yep, it's still alot like mayberry.....

Franklin is growing. In a recent survey done by the city, many residents thought that the growth was much too fast. Nissan is moving its US headquarters here over the next 12 months. Road construction is everywhere. Fiber optic lines are being installed all over the city. But with all that progress, the city still has a problem when it comes to replacing lights when they burn out.

A friend of mine who lives in the neighborhood behind ours said he noticed that several large street lights were out on a road near our houses. So he called department responsible for replacing/repairing street lights. The conversation went something like this:

Bob: "Yes, I was calling to talk with someone about having some street lights repaired on Center Point Lane."

City: "OK, now where is this located?"

Bob: "Alright, if you come down Royal Oaks and turn left onto Center Point, just after Home Depot."

City: "OK, um, let me get the map out. Let's see....."

(Silence for about 30 seconds)

Bob: "Hello?"

City: "Just a minute, sir, I'm trying to locate the street. OK, there it is. Now, which lights are out?"

Bob: "Well, there are about 5 of them, sort of random. They've been out for about 2 months now. Don't y'all have someone who checks on lights every now and then to make sure they're working?" (here it comes, get ready)

City: "Yes, sir, we do. But he gets off at 4:00 every afternoon, and since the lights don't come on until it gets dark, we really don't have any way to know that a light is out until someone like yourself calls to let us know."

Bob: (silence for a few seconds, attempting to stifle his laughter) "OK, so about these burned-out lights. Are they numbered or marked so that I could go by there, get the number off the pole, then call you with the numbers of the ones that need to be repaired?"

City: "(long sigh) Um, no, sir, I don't believe they are. Ummmmm, let's see, how can we do this? (another long sigh)"

Bob: "Tell you what, I'll go by there tonight and put some colored electrical tape on the poles of the lights that aren't working. Would that work?"

City: "(sounding hesitant, like the tape is going to cause a power outage) Well, I guess that would be alright. When will you be putting the tape on the poles?"

Bob: "Tonight, right after it gets dark."

City: "OK, we'll have someone out there in the next few days."

I'm happy to say that within 2 short weeks, we can now see our way to get to Home Depot when it's dark. And.....scene! Fade to gray, background music of guitar strumming, whistling and finger snapping.....