Update 6/9/11
The Buffalo News gave an update:
The LUSJ also reported
Update 6/7/11
The Buffalo News reported that it may cost up to $500,000 to repair the sewer line. the money may need to be borrowed.
6/3/11
LUSJ reported that the sinkhole in Transit Rd should be filled in by the weekend. Has anyone noticed the major gridlock? I haven't though it is possible that I may be missing it.
I feel this shows that S. Transit between Main and Summit need not be a 4-lane traffic sewer. It is a perfect street for a lane reduction. Statistics show that a 3 lane (two travel directions and center turning lane) carries just as much traffic and does it safer. For those in disbelief who hold tight to the gridlock theory can see that gridlock doesn't even come if the street is closed all together. We can thank our urban street grid with a multitude of options to get from point A to point B. Also:
The Buffalo News gave an update:
It might be three weeks before regular traffic flow is restored on South Transit Street because of a sewer cave-in, Director of Engineering and Public Works Norman D. Allen told the Common Council on Wednesday.Update 6/8/11
The cost of repairing the sinkhole that opened May 31 has been estimated by the contractor, Yarussi Construction Co. of Niagara Falls, at $380,000 to $400,000, Allen said...
...The soonest that limited traffic could resume is Sunday, Allen said. That would be one lane in each direction on what is normally a four-lane, north-south street...
The LUSJ also reported
Update 6/7/11
The Buffalo News reported that it may cost up to $500,000 to repair the sewer line. the money may need to be borrowed.
...Mayor Michael W. Tucker said Monday the costs of repairing last Tuesday’s sewer cave-in could approach $500,000, which the city might have to borrow...
A major problem has been finding a section of the sewer main that is intact enough to be joined to a replacement pipe. Tucker said Monday it was decided that another 50 feet of the street, back to the next manhole to the south of the sinkhole, would need to be torn up to look for a solid connection...
6/3/11
LUSJ reported that the sinkhole in Transit Rd should be filled in by the weekend. Has anyone noticed the major gridlock? I haven't though it is possible that I may be missing it.
I feel this shows that S. Transit between Main and Summit need not be a 4-lane traffic sewer. It is a perfect street for a lane reduction. Statistics show that a 3 lane (two travel directions and center turning lane) carries just as much traffic and does it safer. For those in disbelief who hold tight to the gridlock theory can see that gridlock doesn't even come if the street is closed all together. We can thank our urban street grid with a multitude of options to get from point A to point B. Also:
- It opens up room for one side of street parking or bike lanes in each direction.
- It creates a larger buffer area between pedestrians on the side walk and moving traffic making it a more comfortable street to walk.
- It removes the "lane jockeys" from weaving in and out disrupting traffic flow when cars are turning in front of them.
- It reduces overall speeds since drivers are no longer feeling pushed along a 4-lane rapids or trying to find a faster lane. The speed limit is 30. The street should communicate that in some way regardless of posted signs. LPD may miss the speeding ticket revenue though.
65 comments:
Anyone who thinks the reduction in lanes hasn't caused a problem is either ignorant or simply unaware. I've driven through this stretch several times and it's a nightmare.
If the city put bike lanes there (or anywhere, for that matter) I'm all for it. Riding a bike in this city is flat out frightening.
That said, I think the only reason we're not seeing gridlock is because there are plenty of alternate routes - but those routes add time. The first time I went up Lincoln back to Transit and at 8am in the morning, it WAS gridlock. There were police directing traffic. After that I learned my lesson and headed up 31 to Lockport Bypass and eventually over the Millersport. That adds time to commute.
I may have exaggerated a bit and I do drive a little earlier. ;) There is always a shock to the system the first couple days of a closure.
I agree the street closed adds time. The temporary 3 way stop now at Summit is a time waster to begin with (requiring Police to smooth out). And it does take traffic time to disperse and find alternate routes when a sudden closure occurs. Similar to when Buffalo removed tolls on the 190. Everyone tries to use that route to start and caused a 1.5hr traffic jam. Once the trouble is found they start to find other ways/times. After a week or so things were evened out.
