Oversight Committee

Monday night the Scottsville Town Council appointed George Goodwin to the Town’s “new” Enhancement Oversight Committee; he replaces Jim Brown. Although the Town established this committee at the beginning of the Streetscape Project, the universal observation is that it was a rubber stamp for whatever was placed before the committee and the minutes of its few meetings reflects that little was discussed.

Reports about the newly defined committee first meeting is in sharp contrast to its early incarnation. Barry Grove was elected chairman of the group having been nominated by the outspoken Sallie Massie over a suggestion that the Mayor chair the meetings. I have spoken individually with several committee members who all are pledging that the errors made during past projects will not be repeated for future projects and true oversight will be exercised with attention to detail.

I applaud this group for stepping up to the plate to insure that future projects will live up to their promise.

Crooked Lights

The east side of Valley Street recently got some new temporary lights. It seems that in the time before tree removal, our local supplier of electrons, Appalachian Power ordered the new lights and then put them in storage. When the first light came out, it was discovered that they had ordered the wrongs. What made matters worse was that the manufacturer had discontinued that model even though it had been a popular design having been used around the Albemarle County Courthouse in the big City of Charlottesville.

With poles in place, the power company that be, installed their “lights” as a temporary measure until the manufacturer can put the approved design back into production. With a pinkish glow, half the street is lit looking to many as an approach to an airport runway when one comes south down Valley Street. No time has been given when the correct light fixtures will be installed.

One day when you have nothing else to do and want a laugh, grab your level and head to the nearest light pole. Odds are it will not show it being plumb. Take almost any three poles and sight them and you will draw the same conclusion, they were not set plumb. Are you surprised?