GUEST COLUMN:

THIS IS OUR CITY

By AARON KRAUSE

The Terrapin Times Guest Writer

           So what is it about College Park that makes it so different from other state schools? I once attended a one-month program at Penn State during high school and lived there. That college town truly exemplifies college spirit and generally made the students happy to be where they were. On the other hand, College Park often tends to be a liability to the university. When I first came to visit here to see if I would apply, I was driving from the beltway down to campus and had a negative reaction even before I got to the actual university. Luckily, our campus and our university as a whole are fantastic and beautiful. But why is it that that feeling does not extend to our city that surrounds us? What can be done to reverse this?

            First of all, once you attend a College Park City Council meeting you can understand why things are the way they are. Mayor Brayman, City Councilmen Olson and Fellows are progressive in their thinking. However that is only three of nine elected officials. The other six, I know little about and/or they hold opinions sometimes opposite to those that would transform this city to one that is student friendly. It is my opinion that one of the council members actually detests students – however, I will keep that person nameless.

            Second, our proximity to Washington D.C. is a great thing for the University. On the flip side, the location near Washington hinders College Park’s ability to develop. Many businesses, such as apparel stores and the like, have little incentive for coming to College Park even with our student population. Moreover, it is common to have a large percentage of people in College Park not of college age. This is even more evident during Friday and Saturday nights. With our proximity to Washington D.C., which happens not to be the safest city on earth, it can be inferred that many criminals come into College Park from neighboring areas. This often explains our crime problem. As a whole, our proximity to D.C. leads to the lack of a community feeling at times, which is felt at most other state schools.

            The infrastructure of College Park is at times awful. Route 1 is possibly the most miserable road to drive on in the United States. Have you ever tried going to the beltway during rush hour on that 2-lane road? This hinders development for the city. Parking in the city also prevents growth to the city - for parking is equally as miserable as Rt.1 itself. Additionally things such as above ground power lines on rt.1 just further the poor aura of the city. To explain “aura” in a more in-depth manner, please consider the following. Have you ever seen something beautiful like a fountain or a park in the student area of College Park? The aura of the city is at best, horrible.

            So what can be done? We, as students, need to support our mayor and our student-friendly council members and we must actively protest those that obstruct our vision of College Park – a great city that caters to its long time residence AND its students. We must get a police force. The Council can argue cost, but until we overhaul our public safety administration, crime will continue to plague this city. Frankly, Prince George County Police just lack the resources to adequately protect us. It is time to stop debating and act. We need a police force before another student is murdered. Surely there are drawbacks to a local police force, but the benefits far outweigh those costs.

            Our infrastructure and aura must be improved. Trees need to be planted. Walls must be painted. Empty lots must be developed - and developed now. Beauty is a subjective thing but somehow we must come together and make our city look beautiful and proud. Our roads must be sped up. Our water must be clearing, not brown. How can this all be done? Participation in our local government is the first step.

            This city is more important then just another average city. This is the home to the State of Maryland’s flagship university. The state must step in and help with things such as construction, to the Rt. 1 traffic and parking mess, and financial help for a police force. The state has a lot at stake with this city. The State, the University and the Council are all responsible for the continued development of this city – and must work toward common goals to achieve this.

            Biting the arm that feeds you applies for this city. College Park exists the way it does because of us, the students. The City should stop hurting us as a group and start helping us instead. This city could be so great. This city will be so great one day. The only problem is that it is not “this city,” but “our city.”

Aaron Kraus

Junior Government and Politics major

If you have any suggestions regarding the issue of the City of College Park, or want to know how you can get involved,  please contact the Editors of The Terrapin Times at: editor@theterrapintimes.com. We look forward to assisting our student leaders in making improvements in this city.