It's the little things that get to you sometimes

Like when cobblestone streets are repaired with patches of scored asphalt:

...or it takes a while for the Sewerage and Water Board to get around to replacing the covers on the water meters, leaving open holes nearly two feet deep in the sidewalk:

Oh, sure, this recovery business is gonna take a while, but isn't it already December 2008?:

Hmmm...aren't there any funds for such basic infrastructure repairs?

Unfortunately, there is no more money in the 2008 budget to make streetlight repairs for the rest of this year, and the 2009 budget that was passed includes only the smallest amount for repairs in 2009, despite Council Member Midura’s efforts to get this infrastructure fund properly funded at the budget meeting.

It is possible your lights are likely to remain out for a while. We will continue our best efforts to provide a remedy to this situation.

Thank you.

More on the budget shortfalls from E here.

An examination of the Walking Id's proposed 2009 budget is here.

What Cliff thinks we oughta do to fill the budget shortfall is here.

We have 75 million dollars in the recovery budget to buy up half of Mid City for a new hospital complex that still don't have the money to build....Would it be legal to take some of that 75 million and put into the regular city budget to make up the shortfall? We should take all of it. Councilwoman Clarkson keeps assuring everybody that the disaster loans that have been the way of balancing the budget will be forgiven as the reason we won't be in crisis for the 2010 budget. When that day comes we can use that revenue to replace the Mid City money if needed. I honestly don't think the federal government is going to give us the money to make this plan happen anyway. We ought to just take what we have now and scale back the plan to fit what we can afford. We shouldn't be holding the money we do have hostage for the state, the federal government and LSU if they can't deliver on their part of the funding.

Would it be possible to move this money or is this another case where guidelines and the city charter give our leaders an excuse to not think outside the box?

Howzabout Cliff for mayor?

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ANYway, since we ain't got the dough to do much...

well, 'tis the season, right?

Just deck that caution barrel with some candy canes and boughs of faux holly!

We can dress up Jackson Square, sure!

But that hole will still remain,
and that light will still be out.

*Jackson Square photo courtesy of Charlotte