Round Table Talk 1

(With this post I am taking this blog to the next level by starting a series of postings which I am calling Round Table Talk. If you need to know what I mean by that you are on the wrong blog. Many of you who no longer live in 56572 still want to know what people back home are talking about. Most of you know me - not that you trust me all the time, you're too smart for that. Few of you - us either - can keep track of who owns The Press anymore. The trouble with a small town weekly newspaper is that there is precious little news in it for those who of us who live here. We just look at the pictures which seem to be getting bigger all the time. 56572 will report on newsworthy Round Table Talk as it happens. Because of the informed sources I talk to every day, I'll probably even end up with some Knights of the Round Table reading this blog, but don't hold your breath. That's probably what you miss most about 56572....a good shot of gossip. I will avoid getting personal by trying my best not to name at least last names. If you need to know the name, email me. I hope you will use the comment function under the post to add your two cents worth. If you name names in your comment I will delete your comment and you will be excommunicated - as soon as I figure out how.)

863-PETE

The Minnesota DOT has been in town every day the past two months eagle-eyeing the work done by the local low bid winner to resurface US Highway 59 from Erhard through 56572. I am not an asphalt expert. I depend on the DOT. I do use my senses and the seat of my pants.

Why is it that every day all summer I got the feeling that something was not right with the work being done? Why is it that when we finally got to drive on the finish layer of asphalt it was like driving down a gravel road of irregular washboards? What about the rutting between Erhard and 56572. If you let go of the steering wheel your vehicle will be pulled from side to side. Why are they letting the road be put to bed in this condition?

I gathered up a bundle of courage (search this blog on the top menu line of this page for: janteloven) and asked a DOT employee last week if they felt what I did. Yes, he said, of course. What can one do? Complain, it's your road. Instead of complaining directly to DOT, (janteloven) I wrote to the Mayor - who has filed for re-election, bless his heart. He said the City has been complaining all along. Perhaps DOT will force the contractor to grind down the amplitudinal asphalt waves and ruts. When, in January?

56572 is the destination for winter road maintenance from the north, south, east and west. We get plowed and sanded last. State Highway 108 West and East would easily win the prize for poorest driving surface of a State Highway anywhere in District 4. We know 108 East is classified as a "scenic byway" or something like that. We know nothing more will be done to it in our lifetimes. We know Nodakers use it a race track on Friday and Sunday nights. We know our newest 56572 residents find it treacherous. 108 West must have gotten a scenic classification now too. By slapping down longitudinal patches of asphalt on 108 West drivers coming off I94 to Maplewood State Park will have to keep both hands on the wheel all the way. If I could buy stock in Pete's Towing & Auto Body, I would. The number is 863-PETE. Remember 23.5 hour towing service. If you call during the .5 hour he's closed, your karma needs work.

My point is that 56572 has really bad karma when it comes to roads - not to mention bike paths. Anybody got any ideas why that is? Where do we go from here with Richard retiring last week?

PS What about the dude who ran over the huge old rusty Park Region Coop Cenex sign at on the corner of 108 West and 59 on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. nearly taking out a bicyclist in the process? Uffda. Word is he had a pacemaker put in on Monday? When will he be back on the road and now his black convertible is smucked what will he be driving? Dave at Park Region better get the sign up again fast. Gas prices went up again today at BP - formerly Amoco, formerly Holiday. BP is the new Pelican Super Valu - formerly Rick's for PRHS students at noon. You know what that means. 56572 misses Hot Stuff Pizza and a bakery, but Larry's (unchanged) has a deli!!! - more on this later with photos. As long as Larry's doesn't have a fire or a flood and the hurricanes stay away. 2,500 people from twenty (guesstimate) different countries buying their groceries at a C-Store could be a tad inconvenient.