Stiff 'Em AKA Our Wallet is Empty, But the Turd Tank is Still Full of Shit

Of note yesterday was a tip that the grotesque and gargoyle-like Glenn Cutler has been brought back into City Hall as a consultant. This should come as no surprise, since cash and carry Cutler is all about skimming...I mean, earning, all the money he can. After all, he's an old man just barely making ends meet with his two full pensions.

But whether or not ghoulish Glenn Cutler physically came back or not, his presence, his legacy, will be felt in City Hall for a long time. Case in point: His signature project, the expensive and foolish Turd Tank, is back in the news.

From an article written by Cutler's wannabe son and ardent admirer, Paul Gottlieb:

A $1 million dispute centered on building delays and construction costs has bubbled up between city officials and the builder of key components of the city's new $47 million Combined Sewer Overflow system, the priciest public works project in the city's history.

"We are saying some of the costs are not valid," said Craig Fulton, Public Works and Utilities Director for the city. Fulton told City Council members Tuesday that negotiations, if unsuccessful, could lead to litigation.

This is all classic Port Angeles bullshit, ineptitude and sleazy behavior. First, approve and embrace "the priciest public works project in the city's history" even though it's backbreakingly expensive, and doesn't actually solve the problem it's supposed to address. Two, sit back and watch those costs soar! (Remember when this was "only" a $30 million dollar project? And the $47 cost cited is lowballing it by a shameful amount.) Three: Balk at paying all the bills for your own stupid project. And four: Balk at paying your own bills, but happily shell out for consultants to "review" the costs you're contesting.

Words that no one in City Hall can read...



It's practically a recipe: Take a big slug of stupid, mix in ludicrous amounts of tax dollars, simmer until costs overrun, and then spice it liberally with consultants. Cook until your debt load crushes your citizens, and voila! You've got a Port Angeles stew.

I have to wonder if all the construction and engineering firms in the region are waking up to the fact that fact that Port Angeles is a bad risk. Business-wise, it's risky getting involved with the City, since they have no problem placing big orders, but are increasingly stingy when the bill comes.