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CAT Tracks for May 3, 2012
CAIRO SHOWS APPRECIATION |
DISCLAIMER:
The catty commentary that follows is not actually directed at the current Mayor of Cairo...he who let the weary exiles return (after scaring the bejezzus out of the nomads gathered in Marion...when he said that we would not be allowed to return to Cairo until the "tunnel" floodgate was operational! I mean...when was the last time that happened? Has it ever happened?! Gloriously, Mr. New Mayor relented and we were allowed a "visitation" the next day...full curfewed access thereafter.)
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
I'm still pissed...
I got no problem with recognizing the "more than 70 businesses, governmental organizations and citizens Wednesday for their part in working to preserve the historic river town."
Maybe...
Cairo's "500"...
...like the 300 Spartansat the Battle of Thermopylae, fighting the flood of Persian invaders:
Well, hell...
...woulda, coulda, shoulda been me!
Oh, but no...
I foolishly listed to the former Mayor when he ordered a MANDATORY EVACUATION!
I mean...
What part of "mandatory" does one not understand.
Well, in 20-20 hindsight...
...it was the whole "mandatory" thing. We were told later that one cannot be forced to leave the city...although we would soon discover that armed state troopers and city policemen can keep your butt outside once you leave.
I woulda stayed, I coulda stayed, I shoulda stayed...
...woulda, coulda, shoulda been invited to Tuesday's barbecue chow-down.
My consolation...
As a former history teacher, I fully ascribe to the "knowing history so that you aren't doomed to repeat it" theory/philosophy.
Next time there is a "mandatory evacuation" of Cairo...
...this dude will stay put.
I haven't had any good barbecue in a long time...
BTW: Next time, be sure to watch CNN (the real CNN...Cable, not CAT News Network.) Look closely at the aerial footage and you will see me and my 96-year-old mama...sitting on the deck of my house, fishing for food and drinking bottled water. Life will be good for the defiant ones!
From the Southern Illinoisan...
Cairo shows appreciation for all who helped town survive
BY BRENT STEWART, The Southern
CAIRO — A year after high river waters threatened the town, the city of Cairo recognized more than 70 businesses, governmental organizations and citizens Wednesday for their part in working to preserve the historic river town.
Mayor Tyrone Coleman addressed the attendees of a lunchtime celebration at Cairo Fire Department before they got down to the serious business of coming together as a community and chowing down on barbecue.
“The assistance you provided literally save this community,” Coleman said. “We may have been here today, but in a different situation.”
During the meal, Coleman presented certificates of appreciation to those recognized.
On May 2, 2011, the Ohio River reached 61.72 feet in Cairo, the highest level on record.
Coleman’s immediate predecessor, Mayor Judson Childs, ordered a mandatory evacuation April 30 after a massive sand boil was discovered. That sand boil reinforced fears of an uncontrolled levee break.
About 500 people opted to not leave Cairo. The rest of the historic town’s 3,000 residents relocated to hotels, friends and family members’ homes, or emergency shelters set up as far away as Marion.
Coleman said sandbags filled by many residents who stayed behind, as well as soldiers from the Illinois National Guard and inmates from the Illinois Department of Corrections, were essential in protecting Cairo from major damage.
As residents gathered for the luncheon, representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were working with the Cairo Public Works department to repair a pumping station on 28th street.
Coleman said the city recently adopted a resolution regarding the city of Cairo’s position on diversity, equality and human rights.
The resolution was encouraged by the U.S. Department of Justice after derogatory comments made about Cairo by Missouri House Speaker Stephen Tilley, R-Perryville while asked about a U.S. Army Corps plan to intentionally destroy the New Madrid-Birds Point levee to alleviate Mississippi River flooding.
Coleman said the city was also close to adopting a mission and vision statement.
“For too long, this city has operated without a mission and, really, a vision,” Coleman said.
POSTSCRIPT:
What's up with:
"The resolution was encouraged by the U.S. Department of Justice after derogatory comments made about Cairo by Missouri House Speaker Stephen Tilley, R-Perryville..."
Why should Cairo be passing a resolution? Isn't that something that Stephen Tilley and maybe Southeast Missouri should do?
I mean...what?
...that the City of Cairo and its residents should not be targeted for abuse by outsiders?"
Good luck with that!
As for the mission and vision thing...
No comment!
FOOTNOTE:
Damn...
...got barbecue on my mind.
Gonna have a visitor to the cat cave today (one of Julie's siblings whom I abused with low expectations all those years ago). Wonder if he would forgive me my trespasses if I served him some good ole Cairo barbecue for lunch?
I bet he didn't have anything to eat like that...
...when he was in Rio last month, or Puerto Rico the month before that, or in DC, where he stays when not jetting off to Europe or Africa.
Barbecue...
...and he was probably "expecting" hot dogs!
"Coleman said sandbags filled by many residents who stayed behind, as well as soldiers from the Illinois National Guard and inmates from the Illinois Department of Corrections, were essential in protecting Cairo from major damage."
"Coleman said the city recently adopted a resolution regarding the city of Cairo’s position on diversity, equality and human rights.
"Be it resolved...
