| Author | Message | ||
     ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2815 Registered: 9-2001 |
THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Caution – the following is a list of addresses where sidewalks are in need of repair. Proceed at your own risk! | ||
| Nohero Citizen Username: Nohero Post Number: 3648 Registered: 10-1999  |
If you don't mind my saying - Here in the past there have been discussions about a particular house or yard, and sometimes those properties are identified enough so people know where they are. Usually, there follows a discussion about whether someone's property should be discussed like that in a public forum, especially if the owner isn't a participant in the forum. I don't think we should just post addresses like you suggest, in the forum. First, the owners may not be readers here (yes, I know, what are the odds of that?). Second, a poster's view of what "in need of repair" means, may be different from what the Township's inspector would say. Third, even if the sidewalk is genuinely in need of repair, I don't think the owner should be singled out in a public way on this board, if there are other ways to address the issue. I think that if people have a concern about a sidewalk, they should talk with the owner (if they know the person) or notify the town. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2816 Registered: 9-2001 |
Not at all... To each his own, and thanks for sharing. However, I still feel this is an issue that needs to be publicized. When our roads and sidewalks are in disrepair the town usually posts a sign. We can’t expect that to happen in front of every home with a problem sidewalk. Listen, it's obvious the town is short handed on inspectors. And, posting a problem is easier for residents than calling in a complaint to the town. Plus, as Cfa indicated, posting on line is more likely to get the desired results. IMHO, the residents need to help police our town. If there's garbage in the streets or on the sidewalk, pick it up. If something is in need of repair, post it as a Public Service Announcement. BTW, how's your sidewalks Nohero?  | ||
| Soda Citizen Username: Soda Post Number: 1634 Registered: 5-2001  |
Your a very scary guy, Art. What's next on your list of public offenders? Bad Landscaping? Messy Porches? Embarrassing Autos? And,yeah. As Nohero posits, what if a posted address belongs to a person who's simply got a life, and doesn't spend energy or time on MOL? Do you actually think that such a posting will have any effect? Is your intent simply to shame MOLers into acting on your behests? That's Bush-League. I thought you were Old School, Art. Personally, if I encounter a "hazard condition" like a dangerous sidewalk, low-hanging tree branches, or other potentially dangerous situation, I will contact the property owner, or if really necessary, even (and only as a last resort) report it to the appropriate municipal authorities. I don't think that's too much effort to expend on a problem truly in need of remediation. Your "Public Service" solution would invest potentially bogus postings with the weight of legitimate ones, and I seriously doubt that you or anybody else would appreciate being wrongly cited as allowing a public danger to exist on their property (which could even lead to legal action). MOL does plenty to lift public awareness. I do not consider your Sidewalk Vigilante idea worthy of serious consideration. For some reason, it makes me think of Joe McCarthy. Sorry to be such a wet blanket. --s. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2818 Registered: 9-2001 |
“Your a very scary guy, Art. What's next on your list of public offenders? Bad Landscaping? Messy Porches? Embarrassing Autos?” That’s right pal! I'm up for almost anything that it takes to keep Maplewood beautiful and safe! FWIW, my intent was simply to inform the public of any "hazardous conditions." MOLers are free to do as they please. Anyway, what makes you think I have any influence on this board? I always thought it was you and Nohero who had all the answers. So listen Soda, as long as you don’t think it’s such an effort, “when you encounter a dangerous sidewalk, low-hanging tree branches, or other potentially dangerous situation, go ahead and contact the property owner, or if really necessary, even (and only as a last resort) report it to the appropriate municipal authorities.” BTW, my "Public Service Solution” will no more conjure up potentially bogus postings than some of the stuff I’ve seen come off your keyboard. I agree that I wouldn’t appreciate being wrongly cited, but I find it a stretch to believe it would ever rise to the level of litigation over someone’s opinion! I also agree that MOL does plenty to lift public awareness, however, IMHO, it could never do to much... And, don’t pretend to me to be sorry for being such a wet blanket. I’ve gotten to expect that from you! | ||
| Soda Citizen Username: Soda Post Number: 1636 Registered: 5-2001 |
I take it back. Not Joe Mccarthy. Howard Dean.  | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2824 Registered: 9-2001 |
Now, aren't you the Joker... | ||
| bak Citizen Username: Bak Post Number: 555 Registered: 5-2001 |
Tell me who is responsible for the following: There's a tree planted on the strip of soil between the sidewalk and the street--the town's tree--so I've been told. OK--the roots of this Town tree have crept beneath the sidewalk pavers and lifted them up and about. Who is responsible? | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 33 Registered: 10-2003 |
