Tampa Is…?

Just yesterday, it seemed that the emergency generator installed in the median on Bayshore Blvd. was going to stay*. Today the Tribune reports that Tampa City Council will move the generator because of protests by over 600 people. Bayshore residents have been complaining that the structure is “an eyesore.” The Times says the vote was unanimous (Saul-Sena was absent): We need to move this thing and soon. Councilwoman Mary Alvarez went so far as to say “This is an emergency.” 

With all due respect, Ms. Alvarez, a lunatic brandishing a gun is an emergency.  A fire tearing through one of those Bayshore Condos is an emergency.  And pumping sewage water out when a hurricane floods the area (that’s what this generator is for, you know) is an emergency.  Moving a necessary piece of infrastructure because of aesthetics is not an emergency.

Furthermore, If the Bayshore location of the generator is unacceptable now, why wasn’t this considered before the enclosure was built? By trying to save money and put it in the most economically feasible place, you will spend more of us citizens’ tax money to house it in a more expensive place, PLUS the costs to tear down what was already built.

By the way, the good people of Egypt Lake have power lines and poles cutting through their front yards. These have been there for over two years now, and no one has said it was an “emergency” to have them removed. (yeah, I know that’s the county, not the city, but still).

You people really need to get your act together.

*NOTE:  For you readers, my archives really suck right now, and I hope to address that very soon.  But I can usually find something if I look for it.  I bring this up because sometimes it is damn near impossible to find a Tampa Tribune story even if only one day has passed.  Clicking on “Thursday” gave me a list of metro stories from last week - the tenth.  Arrgh.