Forced togetherness creates its problems and then we have economic anxiety. Add to that the anxiety about how the virus itself could come knocking at our door.
I remember a "Star Trek" episode about a fatal virus on a planet. The Starship Enterprise discovered only children on the planet. They died one by one as they reached adolescence. They turned into monsters at the time of their expiration - they went into spasms and then lay limp. I smiled as I considered the symbolism: maybe in America we don't do enough to guide children into adolescence.
Did you know that the precursor show for Star Trek was not some other sci-fi show, it was "Wagon Train?" Premise was quite similar: going new places, not knowing what all you'll encounter.
Say, anyone excited about how the government is going to send you a check for $1200? That's if and when they can get around to it. That sum is less than what I spent for a new water softener. That expense came about because of the city's posture which seemed heavy-handed. Also, confusing.
I had no special prior knowledge about water softeners. I only knew that when the salt level got low, I'd pour some in. The city threatened people who had "old" softeners but that's a quite non-specific term. I went through several steps until I deduced that the only way I could feel stress-free was to go ahead and have an on-demand softener put in. I took no joy in doing this. And then to add insult to injury, I learned from my tax preparer that the expense cannot be applied as a "home improvement." This after the government acted in a threatening way.
The "threat" is enforced by a law. But how is the law to be understood? You never know about these things. When seat belt became a primary offense, it's true that cops gave a fair number of warnings but they also gave out tickets. I got a ticket the first time I was pulled over.
Was the city going to go door-to-door to check out people's softeners? This was a very valid worry. The city manager addressed a "rumor that was going around town." It may have been a rumor but it was based on official actions.
A light bulb then went on over my head: the purpose of the law is to mandate action by rental property owners who are already subject to regulations/inspections, right? Rental property owners have to live with this sort of thing, whereas the normal independent property owner would feel disrupted and upset re. any effort to come inspect.
There is a broader and quite fundamental question: to what extent does a city have the right to COMPEL people to make home improvements? It would be nice if we could all live according to the highest possible standards. The problem of course is that it's not realistic for many of us. Any community will have its "poor" element, people who in fact add much to the life and personality. We'd like for them to do better but it's not within reach for many of us.
Every few years it seems a spokesman for the city wants to make a pronouncement about "nuisance properties." I'm not sure much ever gets done about the "nuisances" but the quotes in the paper are perhaps designed to give a hint: get your act together. Oh, and don't let the grass grow quite so long. That can be a problem: I'm not really offended by the sight of lush grass that has gotten rather long. It's subjective. Why not ask the rabbits?
Right now with the water softener issue, brought about by the water treatment plant, it seems so incredibly minor compared to the big picture with what all is going on: the virus, the social distancing, the $ anxiety etc. It would be embarrassing to even talk about softeners now.
Such a luxury to be able to focus on an issue like that - if we are, things overall must be going pretty good. Well, they aren't going pretty good now. The virus has taken the life of Ellis Marsalis, who was once a visiting performer/clinician for the UMM Jazz Festival. The display you see below is from Del Sarlette who is a local historical resource re. the Fest. I'm sure Bob Bruininks still has his UMM Jazz Festival T-shirts! (See? I can still type Bob's last name.)
Music at our public school
Feeling bored? You might want to discuss a Morris Area school district bone of contention or whatever. Controversy? Could potentially be, but for the time being there's the depressing headline: "School district lets yet another music teacher go."
"Yet another." Holy cow. I remember the previous time: teacher name of Bartholet. I guess performance was an issue in that case. I attended her jazz band concert in the spring and thought she did fine. That dismissal took on an air of controversy - public statements like from Rev. Chris Richards etc.
The person in the news now is Erica Ronsberg. "Termination of the contract. . ." Sheesh.
With all the other stuff going on, all around us now?
The termination spells no tenure, a big deal for educators.
I questioned when Trent Oberg got tenure.
Ronsberg is seventh and eighth grade girls choir director. Morris must have gender-specific groups. Well, don't think we'll have a spring music concert by the MAHS choir, or band.
Mike Odello is an ambassador for music on the school board, and he disapproved of the action re. Ronsberg. Looks like Odello wants to shine light on administrative processes, guidance? He hints maybe certain teachers could be supported more. Supt. Troy Ferguson seemed receptive to examining processes with staff. Yes, look in the mirror I guess. Ferguson suggested a "committee" would be set up. That always solves everything, right?
Odello was the only vote against the non-renewal. Is it true that the eighth grade girls present an especially stiff disciplinary challenge? Could Ronsberg have gotten a little more help from above? Whoever has the ninth grade next year, look out. That is, if school resumes at all. We might all just be staying home, watching re-runs of "Star Trek." "Live long and prosper."
"Miri" is the name of the Star Trek episode I write about in the first portion of this post. I wrote a whole post about that episode once. It's on my "Morris of Course" site, and here is the link. Thanks for reading.
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