An introduction to me

Hello and greetings, dear readers of Narberth-USA!

My name is Jim Speer, and I will be guest-writing Matt's blog for the next few weeks. With the exception of my agreeing not to endorse political candidates, Matt has entrusted me to write about whatever I want. While I truly appreciate this chance, please note that my views may not always coincide with Matt's; so if you don't like what I write, please bear with it for a bit, and Matt will be back in a few weeks, after which time I will resume my usual role here as a stray commenter. In the meantime I aim to follow Matt's lead and provide a mix of thoughts, tips, and prepared pieces. I aim to inform and amuse! And I look forward to your comments.

I live in Narberth Borough, I have three young children, I am active in public school concerns, and I advocate (fiercely at times) for pedestrian and bicycle issues. I believe it is upon each of us to live as environmentally responsibly as we are are comfortable doing, and I believe there is no better place to do so than here in Narberth. Our sidewalk coverage, our density, our downtown business district, our SEPTA R5 station and 44 bus route, our proximity and centrality to everything -- all are ideal features for living light and living well. Towns like Narberth are true gems, and in my opinion they are in the best shape to endure us through what may be a rocky 21st century. Narberth is just as much a town of the future as a town out of the past, if not more so. I am an optimist.

If you also live in Narberth I think you may be an optimist too! Every day I notice more people turning their lawns into vegetable patches, raising chickens, using push-mowers and hybrid cars. Every day I walk into town with one or more of my boys and greet strangers and friends alike. I love that my kids can play on the sidewalk with a dozen other kids on my block. I love when the girls across the street knock on the door to borrow a lemon, or an egg. I love that the pre-schoolers on my block assemble in the mornings to wave goodbye to the school bus. I love Narberth.

To Matt: a big thanks for lending me the keys to the blog, and I promise to try not to scratch it up too badly. :-)