Potholes and defensive driving around them have become all too common in the City. They don't actually fix them, they just put bandaids on that fail in a year and then they do it again. Isnt there a saying there, I think its from Einstein, repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different outcome? Yeah, that is what is happening. Insanity.
This is how we are fixing potholes? Now I know people dont like to be inconvenienced with their street being worked on but I think if you did a poll, most people would rather have a day or so of inconvenience than a street full of temporary repairs.
Storm Drain Maintenance
There have been disastrous floods in areas that never should have flooded. This was basically sewage entering these homes. The reason? Well according to the city, " the power was out and therefore the pumps weren't working". Well, that sounds reasonable except that the power was not out at many of these pumps. Resident's took pictures of the lights being on and still flood waters pouring into homes. This is not acceptable. Those drains should have been in tip top shape knowing hurricanes were likely to hit us. To add insult to injury, Tampa then decides that they are going to demand that people raise their homes 6 feet or tear them down. They sent letters out and unless people knew better, they deemed their properties substantially damaged without even seeing them. I, as a contractor, have fixed numerous " damaged" homes for far less than the 50% rule. This was so misunderstood and I believe there were ulterior motives involved.
This is also unacceptable. These people need help. Some need mental illness help. Other's need alcoholism help. Some need drug rehab. Some may just need a hand up. It is very hard to tell nowadays which is which. We are not doing the right thing by allowing them to live in homeless camps leaving needles and human waste around. We are not doing the right thing by allowing them to sleep on public sidewalks or private property. We need to have the resources to handle them properly and get them off the streets. This is a sad situation.
This also must stop. This is endangering their lives and also drivers lives. They weave in and out of traffic, approach cars and stare at drivers. No, this is not acceptable. In fact, it is illegal in Tampa. The current administration has no answers and no enforcement. I will address this humanely but properly. Again, we need to figure out why they are in this situation and then fix the root problem.