Ben Franklin tells a story of his youth when he came upon a few extra pence in his pockets. Eager to spend it, he rushed to a local shop where a variety of goods, including toys, were on display. His eyes and ears were drawn to a whistle that, to him, made a delightful sound when brought to his lips. He gladly handed over all the coinage he carried and galloped off towards home, whistling with each stride. Throughout the house he roamed, showing off his newfound joy and toy. Explanation of his purchase to his family, including brothers, sisters and cousins brought the sad realization to Ben that he had grossly overpaid for the whistle due to his impulsive enthusiasm.
He lamented the thoughts of all the other items of which he may have secured ownership if not for his hasty, unwise choice. He described it as such, “I cried with vexation in the reflection of what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money…and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure”. In subsequent years, recalling this childhood lesson he stated, “As I came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met many who gave too much for the whistle”.
A lesson of regret for the ages. I am sure each of us can relate to something similar, either of money or time ill spent. Fads of interest or objects and persons of adoration eventually fade into the dust of lost thought. Some of these experiences are humorous upon recall, others emotionally painful.
In my life, I could list several instances where I “gave too much for the whistle”. Please don’t ask me about the expensive road bike hanging on hooks in my garage. It was a post-heart attack motivated purchase for exercise that has not been ridden in at least two of the last three summers. I can show you a 1:10 scale Jeff Gordon RC car I just knew I was going to enjoy for hours and hours. I ran it once on the road in front of my house. I promptly and embarrassingly crashed it into the curb, never to be used again. I can show you several books sitting unread and dusty in my bookcase. I can tell you about kitchen gadgets I impulsively bought thinking it was my newfound hobby or self-improvement pursuit. Take, for example, the fancy pasta maker I picked up at TJMaxx a dozen years ago. As a self-described foodie and Food Network junkie, I mentally planned many ‘from scratch’ pasta meals. Fast forward to the current day…it sits unpacked in the original box on a shelf in my basement food storage, never used once!
I think to extrapolate this Franklinism to something tangible and current. The relevant thing that comes to mind is the new wastewater treatment plant we are constructing here in Preston. It’s by far the most expensive “whistle” I have been involved with in my 16 years on the Preston City Council, let alone my life! Contrary to some opinions, it is not simply a “bell and whistle” drain on the city budget, but rather a necessity for our community. This means that if we wanted to keep flushing our toilets and avoid heavy fines from the DEQ, we had to move forward with a project that scared the crap out of us (pun intended). Strengthening the crumbling, very old, infrastructure of a growing community can never be considered wasteful or extravagant.
As we recently had to raise the monthly sewer rate by a significant amount of $31 to accommodate the initiation of loan payments, many are questioning the cost. They are asking many good questions with an underlying theme of: “Did we give too much for the whistle?” My support of the project is born in the understanding of the complexity of the issue as well as the historical timeline involved. My mental search engine is now spinning for a method to help soften the monthly expense to the demographic of limited social security income, veterans and the disabled who live on lower than average income.
My opinionated vote is in contrast to the just completed, 10-12 years in duration, change order dominated, cost over-run filled, much maligned East Oneida road widening project. I voted against it multiple times over the years as plans changed and costs rose. Admittedly, now that the road is finished and no more checks will be written, it is a very nice, safe road on which to mosey to and from the east side of town. It was not the idea I was against, but the cost that gave me heartburn. When the sticker shock of the sewer bill stabilizes, my wish is for a similar sentiment of acceptance and satisfaction.
We are scheduled to go “online” with the new wastewater plant sometime in the next 8-10 months. As of the last report from the engineers, construction efforts are ahead of schedule and under budget. That fact, combined with the expanded capacity and efficiency of the new facility gives me confidence we will be less than chagrined as time marches on. Preston City expects to experience changes and growth, welcomed by some, but not so much by others. I sincerely hope and pray that when all is said, done and paid for, that the voice of the people will echo, with their hand on the toilet handle, job well done!
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