For decades, small local fishing/scuba/daytour boats have
been casting off from the handy town dock. So like many things that work just
fine, the powers that be decided to tear it down and build….. what? A monument
to themselves?? For 26 months people that use the dock have been without.
Unexplained delays, corrupt overbudgets, horrible noise when work actually was
proceeding. Total cost $6.75 million ----you and I could have done it for $5
million, no?!?
Pardon my cynicism. Yesterday at sunset the new (admittedly
graceful and solid) town PIER was officially inaugurated. A huge Friday night crowd
thronged the shores to listen to speeches and all that jazz. The architect was
swarmed, like a Superbowl coach, for comments on his masterpiece. Stunt
moto-gliders buzzed us like bees protecting the hive. Eventually the
dignitaries cut the ribbon and did their perp walk over the span. But not the
locals who paid for and waited for the structure; they had to wait til this
morning! We noted small boats shuttling wines and fine china out to a yacht at
anchor ---- another perk for the head table. Thing is, they forgot the chefs,
who had to jump through the waves onto another shuttle to their waiting
guests!! The masses were treated to fireworks for distraction.
Ultimately, it’s a beautiful iconic addition to PV. By day
it will be a place to stroll, sit, sail off and maybe salsa. By night it’s lit
up and rotates through colour combos such as the Mexican flag’s red, white, and
green. But this old guy just wants a place to tie up his dugout skiff,
outlasting the old pier and maybe the new?
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