If Roberts is “atrocious” what word describes Wesselman Parks Restrooms
Could we all pause briefly to put the Mayor’s description of the “atrocious”, SMG management, in perspective? (Some of us still want to believe that words have meaning.)
Mr. Kiefer, if nothing other than delaying the inevitable, would you please lead a discussion in the civic understanding of “atrocious”? Our reporters aren’t interested in that word in the story. “Legal”, yes, they are all over that. “Atrocious” not so much.
For someone to read the Mayor’s memo, listen to your appeal for a delay, and then hear the few comments you had on the topic. Some of us may be scratching our heads wondering, what was the point.
At the very least, can you provide the business entities that deal with the County an idea of how you would define, “atrocious”?
Example:
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Let’s bring back into memory those images that Mr. Rector pointed out on TV to us. The shots of the restrooms, the fountains and the mechanical room.
Got those images fresh in your memory? OK.
Now, walk with me out of Robert’s parking lot, to the public park next door. If you’ve ever spent any quality time at Wessleman’s playing softball, volleyball or using the batting cages, you might need a drink or a restroom break.
Let me pause for a second. Because anyone that has been in that scenario knows exactly where I’m going with this discussion.
But back to our walk. Go into that Wessleman’s public restroom and take a good 360 degree mental image.
Now, do a comparative evaluation of the condition of that bathroom, against the average Robert’s bathroom.
Here’s the question. If we are, as a community, to describe that Robert’s experience as “atrocious”. What is the proper definition to describe the Wessleman’s park experience? (Yes, I’m stumped for a word, too.)
Anyway, lets get the heck out of that bathroom.
Now, stand outside the bathroom and take a good look at the water fountain. Comparative evaluation again, assuming Robert’s is the definition of “atrocious”, what is Wessleman’s?
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Now, don’t get me wrong here. I can fully understand, how a group of individuals, sitting in the corporate boardroom at Vectren headquarters, can come unanimously to a decision that broken water fountains are “atrocious”. Be that as it may. In any real way, was that discussion placed in perspective, of governmental budget capabilities? I just watched the County discuss capping their desired highly educated temporary help, at 12 – 14 dollars an hour with no benefits. “Atrocious”, depends on the context.
You see, the cognitive dissonance that we all feel about this situation needs to be put into perspective and the ongoing moral hazard avoided. Yes, I think there is risk of moral hazard because nobody is explaining how a contractor in decent standing one day can turn “atrocious” spectacle, overnight.
If the County is trying to save money where it can, when it can – i.e. not flushing the taxpayers money down the drain. Then a fountain or toilet that doesn’t work periodically is not an unexpected event, is it? (I rest comfortably at night confident that my utility bills leave plenty of cash to keep the Vectren water fountains and bathrooms fully functioning.)
So in addition to “atrocious”, I’m asking you to define acceptable public sector, “service levels”.
Example:
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Let’s say I’m in a service business, thinking about contracting with two Counties.
One County is known for level headed, consistent, service level expectations.
The other County has recently publicly labeled temporary appliance outages, “atrocious”, that resulted in a less experienced competitor brought in and a significant public display. While it raises exasperation, nothing changes.
Now do you think my proposals to those two Counties will be priced the same?
One County might lead me to significant legal expenses in defining precisely what the minute details in the expectations will contractually oblige me to meet. One County might put the public goodwill of my business name at significantly higher risk. One County might lead reasonable people to estimate basic labor and maintenance levels closer to what others might label, overkill – to avoid potential problems like this.
We don’t want this episode leading to higher contract services for the County and City, do we Mr. Kiefer?
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If Mayor Weinzapfel feels competition is necessary – so be it.
But all this talk of competition and standards of service begs at least one question. How much extra are we paying for this new hotel, if it’s designs must handle a strict zero tolerance for bathroom and fountain outages or if maintenance rooms are not allowed the slightest tolerance for dual purpose storage capacity?
Dan Effinger
Evansville, IN
Is a drug needle in a public sand box, atrocious?
as a longtime Vectren employee, I can promise you that the bathrooms don’t always work and we don’t dare drink the water, tests have turned up ecoli lately
Are you guys on city water? Ecoli??? YUK but no surprise.
I work away from Evansville, we have wells that are right next to the septic system
Good letter Dan! I am so sick and tired of both of these political parties running attack campaigns against Roberts Stadium.
Roberts Stadium is a turd. You can dress it up, but it’s still a turd. I say tear it down. Stick a fork in it, it’s done.
Great letter, Dan Effinger! I really appreciate the time and effort you put into providing your thoughts in the editorial. Great ideas!
Here are my top ten thoughts about current Evansville issues:
1. SMG should go. They’ve had their chance and have had less that impressive success. Evansville deserves the best and we are paying for the best. We shouldn’t have to settle.
2. The stadium should go. It’s an outdated relic. The ballfields should be built there instead.
3. Ballfields are wonderful neighbors. Ask anyone who lives by the Goebel Soccer Complex and you will find that they appreciate the beautiful facility being in their neighborhood.
4. I like the Arena but think its location is less than desirable. It is too big for the site it’s on. Perhaps it should have been placed on the western side of Main Street, maybe where former Mayor Lloyd wanted the baseball stadium. But, it is where it is, so now we have to deal with it.
5. Parking, what is going to happen? I really don’t know how that is all going to work out. We definitely do NOT have enough. All we can hope for is somebody will recognize the need and invest some money in developing some facilities.
6. Safety is an issue I think we need to consider when we discuss parking. I have left CMOE at 5:00 P.M. and felt very unsafe taking my grandchildren to the car. I would not consider parking in a parking garage in that area without my husband being there. Say what you will, it feels creepy and unsafe in that area.
7. The new library is spectacular, and it has wonderful underground parking. Again, I feel unsafe using that parking unless I am accompanied by my husband. Unfortunately, across the street is a homeless shelter and its residents lounge around the library a lot of the time. In fact, as I understand it, no one may use the children’s part of the library unless they have a child with them because of this concern. That says a lot about the safety of the location of the library.
8. What about the parks? With the poor economy, many families are taking their kids to the parks instead of to the movies or other expensive outings. It’s hard to find a clean park that is well-kept. The best one around is at the 4-H Center and I think it is maintained by 4-H. We definitely need to upgrade and maintain our parks for the families of this community. Overall, they are a disaster. I’m wondering if Operation City Beautiful could become more proactive in this area. Encourage more volunteerism, provide more oversight and report findings to the Parks Administration, find more ways for the community to get involved. Would it be out-of-line to suggest that some of the financing for the Conventions and Visitors Bureau be spent on sprucing up the city to make it a more desirable place for businesses and families to relocate?
9. The Mayor! Actually, I really like the Mayor. At least he tries to do things. Evansville is so resistant to change, I often feel like we are frozen in time. We are too conservative and set in our ways. Thank goodness the Mayor recognizes this and tries to move our community forward. How can he stand the constant griping!!! Yikes!
10. Consolidation…..are you kidding? This community is stuck in the past–nothing will EVER change, regardless of how much sense it makes.
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