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8. PUOLIC COMMENTS (Cont'd
<br />Mr. Butler said we can't say the contractor hasn't performed on their
<br />contract because the drinking fountains aren't working. There has
<br />been other problems and there inevitably are problems in a project
<br />of that scope. Thank God, for people Tike Mr. Soltesz who are here
<br />to tell us about it. But tell us about it, then let's get the
<br />problem defined. 'We are asking to have it defined, within the
<br />next two or three days, and 'then we can act from that point.
<br />Legal Counsel requested Mr. Bill Slabaugh to basically get all of
<br />the questions answered through Dan Akin, Clyde Williams & Associates,
<br />engineering consultants, as to the circumstances for the cause of
<br />the delay, whether the parts were ordered in April, whether the
<br />parts have been delivered and if not why, if they have been de-
<br />livered then why they have not been installed, and to give the in-
<br />formation to Mr. Brownell.
<br />d.l Continuous U and Plaza Maintenance:
<br />Ms. Derbeck asked about the Continuous U and why the neon lighting
<br />has not been working for some time.
<br />Mr. Louis N. Wilcox, Director of the River Bend Plaza Office, said
<br />he had remained out of the discussion, until Ms. Derbeck asked this
<br />question, and that "I too had been reminded-by.numerous citizens- -
<br />one who came down four times to see the Continuous U- -and I would
<br />guess, without being real snide, one of my reasons for leaving on
<br />August 30th is that 'I don't understand all of these things that are
<br />going on, so, without knowing the system, I took the liberty of
<br />calling Mr. Colip about the Continuous U. Two days later, Mr. Colip
<br />came down.with North American Signs, and the Continuous U is now
<br />working. It was a very simple adjustment. I'am sure had we gone
<br />through the system that we are going through with the fountains- -
<br />the drinking fountains - -which is a very sore spot with me - -we would
<br />still be waiting. I have made public statements that I can get
<br />them fixed this afternoon. But, that is the point that I have tried
<br />to make- -there is absolutely no line of communication, nor responsi-
<br />bility for some of these things. Now, it is perfectly ridiculous
<br />the Continuous U, the fountains, the drinking fountains, and all
<br />this sort of thing - -and in all this day and age- -and someone says
<br />four months later that you can't get a part; that's NOT true. If
<br />we have to replace those fountains, those people are not out of
<br />business; believe me, we can go to Canton, Ohio, or wherever they
<br />are made, and buy the pieces we need and put them in right here
<br />in South Bend, Indiana. And, that's part of the problem down there.
<br />You run into road blocks, everybody makes reports, and NOTHING
<br />happens! If I'd understood the system and I would have to go
<br />through this, the Continuous U would be out for another three
<br />months."
<br />Mr. Soltesz added, "Mr. Chairman, once again, ...see... the respon-
<br />sibility falls upon you, Mr. Chairman, and that's a bad and sore
<br />spot to be in. Ms. Derbeck's question on the Continuous U, you
<br />know, to this day, I- haven't seen the light on that, and everytime
<br />I seem to be down there, it isn't on, but I have accepted this, be-
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