Response to Reader Survey

A letter in response to our reader survey:

Answering your survey, I found I could not choose a favorite topic covered by the Currents, which I decided was a good thing since there were so many topics and articles of interest in every issue. Instead, I’d like to thank everyone who sat through countless meetings and gave serious thought and contributions to issues and projects for the benefit of all of us in Riverwest. Thank you one and all!!! You are a great Riverwest asset. And I’m happy to distribute it door to door on my block and hope that others will as well.

I have two suggestions for ongoing columns in the Currents:

1. “From City Hall” – First topic: New zoning code, which was adopted in May. It can be found on the Internet and is currently in use along with the old. In October the old will be history

2. A “Suggestion Box” ColumnI think Riverwesterners in general have a lot of suggestions that we share with each other at the co-op, at a bar, or at the Laundromat. I’d like to see a “Suggestion Box” column in the Currents so that residents can express their suggestions for the neighborhood and maybe in the process bring some of these suggestions to fruition, or at least reach a broader audience, as Riverwesterners are full of ideas and suggestions to share.

To start things off, I’d like to suggest that clotheslines be extended from the “Free Box” to adjacent trees on Sundays for airing and display during the farmer’s market. There are great items in that box. I know because I’ve picked up many items from around the box left by “satisfied customers.”  I’m concerned that items sitting there week after week could collect mildew and dirt, which would be a shame. Many people attend the market, and having a “Free Clothes Line” would allow the clothes to be aired and dusted off, and proudly displayed on clothespins or hangers in a timely fashion for people who will use them. Not being a founder or a fan of the box, the truth be told, because I think to just throw clothing in an open air box at the mercy of the elements isn’t fulfilling the donors mission if they don’t find a new home. As things are now – many don’t.

Another suggestion I have is for the dog walkers in Riverwest. I was walking my Riley one early evening and saw a dog walker who lives over on Auer who had a plastic bag and he was picking up litter as he walked along. He’s been picking up litter while dog walking for over ten years!!! He said he just feels better when the neighborhood looks better. I, on occasion, would pick up items I’d see on the street but I do it much more frequently now and I too feel better. The bending adds an aerobic quality to the walk and it also helps make up for those few dog walkers who contribute to the litter problem by not picking up their dog poop.

I’m sure others have suggestions that would help to make Riverwest a better place and I’d like to read about them in a permanent column in the Riverwest Currents.

-Mary Lohmeier

Riverwest Currents - Volume 1 - Issue 9 - October 2002