tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post8053751023813366321..comments2024-03-25T17:49:41.408-07:00Comments on Salem Breakfast on Bikes: Rhapsodies Greet RR Bridge in 1913, Suggest Caution on Third Bridge in 2013Salem Breakfast on Bikeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-27990080035333569592013-03-18T19:50:05.449-07:002013-03-18T19:50:05.449-07:00American hucksterism and boosterism knows no limit...American hucksterism and boosterism knows no limit, nor does the gullibility of taxpayers when promised something "free" that will in truth cost them plenty.B+https://www.blogger.com/profile/18353381870331760316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-45136135034087001792013-03-13T21:12:43.407-07:002013-03-13T21:12:43.407-07:00Ah...well, it seemed like the overheated praise in...Ah...well, it seemed like the overheated praise in "You are as welcome as rain to the drooping flowers, as a baby's kisses to its mother, as a holiday to a school boy in fishing time..." and "[it is] the welcoming of THE birthday that marks the ending of our minority and the opening out of manhood" etc., etc., was obviously to be read in an ironic way now. Perhaps this was being oversubtle. <br /><br />It'll be interesting to see how others read it. <br /><br />To your point, I found a full page ad from 1911 that directly ties bridge construction to land speculation and development. Kingwood Park and Kingwood Heights were early subdivisions in West Salem. I'm not sure if the "new bridge" is the Union St. RR Bridge finished in 1913, a proposed bridge replacing the ferry, or the planned bridge at Center Street that was constructed in 1918. But very clear is the connection between outward development and a bridge.Salem Breakfast on Bikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-66911269404543585902013-03-13T08:41:42.836-07:002013-03-13T08:41:42.836-07:00Do not buy or peddle the frame of advocates and cr...Do not buy or peddle the frame of advocates and critics. If anything, the sprawl lobby pushing the gigantic oversized and unadaptable Bridgasaurus Boondogglus are the critics, criticizing any attempt to respond to the perceived problems as inadequate without even trying them. Meanwhile, the folks who recognize the Bridgasaurus for what it is -- a money grab by land developers and speculators, abetted by contractors and consultants on the lavish gravy train run by ODOT -- are the advocates for a better Salem, a city that doesn't destroy itself to service the sprawl lobby that has ruined countless other cities in the US with this exact same play book. Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12731260619465817652noreply@blogger.com