So I went to the pool meeting. It was the first meeting where the public could submit their priorities and contribute suggestions for the design for an $8 million pool in a district park. Bond money was set aside in 2006 for a new pool, and the current pool--which was always packed--has been closed for two summers now because the soil shifted and the diving well is in danger of caving in.
There were five people at this meeting who weren't with the city parks department. FIVE. (Plus one cameraman from KEYE, who was probably really wishing he hadn't bothered.) I know not everyone swims, but this is a big public project and is going to be a major amenity for this part of town.
Five?
I am not particularly active myself, and I know there are lots of very good reasons people can't or won't attend something like this. I'm not complaining so much as surprised and a little dismayed. I also can't help but wonder how many people would have shown up to a similar meeting about Northwest Pool? Big Stacy?
So the next time I hear someone from East Austin say something about Why do we always get the (rehab centers, landfills, abattoirs); they would never put that stuff over in Westlake, or How come we never get the (potholes fixed, good bus routes, nice things); they wouldn't put up with that for a second in Northwest Hills...well, there are a lot of reasons, but I think no one showing up to say something about it might be one of them.