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Letter to the editor

Let's be proud of parking problem

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published November 2, 2007

We are surrounded by narrow streets in Palma Ceia, and it has always been that way. But come on, it's hard to get through the neighborhood, whether there's something going on at Plant or not.

Twenty to 30 years ago the neighbors complained about the band at Plant being too loud. Now we're back on the parking issue.Maybe if they knew more about what really goes on there, parking would be more understood.

I have lived here all my life; I know the neighborhood, and my son goes to Plant. I have a new profound respect for any sport now. Watching these kids, teachers and coaches work so hard, they all are incredible people, who get up around and before 6 a.m. every day.

School starts at 7:25 a.m. and lets out at 2:45 p.m. Some practices start about 15 to 30 minutes after school lets out. They practice for several hours, sometimes into the dark, then they head home anywhere from 5 to 8 p.m., depending on the sport.

Homework and dinner get done in between the daily shifting of schedules. They do this every day. The coaches, well, they're teachers, too, and they have the same schedule.

Don't forget, students have to keep their grades up. They put all this effort in looking so forward to the next game, match, etc. Finally, it's game night.

If the game is away, neighbors won't see or hear them playing, just working - there's a lot of equipment and supplies that need to go. Buses and bus drivers to take the teams, bands, volunteers and equipment.

Games let out around 10 to 10:30 p.m., and no matter whether you win or lose, everything you took with you needs to go back. They pull into Plant around 11 to 11:30 p.m., depending on the driving distance. The students, coaches, bus drivers, volunteers and parents are not going home before midnight, and all of them don't mind.

Please, go watch this process, go watch the practices, go watch the games and observe what takes place, and just imagine the ethics these kids and others have. These are our neighbors. These are the people next door who are instilling these great values into these kids, guiding them in the right direction and keeping them focused.

Parking? Well, I am glad we have a parking problem. When I go to different games, most of the time the schools we go to have NO PARKING PROBLEM.

Which is really sad, because that means no support. So not having a parking problem is a sign of something much worse than someone parking in front of your house, in a space that would not be used at all, for three or four hours.

Please, I ask the surrounding property owners of Palma Ceia, don't view this as a nuisance to our neighborhood.

Be proud of what a great school we have here.

Be proud that these kids have so much support, because they work hard, they look forward, they look for different ways to run a play, so let's work on a different play for the parking problem. It's not every week this takes place.

What makes this neighborhood what it is, is family, support and empathy.

Palma Ceia has really grown. Everyone wants in, and why? Because this is a great place to be. We created that atmosphere. Great things are taking place at Plant High School, and we as a community need to support that, understanding that it is so much more than a parking problem.

The school does send out fliers regularly about where to park. The school is understanding and is not overlooking any issue. But the school has always been there, and it has grown as well. If we don't all grow together, then what will happen to the neighborhood?

Christine Posada, Palma Ceia.

[Last modified November 1, 2007, 07:21:26]