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Fix White
Street Pier Now
Those who have the
power to repair White Street Pier, apparently, do not care to do the
job. The pier has been closed to pedestrian traffic since November 2005.
During that time, an engineering firm evaluated the damage that had been
done by last years' hurricanes and by general decay. They came up with a
"Henny Penny" scenario — the pier was evidently falling and in danger of
collapsing under the weight of walkers. However, it was, strangely
enough, strong enough for the New Year's fireworks trucks and for the
explosions that went on for a half hour.
The topic was supposed
to be on the commission agenda on March 7, but was not. Keys Energy did,
however, go out and take down the light poles — we were told they were
leaning dangerously and might fall on pedestrians. The removal of light
poles was supposed to lead to the installation of new lights that would
not distress nesting turtles.
At the last Traffic
and Sidewalks Team meeting, it was revealed that the City is unable to
decide what lights to use and where to put them, so the whole project is
hung up until that decision can be made. When the light poles were
removed, the barriers did not come down.
The topic was to be on
the agenda at the April 4th Commission meeting, but again was not. When
the bid to do the extensive repairs the engineering firm's insisted had
to be made came in, it was $990,000, too much for John Jones to bring to
the commission. So Mr. Jones is attempting to come up with a short-term
fix, something that would keep the pier open for five years or so.
However, this new, less expensive, plan is in planning limbo. Nothing
happens month in and month out.
On Easter Sunday, two
church groups came to the pier for Easter services. One group was
reduced to holding its service on the beach, while the other group
huddled together at the barrier trying to act as if this was OK.
Day in and day out,
people say to me, "So what's going on with the pier?" Or "Keep up the
good work on the pier!" It's nice to be recognized as someone who is
trying to get the city to do the right thing by its citizens, but I
begin to wonder if what the people want makes any difference to this new
commission any more than it does to the city manager and assistant city
manager. I'm sorry to keep writing more or less the same letter — I'd so
rather be writing a thank-you note to John Jones, a man I respect. The
wheels of the city grind exceeding slow when it comes to what residents
need. Mallory Square was fixed immediately.
Anyone who wishes to
sign a petition to the City Commission asking them to fix the pier
immediately can do so at
606 Greene Street,
can call me at 294-3976 or drop me a line at rosannegp@comcast.net and
I'll send you a copy.
We have been deprived
of the only free and non-commercialized sunrises and sunsets, of
peaceful 180-degree views of sky and ocean, of deep water to fish in for
almost six months, all for lack of some handrails and a bit of asphalt.
Rosanne Potter
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