County Route 106 (Church Creek) Open Thread
I've opened this post for the residents on Church Creek Road to keep me updated on the "repair work" resulting from the January 10th meeting with County Commissioner of Public Works, Vincent Spagnolitti. I will also update the residents from my end on this site. Any other comments from the general public are welcome.
posted by sallyann | 10:33 AM
28 Comments:
Just got off the phone with Dick Johnson who just got back from riding up Church Creek with Vincent Spagnolitti. Apparently, the county is going to lay fabric down on the worst spots and coat and roll 6 inches of "creek gravel" on the worst spots. They're going to start by the log cabin by the Church Creek bridge and repair to the top by Glen Terwilliger's place. The issue of "scraping off the loose gravel" was nixed because of having to move the gravel and stockpile it somewhere. Also, the cost of gas for moving the gravel was an issue for the county. Dick is not convinced the fabric/creek gravel "fix" is going to work, but has a "wait and see" attitude. So..we'll see if the county's way works. The county plans to maintain the road during the winter.
Seems to me if they put fabric on the clay spots then cover with gravel .It would be like a ice cream sandwich and squish out every where!Still dont see how this fix will work without removing the bad material first. Perhaps they will luck out and it will freeze back up and they can smooth with stone or gravel until it thaws again.I know its bad now but wait till spring! I think Vince should have took Dicks advice on repair! But I get the feeling others opinions dont influence him much.
What's the road like now with the snow?
Marc, Vince took a lot of heat from residents and never lost his cool. He also took responsibility for the present problem. Perhaps he knows more than Dick. Dick could not keep his cool under such an attack and you know it. The town roads are not much to brag about so lets not throw stones. No one is perfect.
Mr. Johnson deserves credit for holding his "cool " as well as he does for the sometimes undeserved flack that he receives. Probably his on the job training has taught him more about road conditions in Lindley than Mr. S "larned" at school.
How come those who know so much about how Mr.Johnson should do his job don't run against him at election time when the position comes up for grabs every couple of years. He is either re-elected or has no opposition. Either he has a lot of friends or the people voting think he is doing okay.
He and his crew deserve a lot of credit for working under some of the conditions that they have to-including those who find time to gripe.They beat the county plowing the local roads, and were out sanding today. Instead of finding fault -give them a pat on the back for working under conditions that most of us wouldn't even want to try.
PS How about some constructive criticism instead of always making derogatory remarks. (Look up the meaning)
The county doesn't have a very good trak record in this end of the county-just look at the glenndenning road,tannery creek-now chirch creek.if you want a decent county road go to the other end of the county where all the county officials live.
one nice thing about the whole deal . now we all know what little Ivan Wheeler knows about making roads . at least the guy is retiring this year and maybe they will replace him with someone that knows how to repair his screw ups
As for throwing stones. That was not my intention. I was just voicing my opinion.And as for our town roads being nothing to brag about.Well take a ride on any other surrounding towns' dirt roads and compare.Every town is having the same heaving problems with the frost trying to come out. Mother nature cant make up her mind 50 one day 10 the next.These conditions are nothing new to dirt roads.And as for Dicks opinion on repair for Church creek Hmmm lets see how many years experience repairing dirt roads does Dick have? I think over 30!And what is the problem area of Church creek now? Mostly dirt and rock from attempted repairs.I think his years of experience would be a real asset to the county right now.
As usual, the detractors are so hyper-focused on “politics of personal destruction” they’ve missed the larger issue at hand that is much more important to the citizens of Lindley than taking yet another opportunity to poke Dick Johnson in the eye. The 40+ residents on Church Creek Road have a problem with a County road construction project gone awry and need a real solution to alleviate dangerous adverse conditions through the winter. And just because the residents live on a County road, doesn’t automatically make it just a County problem. The Church Creek residents pay Lindley taxes and “just happen” to live on a County road and that fact shouldn’t preclude the Lindley Town Board from trying to help them get the problem fixed. In fact, it is our duty to stand by their side, and if we don’t, what in the hell are we worth as a Board? We were elected to help the citizens of Lindley no matter what road they live on. And that means if seeking resolution involves working with the County, then that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
I couldn’t help but notice the “anonymous commenter” was more focused on protecting Vince Spagnolitti and had far more sympathy for him, the person who caused the problem to begin with than for the Church Creek residents. Vince attended the meeting specifically to take full responsibility for the many failed decisions and errors made concerning Church Creek. He was there to try and make it right as well he should and that makes Vince and (Bob Nichols) stand up guys in my eyes. But let’s not forget why the board room was packed with residents. As Supervisor, I was far more interested in allowing the Church Creek residents to vent their frustrations and get some answers to a serious road problem, than I was worried that Vince might get his feelings hurt. When you’re County Commissioner of Public Works, facing an agitated crowd comes with the territory.
However, I’ll make no apologies for the crowd’s behavior. I was super impressed with the people who attended the meeting. They were controlled and by God they were knowledgeable. They worked the problem like pro’s and with a good deal of commonsense. It didn’t surprise me a bit that Vince asked Dick Johnson to consult with him to determine a repair process. Dick made a powerful presentation about how the road should be fixed. His 33 years of experience really showed that night of the meeting.
