I am not sure I heard the &uot;full&uot; story of costs for a thorough engineering study of the Kings Highway Bridge. It seems like $50,000 would be for a cursory peek, but much more required for a complete assessment of repairs.

But if the bridge goes down, there are still winners, those residents between Crittenden Road and the former bridge. Even though most residential lots in that area are large and setback from the highway, many residents would rather not have highway traffic that would exist if the bridge were still there. Without the bridge, it is a very peaceful neighborhood and many new homes are being constructed in that area

Bring them back

I’m sorry you and I missed that concert behind the Hilton last Sunday. My wife and two daughters were there and all said Don Case and his Satin Sound big band wowed them and caused the toes to tap.

A dance platform was there, but only a few were brave enough to give it a try.

Unfortunately there was only a small crowd when that band deserved to have everyone over 50 in attendance. You don’t get that kind of great music very often unless you own the CDs and a super sound system.

There were gray hairs on most musicians who were around when the music was created.

Parks and Recreation even provided shade for the guests, and light refreshments were available. All attendees want them back.

Been quiet at City Hall

Council members finally attacked the &uot;who elects the mayor&uot; problem and came up with what most consider a good plan. Still a few details to unwrinkle, but they will, and by the year 2008, we the people will decide … assuming higher authority approves it.

Haven’t heard much else about or from Council. They did adjust the pay of the new city manager, who will take a reasoned approach to any changes suggested by Council. Jim Vacalis has held many positions in Suffolk city government and knows departments inside and out. I hope he stays until his retirement.

Coordinator isn’t the answer

Some who took exception to my suggestion that we don’t need a new city employee to &uot;coordinate&uot; all approaches and ideas to reduce crime and eliminate the &uot;gangs&uot; in Suffolk criticized me.

I look at it this way … you don’t wait until a child is 17 to give them a high school education … you sneak up on them, giving them doses beginning at pre-school age. These so-called gang members were created over time the same way.

Parental neglect would have been their Head Start, and it went on from there. Try offering these &uot;kids&uot; a recreational center, advice, warnings, threats, etc, and see what it gets you.

A new employee would be busy with paperwork and that’s all.

Let a policeman visit with kids in school on a regular basis beginning in kindergarten … or a former gang member who finally saw the light. That might work.

Blasted buzzards

One thing not nice about rural living is a buzzard … Mother Nature’s vacuum cleaners. If an apparently simple-minded possum can’t make it across the highway after dark, you can depend on these &uot;vultures&uot; to clean up the mess within hours.

My problem is that these 30-inch-high birds come home to roost just before nightfall. And 72 of them find my dead limbed pines just right for a &uot;bedroom.&uot;

I wouldn’t mind at all if it weren’t also their &uot;bathroom.&uot; The foliage under the trees is solid white and the odor is reminiscent of their high protein diet.

A well-meaning friend suggested I obtain one of those &uot;Have-a-heart&uot; traps. Sure, bait it with dead possum and climb an 80-foot pine 72 times. Then drive that stinker at least 100 miles and turn it loose unharmed.

Remember, they are a protected species, like the eagle.

Fine, we see eagles now and then; we see 72 buzzards every night. Any ideas for making them leave?

robert.pocklinton@suffolknewsherald.com