My point on S. Transit is that land value on the street and those streets bordering it should not be sacrificed so commuters can have a slightly smaller (if that) commute time through the area for 2 hours per day/10 hours per week (3 lane and 4 lanes are similar in vehicle count anyways.) Those living/invested there deserve a nice place to live too. Lockport deserves to put on its best impression to those coming from the south. The bypass is what should be the N-S traffic sewer during commute times.
There are some bike lanes on 31 west of Transit. No clue why there are none on East Ave as it is super wide and prime for them.
Yes, if we made it even tougher to get to downtown Lockport by restricting Transit everybody can stop at the super Walmart and not even bother trying to get further North!!
I do not recall any sinkholes when MiKe Hoffmann was operating the streets dept. It made some sense to have a person out working the streets and interacting with his crew members. An engineer--chained to a desk is not going to get early information that could have avoided these costs and inconvenience--thanks Mayor Tucker. We pay for your pettiness in this major repair--and through the lawsuit.
I find it ludicrous to blame Mike Tucker for a lousy sinkhole.
I'll admit to NOT keeping a log of sinkholes in the 15 years I've lived in the City. I'll take a stab at saying that Mike Hoffman wouldn't have found it until he drove into it.
I spoke out against terminating Mike Hoffman in the way it was done-but the sinkhole is Tucker's fault? It beggars the imagination how you came up with that one.
My understanding is the the sinkhole was caused by the collapse of a clay pipe that was in service long before Mike Tucker or Mike Hoffman were born. If we are to blame Tucker for that, we might as well blame him for the record breaking rains ultimately lead to the collapse.
In the navy they only asked who's watch did it happen on--and they held people accountable. Way to much to ask of our elected politicians. Right?
Completely ridiculous, but on topic...
I think you are right on MJ. A lane reduction could benefit the area through traffic calming, beautification, bike friendliness, and the chance for an actual "gateway" into downtown from Transit.
The key here is what has Mike Tucker's administration during it's tenure done about the city's INFRASTRUCTURE?? It's an easy answer...nothing. Could this be just the first of many system failures to come. The answer Lockportians is YES. Is there a plan to deal with our aging infrastructure? the answerer is probably not. So..although Mike didn't directly cause the sink hole..he apparently has no plan to make us think it won't happen again.
Water sewer streets...big challenges..Where's the plan?
Every single city in America has aging infrastructure problems. All are under financed. I'd love to see the public response to Tucker proposing upping the budget 5-10% ($1.5-3M) to start replacing it.
I had a sink hole on my street two years ago...under Hoffman's watch. ;) These are not something that are obvious until they happen.
And to the one anon, if you were to read above it would be no harder to get downtown. I suppose if we were to make it 3 lanes each way into the city even more people would come DT? Or would it be more likely that more people would move away a from the general area of the uglier road causing even more taxation loss? People go to DT's because they offer something unique in a unique environment not because they are easier to get to. That is what the seas of asphalt are for in the 'burbs.
The conditions that caused the sinkhole didn't happen overnight. Glad we got rid of Hoffman, who knows what other timebombs he left lurking.
I'm no fan of Tucker AT ALL, but I agree to blame him for the sinkhole is a stretch. However, this does put a painful light on the fact that the infrastructure of this city is crumbling. Just take a look at the underpass next to Kohl's motorcycle building next time your drive through it.
It would be great if we could get a bike commission as part of the main street revitalization similar to what Buffalo has. Almost every major (and minor) project going on in Buffalo has input from a bike commission to make sure bikes are properly included in plans - from a commitment to ensuring bike lanes on any changing streets or ensuring bike racks around the city. Lockport could take a lesson from Buffalo in this area.
Yea, great ideas. Lets go all out and go back to the days when Transit was just 2 lanes, and then we could also put like at least two more lanes in for all the bike riders I see around. And then while we are doing it lets not forget to put the $10M in to rebuilding the locks so all the bike tourists can come in and see them. I'm sure we could create at least what 5-6 jobs out of that?
