Lincolnite: Lincoln's Online Community

56th, Cotner and Oh-No

November 2, 2006 at 7:20am By: Mr. Wilson Posted in The Lincolnite Blog

There was a lot of complaining about the plan to re-do the intersections and streets around 56th, Cotner and O prior to it happening. The plan seemed, to many Lincolnites, too loopy (literally). In fact, some Lincolnites still complain, demanding that the more traditional intersections return. But let me ask you this: when was the last time traffic in the area backed up like it used to? I know I haven’t seen awful traffic in the area in ages, and I have never heard anybody say “Boy, that 56th, Cotner and O area is a real bear at rush hour”.

It makes you wonder what other non-traditional traffic solutions we ought to be considering in traffic trouble spots.

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Firefighters’ and their Political Clout

November 1, 2006 at 12:45pm By: Mr. Wilson Posted in The Lincolnite Blog

Here’s a question I’ve been pondering. Maybe it has an answer, maybe it doesn’t. It’s an honest question; it isn’t sarcastic and it doesn’t carry any hidden meaning. I’m really curious.

Why do firefighters, as a group, have political clout? There aren’t all that many of them, they don’t have deep pockets, and their work has little to do with the political realm. And yet it was via pure political muscle that Lincoln firefighters took over ambulance responsibilities, and it was political power that allowed Mike Spadt to bully his way through the firetruck purchasing process.

My first instinct was that it has something to do with firefighters’ role as protectors and heroes. Heroes are virtuous, the virtuous earn our trust, and trust leads to power. Or something like that. But there has to be more to it. Much more, I think. Perhaps it’s a historical remnant...?

So there it is. When I’m driving down the street and I see a “Firefighters for Moul” sign, why should I care any more than if the sign said, say, “Librarians for Moul”?

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Good Morning, Gary and Sue

November 1, 2006 at 8:00am By: Mr. Wilson Posted in The Lincolnite Blog

I could be wrong, but I think history was made this morning. For the first time ever (as far as I’m aware), Lincolnite received a mention on the airwaves. Gary and Sue of Froggy 98.1 gave Lincolnite a shout-out on this morning’s show. Thanks, Gary and Sue!

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Hundreds of Jobs? Let us Speculate

November 1, 2006 at 7:30am By: Mr. Wilson Posted in The Lincolnite Blog

Granted, Deena Winter’s “scoop” on the possibility of hundreds of jobs coming to Lincoln in the near future was a tad short on substance, but the possibility ought to be enough to put at least a little smile on Lincolnites’ faces. (Except the journalstar.com commenters, of course, who do their very best to be as negative as possible.) My end of the grapevine has been silent on this one, so what say we engage in a little speculation?

I’m going to guess that the announcement—assuming there is one to be made, of course—involves an insurance company. The insurance industry is booming right now, and Lincoln is already home to several insurance companies. I’m going to take a wild stab and say that it’s a company that does not yet have a major presence in town. Who knows, maybe we’ll see the GEICO Geckosphere pop up somewhere in town.

But that’s all just a stab in the dark. What are your guesses?

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