AUTHORITY LOOKS LIKE THE VILLAIN FOR REFUSING TO DISCUSS BRIDGE

[CITY Edition]

Buffalo News

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Print Media Edition: Financial edition

Buffalo, N.Y.

Aug 27, 1999

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Authors: BARBARA PALAZZO

Pagination: B2

Abstract:

I've always loved the Peace Bridge. I like the gentle curve it makes,

the

way the arches loop across the river and the straightforward geometry

its lines. During the hockey playoffs, I felt proud to see the 50 flags

flying in honor of the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs. The

plaza

beneath the flags was in a sorry state, but the bridge itself truly

lived

up to its name.

In 1947, my parents staked a claim to a sand dune in Silver Bay, Ont.,

and began to build a cottage using little more than a few tools and

their

bare hands. We felt like pioneers, and crossing the Peace Bridge was

part

of the adventure. It still is.

In the "old days," each driver was interviewed by both a Customs and an

Immigration officer, and every trunk was routinely opened and

inspected.

My grandmother once carefully filled a bushel basket with cuttings from

her garden, intending to transplant them at the cottage. You can

imagine

her dismay when the basket was confiscated by a stern Canadian Customs

agent.

Full Text:

I've always loved the Peace Bridge. I like the gentle curve it makes,

the

way the arches loop across the river and the straightforward geometry

its lines. During the hockey playoffs, I felt proud to see the 50 flags

flying in honor of the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs. The

plaza

beneath the flags was in a sorry state, but the bridge itself truly

lived

up to its name.

In 1947, my parents staked a claim to a sand dune in Silver Bay, Ont.,

and began to build a cottage using little more than a few tools and

their

bare hands. We felt like pioneers, and crossing the Peace Bridge was

part

of the adventure. It still is.

In the "old days," each driver was interviewed by both a Customs and an

Immigration officer, and every trunk was routinely opened and

inspected.

My grandmother once carefully filled a bushel basket with cuttings from

her garden, intending to transplant them at the cottage. You can

imagine

her dismay when the basket was confiscated by a stern Canadian Customs

agent.

On subsequent trips she sat quietly in the back seat of the car, but

often

with slips of lilac tucked under her skirt. To this day, lilacs bloom

every

spring on trees that grew from my grandmother's cuttings.

I also remember my father surrendering his automobile registration on

one

side of the bridge, and being amazed upon our return each time it was

retrieved

and given back on the other side. How did they do it?

Coming home from the cottage on Sunday evenings, we often found long

lines

of cars ahead of us, and the old, prewar-built automobile engines often

overheated, causing terrible traffic jams. Whenever we got stuck, my

father

would shut off the motor and step out on the running board for a look

ahead.

He'd have a smoke and chat with the next driver in line. Eventually,

someone

would come with a pail of water to fill the offending radiator.

Both cars and conditions have improved over the years, but there's no

denying

the need for more capacity and greater efficiency. The debate over what

to build is complex and interesting, but I feel it's unfortunate that

the

terms "signature" and "twin" have become so fixed in connection with

the

choices to be made.

On the basis of semantics alone, the former somehow diminishes the

latter.

The design of the bridge should be based on sound engineering

principles;

its "signature" arising out of these considerations, not imposed at the

outset.

I was puzzled at first by the decision to build a twin. It seemed the

least

interesting of the choices presented, but I've come to realize there

may

be several points in its favor.

The Peace Bridge is part of our heritage and we should hesitate before

tearing it down. Steadfast and reliable, it has served us without

shouting

for attention, deferring accolades of beauty to the Niagara River. The

river, after all, is the real shining star along our border, and few

cities

can boast such a spectacular endowment. Upstaging the beauty of the

river

should not be our priority.

It's discouraging to hear that the Peace Bridge Authority has so far

failed

to participate in the effort to solve the dilemma. The authority's

intransigence

makes it appear to be the "villain," when it may be that the twin

concept

will prevail anyway. It takes courage to sit down together and risk

losing

one's argument, but it's the only way to guarantee that the final

choice

will be made on the basis of merit, and not upon emotion, deception or

lack of foresight.

BARBARA PALAZZO has lived in the Buffalo area most of her life and

works

as a graphic artist for the Kenmore-Tonawanda School District.

For writer guidelines for columns, send a self-addressed, stamped

envelope

to Opinion Pages Guidelines, The Buffalo News, P.O. Box 100, Buffalo,

N.Y.

14240.

Caption: Barbara Palazzo