Oh wait, if we do all this since we won't have money for infrastructure we would create a lot of jobs for things like well diggers and septic tank installers, let's let everybody put their own in.
C'mon people - be real - this is the 21st century.
In other words.. I don't understand things, so they must be wrong! Dur Dur Dur
1) You are correct. It is the 21st century and not the 20th. The failings of blindly making everything auto-centric in urban areas is documented. Time to move forward and make a place worth living and investing in. It is an urban area. The street should accommodate all forms of travel. Want to go 55? Take the bypass.
2)Paint strips do not cost millions of dollars. A simple fix with most of the money in the preliminary engineering work. And again, 3 lanes transfer just as many vehicles in a "high turn rate" area. S. Transit is a high turn rate area. If you can move just as much traffic while accommodating pedestrians (only 2 lanes of traffic to cross and bigger buffer between sidewalk and moving vehicles), bicyclists (dedicated lanes), auto safety (left hand turns only cross on lane of traffic, less lane jockeying, less speed deviation) etc, why not do it?. This is not the 990. It's an urban street with many turning options and should be treated as such.
3)Perhaps many bikes are not seen on S. Transit because the current striping would make it a death wish?
4) How does re-striping a road equal doing away with the sewer system? If anything additional investment would create a larger tax base to complete infrastructure repairs.
5) For an example look to Hertel Ave in Buffalo. Everyone assumed that the 4 to 3 conversion would create traffic jams and hurt business. What happened? No traffic jams and investment along that section of Hertel.
MJ..if posters on this blog are suggesting that it would be unpopular to present a budget that included NECESSARY infrastructure repairs, then we're doomed. The fact is these repairs are serious, and long over due. Wait till the drinking water system fails....maybe it's time for some of ya'll to move aside and let the grownups run things.
MJ hit it on the head. Hop on your bike and then head over to Transit. Then ask yourself again why you don't see bikers over there. Lockport is a very transit heavy city with limited bus service and could use more bikers. All your arguments are exactly what Buffalo said 10-20 years ago. Now it's extremely bike heavy due to grassroots bike activism.
Infrastructure repairs are over due in every old city in this country. They have been underfunded for decades. They are usually hit on major roads during a major reconstruction (like ours on Main St)Other wise it usually takes a water main break or a sink hole to alert the problem and start the remedy. We'd all be bankrupt if we were to systematically redo every pipe under every street. The pump house, water treatment are most likely well kept up as the parts of the facilities are obtainable to inspect and PM.
There are lots of documentaries, articles and news shows on this. It's another effect of moving outward where tax money is going to artificially spur new growth while leaving the infrastructure left behind under funded."See no evil."
Though there are some interesting new advances like installing polymer pipes inside of old pipes from above ground, removing the need to dig up the street, etc.
And to go back to the original topic, I took Transit to Hamm to Locust to High Friday night at 5:25. I only had to wait for the light cycle I was stopped at on Locust and Lincoln. That was the the longest part of my trip. Maybe it gets worse later on in the evening but I think the grid has held up well during the temporary detours.
Unfortunately, Federal Dollars, which would have been used for infrastructure, are either off the table or designated to be used for high-speed rail.
How's THAT working out for ya?
The trouble with bikes is you can't roll your windows up when you speed through the war zone!
I think this city has a bunch more problems than no bike paths. We have too many people thinking we can have an urban center even without any jobs and while we continue to add more low income people to the downtown area scaring away middle income families.
wow...!
with that comment..I'd remain anonymous...
slightly off-topic too.....
I was wondering when we'd get the first off topic cheap shot ;)
I routinely walk through the "war zone". People need to get out and see the world if that's what they feel it is.
A great way to create jobs is to create a place that people want to live in and possibly open new businesses in. Creating safe opportunities for recreation and better functioning/looking roadways goes a long way toward that.
The $8B in high speed rail funding doesn't even nick on month's worth of interest on our federal debt. To say its the reason that this sewer was not replaced is reaching.
