Well, I must say, the city’s been handing out business support like candy on a holiday, and I’m not sure I like it one bit—though I suppose it’s good for the economy, and I’m not against progress, mind you, but I do remember when a man could walk down Main Street and find a hardware store on every corner, and they’d know your name and your wife’s name and your dog’s name too, and another thing, who’s going to fix the leaky faucet in your bathroom if all those stores are gone? And they’re telling us now that the Development Services desk will handle permits for construction and remodels, which is fine, but I’ve been here since before the city had a Development Services desk, and I can tell you it’s not the same as when the old man at the hardware store could fix your sink while you waited for your tools to be cut.
And speaking of old times, I’ve been thinking about the new stormwater detention ordinance on Mercer Island, which is all very well and good for the environment, but I can’t help but remember when we used to just let the rain soak into the ground and not worry about it, and another thing, I’m not sure about these new business support programs—sure, they’re helping contractors and entrepreneurs, but what about the people who’ve been running businesses here for fifty years and don’t know how to use the new online procurement page? And I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but I do remember when you could just walk into City Hall and talk to someone face-to-face, and they’d help you out, and now it’s all online and I’m not sure I like it, but I suppose it’s progress.
And I can’t help but think about how things have changed since I was a girl, when you could park anywhere for free in the downtown, and now they’re talking about stormwater detention and all these new ordinances, and I’m not sure I like it one bit, but I’m not against change, I just want everyone to know I noticed it, and another thing, I’m not sure how they’re going to handle the new business support programs for the people who’ve been here all along, and I’m not sure I like it, but I’m sure it’s progress. That's all for this week. You know where to find me.