Thursday, June 4, 2015

Random Thoughts: Village Employee, Semi's, And Business District


Some random thoughts from the Dorchester Times...

  • VILLAGE EMPLOYEE'S RESIGNATION:  We've received more than one e-mail from readers who are concerned by the loss of John Bruha, the village's maintenance technician.  Bruha appeared to us to be an ambitious, competent, responsive and hard-working staff member who always put the taxpayer interests first. We're not privy to the behind-the-scenes information, but we think the town board -- which lost a member of its own this week due to a resignation -- should attempt to get Bruha back on staff, whatever it takes.  
  • SEMI'S ON MAIN STREET: We are beyond grateful that the Farmers Cooperative is in Dorchester.  It's a major employer and the pulse of Dorchester's business community.  But do we really need fully loaded semi-trucks rolling through town on Dorchester's main street? We've seen it all too often. There are multiple ways to get to the elevator without using Dorchester's main street, which is already showing serious signs of wear.  One study shows that a fully loaded 18-wheeler causes road damage that is equivalent to 9,600 cars. Semi drivers should have enough common sense to use the highways and crushed rock streets.  If they don't, a village ordinance is in order.
  • BUSINESS DISTRICT: Maybe its due to the construction on main street, but we can't help but notice that our village's business district is looking rough.  There's no way to soften our assessment.  The old East Side Tavern/Last Call/Ben's Iron Grill building is still for sale.  The old Sehnert Garage continues to show its wear.  The former telephone building/Guggenmos Insurance Co./Snip 'N Curl beauty salon continues to deteriorate.  And much of the west side of main street is in disrepair.  Let's be sure to support those downtown businesses that maintain their properties and are making a commitment to Dorchester -- including City Slickers Bar and Grill, Donna's Hair Creations, Tyser Repair and Auto Sales, Barley Specialties, and First State Bank.

18 comments:

  1. Dear readers:

    The Times will not publish comments aiming criticism at specific individuals.

    General comments will be accepted, but not those referencing particular residents.

    -Dorchester Times Staff

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  2. A really sad week for the village of Dorchester.

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  3. I agree with you, bring back John!

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  4. When John was helping trim trees in the alley a while back, he also cleaned up a small pile of sticks i had near the garage, I was very impressed by that, We need more people on payroll like that!!

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  5. I agree also. John is always friendly and goes out of his way to help. We need more like him.!

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  6. It is my understanding that John Bruha quit. Why would you try to get someone back if he doesn't want to work here?

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    Replies
    1. Because John was probably the most competent and hard working employee the village ever had. There must be some incentives that could get him back. If not, it's truly a big loss for Dorchester.

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  7. The folks at City Slickers are doing more than just occupying main street, they're risking capital and investing in Dorchester ..... multiple buildings. Dorchester foundation or other groups should be working hard to promote community activities to hold there. I'm telling you, if that bowling alley takes off, it could spur lots more activity and business on main!!!

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  8. pave, pave, pave, pave, pave, pave, pave, pave, pave. if you don't have enough people to support downtown, how about doing something that attracts home buyers and builders. am i just that dumb or way too smart?

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    Replies
    1. Doesnt sound like you're very smart! You must think paving the streets will fix everything

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    2. Good luck finding someone too do the work now!

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    3. I've always chuckled that the same people who start foaming at the mouth in opposition to street paving are the same ones driving around town only on the paved streets. Ha!

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    4. Sure paving would be nice but if there is nothing here but paved streets what do we have? Lets go to Dorchester they have paved streets { NOT]

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    5. Anonymous, I respect that argument. Paved streets won't be the silver bullet and 100% cure-all. But the "just say no to paving" approach has been in place for 36+ years now. How's that working out?

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  9. Give Main Street 25 years. At that point it will be beautiful as a new corner system pivot waters corn where the streets used to be. Main Street will be greener than ever. Pavement should have been installed years ago. Dorchester's fate was sealed back then. Drive through the muddy streets today. Show me a rougher town in Saline county. My opinion will meet great criticism, but until people are willing to invest in and clean up their properties, this town is doomed to a future of low income housing and the problems that come with it.

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  10. I have seen more done by John Bruha then ANY city employee for the 40 years I have lived here. At least you could find John if you needed something. He will be very hard to replace. Maybe we need to think about what was the cause of him quiting and fix that problem. Another shame along with so many

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