Two Feet in a Vacuum
The News-Press reported that City Public Works miscalculated the width of Anacapa Street near the new Granada Garage and chose to eliminate a turn lane into the new garage without public review or notifying council.
With all of the super-size vehicles out there, I am not looking forward to trying to get to County Admin or the Library while Excursions and Denalis need that street space to turn into the garage.
More importantly, with all the money spent on this project -- was the street length double checked for accuracy?
This is the latest poor press surrounding the multi-million dollar garage -- is Public Works working in a vacuum? It seems like ever since George Gerth passed away Public Works has not quite been able to get back on their feet.
With all of the super-size vehicles out there, I am not looking forward to trying to get to County Admin or the Library while Excursions and Denalis need that street space to turn into the garage.
More importantly, with all the money spent on this project -- was the street length double checked for accuracy?
This is the latest poor press surrounding the multi-million dollar garage -- is Public Works working in a vacuum? It seems like ever since George Gerth passed away Public Works has not quite been able to get back on their feet.
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 1/20/2006 08:21:00 AM
Our Community Guidelines ask that you use the Blogger/Open ID login or the
more private Name/URL option when making comments. Comments using "Anonymous" will not be published. For more info, see choosing an identity.
21 Comments:
Ah, but at the PW tsar Browning Allen said, "A mistake was made and we have to live with it and make adjustments to accomdate the error."
One would'a thought that on a $23M garage they would have have double-checked the measurements. And dock the engineer responsible for whatever "adjustments" are required.
But, I forgot, that's what the private sector would do!
So we get a bigger garage and probably will lose some on-street parking.
Just like carpentry; measure twice, cut once.
The only thing left to cut now is Browning Allen. His days are numbered...someone should start a pool.
This indeed is symptomatic of the 'tude of Browning Allen during many past incidents.
Ask why he washed out as City Administrator for City of Carpinteria? See past NewsPress article below.
Staff easily could have spun an approach that City Council easily would have approved: the new big garage makes the car slots along Anacapa St. unnecessary, especially with the rampant habit for pedestrians to jay-walk from between parked cars as they cross the busy street between County Admin. Building and the garage.
But, NOOOOO, arrogant staff again ignores the many hours of painful deliberation by various commissions and committees that determined a turning lane was needed. Opening up the garage last December was not THAT critical.
How much more staff arrogance will the City Council tolerate?!?!
++++++++++++++++++
Living expenses too high can be an excuse anyone can use to save face for a resignation, as if his salary is so much higher by City of Santa Barbara.
NEWSPRESS ARTICLE:
Carpinteria city manager resigns over living costs
June 7, 2001 12:00 AM
NEWS-PRESS STAFF REPORT
After 1 1/2 years on the job, Carpinteria City Manager Browning Allen resigned Wednesday night.
The City Council voted unanimously to accept his resignation which was also effective Wednesday, said Vice-Mayor Dick Weinberger.
Weinberger said Allen's resignation letter cited the high cost of living in Carpinteria as the reason for leaving the post. Allen earned $87,500 a year plus benefits.
"He felt the city couldn't pay him what he felt was needed" to live in the city, Weinberger said.
Allen declined to comment about the matter Wednesday afternoon.
He had been city manager since Jan. 18, 2000, taking over for Samantha Ordu|0x96|o who left in October 1999. Weinberger was not sure when Allen's contract was due to expire.
He came to Carpinteria from Cathedral City where he served as an assistant city manager from 1993 to July 1999.
His last day in the office was Friday. Weinberger said he had taken an extended weekend and had not been in the office since then. He's on paid administrative leave until June 29.
During Monday's regular meeting, the council will appoint Community Development Manager David Durflinger as the interim city manager, Weinberger said. At that time the council will also begin the process of selecting a new city manager.
It's the News-Press editorial board's fault....
I agree that Browning should go and take Jim Armstrong along with him for signing off on the blunder.
Everyone who supported this monstrosity should take a hike...lemme see.. the list: HArriet Miller, Marty Blum, Gerth, City council,,who else?
while we worried about Das and Iya they let the city fail
Public works is a mess. Just worked with them on a contract and the WASTED 70% of the funds - total waste of money.
They are a bunch of immature, unalble to succeed on the outside selfish brats -
We would pay NOT to ever work with them again.
Santa Barbara Public Works is a rip off to the taxpayers. This is true in all areas, most importantly in the parking area. A total waste.
Tony, Browning, VICTOR et al need to be fired now.
What...no post re: the Great Debate? Hmmmm.
Bill -- I'm not sure what the "hmmm" is about but, with all due respect, this is off topic here, especially considering there are many comments on what was not so great of a debate in the post just below, don't you think?
I'm not going to make a post on everything 2nd District -- another blog tried that and shut down because of the acrimony between commenters.
I also haven't been too interested in that the 2nd District race has centered so far on who is more feminist or environmentalist than the other; and, what was on Das' tie. None of the candidates have stood out to me yet -- and I am sure there will be plenty of posts in the future all about it, there will have to be.
Thanks for the nooge -- but I think I will wait.
Check out my new blog, Hippie-Free SB, a thoughtful conservative take on Santa Barbara politics and culture. Comments and criticisms are encouraged.
Oops, forgot the URL: http://hippiefreesb.blogspot.com
no thanks, Joe, but I shall not waste my time there, especially because your site seems to reveal the identity of posters
1st District Streetfighter, I changed the blog to allow anonymous posts, so have at it now.
I have no interest in posting to a blog that self-describes itself as hostile. "Hippie-free" indeed!
Starting out that way, the blog will also be free of thoughtful comments. At least here, mental straitjacket-free, there is the possibility of thoughtful observations.
Sara,
There is a demonstrated need for your blog.
SBR
Thanks SBR -- I'll get back on track with a new post soon...been busy.
Interesting note about partisanship being unconscious in Tuesday's New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/science/24find.html?_r=1 -- sorry, I don't know how to make an active link here.
I find it interesting that the people posting to the hippie-free blog, flaming liberals to be sure, are so intolerant of any ideology opposite theirs when their parties (Dem and Green) go so far out of their ways to paint themselves as the parties of tolerance. Food for thought...
These posts are way off topic guys -- BB really has nothing to do with Publius' blog. He's lucky I left the link above! Keep your comments about his blog over there please!
Post a Comment
<< Home