I'd actually be interested in a comparison of low-cost city living with low-cost country living, as well as accessibility in the city as opposed to accessibility in the country. I've heard the rationale many times -- but I live in an inexpensive house and my transportation costs are very low. The provision of services requires paying more taxes but it saves me many personal expenses and responsibilities. I don't have to pay someone to plow snow, I don't have a well and septic system to maintain, I don't need a big car to get me over ice and mud, I don't have a big yard to mow.
This isn't a holier-than-thou thing, or my-way-is-better-than-yours. It's just a wondering about the values of being closer to services. It ain't a perfect world, and some of us don't have the resources or freedoms to choose. But. Some of us do. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:58 AM Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] ST Community Gathering postponed,weather/roads > Most people who don't live in the City don't do so because they?have some > gorgeous?scenic country estate; they don't live here because they can't > afford it and don't qualify for limited housing programs; can't make a > major move right now, family obligations?or a host of other things. > > It will be great to make things more sustainble for everyone--which is the > theme of another of Elan's planned workshops--Sustainable transportation > for ALL. If you're handicapped even if you do live in the inthe City there > are a surprising number of barriers: intersections without enough time to > safely cross,? bus stops not close enough if walking is a problem and > wheelechairs aren't always the answer, insufficient handicapped parking > near destinations if you do have to drive, places like the Library which > are pretty sprawled out and have only one adult public bathroom area, > handicapped shopping carts that are never kept charged and short out on > you in the middle of a huge floor area ?etc.?I really need to write an > article some time about the challenges of being handicapped even in an > 'enlightened' community. > > I thank Elan for his consideration especially in light of all his > hard?work in planning this thing to now have to go through all the added > work of a rescheduled event. > > Jeanne > ? > > -----Original Message----- > From: Wendy Skinner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv > <[email protected]> > Sent: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 8:36 am > Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] ST Community Gathering postponed, > weather/roads > > > > Oh, George, thanks for being so spunky. > > Ironically, I sometimes feel like a pioneer for daring to live in the > city -- which I find stimulating and fun, and not at all dangerous or > dirty > or noisy or even expensive. I live here because I don't have to be > car-dependent, because I like sidewalks and the frequent opportunities for > chats with my next-door neighbors, because I enjoy the multicultural > environment, because I am hooked up to a public water and sewer system, > because the power rarely goes out, because the weather is milder than on > the > hills, and because I can walk to many stores, job centers, and service > providers. > > Living in the city makes me feel secure. (One downside is that my car, > which > I park on the street, gets ticketed from time to time because I don't move > it every 24 hours -- what a strange law that is.) But I recognize that it > isn't for everyone. It's hard to see the stars, or hear the winds sighing > through the trees. > > Some day, perhaps sustainability dinners will be held in communities > around > the county in locations most people can reach on foot, bike, or via > energy-efficient shared or public transportation. But the sustainability > movement is still so new and small that it needs to hold its gatherings in > the county seat, and that means many people have to drive. This is where > we > have to start. > > Wendy Skinner > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "George Frantz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Sustainable Tompkins County listserv" > <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:49 PM > Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] ST Community Gathering > postponed,weather/roads > > >> It's just before 7:00 PM, the streets seem just fine and I about to ride >> my bike home from work. >> >> Oooops! I forgot! >> >> I'm among just the 15 percent of Tompkins County residents that live in >> the city proper and hence have several sustainable alternatives to the >> automobile, even in snowy weather conditions like tonight. >> >> My bad! >> >> Imagine how sustainable we could be if I were amongst the 85 percent of >> Tompkins County residents living in the city proper, instead of just 15 >> percent. >> >> We probably wouldn't have to cancel as many meetings either. >> >> George Frantz >> >> >> >> Elan Shapiro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Sorry to do this, folks, but many people have said the road >> conditions are dangerous where they are. We will try to find place >> and date for the last week of February. >> >> >> >> >> JUST AND SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES: Sustainable Tompkins Monthly Gathering >> Wednesday February 13, Community Gathering 6:00-8:00 at the Human >> Services Building, 320 W. State. St., in downtown Ithaca. Dinner & >> Childcare Provided. Potluck side dishes & beverages encouraged. >> >> >> Are "just & sustainable lifestyles" just an option for the privileged >> or also a set of choices that address everyone's needs and concerns? >> How can lower-impact living improve health, cut costs, and strengthen >> community, even if we can't afford hybrid cars and organic clothing? >> How can these choices actually further the cause of social justice >> (and global cooling) in our community and in our world? What do the >> different cultures in our community each uniquely bring to this >> community healing process? >> >> Come hear stories from local citizens of different cultures about >> their own lifestyle changes, get practical tips you can use right >> away, and explore these challenging questions. You are also >> encouraged to share stories of your own! >> >> Sustainable Tompkins invites you to the first 2008 gathering of the >> monthly "Equity & Sustainability" series on Wednesday, February 13, >> from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Human Services Building, 320 W. State. >> St., in downtown Ithaca. The evening will begin with a dinner, with a >> delicious main course & salad provided. Additional potluck offerings >> - especially side dishes, beverages, and desserts - are encouraged >> and participants are encouraged to bring their own table settings to >> minimize the clean-up. Childcare is provided >> >> This month's event was made possible in part by a grant from the >> Sustainability Initiative at Ithaca College. >> >> Sustainable Tompkins' Equity & Sustainability monthly gatherings take >> place on the second Thursdays of each month, except for this one. >> They are a festive way to learn together about key areas of community >> sustainability, build new partnerships, and bridge some of the >> long-standing divisions in our community. They are a place for local >> citizens to network and learn about each other's interests and >> involvements in creating a more positive future for our community. >> >> For more information, contact: Elan Shapiro >> Sustainable Tompkins Community Sustainability Coordinator >> [EMAIL PROTECTED], 607-275-0249. >> >> Sustainable Tompkins is a coalition of citizens, community >> organizations, elected officials, educators and professionals from >> diverse fields - all working to promote a more just and sustainable >> community. >> www.sustainabletompkins.org >> >> >> -- >> Elan Shapiro >> Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator >> Sustainable Living Associates, Principal >> Frog's Way B&B >> 211 Rachel Carson Way >> Ithaca, NY 14850 >> 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell >> >> "We must be the change we want to see in the world" >> Mohandas Gandhi >> _______________________________________________ >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >> [email protected] >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Looking for last minute shopping deals? 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