Arabbers: City doesn't get it
The city’s handling of the Arabbers continues to be inept and short-sighted. Last week, ponies that had been kept at Pimlico since August, when the city condemned the Retreat Street stable, were moved to a vacant, desolate lot under the Monroe Street bridge in southwest Baltimore. The city seems to be doing all that it can to discourage arabbing in the city and put the produce ponies out to pasture permanently.
This is wrong. This is infuriating. I hate to see problems made out of opportunities, and that’s what has happened here.
So, pardon me while I repeat suggestions:
1. The mayor should announce that she wants the produce ponies to thrive and be smartly showcased around the city.
2. She should appoint a civic-minded business leader to negotiate a new future for the produce ponies, and strike compromises with and oversee the Arabbers.
3. Recruit 50 new ponies and new handlers -- I know plenty of guys looking for the work -- and educate them in the care of the animals.
4. Fix the Retreat Street stables and turn vacant lots into turnouts for the ponies.
5. Build three new stables on the north, south and east sides so that ponies can better serve neighborhoods in those parts of town.
6. Provide produce pony parking spots at the Inner Harbor, near the convention center and hotels. Put them in places where they can wow visitors.
7. Establish a connection between the vendors and local farmers and organic
gardeners.
8. Establish an Arabber museum.
9. Provide retirement stables and pastures for the older ponies.
10. Create "Arabbers Row" outside Orioles and Ravens games so that sports fans can purchase produce on their way home and the ponies can get some mug time on television.
Comments
I don't know much about this topic, but Dan is offering what sound like very reasonable ideas. This definitely seems to represent an opportunity for the city, and the expense must be minimal in regard to the potential upside for positive P.R.
Posted by: ColumbiaBill | December 16, 2007 11:19 AM
I rarely agree with you, but often read your work (you have to know what the other side is thinking.) In this case, you nailed it right on the head. Arabbers are as quirckily Baltimore as steamed crabs, Fells Point and the Bromo Seltzer Tower. Yet the incompetence of Sheila Dixon shines through again. She is doing for Baltimore charm what she is doing for Baltimore safety and education.
Your ideas sound fun and wouldn't cost much to implement. Think of the fun Monday Night Football shots. Too bad it won't happen.
Posted by: Ray | December 16, 2007 1:46 PM
Some of the Baltimore Arabbers helped us on Halloween here at the St. Frances Academy Community Center. It was great! In addition to the Halloween Party and Haunted House were were able to offer the 1,200 guests (Overwhelmingly children with some adult guardians scattered throughout), we were able to offer hayrides to the kids. Imagine that, hayrides in the heart of the city.
The Arabbers were very kind and very gentle. The children were delighted to get the ride on the St. Frances grounds.
I say keep the Arabbers around! They are a uniquely Baltimore phenomenon and I can think of a bunch of children who will always be happy to see them.
Posted by: Ralph Moore | December 17, 2007 11:57 AM
We often got produce from Arabbers where I grew up, and I still would if they came to my neighborhood. Arabbers have been a long, proud tradition in Bawlmer, and it will be a terrible shame if they have to stop because the denizens of City Hall can't seem to pull their heads out of their nether regions far enough to fix this relatively minor problem.
Posted by: Dottie | December 17, 2007 1:13 PM
I just emailed the Mayor to urge adoption of at least some of these fine suggestions.
Here's a motto: "Whole Foods by Horse"
I would even be willing to pay Whole Foods prices (and more) to keep Arabbers working.
Posted by: fellspointosfan | December 17, 2007 2:33 PM
Dan-
It is simply baffling that we are still having this discussion at all. Arabbing is a unique tradition in our city but seemingly from the time of Kurt Schmoke onwards - the trend has been to willingly or through neglect, oblierate all that is unique and historic about our Baltimore. A local film maker Scott Kecken produced and oral history documentary called "We are Arabbers" a few years back and can be found at his website filmfoundry.com. Seriously though, how is this still going on?
Posted by: bryanintimonium | December 19, 2007 11:17 AM
Dan, you're right about this one. Should NYC shoot all the horses that trot around Central Park ... ? (Talk about a movie and TV cliche).
Since the State Highway Admin has pulled so many "Scenic Byway" signs down out in spraaaawfulurbia, maybe the city could stick 'em up along the proposed pony routes.
Posted by: c o'donnell | December 28, 2007 10:44 AM