It’s Almost Close Enough to the Trinity River Vote That I Honestly Think People May Soon Start Paying Attention

I received a lot of e-mail from readers of our current cover story that said, basically, Hey, Eric, I’m so worn out. Just tell me what to do. Like this one:

I read with interest your article: insightful, certainly thought provoking, and very well written. Since you didn’t draw any conclusions as a result of the research, I was wondering about a couple of points: When you interviewed these four, did you get a sense that any of them have changed their minds on the original stance they took? If they had it to do over again, what would they have changed? How do you feel about the road, and what’s your opinion about voting on the measure?

[My wife] and I are trying to get a sense of what the real impacts are here so that we can make an intelligent decision in time to vote. Clearly, most logical, rational folks would not want a loud toll road winding through the park, but the economics may not work based on how the deal has been structured. Locating the road elsewhere is obviously going to change the dynamics of funding, and that has some impact on the park project. I just wondered in talking to them if you were able to “read between the lines” as to how they think the entire mess could/should have been handled and where it ought to go from here.

See, I think a lot of people are right there. They paid attention best they could, but their b.s. alarm rings when they hear each side speak or write. That’s because they’re smart enough to know that if either side had a perfect case, it wouldn’t be this tough to decide.

Fear not, dear readers. I can show you the way. Next week, to replace Leading Off, I will write a column each morning that I would write were I a daily newspaper columnist. I will tell you what this fight is about, what is known and what is not known, why you should care, and, finally, how you should vote. Because as the vote nears, I’m not wearied by the fight, I’m energized by it. I care about this city. I live in the core. These debates are healthy, and they should be full-throated. Those writers who feel worn down by this discussion can go back to profiling horse trainers and knitting champions. I mean, why in the hell did you get in the business?