Unfortunately, Vince overrode Dick and the resident’s solution to “scrape” off the gravel in favor of the County engineers advice to lay fabric and apply and roll even more gravel. Here’s a bit of wisdom I’ve learned over the years: Architects, designers and engineers do their work on paper, they don’t usually get their hands dirty. They depend on the craftsmen and working men with “practical experience” to bring the project to completion. The professional relies on a symbiotic relationship with the working man. It is rare that an architect can build his own house, or an engineer build a road, but an experienced carpenter doesn’t need an architect to build a house and an experienced roadman doesn’t need an engineer to build a road. The working man can build and pave because of their years of experience working with their medium. This is what Dick Johnson and others who attended the meeting offered Vince Spagnolitti—years of experience with building and repairing roads. They were hands on and understood the process quite well.
And out of respect for Vince-- that it was his County road, and ultimately his call-- Dick and myself are taking a “wait and see” attitude. Hopefully, Vince’s solution works, but if it doesn’t, I’m hoping Vince, out of respect for Dick’s experience and the residents on Church Creek, Vince will consider their solution of scraping off the gravel. Time will tell.
“Anonymous” is not interested in working out problems for the citizens of Lindley. They are more interested in “causing problems” for Dick and me. This is clear and duly noted.
Oh my goodness, woman get over yourself. No one said they didn't agree that the Church Creek residents were facing a difficult, unnecessary problem on their road. Your tirades are beginning to sound like a demented person. If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen.
To the last anonymous -What's your problem?? Can't you stand Sally's comments,concern and observations.At least she is making an effort to help. You don't have to read them if they bother you. Get real.
Nothing against dick or any other town highway super but you must know that to the state D.O.T. and the County super a man like dick is just a one horse town hick highway man. sad but true.I agree we will see about church creek and we know how well the D.O.T. is doing about Rt.15. Maybe someone should start to listen to the little people some of them really know a lot.
I am concerned about our road, Church Creek, being done properly and for making it a safe, smooth highway that is was at one time, and paved. I have read all the comments on here, and it seems that someone is making this site about town concerns and comments as their personal whipping post for our "hardworking and dedicated" town officials. I believe in freedom of the "Press", but lets just keep a good site to voice our concerns and "town" comments here. Sal, I was impressed with your first town meeting presiding over procedures. Great job! Remember folks, we are lucky to live in such a close knit community where others, like our neighbors and friends are truly good people in general. People here help each other, not ignore others problems or plights in life. Enjoy where we live, we are fortunate. As for Church Creek, I guess we have to take the "wait and see" attitude that our town officials have taken at present, but all eyes are upon this road, and if not done correctly, then we go after the county again to make it right. Seems fair. We have new vehicles that go up and down this road and have to put truck into four wheel drive sometimes to get up or down it because of mud, washboard, and ruts, but we are willing to give them a chance to make it right, soon. And as for Dick Johnson, he is as honest, hardworking, dedicated a person as you would ever have the fortune to meet. He is also a lifetime resident of Lindley and is just as eager as most to keep it a good place to live.
The gals right.Didn't your Mothers teach you that if you can't say something good about a person-don't say it.
Yes Old Timer: That is very true!!
Also you shouldn't point a finger at a person, unless you have the proof to back it up!!! Ask our newly elected councilman!!
Yes old timer and mama also said the proof is in the pudding. Sooner or later and it may be years the truth always wins out so remember that when the truth does win and it will. You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all the people all the time.
And then again-there are the schemers who are always looking to make a good impression just to make others look bad.
Where is the county highway superviosr for this end of the county . How come he was not at the towm meeting along with Vincent Spagnolitti and explaining why and how things went wrong ? After all isnt he the one that built the road.At least Vince was a man and accepting responbilty .
How come no onee has heard from him ?
Should be an interesting development when county receives all the repair bills from church creek residents-don't you think????
In the last couple of days since the county put the fabric on the road below Saunders on 106, the water in the gravel has worked its way to the top and is quite slippery, and requires you travel below 20 mph to get over it safely. It isn't as bad as it was with the gravel and fabric, but the water/slippery condition is also one you can not ignore for all of our safety. The road going east of the fabric addition is getting worse. Up by Ron VanZiles is deep washboard and takes you all over the place. Can't imagine what it is doing to our wheel alighnments on our vehicles. About fainted when I powerwashed my truck and saw all the concrete on everything. Hope things improve for all of us who travel 106 daily and vehicles are getting a beating.
sounds like the people driving 106 are finding out what it's like living on a town road. Ijust drove 106 and it is in better shape than the town roads
THEN HOW COME SO MANY WHO LIVE ON CHURCH CREEK ARE USING OTHER ROADS ?
QUIT TRYING TO STIR SOMETHING UP-FIND A HOBBY , TAKE A VACATION SOUTH TO MYRTLE BEACH, FLORIDA, TIMBUCTOO-IF YOU ARE SO UNHAPPY HERE. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR REMARKS.
SIGNED
TIRED OF TROUBLE MAKERS TRYING TO KEEP SOMETHING GOING.
i'm confused. If you leave 106 you are getting on a county road or Caton town road, not a Lindley town road!
Don't be confused .The Rt106 driver is just trying to get something going about the condition of the Lindley roads with his comments. Hasn't anything better to do than find fault. Hope Lindley residents get tired of his harassment of town employees and see him for what he is..
enough said about 106. it is a county road and the county is going to fix it. time to start IMPROVING town roads not just maintaining them.
If you think Lindley town roads are bad -take a drive into neighboring town of Tuscarora. Talk about washboards-even in the middle of the summer. Lindley's are super highways compared. Stop knocking Lindley roads -just to air your spite. If you have a gripe air it with the highway personnel-not here. Your colors are showing -green
"the highway personnel" are only willing to listen to a select few in town. i have tried talking to them but it gets me nowhere.
We know- If they had a voo-ddo doll-they'd stick pins in you,too.
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