Filling in

First thing I want to know this morning is who flipped the switch on summer?  Don't know just how far below average the temperature was this morning, but it was down right chilly out there.  Could be I have become  accustomed to the higher than normal temps. as of late.  

I mean cools temperatures, all day drizzles, come on.  I may actually have to cut my law again.

Speaking of potholes ....

I know, I wasn't, but no witty tie in this morning.

We in Massachusetts just found out how to get a push for state involvement in getting road repairs.  Invite the First Lady to dine with you at your house.  

This really is making a mountain out of, well a pothole hole (credit to the Boston Herald for using its headline).  While story wise this is nothing more than throwing some "dry" mud at the Governor, it does show just how things unfortunately work.  

The saddest part about the story, and you will need to do your own digging for the ground work, the call for which "pothole" gate arose occurred with the wrong town administrator.  You would think the Governor, or his aide, would know in what town the road was.

The other problem with the issue, "Asked whether he thought it was inappropriate for a member of his staff to make the call, Patrick told the Herald: “I think any citizen ought to be able to call their government and ask for a pothole at the end of their street to be repaired.”

You catch the dodge in that response?  I got to get me a "staff" to make sure citizen type things I want get done.  Seems to be effective.

It shouldn't take having a President's spouse coming to a fundraiser at your home to raise who knows how many thousands (how many do you think?) to get potholes filled. 

Maybe if I throw a backyard barbecue, invite the Selectmen and the BPW Commissioners I can get my road done.  Got me a few potholes myself.  Just got to remember to call the ones from the right town.

Speaking of code enforcement ...

• Interesting little piece on the inside cover of the front section of the Standard Times.  Mainly interesting to me relative to code enforcement.  This is an issue in this area bigger than most people think.  Lots of things go on and continue in violation of local and state codes (not just the health codes).  

I periodically have conversations with friends who have summer or winter second homes elsewhere in the country.  Several live in communities where there are systems in place where individuals actually "patrol" to insure compliance with local codes. 

Now I can hear the "that is why we have building inspectors and health department employees."  Yes it is.  And in between there other day to day duties they get to it.  But with present staffing, other duties and what not, enforcement not just in our town but in most places, is essentially reactive to specific complaints.  

How do you think something like that would work?