ThayerAvenue.com

The local listservs went abuzz yesterday when Russell Arrington of the Parks Department let it be known he wanted to tear down the bleachers at Bullis Park. Here they are, in all their glory:

The reasoning was based on the soil erosion issue on that side of the park, saying they will regrade over time. I, for one, thought all the soil stayed there, seeing as the place turns into a swimming pool when the rains decide to come in earnest.

When asked what the community thought and why, all hell broke loose, as evidenced by the digest that came out for the day.

BTW – the water was out in the area, too.

Responses seemed to narrowly favor the “tear it down” camp for reasons that included: broken glass and condoms littering the steps in the morning; people using it as a bathroom during soccer fútbol matches; and what would appear to be a huge rat colony that is currently skirting all types of zoning laws in their own metropolis underneath the entire structure.

In the “pro-bleacher” category: people do actually use them – frequently – as actual bleachers. Plus, what the hell are you gonna do when hundreds of rats get displaced from their homes? Local civic groups won’t abide any more development in the area (as seen by the other subjects in the digest). I, for one, think they should stay. Who has the money for projects like this anyway? Feel free to make your opinion known to Mr. Arrington of the M-NCPPC. Or maybe we can trap all the rats and drop them off in Bethesda. They’d love that, yes?

Speaking of antagonizing…
My post on wanting a butcher shop in Silver Spring seemed to have struck a nerve with someone:

I normally wouldn’t approve this sort of comment, but I was amused and sad at the same time. Amused that someone would take the time to be so thoughtful, and sad that the vegan/vegetarian movement – which I respect and cook for (in terms of friends coming over with these dietary preferences) – has to be marred by knee-jerk reactions like these. Oh well. Feel free to discuss.