the city that could care less

Two days before we set out on our vacation to New Hampshire,
we had a little burst. Well, little in the amount of time
it actually rained, but during that time, it rained alot.
With the past history of rain, everything in the basement is
on shelves 8" off of the ground. And on the third round of
landscaping, we added a dry creekbed, that serves as a catch
basin during heavy rains. It all works, unless the city's
storm drains become clogged - then it's disaster!



With so much damage done to surrounding neighborhoods, there
was a meeting at the common council at city hall. What was said?
Well, after an hour and a half slide show of the history of
sewers and storm drains, the city decided there wasn't enough
enough money for any solution but to give those households who
qualify,a grant to have a valve installed. But! It'll still cost
you $1500 to $4000 (depending on who installs it?).

"Well, OK, I guess if it means I'll never have to go rent an
industrial pump and spend 24 hours pumping out my basement and
yard, maybe it's worth it."

Oh, wait. Several people had installed those valves? And they were
even inspected by the guy giving the presentation? And pitching the
grants to have the valves installed? And they STILL FLOODED?

"NO thanks!"

But you say that this is a ten year storm? That's funny, I've
rented the pump three times in two years, so I think maybe your
math is wrong. What does your job pay? Maybe I should apply?

So now you've just pissed everyone off. What's that you say?
Oh! If we don't like how the city runs it's drains and sewers we
can file a claim? That's what I was going to do. My rate of pay
for staying up 24 hours pumping out 5 yards not including mine,
three days of missed vacation, a furnace, dryer, hot water heater.
The pump rental, rebuilding three steel bikes that sat in water
past the bottom bracket, and EVERYTHING that happened to be under
the 17 inch mark in the basement.



I could see the dollar signs on the check the city would write.
Because they plainly stated 'we have over 370 miles of storm and
sewers, and only four guys to service them'. Well, we KNOW it was
clogged because water never backs up in my basement, and never
that much. And it definately does not quickly drain down an hour
later. Then came the bitter realization, as a neighborhood
association member stood up and simply stated 'in ten years the
city has never paid one claim in our neighborhood'. And with that
said, the city quicky wrapped up it's public meeting, and clarified
that in the future, it has no plans to prevent this backup from
happening again.

WOW, for such high taxes, lax police force, pampered state
employees, and lack of anything to promote people to stay, this city
has no clue. But they'll sure be happy to deliver that property tax
bill. This time, maybe I'll pay it personally, after I wipe my ass
with the check.