Editorial: What A Week!

editorial-fi

Many of us have been sitting transfixed in front of our televisions as we watched news reports of Mother Nature’s fury being unleashed on the Gulf Coast. As of this writing, Houston was by far the most severely hit, although lesser damaged areas will be just as emotionally traumatized. The economic impact of the destruction will be felt well into the future and across the country as gas refineries closed in advance of the storm and gas prices begin to inch upward.

Throughout it all social media has brought us countless images of neighbors helping neighbors, strangers helping strangers. Too many stories to count of heroism and self-sacrifice to help ensure the safety of others.  Examples of the best we can offer each other, a welcome and refreshing juxtaposition to the examples shown from Charlottesville.

The cleanup and recovery of the impacted area will take years and an incredible amount of resources, both financial and in the form tangible items such as clothing, blankets and water. There are many organizations that are collecting for this relief effort and many more that will pop up. Be cautious to whom you give. Many organizations are incredibly worthwhile, but others will be less scrupulous and are just out to take your money. The American Red Cross and AmeriCares are two with local roots that will have an impact in the Gulf region and are worth considering.

Two Greenwich residents will be very involved in the recovery effort as well. Linda McMahon, the Small Business Administrator has already traveled to Texas and will lead some 900+ disaster assistance staff members in helping businesses recover. This will have a significant impact on local economies. Recently announced chief of external affairs for the Corporation for National and Community Service, Carl Higbie will also be in Texas soon. His organization oversees and coordinates national volunteer efforts by organizations such as AmeriCorp and SeniorCorp. They have been involved in New Orleans and will play an active role in helping the Gulf region recover well into the future.

It is not just what is happening in the Gulf Coast that has our attention at the moment. You would be hard pressed not to notice many schools resuming this week and next. And with that comes the school start change, which will inevitably cause confusion and comment. Our advice to you? Leave extra time as you travel around Greenwich for the next week or so. There is still a lot of utility work being completed and traffic patterns, especially in central Greenwich, are congested. Add to that school buses, parents dropping off children and then the normal amount of traffic we should have on our streets and you will find delays throughout town.

Slow down. Relax. Enjoy the weather. Getting uptight and antsy about the traffic will only add to your stress. Honking your horn will not clear the intersection any faster, although it may earn you increased attention from the police officer directing traffic.

We would like to applaud and thank our Police Department for their announcement of increased patrols and visibility over the next few weeks to ensure a safe start of the school year. Their sighting is always a reassuring presence (unless, of course, it is in your review mirror!). With the new traffic patterns that will inevitably develop with the new school year and start times, having an increased police presence will ensure smooth and safe traffic movement throughout town.

As we settled back into the rhythm of fall, we hope everyone will be a little more tolerant and a little more patient.

Related Posts
Loading...