The main road near our house didn't appear to be in bad shape, so I was surprised when a sign popped up a couple of months ago announcing that a major "road improvement" was set to begin May 3.
Expect delays, it warned.
Even worse, the project was being paid for by the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act", otherwise known around these parts as the "Socialist Stimulus Package".
The same Stimulus money the Teabaggers protest when they rally downtown at the Liberty Bell.
Yes, there's a Liberty Bell.
A small one.
A really small one.
Like you find in the gift shop at Knott's Berry Farm, which is where it probably came from.
At any rate, the work started on May 3rd as advertised and I have to admit it's been a model of efficiency. It's been a minor inconvenience, but I've been impressed with how quickly they're getting it done. Score one for Bako.
Or so I thought.
This morning as I was leaving the house I noticed a familiar insignia on the safety vest of one of the workmen.
"City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation".
I first thought it must be a memento from a previous job, but then I noticed others wearing them. And a lot of the work trucks had "818" numbers on the license frames... the San Fernando Valley.
You've got to be kidding me... they're outsourcing public works? To other cities?
So that's the key to smaller local government? Pawning the work off on the neighbors?
Or maybe the powers that be just realized if you want something done right, you can't rely on the local talent.
I know I wouldn't.
UPDATE: Gotta love small town living. What would appear to me to simply be a lane closure on a surface street has now officially been christened a "TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE" by the local news. We have "full team coverage"!
They warn it may add "up to 5 minutes" to your commute".
They've clearly never been on the 405.
