “unknown” about what the world or the roller coaster have to offer.
I did not feel that my contemplation as of yet on that subject warranted a column. The idea was put back on the shelf and someday it will pop back up in my psyche and I will write about it. This was just not the week.
I sent a column to the Little Rock City Directors today protesting what seems to be pretty short sighted plan from where I sit. I guess the idea is to take one of the busiest roads in West Little Rock and cut the number of lanes in half. Basically, spending money to get less. I will admit they are adding bike lanes for those that chose to ride. But, at what price?
The problem I have with the idea is that it is a pretty big expenditure of money for the relatively few people that will use it. Let’s not forget that the great majority that ride their bikes on Hinson are doing so for sport. No one is riding their bikes to work. That makes those bicycle lanes out to be pretty expensive playgrounds for those folks with expensive bikes. Meanwhile, the folks trying to get to work crawl along single file.
Is this the kind of idea and project that gets people voted out of office? It seems that I have heard many a story about things like that happening. They sometimes forget that the folks that they represent are also the one’s that vote for (or against) them and determine if they stay in office. Why would you vote against the wishes of those you represent?
Hasn’t West Little Rock suffered enough from bad road ideas? Anyone driven from Chenal to I-630 lately? Lee Short reported that it took 45 minutes because of all the congestion and repetitive merging. If I was a paranoid person, I would say there is a conspiracy against those out west. It seems like the folks in charge of the roadways are trying to make it as difficult as possible to get downtown during rush hour. Did someone out in West Little Rock make Governor Christie mad? If they did, let me offer my apologies.
In the end, it is a bad idea. I would not go so far as to say “stupid” because there is always that off chance that I am wrong. As it stands now, I will not cast a vote for any director that votes for the project. Heck, I might even work against them depending on my mood. On the flip side, if it passes against my will, I might actually get my bike out of the garage. Who knows what that would lead to.
I hope things stay as they are on Hinson and that the money is spent on something more important. I thought the city was short on money. Why do we have to spend $500,000 on a project that is, at best, a luxury? Wasting money on niceties is never a good idea. That is true for all of us, even those of us way up in the CHEAP SEATS!
Bill James is a criminal defense lawyer and co founder of the James Law Firm with offices in Little Rock, Conway and Fayetteville, Arkansas. He may be reached art Bill@JamesFirm.com.
