In this chapter one passage talked about a time Wheelan was the president of the Seminary Townhouse Association. About the same time as he was elected (even though he says that it was more of an appointment than an election) the CTA planned to modify one of their train stations which was close to his neighborhood. The plans were made to improve the accessibility of the trains for people with disabilities, but unfortunately they also would have increased the noise for his neighborhood because the station would have been moved closer. The association tried everything in their power to disrupt these plans even though they meant huge benefits for the disabled people and a smaller disadvantage for the house owners.
This whole situation reminded me of a problem our CFE group heard about in the multiple sclerosis center. Many of the members there had to be in motorized wheelchairs because of MS, and these wheelchairs needed a special transportation vehicle. The members told us that a law was passed that forbid the use of these vehicles after six o'clock; the reason for that was that they were very loud and people felt disrupted. For these people the law meant a little bit more quiet time for the people with multiple sclerosis it meant not to be able to do anything past six, not visit their families or go to concerts. Again one group benefits minimally and another is hurt hugely.
And even though that sounds unjust put in these words, at some point everyone is part of a small group that wants to benefit from the disadvantage of a large group or the other way around. And there isn't one easy answer that will satisfy everyones needs.
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