Even when it goes to infrastructure it all too often goes to show "progress" with new unneeded road/highway widening/building instead of repairing what we already have. It's the way we like to elect people.
I'm not saying that $8B would "fix" the City. I also don't believe that any amount of money the Feds would give us now will be enough to fix the infrastructure. I agree with MJ that the infrastructure of every American city, in the Northeast at least, is crumbling.
I think houses have to start falling into huge sink holes before anyone sets asides any $$$ to shore it up. ANY amount of $$, from whichever governmental entity, must go to infrastructure repair as opposed to high speed rail.
-I don't think mentioning the war zone is as off topic as bike paths...
- You mention creating safe opportunities, other than you (lol) I don't think anyone thinks it's safe to walk through the war zone.
- on topic - why in heavens name do they have transit closed at Willow st without huge signs saying that the plaza, hotel, car stores are all open? I was just there, it just says road closed!
so that I stay on topic...let's put the bike path down Washburn and Genesee..!
There is no "war zone"
what you're seeing is the city managers allowing neglected property to remain neglected, and using nothing but excuses to justify it. How can a house stay boarded up for 5 years?
Fine, "the War Zone" is just as on topic pertaining to transportation (be it by foot, bike or car) on S. Transit St. ;)
I'd be happy with bike lanes down Washburn too. Though Washburn is not a commercial corridor/destination like S. Transit. I'm not just looking for a bike path (or car path)into DT. I'm looking for a functioning corridor that can also be something more than a pass-through. Something that will attract investment, hopefully of a higher quality.
A house can stay vacant until it falls to the ground because there is no demand for it. Although it is not a "War Zone" it is obviously a depressed area. Without the proper incentives from the city to make investing in that area at least a break even, they will remain boarded up. There's only so many "dreamers".
Each and every item to make the city better need not be done in series. They can and should be done in parallel.
I just want the city to patch up some of the craters that are scattered around the city. Driving down some side streets is like what I'd imagine driving on Mars would be like.
On another note, anyone know how much the Transit repair is costing and who is paying????
The article about the costs was added above earlier.
The city needs to do more than patch craters. It needs to mill down the streets before repaving so the craters don't reappear after a repave. 2 Miles of Lockport Rd on the way to falls was milled in one day and repaved in 2 additional days.
http://lockportforum.blogspot.com/2011/04/paving-list.html. Hopefully they are going to go the extra effort to do them correctly.
The businesses in the Lockport Plaza are suffering huge losses from this mess. Everyone please try to patronize them if possible, they really need some help!
does Mike Hoffman bare any of the responsibility for the condition of the streets, or were his hands tied by the bureaucracy? Patch, Patch, Patch, Patch....it didn't work.
The condition of our streets alone, is reason to clean house at City Hall.
Or was the bureaucracy tied by the taxpayers? Lower taxes, lower taxes, lower taxes for the pure sake of lower taxes...it doesn't work. I bet if 50-100 people showed up during the budget process and said please raise taxes 500k for streets/infrastructure they would be happy to oblige. The bureaucracy still needs us to pay the bills.
I was able to post a lot of budget documents last year. But a pet peeve of mine is still the lack of a nice easy to understand summary of where the money goes and the changes from last year. I emphasize that easy to understand does not mean lacking in details.
Would we have paid $50-100 more per household to add an extra $500k-$1M to the budget for infrastructure?
I have detoured well before the street closure. If there are no signs saying "Plaza still open" etc there should be.
The only issue I can see is that it would only be able to be entered from one side. If both were left open I bet too many people would still try to cut through.
I thought it was funny people were trying to lay the blame on Tucker, but now I think you can lay the delay in finishing the job on him.
His man, Allen, apparently didn't get the right size water or sewer pipe delivered! I guess this is another extra cost of him dumping Hoffman, I am sure we ended up paying for the wrong pipe (or at least a re-stocking fee) along with the delays.
Nice job Mr. Chief Engineer!
