the airing of grievances

[Recchia]

People just need to be more polite with their cell phones. Like, putting them on vibrate so we don't have to hear your stupid Bubba Sparks ringtone at full blast. And cell phones DO NOT need to be used during school, at least not during class time. Maybe passing time would be fine, but if it goes off in class that's just rude.

[runawayjim]

People just need to be more polite with their cell phones. Like, putting them on vibrate so we don't have to hear your stupid Bubba Sparks ringtone at full blast. And cell phones DO NOT need to be used during school, at least not during class time. Maybe passing time would be fine, but if it goes off in class that's just rude.

it's my opinion that outside of college, cell phones should be kept in lockers and turned OFF, not to vibrate, at all times from the moment you enter the building until the moment you leave.

i can't tell you how many times i've been at the movies and someone's cell goes off AND THEN THEY HAVE THE NERVE TO ANSWER IT! or better yet... it's orientation time at the college i work at and i do a speech in front of all the new freshman and their parents and i can't tell you how many cell phones i hear go off. i don't care if your father is the president of GE or even the country... no cell phones should be audible at that point.

i remember one time i was in college, this kid's cell phone rang. and then he answered it and continued to have a conversation while sitting in the middle of a lecture. this wasn't before or after, it was the middle of class.

[Jerry2]

I wouldn't politicize the cell phone issue. The same problem is true at my mother's suburban public school in an area that is 99% Republican. The principals are terrified to defy parents, since doing that usually equals a lawsuit, and the #1 job of any principal is to avoid lawsuits.

- Garris

That is one sad state of affairs then if schools can be continually disrupted during the day with annoying ringtones because their parents are either too bored watching Jerry Springer( Povidence) or out shopping at Pottery Barn. ( CT )

[runawayjim]

Jerry Springer( Povidence) or out shopping at Pottery Barn. ( CT )

[Jerry2]

I would love to see step up enforcement of code violations. However, the reality is even this costs money. Does any one know how many people are in the code enforcement office? Is there a code enforcement office?

I have no idea if it still exists, but I can tell you that it once did. In the late 80's, we lived near the intersection of Academy and Atwells when the area was actually well-kept and fairly nice. Our house had peeling paint and my step-father was not exactly the active type. Although the front yard was landscaped, the paint chipping was an eyesore and it stood out against the rest of the houses on the street. At that time , a neighborhood group called the CCMP ( Concerned Citizens of Mt. Pleasant) notified code enforcement at the time and they cited him and gave him 30 days to comply.

As far as the affordability level on the city's part , I don't buy it at all. I consider such implementation to be an investment . ...and you can't make $$ without investing it. It would only bring more investment to the city in the long run.

[Cotuit]

At that time , a neighborhood group called the CCMP ( Concerned Citizens of Mt. Pleasant) notified code enforcement at the time and they cited him and gave him 30 days to comply.

That's what I'm wondering, is the little code enforcement we see reactionary, the result of complaints, or is there any staff devoted to touring neighborhoods looking for violations.

As far as the affordability level on the city's part , I don't buy it at all. I consider such implementation to be an investment . ...and you can't make $$ without investing it. It would only bring more investment to the city in the long run.

I agree, but there are lots of investments that would reap rewards, and only so much money to go around to fund these investments. As a city, we need to decide which investments are most important. For instance, improving roads and parks may lead to greater pride in the city and prompt more people to bring thier properties up to code, creating a peer pressure effect on other owners.

There's so many issues around civic pride, that I think a full scale campaign to foster civic pride might be one of the best investments.

[Jerry2]

That's what I'm wondering, is the little code enforcement we see reactionary, the result of complaints, or is there any staff devoted to touring neighborhoods looking for violations.

I agree, but there are lots of investments that would reap rewards, and only so much money to go around to fund these investments. As a city, we need to decide which investments are most important. For instance, improving roads and parks may lead to greater pride in the city and prompt more people to bring thier properties up to code, creating a peer pressure effect on other owners.

There's so many issues around civic pride, that I think a full scale campaign to foster civic pride might be one of the best investments.

I'm not sure...maybe Thom can answer that question. However, I can tell you that the eighborhood groups at that time were very successful in maintaining the character of the area. I don't think that roads mean much of anything to somebody who doesn't own a car. Also, what good is a park if people think it's OK to deface it with graffiti and throw trash all over the place. I can name more than a half of dozen parks in this city that people rarely use because it's more of an eyesore than a gem. We need to start a campaign that attacks the issues at the foundation.

