GenevaCon–Viva La Convencion!

The Geneva Convention Traffic Enforcement Vehicle. “Stop! In the Name of La Convencion!”

Hello Fellow GC Denizens,

As everybody knows, E. 31st Avenue between Fulton and Bluff Lake has become a speedway, both with the added volume of traffic to and from Bluff Lake Apartments as well as the ongoing pickups and drop offs at Knowledge Beginnings.  Last night, for instance, I was talking with Billy B. over on his block (31st) when a car went blazing past us.  “That’s nothing,” he remarked.  “People FLY through here.”   

Stalwart neighbor Chris J. originally gave voice to an idea that the intersection of E. 31st Ave. and Geneva Street should become a four-way stop, and it’s been discussed around the neighborhood for years since.  Also, that intersection is a bus stop for at least two school buses each day.  It needs to be safer.  A four-way stop seems like a good way to at least slow things down. 

In attending the SUN meeting last night (more on that in another update,) I learned a bit about how to clamor for traffic changes.  Apparently it all starts with the SUN Transportation Committee.   To that effect, I’ve drafted the following email to the committee’s Chair, David Vogel:

Good Morning David,
 
I recently took over as a block captain for Geneva Street/Geneva Court north of E. 31st Place.  I attended last night’s SUN meeting and gathered from the traffic discussion that if my neighborhood has a traffic concern, it’s best to start with the SUN Transportation Committee. 
 
We are interested in finding out what is necessary to have the intersection at E. 31st Avenue and Geneva Street turned into a four-way stop. 
 
With the recent addition of Bluff Lake Apartments to the east and the ongoing daily pickups/drop offs at Knowledge Beginnings, the intersection at E. 31st Avenue and Geneva Street has become quite busy.  While there are stop signs on 31st, it is not uncommon to have cars speed excessively down E. 31st Avenue; furthermore, this intersection is the site of two school bus stops. 
 
The residents in this area believe that the fast flow of traffic (and the general lack of caution being exercised by motorists) represents an unnecessary danger to children, bicyclists, and pedestrians who frequent this intersection.   
 
What are the next steps in addressing our request?
 
Thank You,
Joe Trussell

I’ll keep everybody posted with any progress.  I actually believe that this is hugely important, because that intersection is getting scary.  Let’s see if we can get it changed. 

Viva La Convencion,

Joe T.

Hola–

Many of y’all have probably already seen the flyer from the Stapleton Northeast F-Book Page:

Pilar D. (Geneva Convention Minister of Enthusiasm) makes a great point down in this site’s comments section:

Maybe we could remove some of the mystique around our new neighbors and show up to shake hands.

I think this is a great idea.  Nothing works better to cultivate friendship than sunshine and barbecue (if catfish and/or crawfish are unavailable.) 

My crew is going for sure; we have a bunch going on that weekend but we’re definitely going to take a few hours out of the afternoon to go over and spend some time.  It would do us all some good to put names with faces and work to create a relationship with the folks over at Bluff Lake. 

Have a great weekend!

El Capitan

Whew!

I’ve simply been in a veritable whirlwind of activity since our bloodless coup of last Friday in which I took office as the second Block Captain of The Geneva Convention.  I’d like to personally thank everyone who joined in the celebration Friday evening, as well as those who came out to the Inauguration Reception on Saturday afternoon.  While I was hoping that we’d have a repeat of Jimmy Carter’s inauguration party which was headlined by The Allman Brothers, it was still pretty fun. 

Now the revelry has ended, and the serious work begins.  Jane has given me the briefcase and launch codes, so away we go.

• First up, welcome to The GenevaCon Blog.*  In pondering the most direct and proper way to convey the goings on of the Stapleton United Neighbors, as well as reporting on happenings within our dear neighborhood, I pondered many different approaches.  I considered a town cryer approach, aircraft dropping leaflets, a closed-circuit television network, or a giant signpost, but in the end, the blog approach seemed to be the most sensible and efficient.

*”Geneva Convention” was taken.  “Geneva Convent” really, really didn’t sound right.  “GenevaCon” has a cold war feel to it.  Done.  Although with “-con” in there, I hope it doesn’t attract our incarcerated neighbors over across Sand Creek, or some aficionados of poor cinema looking for Transformers.  Time will tell, I suppose.

• The first Stapleton United Neighbors meeting with me as your representative is Monday.  I am anxious to meet the other block captains and will use the opportunity to strengthen alliances with bordering block areas while maintaining a strong and independent diplomatic posture will use the opportunity to see what this whole thing is all about and hopefully meet some nice folks.  If you have anything you want me to bring up, please let me know.
• I’m interested in starting a DPD-supported Neighborhood Watch.  While we’re already a tight neighborhood, it might be a good idea to make looking out for each other a little more formal.  Plus, Neighborhood Watch signs are cool and mildly intimidating.
• The Kickball Tournament is Saturday, September 15th.  Just throwing that out there.  I suck at all team sports, as well as all individual sports.  I’m a good spectator and excel at being supportive, though.  And I’m good at working on Vanagons, which is not currently a sport.  I digress.  If y’all are getting a team together, let me know.

Did you know…

…that Baton Rouge (“Red Stick”) got its name from the tall poles which separated neighboring tribes along the Mississippi River in that area?  The poles were red because the Native Americans would put fresh animal heads on the poles to bring added attention to the boundaries, and over time the blood stained those poles.  Along those lines, on my corner, and Anne’s corner, and over on Florence, maybe we could…

Oh never mind.  It was a silly idea.

Cheers,

Joe T.