Instead of outing folks whose sidewalks aren't to your liking, why don't you apply your energy towards finding a contractor/mason who might service the community at a deeply discounted rate? -las | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2825 Registered: 9-2001 |
Bak,"Who is responsible?" The property owner is. Las, It's not about liking someones sidewalk or not, it's whether the sidewalk is safe for people to walk on. If you need one, call town hall for a list of contractor/masons who do this kind of work in town. BTW, Las, have you met Les yet? | ||
| optimyst Citizen Username: Optimyst Post Number: 83 Registered: 6-2001 |
If you want to keep our town beautiful, DO NOT single out homeowners here to get what you want. Part of our charm is taken away when people get mean without knowing individuals' circumstances. On our street and around, the town promised to resurface the road and put in new sidewalks. It was a nice job when finished, but took a couple of years before they did it. Some elderly people have trouble making ends meet, maybe a new homeowner moves in town, or someone has lost a job ..... So many reasons you wouldnt know .... I agree that vigilantism is not the way to go to make this a better town ... Working together and communicating with our neighbors seems the best way to me .... | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2826 Registered: 9-2001 |
I can see how you're an optimist, but why are you being so pessimistic about it? Please try and re-think your position. Yes, some of us want to keep our town beautiful, but we also want to keep it safe as well. I can understand your concern about the issue, however, we're talking about a relatively small number of bad sidewalks in town, compared to a large number of people who stand the risk of falling and being hurt. I don't believe seeing someone hurt is what you have in mind, no more than I have in mind to be mean. I also don’t think we need to wait a couple of years before some of these residents get around to fixing their sidewalk either. Listen, some of the elderly people you refer to are the ones most likely to fall. And, if it just turns out to be their property and someone falls, we’re probably talking about a law suit which would be more expensive than repairing the sidewalk in the first place. I can agree that vigilantism is not the right way to deal with this issue, so lets find a compromise. I personally like your suggestion that working together and communicating with our neighbors is the best way, but how will we locate all these dangerous sidewalks? I have an idea, why not let those of us who want to list the unsafe sidewalks do so, and then you and all those who agree with you can go to the addresses listed and offer to help them out. Now that’s the best of both worlds. Really, Maplewood is such a great place to live...  | ||
| DeborahG Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 972 Registered: 5-2001 |
"If you need one, call town hall for a list of contractor/masons who do this kind of work in town." Art, I have left numerous messages at town hall and no one has gotten back to me. As you can see from another thread on this subject, it's very hard to get someone to fix one or two flags -- generally it only appears to be worth their while if you've got a bunch. I've got a messed up "flag and I will very happily pay someone to fix it. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2827 Registered: 9-2001 |
Deborahg, we also had to fix the sidewalks on the properties in South Orange. I'm pretty sure SO also had a list. Try them, and if you don't have any luck PL me and I'll try to find you someone... | ||
| DeborahG Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 974 Registered: 5-2001 |
Art my dear, SO town hall *is* who I called for a list. Anyone you could recommend would be great. | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 3382 Registered: 5-2001 |
DeborahG: Try joining forces with a neighbor(s) who may also need some minor sidewalk repair. Get enough people together and the job may be worth it to a contractor. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2838 Registered: 9-2001 |
Sorry Deb, I thought you lived in Maplewood... Ooops! Hey, Joan has a good idea. Lets wait a week or so and see if any of the vigilantism rubs off on some Molers reading this, especially our friend Squeeks who started us on this issue. Listen, I also need some mason work around my property. Maybe if we can offer one contractor several jobs, we will all get a little break on the cost? I think it was Las who had that great idea first... | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 5994 Registered: 5-2001 |
At one time SO had a contract with a masonry company and homeowners could buy off the contract, much as municipalities buy off state contracts for things such as police cars. I don't know why this was discontinued, but to my simple mind it seems like a good idea. | ||
| just me fromsouthorange Citizen Username: Jmfromsorange Post Number: 726 Registered: 7-2003 |
deb- i'll ask my mom in the morning who she used to do our sidewalk and apron. i'll also ask my brother, who's a contractor if he knows anyone who would be interested in some jobs that might offer a discount. | ||
| algebra2 Citizen Username: Algebra2 Post Number: 2305 Registered: 5-2001  |
Maplewood Town Hall will not recommend anyone -- against policy |
