Bill Earngey

First off, let's get a definition for what a punctuation mark (?) is all about: It's used after a direct question. Really?

  Okay. But why does "why" need a question mark? "Why's" definition is: for what cause, reason, or purpose, which is unto itself a direct question.

  Moving right along: When is the last time you've actually seen, not heard, seen, a question mark? Ah-ah. So, without quibbling, we can sort of agree that the question mark is an endangered species.

  Not in Eureka, it's not. We have a permanent, nocturnal question mark in our town. Truly. Almost. A clutter of trees and urban lights now confuse the sight.

  Well, here we go dosie-doe. Drift downhill from the East Mountain Overlook, after dark. Immediately look over toward the courthouse along Main Street. There it is, a perfect question mark formed by streetlights.

  While you're at it, contemplate.

  Where did all our town's money go? Why do we need an Underground Eureka when we haven't even fixed the sidewalks above it? Why don't we have a sewer system? Is our Secret Season really a secret? Why don't we use our own trolley system? Will the city council ever be able to elect a new member? Why doesn't our 950-seat auditorium book a class act every week? (950 x 4 = 3,800 people.) Does the Planning Commission really have a plan? Does anyone on the Historic District Commission actually know anything about architecture, or our history? Why do we believe that a thousand roaring motorcycles in our downtown is good for tourism? Why do we only have two signed public bathrooms downtown?

  Why don't we light the stairways on Spring Street? Should we eliminate the CAPC and just have a Chamber of Commerce? Did you know the entrance to our town cemetery has a very old, tall, faceted, limestone marker inscribed, "Visit The Sick." "Bury The Dead."?

  Contemplate.