Anti-plaza comments misrepresent reality

     Fledging Raspberry Berets’ Todd Paris and Juliann Torrey use false and warped opinion to discredit the West Side Plaza project.  Paris is entitled to his views but Torrey’s estimates and construction knowledge are fictitious if not an outright fabrication.  My construction experience validates this response.

     ADW Architects is a well qualified and reputable firm with experience up and down the East Coast.  They delivered a good plan with a vision for the future.  As a local roofing contractor I have experience with the mall roof and its conditions.  Most 30-year-old roofs have issues but the mall roof functions and retains value. Torrey has stated the roof will cost $15 million at $50/sq.ft., plus evaluation cost at approximately 5 million.  Doesn’t he mean free estimate??

     ADW’s estimate at $11/sq. ft., gives a great 25 year Mercedes type system.  In comparison the county just paid $15/sq.ft., for a Ferrari system on the justice center, (wasteful spending).  An $8/sq.ft., system is/was available for both roof tops.  However, planning stage estimates tend to be higher than actual cost.  Torrey’s structural comment is unprofessional.  No structural members need replacing and decking will be sound with remedial repair if required.  Due to lower cost of fuel, construction prices are steady, maybe lower.  Torrey needs to realize everything you read on the Internet isn’t true.  If  Paris would renovate his old and dilapidated building he might better understand construction cost and value versus quality issues at this location; the Plaza location is surrounded by people who frequent social services and the health department.

     It’s time for  Paris, Torrey and Klussman to get on board with the future of the county’s consolidated office complex in West Salisbury.  Find a new mission guys.  I suggest the upcoming city council election and those who gave Doug Paris and Ellaney Hasselman those golden parachutes.

— Chris Cohen

Salisbury

 

For the love of animals

To animal lovers everywhere, I would like to share with meaning one of the great speeches delivered for the love of animals which stands true today.

U.S. Sen. George Graham Vest (1830-1904) delivered this speech while he practiced law in a small Missouri town. It was given in court while representing a man who sued another for the killing of his dog.

“Gentlemen of the jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

“The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

“If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.”

— Rodney Cress

Salisbury