It looked for awhile like the town of Oriental might once again dither on the restoration of Raccoon Creek, affectionately known as the Duck Pond. Early Monday morning, though, Mayor Bill Sage is reported to have signed the Authorization Document to seek funds from the state for project planning.
This process has been dragging out for years. Neighbors have pleaded with the town to close Main Street at the Duck Pond, perhaps replacing it with a footbridge or bicycle bridge, high enough to paddle a small boat under. The street is flooded and impassible often enough that the neighbors want it closed.
Two years ago a Duck Pond Committee was formed. They worked with an engineering firm to develop a plan, which was presented to the public. When completed, the Duck Pond restoration would result in an attractive park-like setting in the heart of the old village, attracting residents and visitors alike.
To complete the project, the town needs grant money. The first grant submission ran into problems, and it was withdrawn. But it is important to keep the project alive. In particular, we need to remind the North Carolina Clean Water Trust Fund that we are serious about pursuing the project.
Last Thursday at the Oriental Town Board agenda meeting, Commissioner Bohmert briefed the board on a grant opportunity requiring the original proposal to be split into more manageable chunks. The first chunk would be a planning grant, which would require NO matching funds from the town. The engineering firm is preparing the grant application, and needed a signed authorization document no later than Monday, February 1.
The ensuing discussion was disappointing. Mayor Sage refused to sign the authorization on the grounds he does not understand the "functions and obligations" the town must "proceed with diligence to perform" if the grant is made.
From where I was sitting, the functions and obligations seemed pretty obvious. We would be requesting a grant to perform planning. The obligation pretty clearly is to spend the money and manage the effort to insure a plan is delivered.
The mayor has since relented and signed the document. It is on its way.
If this document had not been signed, in the normal course of events, it could be another year before a grant opportunity occurs. And the town would have no plan.
That is why it sometimes takes so long for the town to do things.
P.S. Main street was impassible this weekend.
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3 comments:
A leeson for the grant proposal writers is to make sure that key stakeholders are involved with the grant development process. The mayor should have been informed of the plan before he was asked to sign the document.
My information is that the mayor and most of the commissioners had received the package by e-mail before the agenda meeting. There should have been no confusion about the plan to amend the previously submitted grant request. The project is not new. The information suggesting an opportunity was received between normal Town Board meetings. Proverbs that come to mind: "strike while the iron is hot", "make hay while the sun shines", "perfect is the enemy of the good."
Anonymous stated the obvious. Even so, you can't force people to read. Case in point, there are still those who think that this project depends on the town buying property. Not so. The Town already owns the property, and what it doesn't own isn't necessary. This grant encompasses planning for Main and Hodges Streets. It will be interesting to see the grant is awarded and even more interesting to see what the planners come up with.
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