Aug 2010

Craig Mongeau - August 2010

This is the issue of firsts — Two good, one not so good.

Let’s get the not-so-good one out first. In my column last month, I wrote that CHIPs funding was set to $402.8 million. Well, thanks to Michael Thompson, communications director of the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, I was informed that this total included the appropriation for CHIPS and Marchiselli program. More accurately, CHIPs funding was only about $363 million. So this represents an inglorious first, at least to my knowledge, — I haven’t blundered in my column; I’ll endeavor to make this mistake my last. Sorry for the confusion.

Now for one of the good firsts, which you’ve probably already noticed. For the first time since we began publishing Superintendent’s Profile in January 2003, we have the honor of profiling a female superintendent. There aren’t many — just six out of more than 1,000 in New York State. I hope you enjoy the story; Kathy Kinsella of the town of Rhinebeck was a fantastic interview, really described her department and crew well.

And the final good first, and you probably saw this one coming, too. We’re only a couple of months away from the next New York State Highway & Equipment Expo. Hence the first mention of it this year. Once again it will be held in Syracuse at the Fairgrounds on October 20. There will not be a Snowplow Roadeo, but there will be a special addition to this year’s show. More on that in next month’s issue.

Have a great rest of the summer.