first time for everything

perhaps it comes on the heels of mom telling me i should write for our paper. perhaps i've needed to spice up my life. perhaps i don't have enough to do... BUT... i went to city council meeting tonight. i heard the public outcry. and i wrote a letter to the editor. here it is in all it's ramble ramble glory. and if it only gets published here at least i can sleep (in my hour long stretches) knowing i did a little something....
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To my community -
As a mother of two small children who play our parks regularly, as a child who grew up in the midst of Bisbee’s finest, I say no to the ambassadors club. Please do the same.
Last week we were in the train park and there was a man sitting on the bench. Call him what you will. He watched the kids with a huge smile on his face. As we readied to go he said "Thank you. It is so nice to see children in the park. You don’t know how you have made my day."
Not once have we felt threatened, harassed, or unsafe. I bring my children to play. I also use the opportunity to teach my children. These ‘vagrants’ are our neighbors. They are our friends. They are welcome.
To the Museum -
In the 1900's Bisbee was the "white man’s mining camp." The Chinese were not allowed to settle here. Were not allowed to work here for fear the would steal work from others. Mexicans were not allowed underground. You know this. This is our history, but it is not one we need to recreate. Remember the past. Promote and celebrate the present.
To Mr. Page -
You have opened an "authentic Mexican" restaurant .Have you not been across the border? It doesn’t get more authentic than vagrants & panhandlers taking siesta in the park. You have done well in this town. Don’t dig yourself a pit. One pit is tragic enough for this small town.
To the city of Bisbee -
If this proposal does come into being, it should be funded privately. Even the minutemen provide their own apparel and cell phones.
To the tourists and new residents -
Take a look around. You are here to get away from wherever it is you’ve come. Your comfort zone does not exist here. Relax. Enjoy. You will find many folks willing to answer any of your questions. You will find pockets of beauty where you least expect. We are a diverse community. We are the moms and dads. The young and the old. The rich and the poor. The bureaucrats and bums. The artists and collectors. The law abiding and the outlaws. We are easy to recognize. We are the ones without vests and we welcome you.