Is the Utopian Vision Alive or Anemic in Greenbelt?

Founded on the idea that we could create a new kind of city, let's take a look at how well Greenbelt is living up to its original vision.

I want to preface the examination by saying that I believe our fair city has a magic all it's own — unique and beautiful. Still, going in for a regular physical is a smart move.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but some of our founding principles included:

• Volunteerism: Of the 12,000 families applying for residence when the town opened up, the Roosevelt administration selected 885 based in no small part on their willingness to be active members in their community. Are we all still involved, or is a small pocket of tired citizens doing the lion's share of volunteer work?

• Recreation: It could be argued that center city is still a utopia of recreation. Is that true for all of Greenbelt East, West and Center?

• Pioneering Vision: Are we stuck in in the past, living out old ways in old buildings instead of pushing the envelope — or are we pioneers by virtue of the very obstinance many exhibit against development?

• Involved In Government: Greenbelt was hailed as a "Town of the Future." In our first paper (now named the Greenbelt News Review) — declaring they were pioneers of a new way of living. "Our families and our children will live under laws of our own making. Only in our fondest and most youthful dreams have we imagined such a chance.," Van Cleave said. Is City Council justified in the volume of meetings that it has been closing to the public? How much of the disconnect is council's fault, when so few citizens even attend the public meetings that it does hold?
  

• Cooperatives: Recently, the Variety Store in Roosevelt Center became vacant. Would our founders have turned it into a co-op business?

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