MJ...Managers and leaders are paid and voted into office because they have the responsibility of making decisions.Whether it's Tucker or anyone else.
I expect the chief exec. of the "City" to have the skills to prioritize what the city needs and have the vision to anticipate what it will need short and long term.
How many times have you heard that our fresh water system in-part is still traveling through wooden pipes..?
Mike Tucker, Hoffman, Allen..who cares.The point is we pay enough in taxes. The people in charge decide where it's going to be spent. There lies your problem.
1) "There was a delay of 24 hours because the city’s supplier, Lock City Supply, ordered a 30-inch pipe Monday from a company in Toronto, but a 27-inch pipe was sent."
Was it Allen's fault? Curious to see in instances like these which people start the blame game and which just move ahead to get things finished. There's plenty of time after for assessment and corrective actions to be explored and implemented.
2) They prioritize every year with the Budget. I ask again, how many people showed up at the public comment session or wrote their alderman that they wanted more money put to infrastructure? I'd be happy to pay more for certain things if I knew the money would be dedicated to them.
Underground infrastructure specific: its a huge cost (going on $.4M for a couple hundred feet here.) This is not some easy to do or fund task. That's why almost every city is behind in it and tends to ignore it. The country as a whole turns an eye to older infrastructure because of the cost and the small return on popular opinion.
3)All tax expenditures were posted here last Nov. Where would you move the money from?
"Allen replied, “The best way to be proactive is to buy our own camera and check the lines.”
A robotic remote-control video camera to explore sewer lines would cost $80,000 to $100,000, he said."
Who's up for this in next year's budget?
Then Allen would probably want to hire some one to run the camera. Wouldn't it be cheaper to bid out having the lines examined?
Is it true the city got turned down by the state naming Allen director of public works since he isn't qualified, that that title requires a PE license?
MJ..I'M up for it!....... if it means that the drinking water delivery system might fail if we don't add it to the budget.
I may come to No concert series...drinking water assurance instead...When are we going to stop lowering our standards to meet the lowest common denominator. If you're car needs fixing you fix it right? Prioritize..Prioritize...Prioritize
I repeat...a better more efficient use of our tax dollars is the solution..not higher taxes.
Usually the car needs fixing when something already breaks (like a sink hole). Especially when it's not seen. The city does need (or do they have?) a comprehensive strategy for streets and sewers. It's always sad to see a freshly done road dug up a year or two later to fix a break. But to think that we'd even be able to budget something that runs near $1m/mile is reaching. Most of it should come from water rates (self sustaining system) but done in tandem with other operations (work on at same time as road rebuilding/milling). Most of this upkeep is long over due because citizens/politicians don't want to face the true costs of proper upkeep. It's a big figure.
We can nickel and dime away our forestry dept, concerts, park maintenance, etc to do a 1/4 mile of work but in the long run that only hurts our overall tax base. We need to find ways to properly fund (or organize with volunteers) the total livability of our city.
- - - - -
In regards to most of the comments, it's sad to see that names and blame are thrown around instead of discussing ideas/solutions. and we wonder why we are "stuck" in a downward slide?
A lot of people, myself included, sure didn't like the Tax increase. I was aware, but did not mention the infrastructure. Why? I don't know. Maybe because I assumed everyone knew about this huge problem being suffered by every governmental entity in the Northeast? In any event, I don't know.
What I do know, and have known for several years, is the 18 Mile Creek pollution was being discussed at the State level. I'm rather certain that this information was sent out to the respective governments involved. Do I know this as fact? No. I do have experience in dealing with a larger, similar situation in Eastern Niagara County for several years. YEARS! What went on in that matter was unbelievable - just like this one.
One thing that concerns me is one candidate for Mayor (not the Mayor) appears to be setting his platform on 1. Getting rid of the Flight of Five when it's finally coming to fruition and, NOW 2. The 18 Mile Creek, Lowertown situation.
I'd appreciate knowing what experience all candidates have in Superfund Rehabs. I'll bet NONE of them has as much as I do - but I'm equally certain none of the candidates will ask me how it worked with Love Canal.
