Rain washes out 'car free' day in Seattle

[Lauri]

Rain washes out 'car free' day in Seattle

06:29 PM PDT on Sunday, August 24, 2008

By BERNARD CHOI / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - Only in Seattle could an event touted as a way to help the environment get washed out during what is supposed to be the driest time of the year.



   Car-free days is part of Mayor Greg Nickels' campaign to encourage people to walk, bike or take mass transit.

One neighborhood is closed off to car traffic during selected weekends this summer.

On Sunday it was the area around 14th and Republican on Capitol Hill, a residential area that's normally quiet anyway.

"I think it promotes awareness of whatever we're promoting awareness of," said resident Thomas Hubbard. (huh??)

"A car passes by every once in a while, just people trying to get home. And they don't know how to get home," said resident Matt O'Connor.

"I think most people are scratching their heads. I've seen people move the signs and drive through anyway," said Hubbard.

With more police officers diverting traffic than actual people, the city decided to end the event two hours earlier.

O'Connor said the idea was good in theory, "but in practice, it needs a little bit of work."

Adding insult to injury, the cars owned by some residents in the neighborhood were towed because the city wanted to clear the streets.

Next weekend, car-free days moves to south Seattle. Rainier Avenue between Alaska and Orcas will be closed to car traffic during the afternoon.

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_082408WAB_car_free_days_SW.c03eb00.html

I hope Mayor Nickels gets sued into oblivion... idiot.. 

[Lord Undies]

They should be working on a mayor-free day in Seattle.  I cannot believe free people accept this socialist crap. 

[Chris]

Bloomberg wants to do the same thing in New York.

[Lauri]

They should be working on a mayor-free day in Seattle.  I cannot believe free people accept this socialist crap. 

Mayor Nickels has some really, really "big" ideas... they now turn off the lights in downtown areas to save money on the power bills, instead of cutting redundant jobs or middle management in the city - those are now heavier crime areas.

We have two different school districts threatening to go on strike right at the beginning of the school year - I really have no earthly idea why the lefties put up with this stuff.. and yet, they keep voting the moonbats back in.

[Lauri]

Bloomberg wants to do the same thing in New York.

in the city?? how would that work??   

[Chris]

Bloomberg wants to do the same thing in New York.

in the city?? how would that work??   

He watned to shut down streets and neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the Bronx, etc.  Jalopnik (or TTAC, I forgot) had an article on it.  I don't think it ever happened.  It was too stupid of an idea to get off the ground.

[Lauri]

Bloomberg wants to do the same thing in New York.

in the city?? how would that work??   

He watned to shut down streets and neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the Bronx, etc.  Jalopnik (or TTAC, I forgot) had an article on it.  I don't think it ever happened.  It was too stupid of an idea to get off the ground.

i cant see how he would do that in Brooklyn or the Bronx.. but at least he (or someone around him) realized it was stupid. In seattle, the worse the idea the more our elected lefties seem to love it..

[JohnnyReb]

Really want to redistribute the wealth? Just turn out the lights.