Friday's Features (On Deadline!)

There is a lot going on around town these days, not all of it pleasant or welcome.  But that's what Hudseen is here for, so let's have a look at a few things you may not be aware of.

National Grid three-person crew has taken yet another Friday off from their gas line replacement work in the 300 block of State Street.  I'm not sure how many days they were "busy" there this week, but they were definitely there yesterday and Wednesday.  Last week they were MIA for at least two days, including Friday, same as the previous week.  NG began that one block portion of their huge project in early May, now 4 months ago, and there is still months of work to be done.  Then the street paver needs to come in and make things decent again.  Don't expect that to happen until next year or beyond, if ever!

"I thought Monday was the holiday!"

Around the corner on Carroll Street, DPW continues to ignore the ugly and dangerous situation with their damaged storm drain.  HUDseen's Friday's Features began on July 5th by focusing on that storm drain -- something that DPW does not see as an issue or a problem, apparently.  The nearby cone may or may not have been on the drain recently. 

In mid-July, one of National Grid's many contractors working on and under our streets and sidewalks for the past year ripped up a section of sidewalk on the northwest corner of Columbia & 3rd.  In the process, the street sign was (eventually) removed and placed on the ground in front of the abandoned mosque project.  When the sidewalk was reinstalled and the pole went back up, the street signs on top did not make it.  That was about three weeks ago.

July 19th

Over a year ago, I noticed a loose storm drain cover just outside the pocket park in the 500 block of Warren along the alley.  Like the storm drain on Carroll, asphalt surrounding the loose drain was cracked and missing.  

A few weeks ago, one DPW cone showed up on top of the drain. Aha, I thought, they're finally getting ready to fix it!

Sometime earlier this week, a second DPW cone showed up to keep the other cone company.  One wonders how much time was spent at DPW, and how many brain cells worked overtime, to get this "work" accomplished.

The newly installed LED streetlight on North Third closest to Warren Street is still not working.  About two weeks ago, I asked the DPW clerk why the light was still not fixed after informing her of it weeks before.  She told me that "they don't know what's wrong with it."

Standing a few feet north of the pole
looking south into the darkness

The next light north, working fine

Here is the sidewalk scene I came across this morning in front of the building on Union Street that houses the law firm of Whitbeck, Benedict & Smith.  The Whitbeck being, of course, former assistant Columbia County DA Carl Whitbeck, a guy who might know a thing or two about lawsuits.  Or maybe he has already wisely retired from his private practice, too.

On Wednesday, while bicycling up 9G, I had to take a picture of Kamal Johnson's pride and joy.  It's been a few months since I've shared a picture with HUDseen readers of this unwelcome welcome sign, and this is its first appearance on FF.  Expect to see it again soon and for it to force another big smile of satisfaction and beaming pride in our little city. 

Have a great weekend, and try not to labor too much.