Blogging is a new "feature" of the internet. It allows an easier way to update web pages and gives a "log" type setup with some automatic features. This is the second Blog I've created, the first can be seen here.

 

Crowded Streets

There is no doubt about it, the annual Irish/Italian/Islenos Community parade, founded by Senator Walter Boasso four years ago is good business for St. Bernard.

Google has sent me newspaper articles touting the parade from Lafayette, LA. to Birmingham, AL. This kind of positive publicity is very hard to come by and I'll gladly welcome all we can get.

But, as always, there are some negative aspects.

I realize everyone wants to get a good spot to see the parade, but is it really necessary to park your car on the side of the road a day before the parade? Should businesses located along the parade route block all access in front of their businesses?

Personally, I think the St. Bernard Parish Council needs to pass a ordinance against parking on the side of the road of a parade more than 12 hours before the start of the parade.

What happens with all these cars parked is that you can no longer see if there is any on-coming traffic when trying to pull through an intersection. I find it troubling enough when folks going to a bank have to park in the street instead of pulling into the banks parking lot (I'm not picking on banks, it's just more prevalent with banks in my observations), but it is compounded when there are four and five cars all parked in a row. Even worse is when a touring bus or camper is parked on the side of the road.

The other problem with all of these cars parked on the side of the road is that it leaves very little space for visitors to find a place to park and take in the festivities. One of the reasons for the parade is to show off St. Bernard Parish, but it does no good if St. Bernard residents are the only ones that see it.

By limiting the parking to 12 hours before the start of a parade gives everyone a fairer chance at finding a spot to see the parade and helps ensure public safety in the days leading up to the parade.

As for businesses blocking their the area in front of their store fronts, I think those owners need to think of their customers and potential customers. Keeping the public out of their parking spaces is one thing, but blocking the street in front of their establishments is just bad manners.

I do have to give kudos to Steve and Karen Fecke of Jubilee Foods. I didn't see any move on their part to block non-customers from using their parking lot while viewing the parade. It did make it a little harder on me when I made a quick run there, no place for me, a paying customer to park, but I also expected that when I made my decision to take my shopping there instead of someplace off the parade route.

Be good to yourself,
Westley Annis
westley@da-parish.com
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posted by Westley at 3/13/2005 09:05:00 PM