Yesterday's "Let It Out" column in the morning paper carried a needle for the CIB in wondering how many CIB members it might take to change a light bulb. Reference was, of course, to the mal-functioning signs on the new stadium downtown.
Had we seen this morning's paper first, we might not have headed yesterday's post here as "Overkill."
Today we learned that it takes, not three people, but three companies to "change the bulb." According to the story, the job was first awarded to Architectural Graphics of Virginia, who subbed it to Atlas Sign, who then sold it to Sign Crafters.
The executive director of the Stadium Building Authority tells us, "There was some jockeying around and some confusion between these three vendors as to who was going to do the work." He assures us, however, that the job is "no cost" to either the Authority or the CIB. We're not told just who is paying.
We're firm believers in capitalism and the profit motive, but it occurs to us to wonder how a contract for the same job could float down three levels and still be profitable to the third guy. Might there have been some fluff in there somewhere? Is this a clue as to why the red ink flows so swiftly downtown?
Interesting comment, no cost to the authority or the CIB. How does one get any work done gratis? In the real world, anywhere outside of the CIB, when work is performed someone is paid. Are the maintenance contracts let by the authority or the CIB subject to public disclosure? Might be interesting reading...
Posted by: Vox Populi | July 14, 2009 at 08:45 PM