Another Garbage Day

It being Tuesday, I suppose it is as good a day as any to sort through things a bit.

Most significant matter worth attention happens to be Thursday night's selectmen meeting to discuss what to do with the two former school buildings. I use the word "discuss" as that is what is used in the notice of hearing. 

The notice itself is worth noting. One simple entry as to purpose of meeting.  No additions since the announced date.  No one seemingly able to come up with a compelling enough reason for an add on.  

But I digress .. or could very sharply on that.

The discussion listed is in fact needed. The sole item agenda is in fact needed and overdue. The decisions that need to be made, that night are also needed, and also overdue.

No matter what the outcome, the price tag for holding on to these buildings will just keep going up each day.

The one solid point involved in any "process" decided that in my individual opinion has to be included is the "security" required of the successful buyer. That is an absolute must.  If you live in the neighborhood, you want to make sure things will get done as "promised". If you live in town, you don't want to get stuck holding the bag after the fact.

It is time for everyone also to firmly embrace the concept of positive thinking. It is time to believe that there is some individual out there wearing a white hat, riding a white horse and galloping into town to save the day. 

A straight auction does not seem likely. A traditional sales approach, i.e. broker could potentially work, but I think would not not be necessarily the smartest approach.  The RFP is again the front runner. 

Let us assume the RFP will be heavily cloaked in restrictions and conditions. This is an assumption that one does not have to stretch one's imagination greatly for.  

First thing, the obvious thing is what are the restrictions. Next thing, which should be as obvious, is get the Philadelphia lawyers out of the drafting process. 

As a note, the funny thing about an RFP, it is in fact an auction.  It is a very controlled auction, but it is nonetheless a form of an auction. 

I think there are some out that who feel that using an RFP is a means to control the "who".  You could in fact word it to try and reject a proposal from an individual "who" you don't like.  I hope "who" you are doesn't affect "who" gets award a qualifying bid.  

If all that positive thought process works, and some individual bids in conformity to the RFP, "who" will be moving into the neighborhood should not matter.

As to what "we" want, well can "we" please clarify that "we" are not the Town in its entirety.  

We all want our cake and want to be able to eat it too.  However, as has been mentioned before, to truly represent the collective "we", the cake needs to be sliced accordingly.  The "we" who live in the neighborhood should certainly be given some deference as to choice of piece, perhaps even a bigger slice. But the whole cake?

Well, in the end the three head bakers get to decide exactly how that cake gets baked and distributed.

Whatever you do, decide on the correct recipe and follow it.  Baking is one of those things I have found you really can't cut corners on certain ingredients.  Know what you need.  Gather the stuff, mix the batter and put it in the oven.

We have done some of that.   Money for appraisals was appropriated how long ago?  My guess then, and now was we were looking at a really small cake.  Might need another trip to the ATM to go shopping, not just for that either.  

Okay ... just getting silly with this.  I suppose there is no other choice.  Laugh or cry about it, right?

Simple fact, there is and always have been pat recipes for the disposal of public lands and buildings.  The most befuddling thing isn't the desire for one option over another.  that is human nature, differing preferences and taste.  Completely understandable.

What isn't understandable is the fact that there still seems to be the belief that despite the fact you are required to follow one of those pat recipes, some still feel they can ad lib.  

Definitely time to get out of the kitchen I think.

Anyway you slice it at this point, I think a whole lot of people are going to be disappointed with the taste.

Enough kitchen talk ...

What else is on tap?

As you can tell, not exactly pounding away on the keyboard on a regular basis.  Desire and motivation, both lacking.  It is reaching a point in time where the juggling act is just getting a bit harder to handle. Six months to a year from now, who knows what spark there may be to rekindle the fire.

I think I have one solid piece left in me, and after that some rest. It is like cleaning the beach.  At the beginning of the season you perhaps don't mind so much.  Might even enjoy the exercise and the fact that the hard work shows results.  As the season wears on, well ...

At this point, there is no question the tide is changing again.  New grounds keeper concept to be implemented. Hopefully better tools for the task to be faced.  A wait and see period will certainly be appropriate.  No choice with that because the decisions have been made.

Expect at least some silence coming up, starting sometime this weekend.  I need a break to learn how to listen to the sound made from clapping with one hand.

Enough.

Be safe.