[eltron]

I would love to see step up enforcement of code violations. However, the reality is even this costs money. Does any one know how many people are in the code enforcement office? Is there a code enforcement office?

There is an active code enforcement office as part of Inspections and Standards. However, it is marginally effective, and codes are sporadically and unevenly enforced. It would be impossible to fix the problems with code enforcement alone. There really needs to be a carrot-and-stick approach.

[bucketeer]

People just need to be more polite with their cell phones. Like, putting them on vibrate so we don't have to hear your stupid Bubba Sparks ringtone at full blast. And cell phones DO NOT need to be used during school, at least not during class time. Maybe passing time would be fine, but if it goes off in class that's just rude.

Ugh, don't even get me started on cell phones in school. I'm a teacher and am utterly perturbed by the rampant mis-use of them. I understand a parent's concern about needing to get in touch with their child in case of emergency, but to use that as an excuse for their kid needing to have a cell phone, turned on, in class is ridiculous. The main office has a copy of every single students' schedule located immediately at hand to the main secretary. Were there an emergency, it would take less than 5 minutes to get the kid out of class and on the phone with his/her parent. By our disciplinary policy, cell phones are technically not allowed in the classroom--they're supposed to stay off and in the students' lockers. This is never enfoced, though. I've heard stories from colleagues who will answer a kid's phone in class when it rings, and it's some dumb parent just calling to tell their kid to have a nice day. Are you kidding me?!

Anyway, the biggest problem with cell phones in school is the 2 major can of worms they open up outside of the rudeness and annoyance of them ringing while conducting class. First, they open up a whole new avenue of cheating. These kids can text a novel with their hand and cell phone in their pocket!! Also, with camera phones, particularly in a private school like mine where the girls' uniform skirts are hiked up to their hip bones almost, it's an essential free-for-all for kiddie porn.

Anyway, I digress. What my little rant has to do with grievances for Providence, I don't know, but just needed to get it off my chest.

[runawayjim]

Ugh, don't even get me started on cell phones in school. I'm a teacher and am utterly perturbed by the rampant mis-use of them. I understand a parent's concern about needing to get in touch with their child in case of emergency, but to use that as an excuse for their kid needing to have a cell phone, turned on, in class is ridiculous. The main office has a copy of every single students' schedule located immediately at hand to the main secretary. Were there an emergency, it would take less than 5 minutes to get the kid out of class and on the phone with his/her parent. By our disciplinary policy, cell phones are technically not allowed in the classroom--they're supposed to stay off and in the students' lockers. This is never enfoced, though. I've heard stories from colleagues who will answer a kid's phone in class when it rings, and it's some dumb parent just calling to tell their kid to have a nice day. Are you kidding me?!

Anyway, the biggest problem with cell phones in school is the 2 major can of worms they open up outside of the rudeness and annoyance of them ringing while conducting class. First, they open up a whole new avenue of cheating. These kids can text a novel with their hand and cell phone in their pocket!! Also, with camera phones, particularly in a private school like mine where the girls' uniform skirts are hiked up to their hip bones almost, it's an essential free-for-all for kiddie porn.

Anyway, I digress. What my little rant has to do with grievances for Providence, I don't know, but just needed to get it off my chest.

that's what i love about these high school girls... i get older, they stay the same age...

thanks for that rant, it's good to hear it from an actual teacher.

[gregw]

There is an active code enforcement office as part of Inspections and Standards. However, it is marginally effective, and codes are sporadically and unevenly enforced. It would be impossible to fix the problems with code enforcement alone. There really needs to be a carrot-and-stick approach.

Apparently you can get cited if you have vegetation that touches your house up to a height of 18." By my reckoning almost every house on the East Side should be cited. It seems that the code is only enforced when someone complains and so the houses that do get cited are not necessarily the most derelict. The house I spoke about in my previous post that was cited is in better shape than probably 75% of the houses in PVD.

Sure, let's have code enforcement but let's make it fair and evenhanded.

[runawayjim]

Apparently you can get cited if you have vegetation that touches your house up to a height of 18." By my reckoning almost every house on the East Side should be cited. It seems that the code is only enforced when someone complains and so the houses that do get cited are not necessarily the most derelict. The house I spoke about in my previous post that was cited is in better shape than probably 75% of the houses in PVD.

Sure, let's have code enforcement but let's make it fair and evenhanded.

did you mean 18 feet?

i'm guessing they're referring to houses that have weeds growing all over them in a unkempt manner as opposed to ivy, which was meant to grow up and as long as the owners keep the ivy neatly trimmed.

i haven't seen that house, so i wouldn't know, but yes, the enforcement should be even handed.

