The Scoop: Main St. delays and free books

Don’t you just love construction? I’ve always said there should be no such thing as “unexpected construction delays.” That term should cease to exist.

Delays should always be expected any time you’re dealing with construction/renovation work where any of the following items might be used: 1) a hammer; 2) a ladder; 3) a cement mixer; 4) a detour sign.

I’ve found a pretty simple formula for determining when construction work will actually be complete. If the estimate is under one week, multiply the timetable by three. For example, a “three-day job” won’t be done in under nine working days. Ever.

If a construction project is estimated at over six months, add at least one month for every six-month interval. For example, an 18-month project will take no less than 21 months.

The reason we’re always given by folks in the construction business for delays is weather. So it was no surprise when McMinnville officials announced last week that Main Street would not be open to thru traffic by the Nov. 30 deadline. Not many people ever believed the Nov. 30 date was realistic in the first place.

I found it amusing the announcement was made the day after it rained. And for anyone who may be unaware of our local weather, it was the first time for a rain of any significance in McMinnville in months. In fact, Nashville meteorologists reported that October was the second driest October in Middle Tennessee history. November wasn’t much wetter.

And the summer was terribly dry. Yet we’re being told the Main Street delays are weather related. I really find that hard to believe.

The people who determine construction timetables can’t seem to understand it rains on earth. An 18-month Main Street project will be delayed for weeks for a couple days of rain. Did these guys expect to make it a year and a half without one day of rain?

I think a rational person would factor in three or four rain days a month when determining a timetable for a project to be completed. What I’d like to hear just once is someone say, “Look folks, this project is taking longer than we thought. Sorry, but that’s what happened.”

Instead we’re led to believe one day of rain is leading to weeks worth of delays. Hmmm, that just doesn’t add up.

And since I’m on the topic of things adding up, I did want to make a brief mention of the state-subsidized Imagination Library program that was started by Dolly Parton 10 years ago in her hometown of Sevier County. It’s a noble program – one that’s intended to give books to underprivileged children who might not otherwise afford them.

The program has spread throughout the state and its been offered here in Warren County for about two years. Both my boys get monthly books through Imagination Library – for free – and I’m well pleased with the program.

But I couldn’t help but shake my head when it was announced last week that Williamson County has entered the Imagination Library program. In a wealthy county where the annual household income is nearly double the state average, children are receiving free books.

At a time when taxpayer dollars are so precious people are being kicked off TennCare, it makes no sense for the state to spend $2 million a year to send free books to rich kids. With people being kicked off TennCare, it doesn’t make sense for the state to send free books to my kids.

Imagination Library is a great concept, but if we’re being forced to cut corners, it should be one of the first programs on the chopping block. And weather should stopped being blamed for every construction project that’s behind deadline.

James Clark is editor of the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].