Billboards on Wheels
The city of Hercules, California is home to billboards. But this is not a story about the city and its many colorful signs, but rather one that revolves around the billboards themselves. In 2012, while looking at some recent complaints, the City Office of Public Affairs noticed that a bus shelter was broken. Going further back in time, they found that four years ago there were more than 100 complaints on how broken bus shelters were in Hercules. Now as these complaints are being filed for these new buses (which have been circulating since 2010), most people have simply redirected their criticism from these broken shelters to dented or missing street signs or stop bars like stop sign poles and benches.
For the last 20 years, Hercules has been plagued by a lot of problems involving its public infrastructure. After a big flood hit the city in 1992 and damaged several buildings, then after a deadly mudslide hit again in 1998 with more damage, the city was forced to take emergency measures and make drastic changes to its infrastructure. In order to protect its citizens from future disasters, many of these repairs had to be done immediately with limited funds. Many signs and streetlights also had to be replaced. Fortunately for Hercules, it is located right on Interstate 80 which makes getting help from other cities and state agencies much easier compared to other small towns that aren't on major routes like this.
The city's Public Works Division was then divided into two branches, one for Public Works and the other for Parks, totaling up to about 80 workers. The City Superintendent at that time, Steve Holzinger, who has been in this position for 30 years (first as a contracting officer and then superintendent), said that Hercules was doing fine on maintaining itself before the flood but doesn't have the funds to maintain itself now. The broken bus shelters are only a small part of it. With limited staff in all departments, they are having difficulty keeping up with all of their essential equipment.
This is why Hercules had to file a lawsuit against its former city officials and outside contractors who were responsible for constructing its water facilities between 1986-1995.
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Billboards on Wheels