January 10, 2006
Tragedy Averted in West Des Moines
Frankly, the primary thrust here at Dick Peligro, Ltd. tends more toward muckraking and general commentary on popular culture rather than community activism. There’s nothing better (in the present view) than pseudo-fictitious tales of corruption, venality and murky ethics in the Corridors of Power — unless, of course, it’s satirical remarks about the oft-deplorable state of American culture in general. However, an exception was recently made, and the result was striking.
Those following this blog are aware of its recent focus on the lack of a warning track in centerfield at Valley High School’s baseball field in West Des Moines. A quasi-journalistic parable — a cautionary tale, so to speak — was posted under the title “Without Warning: Tragedy Strikes in West Des Moines” [click here to read] This unsafe condition, potentially tragic, seemed particularly inexcusable considering how easy and inexpensive it would be to fix. DPL decided to ask some inconvenient questions and perhaps hold a few feet to the fire. After multiple rounds of letters and e-mails covering an ever wider network of state officials, both public and private, there was a significant development.
On January 7, 2006, a minor West Des Moines city functionary sent an e-mail message informing DPL that corrective action on the baseball field would be undertaken “immediately,” depending on favorable weather [click here to read e-mail exchange]. January was unseasonably mild in Iowa, making that potential bureaucratic excuse for delay unavailable, and the very next day (a Saturday, no less!) a new section of warning track was cut into the outfield.
Just two days earlier, as it turns out, the story had been picked up by the dauntless reporters at Juice magazine, which posted a letter from DPL to State Senator Pat Ward (R, West DSM) on its blog [click here to read]. Doubtless, the weight of what the good folks at Juice term their “massive ‘bully pulpit-like’ clout” aided considerably in raising the story’s profile. While we’re not altogether certain we would have termed it “The Most Important Issue Facing Iowa,” we’re very appreciative nonetheless. Obviously, that publication has some real journalists — as opposed to the other Des Moines “alternative” weeklies (which merit the scant attention they generally receive … as one of their own editors recently noted!).
There is little room here for false modesty; DPL spearheaded and sustained this initiative to a positive resolution — and with a speed altogether atypical of civil bureaucracies. In this particular case, no blue ribbon commission was empaneled to study the problem and generate a report for further review, etc., ad infinituum, ad nauseum, ad delirium. Here, for once — with some prompting — the problem was simply taken care of, minus the red tape commonly seen in such affairs. Eventually — that is to say, after the fact — even the august Des Moines Register finally deigned to acknowledge the story [click here to read].
Almost as gratifying as the final outcome was the responsiveness shown by several state legislators after initially hearing of the problem. Offers of assistance were given, and we were asked by some lawmakers to keep them apprised of our progress.
One state senator, showing an appropriate combination of fiscal awareness and moral responsibility, applauded the willingness to take action. “There are so many things that are out of our control and that we can’t affect,” wrote the senator. “However, this is one small change that may save Valley [High School] from a significant lawsuit and more importantly, may keep a student from being seriously injured.”
Several state representatives said they appreciated hearing about the positive outcome, while encouraging civic-mindedness on the part of private citizens. “Keep your faith in the system,” urged one, and a colleague expressed the common wish: “hopefully no injuries on next year’s team.”
Amen, brother.
