Bush came to Greensboro to honor a local volunteer and mentoring program today. Which was very nice of him to do. However, I couldn’t help but notice how many police had to be involved for Bush’s visit. That’s a lot of tax payer dollars at work.

Wouldn’t it have been cheaper to fly a group of the honored volunteers up to D.C in first class, with five star rating hotels to stay in, than have the entire Greensboro police force out there? They had to block every driveway, every intersection for the route the President took. Seems like a frivolous waste of taxpayer dollars in a time when our economy is sliding deeper into recession and corporate bailouts are the norm…

Why am I surprised George W. Bush would waste tax payer dollars?

These photos are were taken at the intersection of Benjamin Parkway and Westover Terrace:

All gone by the afternoon, but at 11:30AM this morning it was basketball underwater.

The creek’s far bank is past the trees, the line of shrubbery in front of the electricity tower. I don’t know how far that is, but it must be more than 100 feet the water washed over the banks of the creek into the park.

This is Lake Daniel Park, Greensboro, NC seen from the bridge that crosses the creek north towards Benjamin Parkway. The restrooms building is to my left, the bridge is behind me on the right.

Jonathon perches on the railing of the east facing bridge, the one that goes through to E. Lake Drive. I estimate the water to be around 20 feet deep under the bridge. The current was strong near the creeks, I worried I’d slip with my camera. I was wading in the water up to my thighs.

I don’t know what this playground piece is called, but it must be about two or more feet under water.

I drove by and wondered, but the cat was fine. All water logged, the cat was laying on the sidewalk as if dead. I stopped and received a plaintive meow, then a staggering towards me. I just hope the little guy found his way home.

News & Record, Greensboro reported 1200 gallons of untreated water was released at 3740 Battleground Ave. for one hour. Horsepen Creek tributary of the Haw River basin received some untreated water as well. Along with other locations throughout the city of Greensboro.

I can not confirm this, but I believe North Buffalo Creek runs through Lake Daniel park. There was no mention in the article of untreated water spillage in that neighborhood. I’m glad it’s still raining nonetheless.

These photos are from the park next to Benjamin Parkway. Unbelievable!

Brandon Pierce – Copyright 2008