Thursday, April 3, 2008
Sidewalks - Part 2
3:38 AM | 
Posted by
Lance M. Gundersen, Sr.
Well, the council meeting came and went.
I'm really not surprised that the sub-committee set up to look into this topic settled on a "Fairness" model for the distribution of funds.
Kudos go out to John Castiglione for presenting a very impassioned plea for consideration of a "Need" model for the distribution of funds. Hopefully he wasn't all alone in his belief. A "Need" model is definitely superior to a "Fairness" model.
Superior to both, however, would have been a "Safety First" model. Sidewalks are installed for the benefit of pedestrians, and poor and wealthy alike can, at times, find themselves walking over any sidewalk in this city. Therefore, it would seem that the real importance should be on fixing the worst sidewalks regardless of ability to pay or ward boundaries.
Certainly, there are some important details that should not be glossed over. A sliding ability-to-pay scale is a must. Ensuring that any legislation written to adopt this plan includes reference to existing city code rights for the city to mandatorily fix areas of non-compliance and bill the property owner is another.
Some consideration does need to be made to this concept of the city foisting the cost of sidewalk repairs off on property owners, though. It is perfectly legal, but I'm not convinced it is perfectly wise. The clearest example that comes to mind is to compare a store downtown with a store in a mall. Downtown, the store owner, whether he rents the storefront or owns the building, cannot expect city help in repairing something like a sidewalk. On the other hand, a person renting a store front in a mall can expect managment's maintenance team to fix repair issues he has as a function of the terms of his monthly rent.
As an aspect of generating a business friendly climate, this state of affairs clearly indicates Gloversville is simply not in touch with entrepreneurialism no matter how much it tries to say it is. Ancient policies even after years of attempted change simply don't reflect a user friendly environment.
Of course, it's all an ongoing process. Eventually someone will find a way of getting our government to see past the political and truly think like a business that supports other businesses.
Lance
I'm really not surprised that the sub-committee set up to look into this topic settled on a "Fairness" model for the distribution of funds.
Kudos go out to John Castiglione for presenting a very impassioned plea for consideration of a "Need" model for the distribution of funds. Hopefully he wasn't all alone in his belief. A "Need" model is definitely superior to a "Fairness" model.
Superior to both, however, would have been a "Safety First" model. Sidewalks are installed for the benefit of pedestrians, and poor and wealthy alike can, at times, find themselves walking over any sidewalk in this city. Therefore, it would seem that the real importance should be on fixing the worst sidewalks regardless of ability to pay or ward boundaries.
Certainly, there are some important details that should not be glossed over. A sliding ability-to-pay scale is a must. Ensuring that any legislation written to adopt this plan includes reference to existing city code rights for the city to mandatorily fix areas of non-compliance and bill the property owner is another.
Some consideration does need to be made to this concept of the city foisting the cost of sidewalk repairs off on property owners, though. It is perfectly legal, but I'm not convinced it is perfectly wise. The clearest example that comes to mind is to compare a store downtown with a store in a mall. Downtown, the store owner, whether he rents the storefront or owns the building, cannot expect city help in repairing something like a sidewalk. On the other hand, a person renting a store front in a mall can expect managment's maintenance team to fix repair issues he has as a function of the terms of his monthly rent.
As an aspect of generating a business friendly climate, this state of affairs clearly indicates Gloversville is simply not in touch with entrepreneurialism no matter how much it tries to say it is. Ancient policies even after years of attempted change simply don't reflect a user friendly environment.
Of course, it's all an ongoing process. Eventually someone will find a way of getting our government to see past the political and truly think like a business that supports other businesses.
Lance
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About Me
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- Lance M. Gundersen, Sr.
- A lot of authors and bloggers have written about living intentionally. Each define it differently, but the basic gist of the idea is to have a plan and do everything in one's power to make it a reality. My plan was to live debt-free, and then spend my time doing the things I want to do - like finishing at least a Master's in an area I can put to use in my community. I started this process with a Masters in Work and Labor Policy with an Advanced Certificate in City Administration, but then switched to a Master's in Urban Planning focusing on Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure (and learning a fair bit about environmental planning, Brownfield redevelopment, community planning and more). I have also begun accomplishing a whole basket of cycling, sailing, hiking and personal enrichment goals which are each in various states of accomplishment. Feel free to stop by and read my musings. Comment if you like. Please be respectful, and I apologize that it's even necessary to have to say that at this stage of our existence.
