Beginning last year, changes began to take place in and around Lake Massena. While those changes have sparked conversations amongst residents, community visitors, and tourists, most people can find one point on which they agree even while disagreeing about the rest: “Bristow is like all of the other towns now.”
Last week, people around the community noticed something new in the lake. That something turned out to be a fountain. People seem either to like or dislike it for the very same reason when asked, saying 'Now, Bristow park is like all of the other towns with a fountain.' Those who like it exuberantly say so, relishing the thought of being like other towns and cities; on the other hand, those who dislike it say so with verbal tonalities of sadness and frustration, noting that the lake is the community's best asset and provides a natural area filled with serenity, nature’s beauty, and wildlife, which most other communities lack. Many among the latter group questioned why the town wants to diminish those qualities to be like everyone else.
Further, a third sector of Bristow’s citizenry bemoaned that funds were spent on something unnecessary while expressing their desire to see funding spent on projects
See Conversation, Page Four including purchasing a new sound system or raising and resetting the concrete seating at the historical site—without destroying its history, restoring the military equipment at the Wake Island Memorial, or fixing holes in the asphalt around the lake to the north of the hospital among others. Regardless of on which side residents find themselves, the fountain has many people talking and saying the same thing: 'We're the same as others now.'
Another change in the area involves updates to the city pool. With nearly the entire community excitedly awaiting the pool's opening after its having been closed for several years, a few people have reached out asking about the new yellow slide. Why? As recently as Tuesday morning, a large gap exists between the yellow slide and the slide's accessible platform; however, the adjacent slide does not bear a gap. Those people wished to know why the gap exists and if it will be fixed in time for the pool's opening. A member of the crew on-site assured citizens that the slide will be fixed this week.
Another handful of people shared concerns about the slides' seemingly narrow diameter while yet another group questioned the pool’s expense given the “cheap looking structure” and durability of the stairs leading to the slides as well as the seeming use of the original pool’s foundation, which was believed to be damaged beyond repair. Yet another large group of children and their parents look forward to using the slides, which the pool lacked in recent decades.
A handful of people noted the installed sod appears to have died from lack of water; however, several people, including myself, have witnessed sprinklers watering the sod.
Fortunately, the vast majority of Bristowans expressed excitement for the pool's opening—this writer among them. Many of those looking forward to the pool’s reopening echo the single point of agreement regarding the fountain: “Now, Bristow will be like other towns. We’re no longer without a pool.” As a community, we cannot miss that sod can be watered, reseeded, or replaced. The slide and platform can be fixed. The most consequential task at hand is simply seeing the pool reopened and operational again for residents to enjoy.
Finally, a permanent concrete pad appeared near the boat ramp in preparation for a private business venture set to make kayaks and stand up paddleboards available for rental. Many residents wait with anticipation to rent the crafts and enjoy the lake in ways they cannot personally afford otherwise. Others question how a private business venture is allowed on public property.
All things considered, all perspectives are valid and hold merit. While changes should be well considered and questioned to ensure public resources are used appropriately and benefit all, change occurs regardless. None can halt it. All can praise, celebrate, question, share ideas and concerns, and condemn changes. No change is all good or all bad from its contemplation to its fruition. Perhaps… just perhaps… we should involve ourselves to accomplish more for all. Perhaps… just perhaps… we can each make an effort to be more involved, temper extremes, and enjoy what we have—lest we lose it all.