The street replacement program in Pendleton’s Urban Renewal District appears to be in complete disarray, and now the blame game begins. It wasn’t all that long ago that Pendleton’s public works director was boasting how costs for replacing streets in the URD were much lower than originally expected. To achieve those lower costs, it appears that timeline language allowed contractors to work at a pretty leisurely pace.

That pace has stretched the time frame of the project far beyond any reasonable length, leaving residents and businesses unable to use their streets, not for days, but weeks, and in some cases months.

Ultimately, as with any city project, success depends on adequate planning, planning for the very situations incurred that resulted in the delay’s experienced. After all, despite appearances, this is not their first rodeo.

I submit that the blame rests directly with city hall management. Will they accept responsibility? Will those inconvenienced be compensated? Will they once again be rewarded for a less than stellar performance?

Rick Rhode 

Pendleton