Wayne Hinshaw's photographs in the Feb. 22 Post showcased nicely the modern sculpture that showed up on its granite pedestal in the little Lee-Fisher Street Plaza . It's a very nice piece of work. We have seen it many times, but we were by there very recently and it's gone.
The plaza was apparently built not only to accommodate such an artistic piece, but to entirely concentrate on it, with its surrounding benches and flower beds. Without the centerpiece, the lighted pedestal (yes, it still lights up at night) looks nearly comical.
We found out that the artist, Michael Baker of EastSquare ArtWorks (on East Innes), removed the artwork, as the city did not continue the lease for its use, and no one came together to purchase the piece for the space. That's really too bad. All of the city's wonderful strides toward revitalizing downtown and the Entertainment District have been welcome enhancements to the area. Commitment to the arts only exemplifies the leadership's understanding of the multiple facets that comprise a vibrant urban community.
Fisher Street's new lights point the way to the little plaza. With the conversion to two-way traffic on Fisher Street and the elimination of half the street parking, more citizens will flow into the little plaza's parking. We hope that whatever decisions shape the course for that area will take advantage of the city's talent and the existing stage.
I am writing this letter more to express my grief than to chastise. This past Sunday morning on Poole Road at 11:15, my precious puppy was taken away. You see, it was the first time he had ever ventured into the road, a mistake he will never get the chance to make again. The driver didn't slow down or even blow the horn. I can only hope it was because she didn't see him and not that she didn't care.
On any given day, at any time, day or night, I can sit on my porch and hear the cars coming from half a mile away. They fly by all these houses with no regard whatsoever for the lives, both human and non-human, that they stand to destroy.
I can tell you that losing our precious baby boy has devastated me and my family. So the next time you decide to put the pedal to the metal, my only wish for you is that you never have to see the horror and pain in a child's face when you have to tell them that something that they love so dearly will never come home. His untimely death has certainly left a lasting impression on me.
Angela Hendricks
If there are lots of kids around, maybe lowering the speed limit?? : Sunday, August 24, 2008 8:48 AM
I wonder what the speed limit is on Poole Rd? If there are a lot of children living on that road, maybe the speed limit should be lower. I am very sorry for your loss. I have lots of cats and have had the same thing happen to a couple of them, and the speed limit on my road is 10 mph. Maybe you can take comfort in this, when I was 17 (10 yrs ago) I was traveling on a country road (10 pm and 55 mph, which was the posted speed limit, Bringle Ferry Rd) I went around a curve and all of a sudden, right in front of me, there sat a little dog. I had no time to slow down or brake. It was like it just appeared out of nowhere. I still think about it to this day. I still can see it's eyes looking at me. I cried and cried for days, and still feel grief about the dog. I am sure whoever hit your dog is very sorry, very upset, and wishes that something could have been done to prevent that. I know I do. Just take heart that your puppy is in heaven now, forever a puppy. You have my sympathy.
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Say something nice, and hep you neibor in need : Saturday, August 23, 2008 8:43 AM
Fisher Street is beautiful. It looks like a sceen from a major metropolotan area, like a New York City burro. I dont go there at nite, because our faimly does not drink alcihol and cant aford the food prices. But it is nice that Salisbury is at lest trying to bring in educated hier income residents that like having those kinds of eminities avalible to them. It will keep are taxes lower, and annexation will bring badly needed dollars to hep the needy in are city, like those who need to use Lincon pool, two. Your doing a grate job city counsel, so dont let the whinners get you down.
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Linda
Puppy : Friday, August 22, 2008 5:34 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about your puppy being run over. Too bad the person who hit him didn't have the decency to stop to see about him and your family! For all the posters who scolded you for not having control of him I'll just say to them YOU WERE NOT THERE! Wouldn't it be wonderful to be as perfect as they are??? Perhaps they've never loved a dog or known the joy it is to have one in the family. It's obvious to me you loved your dog. Yes, I know I'll hear that you shoulda coulda done something differently....Let those without sin cast the first stone. The rest of you, have a little compassion!