@Patti, I don't think any of the candidates have said anything about getting rid of the flight of five. As far as I can tell there's only 2 real candidates, and yes one of them is interested in the situation in Lowertown. The DEC told one of the residents which of our elected officials received the notice, the Mayor and all of the Aldermen who were in office at the time were named. G.I. Joe is right...prioritize, prioritize, prioritize.
I'm pretty sure that the Lowertown Flintkote problem has been treated like a rubber ball for a long time. The last I heard was someone inquired at the county level, and was told it was a "brownfield" project that has been handed over to the Army Corp of Engineers, consequently the County was out of the loop.
It's amazing nothing is ever brought to a conclusion around here. It usually goes like this.
Crisis
public outrage
Political response
nothing done to resolve the problems.
Whom ever it is that we elect Mayor...I hope they have the follow-through skills necessary to see some of the issue brought to a conclusion/resolution.
Speaking of infrastructure...and while I'm in a bad mood...It's time to double-down on our relationship with the "Town"..We need to drastically increase the cost of all and any services we provide to the "Town". I'm aware of Water, and I think some fire fighting services, but I'll bet there is more.
What ever it is that we provide,we need to get more for it. I'm tired of being their " Bastard Child".
MJ.... really? you only fix or maintain your car AFTER it breaks down?
Go get'em GI Joe....
You should check your facts first.
The town doesn't buy any of your canal water (I know that's your backup source, not the primary)! We do it smart and buy the cheaper county water (which why doesn't the city do that and get rid of their water filtration?). Also very little of our sewer goes to the city, just Carlisle Gardens. The town doesn't need your fire fighters, we actually have too many volunteer companies - you can keep paying for them yourselves. If the paramedics do any work in the town, do it the way it should be done and bill the users.
It's tough when the "bastard children" are smarter then the parents!
GI Jane..you may be more knowledgeable ..but you're definitely not smarter..you apparently don't know how to read. The statement refers to the City as the "bastard child". You got so excited about slamming me for giving my opinion,you blew right by the content.
I guess you showed me...
Hey I'm all for doing it the right way. If the Town has a better way the City should try to do it the way the Townies do it.. You'll get no argument from me on that point.Maybe the next administration will pick-up some of the "Towns" good business practices. Apparently the Tucker administration thinks their way is "better"?
For the sake of a silly argument but sorry but I can't see your point joe, I agree with jane. I believe the city is older than the town, making them the parent.
And if the city does want to get smart and emulate the town they need to add volunteers to the fire dept, dump the police dept and get more sheriff service and use the countys water system for a start.
They also have to get the building dept to help new businesses start up not throw roadblocks at them.
All of the elected officials were in office when the city was notified of the issues in Lowertown in 2008 but the Mayor claims ignorance when they subsequently sold property at tax auctions in the red zone and did not disclose? Hmm. Very suspicious...
Anyway, back to the task at hand - this administration is relying on ignorance and ambivalence of the public. We're not concerned about sewer problems until it's too late and it interrupts our daily lives. We're not concerned about contamination in our back yards until the city doubles our assessments and we can't sell our houses for $5. But here's the difference - public officials were elected to be concerned about those issues. Where is the alderwoman who actually is part of Ward 1 which is Lowertown? Certainly not doing a damn thing about making some calls to see when it's going to get cleaned up. It took an elderly woman to cause all this "ruckus" and a mayoral candidate to seize the opportunity to have a "cause" to stand on for his campaign.
The bottom line is you can't put the blame on any one person. It belongs to ALL of them. The city needs to move quicker and it needs to be proactive, not reactive. THAT is what our tax dollars are for.
OK..for the sake of argument Mr. Anon..that's not what I said..but let's move on to more important things..the Town is great..OK?
Anon at 3:47 ..are you looking for Richel Paceri?
I think that's here name...Tucker's under-study?