[gregw]

did you mean 18 feet?

i'm guessing they're referring to houses that have weeds growing all over them in a unkempt manner as opposed to ivy, which was meant to grow up and as long as the owners keep the ivy neatly trimmed.

i haven't seen that house, so i wouldn't know, but yes, the enforcement should be even handed.

No, I mean 18 inches.

[jencoleslaw]

what happened to books on the square at empire and Washington?

[urbie]

If I ever get a decent job again, this will be my FIRST purchase:

http://www.autothing.com/funthings/Tech%20...er%20Review.htm

Illegal, but I do not f890ing care.

Urb

[runawayjim]

No, I mean 18 inches.

now that's just ridiculous!

[Cotuit]

Also, what good is a park if people think it's OK to deface it with graffiti and throw trash all over the place. I can name more than a half of dozen parks in this city that people rarely use because it's more of an eyesore than a gem. We need to start a campaign that attacks the issues at the foundation.

Well that's what I mean, the city and Parks Department need to make it known that it is not OK to disgrace the parks. When that happens, when one part of the community is cleaned and polished, that gives incentive for others to polish their own property. Right now it looks like the city itself doesn't care, so why should anyone else.

Can we issue citations against the city?

Something related that has been annoying me is the relatively recent orgy of new stop signs. I've noticed especially on the East Side and Federal Hill (though I'm sure it's citywide) there's all these new four-way stop signs. But they've been implemented so piss-poorly. (there's also the issue of Rhode Island driver's not being able to navigate a four-way stop, they either all sit and stare at each other, or they all go at once, then honk and wave to each other with one finger, but that's another thread)

Whoever puts them up either looks for an existing post that's relatively near the intersection, 5, 10, 30 feet, whatever... Or they might find a tree to nail it to. If that all fails, then they find a crack in the sidewalk and jam a post into it then slap a stop sign on it. It could be right in the middle of the sidewalk, behind a bush, right at the curb, wherever the crack in the sidewalk goes, there goes the sign. Then they usually stand at a 15 to 80 degree angle, like amber waves of grain blowing in the breeze. And if the crack is at an angle, the sign might not actually face the traffic. There's also the counting factor, it's a 4-way stop, not an 8-way stop, four signs is enough, OK? There's this new invention, it's called a shovel, dig a hole in the proper space and properly install the post in that spot, so it's not too far away, or in the way of pedestrians, or behind something, and so that it actually can stand more or less verticle and actually face the traffic that is supposed to be stopping. There's also this thing called a level, and in addition to that, there's common sense, make the signs stand up straight, is that so hard?

It's frustrating that so much of the city's infrastructure is in such poor condition, but to see new infrastructure slapped up with abslutely no care and no pride, it's devastating. Do the people who put these signs up have no need to feel pride or a sense of accomplishment in their work, do they really not care? I mean I know the damn union makes them safe, but do they really feel good about themselves after doing such a crap job? Would they walk by with their kids and point to these signs and say, "look, daddy/mommy did that?"

[runawayjim]

Something related that has been annoying me is the relatively recent orgy of new stop signs. I've noticed especially on the East Side and Federal Hill (though I'm sure it's citywide) there's all these new four-way stop signs. But they've been implemented so piss-poorly. (there's also the issue of Rhode Island driver's not being able to navigate a four-way stop, they either all sit and stare at each other, or they all go at once, then honk and wave to each other with one finger, but that's another thread)

Whoever puts them up either looks for an existing post that's relatively near the intersection, 5, 10, 30 feet, whatever... Or they might find a tree to nail it to. If that all fails, then they find a crack in the sidewalk and jam a post into it then slap a stop sign on it. It could be right in the middle of the sidewalk, behind a bush, right at the curb, wherever the crack in the sidewalk goes, there goes the sign. Then they usually stand at a 15 to 80 degree angle, like amber waves of grain blowing in the breeze. And if the crack is at an angle, the sign might not actually face the traffic. There's also the counting factor, it's a 4-way stop, not an 8-way stop, four signs is enough, OK? There's this new invention, it's called a shovel, dig a hole in the proper space and properly install the post in that spot, so it's not too far away, or in the way of pedestrians, or behind something, and so that it actually can stand more or less verticle and actually face the traffic that is supposed to be stopping. There's also this thing called a level, and in addition to that, there's common sense, make the signs stand up straight, is that so hard?

