Columbus road problem - a press release and old photos

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Columbus Wi rainfall - OH - it's on baby!!  2009-2010, you are going down!!  

With the new website  MelottePhotoImagery.com going online I've been going through three external hard drives and one internal and looking at all the garbage photos I have  - here is one from the past.

You know you live in a small town when you get this in the local shopper.

At least they are FRESH!

I'm not sure I ever posted these articles from the newspaper. Maybe I did.

If you are just skimming headlines . . . . . .

And I thought the chicken shoot was a bad idea!! 

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OH the new grocery store?  I would not hold your breath for anything wonderful, IF, at all.  It's complicated.  I won't get into it here.
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got this press release from the CPD

MEDIA RELEASE
THEFTS FROM VEHICLES

Over the past few weeks, we have had numerous incidents in which it was reported to us that residents had property stolen from their vehicles. In all cases, the vehicles were parked and left unlocked. The majority of these thefts are occurring during the overnight hours.

Please lock up your vehicles and be alert to suspicious activity. If you are the victim of a theft in the city of Columbus, please report it to the Columbus Police Department by calling the non-emergency number: (920) 623-5919. Report all thefts even if they seem minor and report all suspicious activity to the police department.

If you observe suspicious activity or you believe a crime is in progress, call 9-1-1.
Anyone with information regarding these thefts is encouraged to call the Columbia County Crime Stoppers at:
800-293-TIPS (8477)

You can keep your identity confidential and you may be eligible for a cash reward.
http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/columbiacounty/crimestoppers/CrimeStoppersHomePage/tabid/1036/Default.aspx

TIPS:

 Lock your vehicle doors - even if parked inside a garage.
 Do not leave valuables inside the vehicle.
 Park in a well-lit area if possible.
 Do not leave your garage door opener inside the vehicle.
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I went to the new Madison Library yesterday to take a look.  Didn't have my camera bit I did have my iPhone - I think I have to take my camera and talk to whoever is in charge - wow - what a beautiful place.

Here are some iPhotos

I did not know there was a drive through option.
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Roads - so many people complain about the roads in Columbus but they really do not understand the funding problem and how much it costs.  Here is an example of the true cost on a city street.

Lets say you are in a sub division, there is no through access.  The street has deteriotated so much it needs to be replaced.   The project, remove the existing street, fix the underlying street base and resurface the street.  Total cost will be $354,000.

Here is the question.  Based on the taxes paid by these property owners how long will it be to recoup it's half of the project costs.

Answer - 79 years   (approx)

OR - we can raises taxes immediately by 46% with an additional 3% annual increase for the next 25 years.  See the problem?

Streets cost a FREAKISH amount of money.

City governments are in a real pickle when it comes to streets.  I had an argument the other day with a guy blaming the city for wasting money on other projects.  This is like being on 3rd down and 18 and complaining that the ref should have given you another yard and SHOULD be 3rd and 17. 

Two things have been happening, the State helped build the roads decades ago and said all you have to do is maintenance.  OR, Columbus took out cheap State loans for new streets knowing that new housing from those new streets would pay for the long term maintenance.  Worked like a charm.  But now the roads are REALLY wearing thin and we need NEW roads . . . . but the State will not help now and taxes won't cover NEW roads, only filling pot holes. 

Bake sales??    

A lot of people complain without knowing the real problem city governments are in.  We have had a lot of growth in the past few decades but not really growth that fills the coffers over the long term, only short term.

I'll get off my soap box now.