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Today's Poll: Should the city spend $31K to deal with white streaks on City Centre?

By Howard B. Owens
Chris Charvella

Cosmetic. It's a chemical reaction from the materials in the mortar. This happens apparently, because the work was done during the winter and the cold weather does something to the makeup of that type of mortar.

It's not hurting anything but our pride.

Aug 10, 2010, 11:39am Permalink
Mark Potwora

This survey tells it all..The public doesn't want the city to spend money on it...But they did any way..Just like the survey the city wants us all to fill out on the city of batavia web site...Do you think they will listen to what we have to say...

Aug 10, 2010, 11:00pm Permalink
B Graz

Why doesn't the City go after the original contractor to fix the problem caused by seemingly faulty material? Too much bother... it's much easier to "rubber stamp" a let's spend some of the taxpayers money and simply "git R done".

Well, let's "git R done" at the polls come election time.

Aug 10, 2010, 11:58pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by Mark Potwora on August 10, 2010 - 11:00pm
This survey tells it all..The public doesn't want the city to spend money on it...But they did any way..Just like the survey the city wants us all to fill out on the city of batavia web site...Do you think they will listen to what we have to say...

Mark, think about who you voted for in the last election.
If you voted to keep the same people in office then what changes did you expect to occur?

Aug 11, 2010, 12:45am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I wish I could go back and count all the times people in comments have complained about the white streaks on the building. Now the city is doing something about it, and people are complaining.

If the council didn't do anything about it, people would complain that the council doesn't care, is out of touch, is letting Downtown get run down.

I largely agree with Chris's comments about not a great time for this sort of expenditure; however, I also think it's a little unfair to blast the council now for doing something that the loudest voices for the past year or so have been saying should be fixed.

Aug 11, 2010, 3:41am Permalink
bud prevost

Posted by B Graz on August 10, 2010 - 11:58pm
Well, let's "git R done" at the polls come election time.
Posted by Bea McManis on August 11, 2010 - 12:43am

It will never happen. .

I wish there was a way to gauge the tone and emotion of statements made on this sight. I'm curious if Bea states this in a sad, defeated tone, or an aloof, snarky tone, or if she's like me and is just sick of the status quo but sees nothing changing?

Aug 11, 2010, 6:29am Permalink

Yeah and that's kind of the point though.

People in this town do a lot of complaining, but when you look this poll, they are the vast minority. It just feels like a few squeaky wheels dictate everything.

As far as change goes...I think that a lot people may be unhappy with certain aspects of Batavia, but very little people actually have an interest to do something about it. The amount of volunteers have been falling, voter turn out has steadily decreased and nobody seems interested enough in any one thing to get passionate about.

We have all been told that this is a "Make or Break" year for the Muckdogs, yet attendance is the same if not less then last year. I was there last night again with my daughter and it was just sad how empty it was. Yeah I know it was Tuesday, but there was very little difference between that and Friday. No one can be bothered now, but when the team leaves and we have that large expensive tax payer paid stadium sitting empty, everyone will complain about it. Only differece is that there will be nothing that can be done by then.

That's what people do in this town: Complain. It's a national past time. The is no forward thinking, no long term vision and no identity. Anytime, someone shows up with fresh ideas, or God forbid, wants to change the status quo and they are ignored. Hell it took the city being in its worst financial crisis ever to do anything; and even though there were people who wanted to do more, now that the crisis is averted it's back to the some old thinking again. I guess we'll wait for another one before we do anything else.

Batavia has always been a slave to its own potential, but I really do love this little town. I guess that's why I get so mad.

Aug 11, 2010, 8:37am Permalink
Bea McManis

I'll be at the Muckdog game tonight. As much as I loved going to the weekend games, my schedule has changed and I can't get to them.
Even Wed. night games are a rare treat. The last game I could attend was the 11am game!

Aug 11, 2010, 10:01pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

The second ward isn't exactly awash with people clamoring to run for City Council in a special election. Particularly since they'll have to do it all over again next year before they've even worn a butt-groove in their new chair. :)

Aug 11, 2010, 9:37am Permalink
Mark Potwora

Howard People have complained about the white streaks on city hall me included..But i did not think that it would cost 31,000 dollars and figured that the builder would or should have been libel for this problem since the building is so new..But as your survey of the public shows people would rather leave it as is if the tax payer has to foot the bill ...me included..The city had no problem going after the owners of Latina's for the seagull issue,why don't they do the same for this issue..

Aug 11, 2010, 10:00am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Mark, the "city going after Latina's" isn't a comparable action. The Latina's matter is code violation/criminal matter. The white streaks would be a lawsuit -- a lot more expensive.

Do you really want the city to expend $50,000 or more on a lawsuit it might very well lose? What if there's as good as a 50/50 proposition of winning -- would that be the most fiscally conservative approach?

Aug 11, 2010, 12:14pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

Howard 77% say don't spend money on it..that would be a more fiscally conservative approach.The city will spend 31,000 dollars and only get a one year guarantee that the streaks won't reappear,that is why this a waste ..

Aug 11, 2010, 1:10pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Mark, just because 77 percent say something doesn't mean it's "fiscally conservative."

And are people considering the deferred maintenance issue? Should the city just wait until the windows rot out of the walls?

I'm not even arguing in favor of spending the money -- just saying, there are consequences to doing nothing.

Also, my "fiscally conservative" remark was regarding the issue of paying for the repairs vs. a lawsuit, not repairs vs. doing nothing.

Aug 11, 2010, 1:24pm Permalink
Jeremiah Pedro

If it's an issue of the windows eventually falling out then the repairs should be made. What about the windows though, are they getting replaced as well or just the mortar?

Aug 11, 2010, 6:53pm Permalink

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