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Tragedy may lead to greater vigilance, child safety in your neighborhood : Friday, August 22, 2008 5:03 PM
Sorry for your loss, but your anger toward the driver is likely misplaced. It is unlikely that she saw the dog in time. But there is no reason why drivers should have to look out for animals on the loose, crossing the road. That's one reason our ordinances put the burden on pet owners to secure their animals. It's unfortunate, but it's a lesson in life that you and your family will cope with, and learn how to move on. It is likely that your next dog will be watched more closely. And it is likely that you will be more vigilant with your child, since you have correctly assessed the risk of drivers who might not be able to react in time to objects in the road. So maybe good can come from this tragedy.
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Patch
Puppy Comments : Friday, August 22, 2008 1:50 PM
I would like to thank all of the readers who commented on my letter to the editor regarding the loss of my puppy. First let me say that the original title of my letter was "Heartbroken at High Rock"...the post changed it before printing. If you actually read the letter I plainly stated I was not chastising the driver, just expressing my grief. Secondly, you are absolutely right, if we had kept the dog in our yard it would be a non issue. That is a regret that will haunt us for many years to come. I just want to express my admiration to those readers of the Salisbury Post who are so perfect that they have never made a mistake and have been fortunate enough to have never had anything bad happen to them or their families where they would need an outlet to express their regret or grief. I hope one day I can be as lucky as you, though probably not. And just as this great country of ours gives you the right to leave the nasty comments that you have regarding my letter and my loss anonymously...it also gives me the right to "whine" in whatever outlet I chose. If you don't like it...don't read it.
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Bell
puppy : Friday, August 22, 2008 12:48 PM
Wow, some people can really be mean and hateful when they don't have to sign their name. She said it was the first time the puppy was ever in the road - obviously he got away from her for a moment. To be a good driver, you need to be aware of everything going on around you, and be prepared in case a child or puppy happen to run out into the road. If you weren't driving too fast, you wouldn't have to worry about injurying you or your children if you needed to swerve or brake. I just hope that one day when one of your children gets away from you for a quick moment, and wanders into the road, that driver going by won't be speeding, but be aware of the surroundings, and will be able to brake. To Donna, you have my sincerest sympathy and empathy for your loss.
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Keep your precious puppy OUT OF THE ROAD! : Friday, August 22, 2008 11:53 AM
The nonhuman life that was taken is due to pet owner negligence, plain and simple. I was taught not to swerve or brake for animals, so that neither I nor my children would be subjected to injury or death in an attempt to save a negligent pet owner's property. SO KEEP YOUR NEXT DOGS FENCED OR LEASHED, and you won't have to suffer the trauma of having given them a death sentence.
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The Silk Purse Art Exhibit : Friday, August 22, 2008 11:15 AM
When I want to see the multiple facets that comprise our vibrant urban community (where did this phrase originate??), I look no further than the Salisbury Police Blotter. The elimination of half of the street parking has caused my family to stop frequenting the restaurants in that area for fear of our personal safety, instead of forcing us to park on a 'stage' where Salisbury's talented criminal element control the streets most evenings. They are belligerent, boisterous, and as a few pedestrians have found out the hard way, they do not take to outsiders intruding into "their" territory. In conclusion, my idea for a welcome enhancement on Fisher Street is an artwork sculpture depicting Mark Lewis and Mayor Kluttz in bronze, making a silk purse from a sow's ear. That would be the pluperfect example of City leadership's mis-understanding of the designated "Entertainment District."
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owners : Friday, August 22, 2008 8:57 AM
When the owners of pets learn they should keep them on their property and take care of them.
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Fence : Friday, August 22, 2008 6:12 AM
Keep your dog secured on your property like the COUNTY ORDINANCE says you are supposed to do! Then, no one would have lost of a dog and we would not have to listen to your whining.
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what a shame : Friday, August 22, 2008 6:01 AM
Mr. Millers sculpture was the only redeming thing about that quasi-parking lot I guess now the city can put a vera bradley purse and a scented candle to represent the "arts" at 70's night...... cheeeeeeeeezy
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Don't 'Wait Until Dark' : Thursday, August 21, 2008 5:31 PM
Art, like the entertainment venues, on Fisher Street should be enjoyed between dawn and dusk. During nighttime hours, that neighborhood is just too unsafe. Read the Police Blotter, and decide if it's somewhere you'd wanna be after dark.
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Letters: Teaching moment on child abuse