Rather than concentrating on Lower Town and the real issues at hand she's probably studying "Robert's Rules". She has the same affliction as some of the other Alderman on the counsel. She thinks her job is to serve Mayor Tucker, when actually her job is to serve the people in her Ward. Has she spoken up about Lower Town? Has she visited the site? Spoken with the County? What has she done about it? If she has done something somebody speak up and tell me what it was.
@Anon 6/11 12!8 a.m.
The lead story on Mr. Smith's running for Mayor indicated that he was not going to continue the Flight of Five rehab effort. I don't like this proposal based on the years and money that have been poured into accomplishing that which would be a tremendous boon for tourism. Yes - tourism to our City. The days of a manufacturing base are over. Tourism is the only thing we have to offer to the World at large. For those who think tourism is a pipe dream, go down to the bridge over the locks and hang around for awhile. I think you'll be amazed at the number - and from where these tourists come. There are a lot of them - from everywhere in the Nation to Europe and Japan.
As to the "brownfields," no doubt the DEC and the State did notify our elected officials a few years ago. Perhaps they, at the time, didn't think it was as bad as it is - it's VERY bad.
As to Mrs. Pasceri, I think she does a good job - but probably not as good as she could. This is dependent on the work she is delegated by the Mayor. I have no specific knowledge on this, nor do I blame her for anything. She is still relatively "new" to the job and is doing what she's told.
Some Aldermen, including the one running for Mayor, don't open their mouths much less put forth any items for discussion and/or a vote. What have they been doing other than vote "no" when they feel like it, which is often? There does not appear to be any rhyme to their reason. There does not appear to be any reason other than to vote "no" whenever their political rivals put forth an idea or original thought. Where is anyone speaking to the Council re: this Lowertown situation? I LIVE here but, fortunately, on the other side of the Canal. I defy anyone to point to a spot in this County that is free from bad stuff in the ground. It's everywhere.
I will help - but I need to be asked first.
I, again, know more about hazardous waste and how to deal with it than most people in the County. I have had professional training and first hand experience in cleaning it up. I won't hold my breath for the 'phone call.
Yes, we need to spend $10M on the locks so we can add, what , at least 5 tourism related jobs for 3 months a year!
Give me a break, we are not and will never be a tourist destination!
Put that $10M into supporting some sort of industry and I'll bet we could create some real jobs.
Put out a proposal - $10M grant available - I guarantee you would get somebody willing to move here.
It's about time SOMEBODY VOTED NO...what's wrong with that? Maybe Chapman and Smith bother to read what they're being asked to endorse, and then consider how to vote..and some times a deserved no vote is cast...Patti you sound like a very sensible person you can't really believe that voting no is a bad thing on some of the crap that Mike Tucker wants to cram down our throats. I think Smith and Chapman take a closer look at things. Nothing wrong with that! The days of lock-step politics needs to come to an end if we hope to have a chance of turning this sinking ship around.
Every Winter there are water line breaks all over the City of Lockport, but especially on main roads, like Transit and Rt. 31! Lockport can't even decide what to do with the Canal St. triangle. The handling of that by the City of Lockport has been nothing short of disastrous-one mistake after another, tax breaks up the wazoo for a maker of electrical equipment's research division, so no real benefit to Lockport whatsoever! Oh, and what about the empty Old City Hall and the crumbling and extremely dangerous parking ramp on the corner of Main St. and Pine? The streets have also been looking pretty shabby again, lately, in the downtown area! I could go on, but why bother, since Lockport is losing population pretty steadily and is basically dying!!!
does anyone know if a plan to maintain the water system actually exists? Isn't that Pat Schrader's area of expertise? Question number two is when is the next big system failure like the sinkhole going to happen? No one know ..right. Maybe we should hire another consulting firm for 250,000 to advise the City.
How much did we pay Harris Beach for an out of town consultant to tell the mayor how to re-organize? And what connection was there between Harris Beach, Henry and George and the mayor on theat whole deal. We elect the Mayor to make decisions about things like reorganization, not to funnel taxpayer money to a political buddy to tell hime what he wants to hear, while taking a little political responsiblity of his honor. I'm sorry Mayor we need you to lead--not keep your politcal cronies happy. Do not be surprized when Harris Beach donates a little of that taxpayer money right back to the Mayor for his campaign.