It's frustrating that so much of the city's infrastructure is in such poor condition, but to see new infrastructure slapped up with abslutely no care and no pride, it's devastating. Do the people who put these signs up have no need to feel pride or a sense of accomplishment in their work, do they really not care? I mean I know the damn union makes them safe, but do they really feel good about themselves after doing such a crap job? Would they walk by with their kids and point to these signs and say, "look, daddy/mommy did that?"

there was a related article in that free north providence paper (can't think of the name off the top of my head right now). i guess north prov has the highest number of stop signs per capita or something to the effect. they put one up whenever someone gets into an accident at an intersection.

i do hate the 2 stop signs each direction thing that providence does, especially on the east side. it's just not necessary. i also hate the lack of visible (or in many cases, any) street signs.

[Garris]

what happened to books on the square at empire and Washington?

What do you mean? I believe they are only open seasonally during the heart of the Trinity Rep season...

- Garris

[Cotuit]

i do hate the 2 stop signs each direction thing that providence does, especially on the east side. it's just not necessary.

It's not only not necessary, it's dangerous, it implies the street is one way, when often it is not. And there's never any striping to clarify.

what happened to books on the square at empire and Washington?

What do you mean? I believe they are only open seasonally during the heart of the Trinity Rep season...

I was wondering that too. I'm pretty sure it's usually open year-round, and now it's empty. And they aren't renovating, because they just did. I don't want to hope out loud that they are moving to a better location because I don't want to jinx it.

[Garris]

It's not only not necessary, it's dangerous, it implies the street is one way, when often it is not. And there's never any striping to clarify.

There are some places the four way stop works (it certainly has done wonders for the center of Wayland Square, where it's made things orders of magnitude safer for pedestrians, a worthy goal, yes?). As a jogger, those four way stops on the East Side are wonderful for runners and other pedestrians.

They city does need to redo the striping in many areas, though, to make things clearer.

I was wondering that too. I'm pretty sure it's usually open year-round, and now it's empty. And they aren't renovating, because they just did. I don't want to hope out loud that they are moving to a better location because I don't want to jinx it.

Nope, I'm pretty sure they're seasonal. Here's a quote from Books on the Square September newsletter (italics and bolds mine):

"A reminder about our Trinity Rep Store:

Back to school also means back to work for Books on the Square at Trinity Rep! We will be re-opening for the season on Sept 9th. Located within the Trinity Rep building (on the corner of Empire and Washington), our hours are generally Tuesday-Thursday noon-7pm, Friday and Saturday noon-8pm and Sundays noon-7pm, but will vary according to performance schedules."

I love their Trinity branch (and they illuminated book store interior makes the streetscape there appear so much brighter and more sophisticated), and deeply hope that the seasonal shutdown is all this is.

- Garris

[jencoleslaw]

hm. i never knew it to ever close and i've been working on washington street for 6 years, but i suppose it is just one of those things. It is currently the box office for Trinity. I sure hope they reopen. I love that store.

[runawayjim]

There are some places the four way stop works (it certainly has done wonders for the center of Wayland Square, where it's made things orders of magnitude safer for pedestrians, a worthy goal, yes?). As a jogger, those four way stops on the East Side are wonderful for runners and other pedestrians.

They city does need to redo the striping in many areas, though, to make things clearer.

he's talking about the double stop signs... 4 way stops are a good idea in this city... but having 2 stop signs for each direction is ridiculous (meaning 1 on the left side and one on the right side). this is common on the east side.

[Recchia]

Stop signs where they're not warranted are a huge problem. We deal with this a lot in SE Mass, someone gets creamed at an intersection and the Selectmen go nuts and throw in four-way stops, making the intersection crash rate go way up because a)one approach isn't expecting a four-way stop at all and b)nobody knows right-of-way rules at four way stops. Politicians need to leave traffic controls to traffic engineers who know what they're doing. There's formulas to determine whether or not an intersection needs a stop sign.

And as far as the double stop signs in Providence goes, this has to be against RIDOT's design manual (assuming they have one?). Are these on state roads?

[runawayjim]

Stop signs where they're not warranted are a huge problem. We deal with this a lot in SE Mass, someone gets creamed at an intersection and the Selectmen go nuts and throw in four-way stops, making the intersection crash rate go way up because a)one approach isn't expecting a four-way stop at all and b)nobody knows right-of-way rules at four way stops. Politicians need to leave traffic controls to traffic engineers who know what they're doing. There's formulas to determine whether or not an intersection needs a stop sign.

And as far as the double stop signs in Providence goes, this has to be against RIDOT's design manual (assuming they have one?). Are these on state roads?

no, they're city roads... drive around the east side.