Infrastructure? Where is the glory?

How might we turn around the neglect and lack of attention to the infrastructure in our cities and towns? We all just watched the streets of New York blow up because of 100 year old steam pipes and roadways.

I remember when we drove from Texas to Long Island in 1988 to begin a new career, I passed through the lower level of the George Washington Bridge. A beautiful bridge in pictures, I unconsciously ducked under hanging strips of paint, beams, and rusted sections glowing in sunset orange over my head.

How could this state of disrepair be? I passed through the pot holed streets of New York, and asked: "How could this be?"

I know that Senator Robert C Byrd (D-WV) has more than forty buildings, bridges, and highways named after him, criss crossing his home state of West Virginia. Pork dollars brought home that are five times the national average. How does a government, local, county, state, or Fed, create such engineering marvels and then let them disintegrate? The answer I think is "The Brass Plaque'!

(psst - you gotta click on this one and grin) but be sure to hit the back arrow to return!)

That's it --if one builds a new building, builds a bridge, a Brass Plaque is placed in a prominent place to recognise your largesse in the expenditures of the taxpayer's money!! On the other hand, if you spend the taxpayer's money on a sanding and paint job, or a retrofit of a public property, new pipes -- nobody cares or recognises your effort.

Let's create a new program wherein 1% of all infrastructure repair moneys are dedicated to Brass Plaques to the city councils and officers approving such work. Think of a Brass Plaque signifying that "The potholes on this main thoroughfare were filled by Mayor----- etc." on such and such a date. The Plaque being prominently displayed.

Imagine the George Washington Bridge being sanded, primed, and painted and then --- a Brass plaque being mounted signifying the event - with the names of the city officials and staff members that made it happen!

Hollywood Stars? Let's place one near every repaired street, re-painted bridge, upgraded tunnel, replaced sewer system! Placing a star with the department manager's name on or near the site of the repairs

Now let's watch the increase in infrastructure repairs being made across the country! Hot Damnnnnn!