The Art Center on our little island in Southwest Florida was hard hit by back-to-back hurricanes last fall. The hardwood floors had to be replaced as well as some drywall. Now the county, which owns the building, wants to put down carpet as the new flooring.
“Carpet?!” I said when my friend told me this morning. “Are they nuts?”
The center isn’t just a place where old folks like to display and sell their creations. There are also classes where enthusiastic students have been known to drop paint on the floor. I know because I’ve scrapped it up on several occasions. There are receptions with appetizers and red wine. The foot traffic is almost non-stop.
“They said it was our only option,” my friend said.
The thought process of government bureaucracy in action. I had to shake my head in disbelief.
The old wooden floors buckled under four feet of storm surge. I can understand the powers-that-be not wanting to replace them. But there are so many better alternatives to carpeting. How about tile? Or vinyl plank?
My friend certainly understands floors and flooding. Her one-story island home was invaded by several inches of water during the hurricanes. She replaced her ruined hardwood with tile and was delighted with the results. She’s also ready for whatever the weather and rising seas might bring.
When it comes to our local government decisions, many of us have been doing a lot of eye-rolling lately.
The newest county scheme, courtesy of the commissioners and some disgruntled homeowners who have beachfront property, is to limit parking on our little island. Or reading between the lines: to try to reduce the number of public beachgoers who invade the space and lifestyles of the well-to-do. Some believe that county hands have been “greased” in the form of generous campaign contributions. It’s not my place to accuse, but contributions are public record.
The uproar from merchants, churches, and plenty of residents who are happy to share their special place has just started. I’m wondering how a police force of two sheriff’s deputies are going to monitor the activities of 4,000 residents/visitors and write parking tickets for those who violate the proposed two-hour parking rule.
This is the same county government that refused to set up a fast-track permitting process to help homeowners rebuild after the recent hurricanes.
The same government that ignored pleas for years to set up a working emergency communication system for our slice of paradise. Fortunately, when Hurricane Ian left the island isolated and open to looting for days, a private citizen with an interest in security was able to raise money to put together a first-class communications program with the help of the fire department.
With no assistance from the county, the locals also raised millions during the last three hurricanes to put the island back on its feet. Businesses were given money to help rebuild and replace lost inventories. Fallen trees were removed and new ones planted. Debris was finally removed after the county dragged its feet.
I’m sympathetic to the needs of a county whose communities have been dealing with massive storms. But carpeting in the Art Center and two-hour parking? It’s time for government to listen to what island residents think will work best.
Speaking of government ineffectiveness, the island hasn’t had a working post office since Hurricane Milton took it out in October. Most island businesses are back up and running in some form. In the post office building, it’s lights out and no official start-up date that I know of. Residents have to travel twenty minutes and stand in line to get their mail.
Government inefficiency. It’s all fodder for my next book.