In my opinion the fire department has more important things to do than water the flowers. They have to stand by at the ready to dispatch to calls in a moments notice. Granted they do have some time on their hands, but during the day, they for the most part keep busy just as any other work place does, that is if they aren't taking transfers or making calls. I know I personally would want them standing by at the department if I was in need of an ambulance, rather than to have to wait out the time for them to go back to the department to get the ambulance and then respond. There are departments in the city that can take care of mowing and parks. Someone should just take the responsiblity in parks department or cemetary department and help out till the city can get someone hired to take the responsiblity for the flowers down town. I do have to agree with you, I find it disqusting that we have to even have this problem with all the talk pre-streetscape on pots in the down town area. I know there are those who work on code enforcement that seem to have lots of time on their hands. They could lend a hand.
Just this weekend I was admiring the pole pots in the down town area in Winfield. The petunia's they have in those pots are lovely, and colorful. In looking at the flowers this weekend in AC, there are many that are just too far gone to even be brought back. Some pots look as if they will just need to be replanted.
I spoke to a merchant down town this weekend and was told that the company that planted these flowers in AC were going to have to come and replant them as they were planted wrong (something about them not draining properly) when they were planted. I am not sure if this is rumor mill, surely someone can enlighten us on this subject. Any input anyone?
When the "streetscape" plan was in its beginning stages it was led by downtown merchants and individuals. There were several meetings where these people gave their input to the architect and developed the plan. The only necessity from the city was to relay the asphalt on Summit and add in the "bump-outs" required by the state. There was a group of volunteers led by a downtown merchant that was to take on the responsiblity of watering the plants with equipment provided by the city. As is the case with all volunteer groups things change and this time it didn't work out.
Before completion of the project the city already had a plan established to water the pots under the direction of Gary Baugher using the city horticulturalist and an assitant. The pots were to be watered 3 times a week. Fortunately with the rain that has not been necessary. The problems seen in the pots are due to unforeseen weather, which has provided an overabundance of water.
Firstly, the plants are new and were still in shock when the big windstorm hit. Some of the plants and even the dirt were blown across and out of the pots. Also being new, the dirt had not compacted or set and the heavy rains caused the dirt to clog the drains. What were drought resistant plants became flooded and the plants developed root rot. You may have noticed that some plants were affected more than others and certain pots more than others. Once the dirt sets and the plants are secure they will look much better.
Some of the plants needed to be replaced and because there are so many (in each pot and so many pots) it took a little while to order enough replacements. They are in and being replaced weather permitting. This will probably be an annual thing also due to late frost or snow, too much rain, disease...
These plants are also annuals that die each year. Next year our horticulturalist will pick stronger plants better for our weather, the potting, maintenance needs and so forth. Each year they will have to be replanted, and for those of you that don't have gardens, this is quite normal.
Even with all these troubles of getting started we have a very beautiful downtown. Enjoy it, you have something to be very proud of.
Thank you Patrick for filling us in on the problem with the watering. Not knowing what the original plan was and only knowing what the paper printed on this subject hindered our knowledge on this. Our concern was having all of the area towns reading about our watering problem and it appeared as if no one had a clue. Again thank you for your information.
I will water the flowers if it's that big of he deal! what it's not like i have anything else to do during the summer. As long i get paid for my work i'm good. contact me.
How does Winfield keep their plants so nice. If the Senior and Post office corner can get so much help why not the rest of the plants. Good gosh I can't believe we are going thru this. At least have the Fire Dept do it until the problem is solved.
I attended all but one of those early "streetscape" meetings. I distinctly remember John Bryant questioning who would be responsable for watering those big pots. John pointed out that most of the stores had only a bathroom that was far back at the back of the store. Most have nowhere to connect a hose even if they were willing to have a hose taking water through their entire stores to reach those pots. He wondered how many would be willing to haul buckets full of water through their stores to those planters. It was suggested to the project designers that they figure out a way to run drip lines to the planters as well as to the trees. Doesn't look like that got done. Now we are into HOT, HOT, HOT August. Lets watch how fast those plants wither. And then at Arkalalah we can see how many people choose to stand in and on the big bowls.
And don't even get me started on how whispy and trashy those locus trees look.
The directional signs are nice. Too bad they chose such a small typeface that they can't be read from a moving vehicle. If you didn't already know can, you tell which direction the arrows are pointed? From my car going down the street I sure can't.
In spite of the way those two youngsters from the planning and design company would stand in front and say they wanted our input very, very few of the suggestions that were given showed up in the final plan. Even when raised repeatedly.
I ended up feeling that those youngsters already knew their plan was approved and those meetings were only eyewash. I didn't feel we citizens got listened to at all.
Now I guess we have to hope that Dottie will really read any suggestions she gets as I understand the "talk with the Commissioners" meeting aren't going to be held. Fortunately I know where Pat is most days and have another Commissioner that lives nearby. I know I can at least be heard when I want to express an opinion but what is one small voice in the wind?
