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Andrew Cline has been editorial page editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader since October of 2001. His writing has appeared in more than 100 newspapers and magazines, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and National Review.Maureen Milliken's West Side Stories: A city deserving of unmarred beauty
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By MAUREEN MILLIKEN
New Hampshire Union Leader
Saturday, Jun. 13, 2009
When I was a kid, my mom's constant refrain was: "Can't we have anything nice in this house?"
We were a large family, and we left a trail of destruction in our wake. Drawing on walls, destroying furniture, breaking windows, you name it. Toys never lasted long intact.
No, we couldn't really have anything nice.
We weren't malicious, just thoughtless. Our dad often pointed out -- at the top of his lungs -- that our destruction showed a lack of respect for our parents.
And that was what came to mind with the news that the graffiti problem on the Hands Across the Merrimack pedestrian bridge was getting out of hand. The capper is that some jerk -- or group of jerks -- threw the granite bench off the bridge. Nice.
Can't we have anything nice in this city?
The same day this week that that lovely news item appeared in the paper, there was also a front page two-part story about the city's trail system. How the section of trail from the pedestrian bridge to the Goffstown border is due to be completed soon. How the city is trying to upgrade its trail system for bikers, walkers, runners and anyone else who wants to get out and enjoy Manchester.
Now, a cynic would say, "Why bother?"
But anyone who has been to a city or state that has a great trail system knows why.
Not only does having nice things -- a hockey arena, a ballpark, restaurants with outdoor decks, a trail system -- draw new people to the city, thus helping all of us, but, more important, we deserve it. Manchester has worked hard over the last century to overcome a lot of bad things. The city gets better every day. And we deserve nice things that make us feel good about being here.
A trail system may seem like a luxury, but it's really not. It's a way for the people of the city to get out and enjoy the city.
Anyone who has been on the Hands Across the Merrimack Bridge has felt it -- that pride in having something in Manchester that makes it special. The bridge is graceful, the views are beautiful. People on it are friendly to each other, neighborly.
A granite bench was vandalized on the Hands Over the Merrimack Bridge in Manchester. (DAVID LANE)
The Piscataquog River is one of the great undiscovered natural treasures of Manchester. The few people who have ventured down to its banks are treated to an undisturbed piece of wild New Hampshire right in the middle of the city. Once the trail is complete, everyone is going to know how fantastic that section of the city is. And even the more urban areas along the trail -- a testament to the workers of Manchester who helped make Manchester the city it is -- are beautiful. They are a piece of the city's history.
My brothers and sisters and I eventually grew up and stopped wrecking things. We realized that "having nice things" really meant having respect for your surroundings and the people who put those nice things there.
On the bridge where the bench was, someone has anchored a note written on a Dunkin' Donuts bag. It says, "Since there's nothing left to throw in the river, feel free to throw yourselves in."
Destruction of nice things -- our things -- makes people angry. My parents were certainly unhappy with us a lot of the time. But they didn't give up. Next week, they are celebrating 50 years of marriage, and we haven't destroyed their stuff in a long time.
I don't fool myself into thinking the childish fools who vandalize the Hands Across the Merrimack Bridge will read this newspaper, see themselves and stop doing it.
But I do know that the way to combat that type of behavior is not to give up and say, "Let's stop having nice things." Rather, it's to keep making Manchester better, giving the huge majority in the city a place they want and deserve. A city we can be proud of.
Maureen Milliken is a long-time West Side resident. E-mail her at mmilliken@unionleader.com.
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YOUR COMMENTS
People, It's the lack of PARENTING that makes kids do bad things. Stop blaming class sizes and teachers!
I can't wait to walk that bridge
- Tim, Goffstown
This article represents what Manchester could be. Unfortunately that is not what is happening in Manchester. We have become a victim of bad politics because of the bullying of the anti tax population that bombards the comments in these articles everyday.
Last night I chaperoned a trip to the Pops with Hillside parents and students. As parents to students our concerns were based upon the horrific choices of our aldermen (led by Gatsas and Lopez - a bipartisan faux pas) and what will happen to the Manchester School District in the upcoming year.
As a lifelong Manchester resident and tax payer I am distressed at the direction of the city. The violence and graffiti are consequences to bad decisions. Our property values would blossom with an excellent school system and city services. Young adults would be tempted to move back and work in the companies (or start) that pepper the millyard.
So, in reading this article I can only hope that Manchester will find the way back to building a community rather than demolishing it.
- coreyd, manchester,nh
There is an abandoned railroad bed which runs through east Manchester. Parts of it are blocked, some by parking. This is a waste. A bicycle path would bring out cyclists and the city would be connected. Besides, bicyclists spend money. Check the bicycle paths in Montreal.
- Thom, Manchester, NH
I agree!! Thanks for the article!!
- Michelle, Manchester
Nice article! I agree that the best way to combat the vandals and other punks who just don't care is to use the bridge and use the rail trail and not let these people get the upper hand. Take back the nice places by continuing to use them as they were meant to be used! Of course, a cop walking or riding along the trails once in a while wouldn't hurt either.
- Lynn, Manchester
i have walked on this bridge 3-4 times per week(not when covered with snow) and only one time did i ever see any police presence and that was a police bike patrol just before a fisher cats game. so like doug mentioned we should install cameras. if not then we must increase law enforcement . at least have them check it every now and then but they would have to get out of their cruisers to do this.
the bridge and trail system would be an ideal route for the police bike patrol.
- bill, manchester
I waited 4 years for the walk bridge to be replaced on the Piscataquog river. As an avid walker I have used the trail system prior to pavement for at least 10 years. It is a shame that it will become a hang out for kids with nothing better to do. I wont go down there after school hours as kids smoke down there after school and I don't want to deal with that. Living on the west side very near the schools I see daily disrespect. If a kid will throw rocks at a street sign and nobody stops them think of the canvas the city is providing of new things to ruin. Parents need to get control of themselves and their kids and teach respect and the value of leaving the world a better place not ruining it. Kids tresspass, throw eachother in the street, write all over the guardrails, and know more swears than me. I can't begin to tell you what I have seen. I will enjoy this new path with sadness that it will soon be filled with people who wont love and respect it like I will.
- Kara, Manchester west sider
Mr. Tarr..."We must continue to teach and show our children that this bridge is a symbol of our strength and love for each other."
With this NOT happening at home, and with class sizes over 30 in school--- it isn't going to happen there either! Welcome to Lawrence, NH
- JC, MAnchester
Cameras a nice tool but what happens if the ones involved are wearing hoodies etc.
People need to have respect for life and to stop ruining the beauty of life because they want to be destructive.
I'm referring to the people that tossed the granit over the bridge, the dudes that go out with a can of paint, and folks that go 4-wheeling in the middle of a city park or athletic field.
Life is to short, go out do something positive.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
Install surveyance cameras here and other locations. The apprehensions with serve to discourage vandals.
- Doug, Manchester
Thank Ms. Milliken for that story. Yes it's nice to have nice things and it gives way to a sense of pride, ownership and self worth. It's a shame that someone would even consider to do this when it has no logic in it. Hard work and determination can bring about many good things. Mrs. Closson taught us that. Maybe someday those who have done this will feel guilt and turn themselves around to do nice things for others? This bridge is truely the work of many people working together to make a difference in the world/state/city that they live in. We must continue to teach and show our children that this bridge is a symbol of our strength and love for each other. No person(s) shall ever take that away from us.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
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