Meek Puzzling Developments

I live across the street from Meek elementary on NE Albert, one of Portland’s closing elementary schools. It always seemed like a cool place, with gardens in the front, little crossing guards in orange, and colorful signs all around the brick building (sadly, they all plead save our school now). So this make me somewhat sad.

Now, I am puzzled though about something. In the face of closure, someone has decided to tear about the sidewalks and nearby lawns. My only guess is that this is to put in handicapped access sidewalks. Why here? Why now? Is this a slap in the face to Meek School, or is it a last ditch effort to divert federal moneys to the school to save it by improving handicapped access? While they’re at it, it’d be nice if they fixed that rapidly growing pothole in the middle of the intersection.

Federal dollars to save a few schools from closing would be a really great help to our community. It wouldn’t cost a huge amount for them, maybe a hummer per school, the cash would be infused into our local economy in a manner which will add an ever-so-light layer of grease to the works, and sinking morale would receive a much-needed boost around these parts. It would also be a simple, cheap way for the President to show that he gives a darn about local issues, and there’d even be a few nice smiling children happy teacher photo ops for him.