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closeOn the first day of school last week, I was sitting in an assembly over at Santa Rosa Academic Academy.
Principal Chris Allen was giving information to a group of very young pupils, first- and second-graders I believe, and letting them know what would be expected of them during their “tenure” at this school of almost 500 students. He wanted them to understand how people get along in a polite society.
He talked about making the campus a safe place. He talked about cooperation. He urged the children to be supportive of each other. As best as he could appeal to their 7-year-old minds, he said bullying would not be tolerated.
Projected on a large screen in front of children who probably couldn’t read yet were the words “Be responsible.” He told them his definition of being responsible meant that you did the right thing even when nobody was looking.
I liked that.
I was thinking about it when I left the school.
And while I was driving along the freeway later in the day, a truck pulling a boat passed me doing at least 70 mph in spite of signs every few miles reminding us that the speed limit for autos pulling trailers is 55 mph. A driver talking on his cell phone cut in front of me because he suddenly needed to make the upcoming off-ramp.
I stopped at Home Depot to buy some lumber, and there under the shaded overhang, next to a sign that read, “Loading only,” was a truck parked; its driver obviously inside shopping for whatever lumber and hardware he needed for the day.
There was no regard for those trying to load up their materials.
There has already been a movement by a few citizens to remove the new median on Traffic Way because it makes it “inconvenient” to get around town.
Fortunately, the city isn’t going to remove it. That wasn’t the case several years ago when the City Council actually removed a section of the median at the southern end of the city because of the complaints of a number of citizens who didn’t like it because it was a bother to them.
I got to thinking about those words uttered by Principal Allen earlier in the day that “being responsible” was doing the right thing when nobody is looking.
At what age does that disconnect take place between doing the right thing and doing whatever pleases us?
Lon Allan has lived in Atascadero for nearly four decades. His column appears on the Local page every Tuesday. He can be reached at 466-8529 or leallan@tcsn.net.
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