Posts: 604
Threads: 148
Joined: Jul 2007
Well, the theory probably sounds great to the council members, but they won't be the one's with the rakes & shovels spreading gravel on the
COUNTY roads (. . ."The road to our farm is a county road, but we've never been able to get any help from the county to fix it," farmer Shane Fox said of Kapehu Road. . .The county administration in 2006 agreed to maintain the roads. . . ) Anyway, here's the link, don't know if any of you saw this in today's paper.
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/arti...ocal03.txt
Thoughts??
Posts: 1,581
Threads: 26
Joined: Jun 2007
I find it interesting that this is happening just a few days shy of Polihale State Park anniversary.
When the bridge was rebuilt, every County was waiting and watching for the reaction. The reaction was more than they could hope for. People were praising the actions of those citizens’ volunteers who took matters in their own hand and instead of them demanding and forcing government to rebuild the bridge, they rebuilt it at their expense and by their hands. Although it appeared as a slap in the face to the ineptness of government, it dropped an escape plan right in government’s lap.
It will take us years to get your road fixed due to regulations on how we fund, design and contract for work, BUT, you the citizen can take care of it if you want. We'll even supply material.
What will be fascinating to see where those who raised their voices in praise to those citizens and threw scorn on government, if they will have that same enthusiasm now that government is bowing to the citizen involvement by agreeing that you and your labor can do it in place of government.
Be careful what doors you open and close as you never know what you will let in or what you will keep out.
Posts: 1,058
Threads: 43
Joined: Apr 2009
I had to laugh at the purported liability issue that was raised. People might fix the wrong roads? People might spread the cinders improperly? Give me a break. The roads couldn't get worse than being ignored to begin with.
Follow the money. The only thing they really fear is the union whose workers who won't get paid to fix the roads.
Posts: 1,595
Threads: 111
Joined: May 2007
A load of "cold patch" asphalt is a about $250 I think. Do it yourself speedbumps are very affordable. If the County takes as long dismanteling them as they do installing them, DIY's will slow down drivers for years.
I know speed bumps can be controversial, but the fact remains they are only dangerous to speeding cars and with proper signage are a very affordable way to control speeders or people "short cutting" through residential hoods.
Posts: 3,035
Threads: 201
Joined: Aug 2006
In the coastal regions of rural Mexico speed bumps are often installed by residents by securing that really thick marine rope between two phone poles, lying on the ground. Instant speed bumps!
I've been tempted to do the same on our street late at night to get the paper delivery guy to slow down, and then remove it after he is gone. He goes so fast and his car is so loud we can follow his progress through the neighborhood for at least 8 blocks. I think he is responsible for most of the wear and tear on our road, there is a big pothole developing where he guns it right in front of our house every morning, too bad the paper doesn't pitch in for road maintenance.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
Posts: 2,149
Threads: 90
Joined: Feb 2006
****Brief thread hijack****Carol, you must have the same paper delivery guy we do. He wakes me up every morning and there are potholes near just about all his stops from where he spins his tires. I have been thinking about complaining for some time, and now I think I will.****Hijack over****
Back on topic, all of this posturing over "roads in limbo" will do nothing about the fact that people in "substandard" subdivisions are paying road tax and fuel tax, but not getting as much as other taxpayers. Councilman Yagong, to his credit, has proposed a remedy for this as far as the fuel tax is concerned, but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
Posts: 447
Threads: 36
Joined: Sep 2009
"there should be a law...." LOLZ government. providing "service" to you at the barrel of a gun. oh and btw you pay for the gun they point at you.
Posts: 246
Threads: 11
Joined: Apr 2008
Although the Trib article was vague on the definition of "roads in limbo," I don't believe any of them are in the subdivisions. The roads leading to some subdivisions might be involved but I think most of them are older roads such as those in mauka North Hilo and Hamakua.
Posts: 1,581
Threads: 26
Joined: Jun 2007
"Roads In Limbo" was that screwed up issue from a time gone by, but never really solved. Basically the State had a whole bunch of roads in Hawaii. Caring for them was a nightmare. So they gave the roads to the Counties. The Counties looked at the roads and said "What the Frack is this?" Some were nice and to standards, but some were neglected ruts. The State’s position was these are now yours and are assets to the County so what's the problem? The County said they needed some State money to get these "State" roads up to County standards. Back and forth this went and it still goes.
Dave is correct; these roads have nothing to do with private roads in subdivisions. However, if the County ever accepts those substandard subdivision roads, it will be Roads In Limbo Part Deux!
Posts: 2,149
Threads: 90
Joined: Feb 2006
I didn't mean to imply that the "roads in limbo" and the substandard subdivision roads are literally the same. There is a philosophical relationship, however, in that the County refuses to recognize the fait accomplis of their existence and do anything to help with their upkeep.
