I am waiting outsde the Gary courthouse as Ms. Pat Haley stands in line to vote. Her back and knees ache as she waits for the coiled line to inch up to the section of folding chairs.
Outside the courthouse, this steel monument marks the centennial celebration of this city in 2006. "The Fusion" stands proud surrounded by steel grated benches, planters, and garbage containers. For a downtown, it is desolate on this sunny and brisk afternoon. Ms. Haley regaled me with stories from Gary's Hey-day maybe 40 years ago; when you can wakey around downtown to Sears, jewelry stores, go see a movie, and get all your shopping done. Once Merrillville opened up just 10 miles to the Sout, the stores fled looking for new, more affluent, white blood.
Ms. Haley though was born and bred here, raising 5 children and decided to stay teaching in Gary. Her children too, have all stayed, raising families, running busnesses, and teaching in this town.
There is hope here. So much potential. Gary is not the frightening murderous placit was a decade or so earlier- thereis regroth that just needs some nurturing and the right tools to develop. Ms. Haley thinks town like Gary have a chance if Obama is elected- he understands- he won't pass us by- her eyes get big when she talks about voting this time around.
Outside the courthouse, this steel monument marks the centennial celebration of this city in 2006. "The Fusion" stands proud surrounded by steel grated benches, planters, and garbage containers. For a downtown, it is desolate on this sunny and brisk afternoon. Ms. Haley regaled me with stories from Gary's Hey-day maybe 40 years ago; when you can wakey around downtown to Sears, jewelry stores, go see a movie, and get all your shopping done. Once Merrillville opened up just 10 miles to the Sout, the stores fled looking for new, more affluent, white blood.
Ms. Haley though was born and bred here, raising 5 children and decided to stay teaching in Gary. Her children too, have all stayed, raising families, running busnesses, and teaching in this town.
There is hope here. So much potential. Gary is not the frightening murderous placit was a decade or so earlier- thereis regroth that just needs some nurturing and the right tools to develop. Ms. Haley thinks town like Gary have a chance if Obama is elected- he understands- he won't pass us by- her eyes get big when she talks about voting this time around.
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