CHASER: Walking Hazards: Funding an issue for city sidewalks in disrepair
As they age, many of the sidewalks around Nashua are falling into disrepair. While city officials are aware of the issue, the problem persists due to a lack of available funding…“The city is responsible for the sidewalks. We realize that there are a lot of sidewalks in need of repairs and replacement, but we don’t have enough money,” Byers said.
SHOT: Performing Arts Center Revealed
Several months after approving a $15.5 million bond to construct a downtown performing arts center, aldermen this week amended the bond resolution to allow funding from a mandated endowment fund to be used for the design phase of the project. Supporters believe this change will jump start fundraising efforts since potential donors will now be able to view a proposed design of the theater before committing to a private contribution. The Board of Aldermen approved the amended bond resolution with a vote of 12-2, which will also allow New Market Tax Credits to be included in the $4 million endowment that must be raised before construction begins to convert the former Alec’s shoe store on Main Street into a new performing arts center.
Mayor Jim Donchess said he believes that about $6 million in private donations will likely be obtained, which would include the tax credits.
It always seems to play out this way – “leaders” of a given municipality get stars in their eyes and forget about why they’re elected in the first. What’s that you say? Take care of business. In the case of a town or city, it’s making sure the little things are taken care of FIRST. NYC Mayor De Blasio can’t remove snow – now Nashua’s Donchess eyes have lifted up from the cracked sidewalk to both an Art Center and the Iron Horse on two steel rails (yeah, that 19th Century transportation invention for the 21st problem – a choo choo train). But that’s how it goes – the mundane things take less shrift from the grifters. After all, would you want to be known for making the city’s infrastructure whole (sidewalks, potholes, water) or that your legacy will be spending lots of tax money on an ediface that will have a plaque in it with your name on it that will, like the railroad, cater to the elite in town?
This is like Laconia, NH all over again with their own tax money boondoogle over the Colonial Theater where HOPE is the financial strategy (for Federal tax credits) in desperately thinking “how are we gonna explain THIS crapper full of constituent tax money and it ain’t opening any time soon??”. Money spent and the process has a long way to go – and people aren’t working for free.
Sidewalks vs edifices? What is the Proper Role of Government (at this level)? The School is screaming for more money (unions always do that; even with enrollments down the “needs are up” – of course they are, they make them up as the go along). Redefining Libraries as community centers – how’s that creaky sewer plant working?
The work of running a city is mundane and sometime “beneath one” it seems – yet the citizens are owed that Govt do that small number of things it is supposed to do and do them well. IMHO, if the sidewalks are crumbling, Donshess is already ignoring that which he shouldn’t.
Let the private sector do that Center without any govt involvement – like Laconia, yer not a real estate tycoon.
