Sunday, May 13, 2018

City of Ramsey - Haste alone does not make waste; often stupidity is a key co-factor.

A five-million dollar pedestrian bridge for a town that has to scratch to figure how to finance road upkeep is like putting whipped cream on Ramsey Town Center.

In fact where esle would you expect such a project, besides the ill-fated Ramsey Town Center? The song/dance is that this pedestrian bridge will catalyze miracle growth in Ramsey just as the big parking ramp and expensive City Hall catalyzed miracles. There in the hub of the Town Center, because some few think it might be a good idea if only somebody else would pick up the tab. If Jim Deal is not financing it the clear message is it will not pay for itself with profit, but will instead drain cash from better spending.

It is unneeded fluff in a part of Ramsey that has been a money sinkhole since day one of the thing being proposed.

It is excessive even to envision such a project. It would be wasteful if ever actually built. It could reinvent the very concept of "wastefulness" to build something that unnecessary and yet costly. Table the question. Fifteen years from now, reconsider it as whether then needed or not. Lack of any justifying need might change with an actual need arising over the next fifteen years.

Just don't bet on it.

If it simply goes unbuilt, think of the upkeep and maintenance savings such a decision would yield. Kill it off now. There is no cause to do otherwise.