-or honest symbolism for Douglas’ tenure?
Gov.Jim Douglas will have the “honor”of pushing the button that will blow up a wonderful landmark bridge. The bridge has fallen into disrepair as a result of government policies of poor planning and deferred maintenance. See the Richmond St. Bridge here in Vermont or check out Vermont State (pdf) bridge condition list.
— Gov. Jim Douglas will push the detonator buttons at 10 a.m. Monday that will bring down the Lake Champlain Bridge in two, closely timed explosions. The Governor's Office announced the ceremonial detonation Saturday in a news release.
The Crown Point Bridge, a structure that was inspected “rigorously” but these inspections failed to notice that concrete footings had deteriorated rapidly enough for an emergency closing.
No doubt Douglas will talk about moving forward and new beginnings rather than note that this bridge demolition is a symbol of the pattern of neglected maintenance of our highways and bridges. Hundreds of people and businesses are burdened by the policies that lead to this closing. It’s a symbol of decline and failure, treating the bridge demolition as species of ribbon cutting is tone deaf.
and blow ya up real soon!
Jim has always touted “Vermont for Vermonters” and with his attempt at limiting VSAC for only in-state schools has wanted to keep us from leaving. I’m pretty sure letting the bridges deteriorate was just part of that strategy.
How could Douglas have planned it better? Opening up his last year as governor the way he has governed: destroying something vital to the economic and social welfare of the state.
“Douglas the Destroyer.” I can’t wait to see the video animations that emerge from this photo-op. Nothing like going out with a bang!
Here is a quote from one of the local people Douglas live and work around the site of his ceremonial detonation and photo-op.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12…
Also Vergennes Vermont State Rep Diane Lanpher plans to have a legislative committee investigate bridge safety statewide for potential problems.
DoesLess always said that Vermont was a terrible place to do business, and wow, has he ever made that characterization come true. The bridge is just the latest piece of infrastructure to collapse under the constant barrage of lower taxes – less money for infrastructure to support business.
We’ve got to get a decent Democrat into office in November.
NanuqFC
In the part of this universe that we know there is great injustice, and often the good suffer, and often the wicked prosper, and one hardly knows which of those is the more annoying. ~ Bertrand Russell
Maybe in 2012 he will symbolically throw the switch on Vt. Yankee too?
Initially it was annoying to learn that Governor Douglas decided to make yet another photo op of the implosion of the Champlain Bridge, however in retrospect, it is indeed appropriate for a Republican to set off the charge that destroyed a vital transportation link whose use was inaugurated by a Democratic Governor, Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Reminded me of that Monty Python movie the meaning of life where the guy explodes after eating a meal big enough for 20 people. But it was pretty sick.
LOL Pete:) Exactly:)