8.10.98

Once upon a time there was a bench. It was made of concrete, and placed in the center of town. It was perfectly clean in every way. Over the years it collected gum, stains, and a few cracks. After a long while of just sitting there something new happened to this bench. Someone was setting a skateboard on it and riding off. Many people did this leaving black streaks, and tire marks. Then something altogether new happened. Someone jumped on it! And another, and another! The clicking of the wheels could be heard as they hit the pavement below. Then the wax came, tons of it. It helped the steel trucks of the skateboard slide more easily along the benches rough edges. The only problem was that it made the edges sticky and black. A man moved in with a big white and red sign which read:

"No skateboarding allowed!"

But the kids skated that bench anyway. Some would get hassled, others not but the bench kept getting worse and worse. Then one day a boy had an idea. Why not put metal strips over the edges of the bench? He took this idea to the city department. It took a while but the city agreed, it would save them money and the kids could still skate there. The metal edges were installed, and when they got worn down all the city had to do was replace the old strips, instead of a bench.

Take this story in mind. If you're getting hassled, and they're telling you that it destroys property. Make a suggestion like this. Metal edges. It's costs little and saves them a bench. Oh yeah, i got this story from real life. Salt Lake City, along with 4 other major cities have used this idea and it has really saved them money. Until next month. -Jim