After detailing the start of the summer with a wild, midnight ambulance trip for a broken leg, the summer was spent in recovery. Still healing but not letting things get in the way.
While out, it was noticeable that our dear friendly Walmart was undergoing a facelift and remodel. Still the same girl just fresh curls.
Having watched a number of these operations over the years does cause one to wonder. Wonder leads to wander and observations, thoughts, and things come to mind. While recovering it was noticeable that issues raised in the past still have not been addressed. The responsible parties probably could not find a stamp or mailing address.
In the past it has been noticed that there is no walkway from Main Street to the entrance of Walmart. Pedestrians are at the mercy of trucks, trailers, cars and horses. One keeps expecting to hear High Noon played and the Marshal holding his own in the middle of the street. Silence remains.
There has been a large crop of baby buggies growing in Presque Isle. These mechanical contraptions of all shapes, sizes and temperaments crowd the sidewalks as carriers for future council members of the Star City. Yet, there is no safe way for them and their minders to descend into the maw of Walmart.
It would seem to be obvious that the city fathers and mothers would have excoriated the management of Walmart to build such a feature. And at the height of the virus restrictions, it was clear that the big, blue box could adapt to a more pedestrian-friendly approach. Sadly the results have been a disappointment.
Hats tipped to the brave parents who still try to boogie with their baby buggies down the bugaloo boulevard bound for diapers and chintz. The very least the city parents could demand would be a safe passage and greenway. Should that be done shopping for the future might be more productive. Walmart needs a sidewalk.
Orpheus Allison is a photojournalist living in The County who graduated from UMPI and earned a master of liberal arts degree from the University of North Carolina. He began his journalism career at WAGM television later working in many different areas of the US. After 20 years of television he changed careers and taught in China and Korea.
