PIHS Class of 1981 Alumni Site
  Post a Message 633 Entries


Todd Wilson Apr 29, 2008 1:34AM
Raymond,

Unfortunately big projects produce big problems.  In any case, you should know that the billions of dollars spent were primarily federal dollars which makes it all of our money.  

So in fact, I do beilieve that dollar for dollar the State of Massachusetts probably did get everything they paid for and then some...say about twelve billion dollars worth of infastructure that would have otherwise taken 50-years to construct.

None-the-less it probably is painful for the public but think of all those union crafts people and businesses that benefitted from the work.  I'd say at a minimum labor inefficiencies drove costs up at least 15-percent and where only increased by the well known archaic union practices in the Boston area.  

I know at least one major contractor that will never do business in Boston again because it's one of those areas where your not in charge of your own work.

In any case, public safety always comes first and I do believe some people are being held accountable just not the right ones.

Hope my opinion is taken well.  I've been in the business some 25-years or so now and its interesting to hear what the public thinks about mega-projects.  Heavy civil highway construction is quite possibly the most thankless job in the public sector.

I urge you to contact your public leaders.  Those who wanted the project, found the money, hired the engineering firms, and paid the contractors and are now pointing the finger.  I'd love to know what their accountability is.


T.W.








Raymond Soucier Apr 28, 2008 6:53PM
The media would have you believe differently on that subject and being a MA tax payer I believe that we did not get everything we payed for. I personally will bear with the traffic and take the Sumner and Callihan tunnels to Logan.  I realize that with such an enormace project that delays and budget problems will arise, but when public safety is comprimised and some of the parties were aware of such flaws then they should be held accountable...however if you have followed the story of the problems that have plagued the project the system was set up to protect most of the major contractors from libility....hey its the American way!  I'm off my soap box now good luck with your project Todd

R. Soucier

Todd Wilson Apr 27, 2008 10:19PM
Raymond,

Part of my job is keeping the neighbors happy or as happy as possible.  It can be fun if you have the right toys in your arsenal.

The Big Dig was a very succesfull project despite having to air out some of the dirty laundry.  It happens.

T. Wilson

Raymond Soucier Apr 27, 2008 8:29PM
What do you need ?, someone to shut up the complainers so work can proceed..... just kidding interesting project don't take any ex-"BIG DIG" engineers or managers.

Todd Wilson Apr 26, 2008 11:50AM
Howdy again Folks,

Just kidding about the Star Herald.  I'll probably subscribe.  Hey for those of you who may be interested I have a new job on a new project.  Check it out:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080421/NEWS01/296429421

Who'd of thunk?  Talk with you later.

T. Wilson

Todd Wilson Apr 26, 2008 11:42AM
Howdy Folks,

Whats the Star Herald?


Raymond Soucier Apr 25, 2008 10:21AM
Well looks like I go away for a week and finally come back to warmer weather.  Just came back from a cruise to the Bahamas it was ok.  Kids liked Atlantis and swimming with the dolphins.  Fishing was horrible and the bar tab on the cruise is going to take some time to pay off.  I'm also not the best gambler, next time I'll go Royal Carribean there boat is bigger and have more things for the kids to do.  I want to look at this star herald web sight see whats going on probably, wouldn't recognise anything anymore though. Hey have fun summers almost here.

Valerie Tripp-Bagley Apr 15, 2008 9:30AM
Wow, Margo...I haven't heard your name for a long time!  How are you?  And how's your Dad?

It's spring here in Merrimack, NH.  All the snow is finally off our front yard and Nick can get out on his bike and scooter again.  I put the boot tray away the other day...so it'll probably snow again.  We're supposed to hit 70 tomorrow and for the rest of the week.  None of Nick's summer clothes fit from last year... so off to Walmart for shorts.

Margo Ladner-Bair Apr 13, 2008 6:09PM
Hi to all
Dad just emialed me the Star Herald site. Thought I'd pass it along. www.starherald-me.com

Williard Doustou Apr 08, 2008 11:46AM
It is in Buxton...

Raymond Soucier Apr 07, 2008 11:18PM
Is spring here yet,???

Kim Carroll-Murchison Mar 25, 2008 11:33AM
Oh my, it has been awhile since I have looked in on this site.  What an amazing Winter for those of you still in the County.  I hope you love to snowmobile and or ski.  We actually have had plenty of snow here in Southern Maine as well and it is not melting fast enough for me.

Valerie, I haven't heard your name in such a long time!  You mention band and of course I remember you and your husbands family.  You played trombone, right?  I don't know if you remember that I played alto sax (though playing is a stretch) I didn't apply a lot of effort in those days.  I still have great memories of band however.  I always regretted quitting my Junior year for a place on the Flag and Drill Team. Oh well!  My daughter and I will be heading to Concord NH this weekend for a dance competition at Chubbs Theater.  She is 16 and does competition dance.  I am hoping they are only calling for rain in NH as we may have a possible snow/mix storm here in the Portland area.

Happy Spring 81ers!

Valerie Tripp-Bagley Mar 23, 2008 6:40AM
Happy Easter everyone

Valerie Tripp-Bagley Mar 10, 2008 6:58PM
....leaking roofs.....

Laurie Perry-Gray Mar 09, 2008 11:10AM
......and flooding basements..........

Valerie Tripp-Bagley Mar 04, 2008 7:02PM
If we don't drown first with all the rain, melting snow and clogged storm drains.....

Raymond Soucier Mar 02, 2008 11:12AM
Valerie,  It is almost like living in Maine again we got about 5" of snow here my son Matthew who is 8 years old and I went skiing again yesterday it was fantastic.  Don't dispair snow will be gone soon and the skeeters and black flies will be back.

Valerie Tripp-Bagley Mar 01, 2008 2:06PM
Raymond, We used to live off Baboosic Road when we first moved to Merrimack 20 years ago!  Now we live off Back River (my son wants me to add that it was off Joppa Road) almost on the town line.  Back River was closed for paving...much needed...from Dunkin Donuts to the Bedford line for 4 months...what a major pain having to go around.  We just got dumped on again with 10 more inches of snow.  I'm so sick of shoveling, but the kids in the neighborhood are loving it.  They've been on vacation this last week and with all the snow from two more storms, the sliding is great.

Raymond Soucier Feb 27, 2008 10:30PM
I forgot to add how disappointed I was with the superbowl this year but it's only football, WHAT! DID I SAY ONLY FOOTBALL?!!!

Raymond Soucier Feb 27, 2008 10:23PM
Hey small world is it not?,
Valerie...My wife and  I used to live not far from you we live on West street off of Bean Road off Babossic Lake road in Merrimack before moving to Tampa, Fl. Now we reside in Mass close to Mount Monadanock area,  I took my 8 year old son skiing the other day. Well I skied he snow boarded.  It was the first time I skied in 21 years and only fell down once good thing one more spill and I probably would have broke my hip(thats and old folks joke). Mr. Wilson thanks for continuing to keep new news on the sight,  McCain has my endoresment also, just seems the Dems can't come up with a solid candidate.  Message here for Mr. B Colton, I bored and stroked my Road King, Threw in some performance cams and ported the heads... ever see a 800 lb. cop bike do a wheelie?  Well American idol is almost over that means the TV is now mine got to go.


                  Older Messages >


Questions? Contact Us Created by Summit Solutions