Don't worry, when 450,000 tourists start showing up each year to see the locks all of our fair city's problems will go away. Time for a new Mayor, ya think?
Moe - I agree with you that voting "no" can be a very good thing. Unfortunately, these two Aldermen seem to be the only ones who do so with any regularity.
I really don't appreciate the bashing of the tourism "fix." It's for real and perhaps if you all took a look at the possibilities you'd have a better angle on it. What's clear is that there is no Harrison Radiator 'round the corner waiting to save our City. Those days are over and we have to find SOMETHING to take its place.
Pat Schrader knows more about the water flow in this town than anyone I know. Hopefully he will return to the Council and lead. Everyone knows that we don't necessarily get along - but I respect his hard work and knowledge. We need him and he will share his expertise if he comes back to City government. Same with the Fire Department. Pat knows more than anyone on that mess as well.
The Harris Beach connection is troubling.
I'm not going to try to keep up with all the petty bashing going on here. We DO need a change - just what kind of change is the question. I don't know - I don't know who does! I DO know that there are a lot of people in the City who could and should be called upon to help. That'll be the day.
I had the occasion to meet "Shirley" who is going to run against Mrs. Pasceri. She's delightful and, I think will be one tough nut to crack. I like her, and she at least has the gumption to fight the status quo. Should be interesting...
I don't have any answers. All I have is a lot of experience in a lot of different areas - such as the Superfund and how to get what we need to fix the brownfields. When we get that, perhaps we can move ahead to the next problem.
We have a lot to do just to save this place from slipping into oblivion. I'm willing - who else is?
How many more jobs do you think tourism could possibly give us? And don't forget they are 3-4 month jobs too, then back on unemployment. And they will be minimum wage jobs. What possibly could be positive about it?
You take that $10M and put it into manufacturing grants and it would produce real jobs. No, there probably will never be another Harrison Rad, but there could be another Candlelight Cabinetry out there.
Patti, glad to see your not into the bashing, but please enlighten me on the mess that you say is in the Fire Dept. that Pat knows better than anyone. Thanks
God I'm frustrated! When are we going to deal with the really difficult issues that will determine the future of this city? For the cultural crowd, I'll paraphrase JFK..
lets' start to do things "not because they are easy..but because they are difficult".We need a leader that will take ownership of the major problems that disturb all of us who give a damn.
Time to eliminate all of the petty crapola
Will "Mr. Fix It" please step forward?
Did it ever occur to anyone that Smith and Chapman might be voting no on issues due to lack of information? My sources are telling me that they both get information at the last minute and are expected to vote for it without thoroughly reading it. Every time they question anything they get beat down. Is this any way to run a city? The current mayor is in over his head, Smith is a smart guy and deserves a chance at the job.
I don't disagree with the suggestion that Smith & Chapman don't get their information until the last minute. I honestly hadn't thought of that - I'm not surprised to hear this.
I've seen it in person - a situation where they did not have the information long enough to actually think about it and then render a thoughtful decision. Good point.
I must agree that another Candlelight would be great. I understand that they pay their employees fairly and turn out an excellent product.
As to the Fire Department and Pat Schrader - he's handled the contractual issues with the City and the Firemen for years and, I believe, he remains on the Fire Board, appointed by Tucker. Schrader has a wealth of experience and I, for one, would like to see him back on the Council. (NEVER thought I'd say that!)
When I have "bashed," I've done so when I've been personally attacked (crazy-to say the least, followed up with "bat shit crazy" etc. - toss in my ability to perform my profession, my address, my name, etc. It gets old after awhile) (& don't forget the basically inappropriate & childish attacks re: the School Board) I have not deserved ANY of it & I tend to lose my temper and get right back atcha - neither side "wins" that way, do we? So let's stop ALL of that, from both sides, shall we?) )
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