Life in Manteca 72: Downtown City Upgrades

New animal shelter

New public works garage

Manteca has a lot of new buildings since we moved in 2 1/2 years ago.  This is part of 17 million in improvements.  The new animal shelter was needed badly, as the old one was in sorry shape.  This is across the street from the public works garage, which is just up the street from the old animal shelter, but where you still take your recycles if you get too much for the bin.
http://billywardlefamily.blogspot.com/2013/08/life-in-manteca-transit-center.html

What a Waste: Bascom Library and Community Center

The city of San Jose has made several new libraries.  I am not sure how they funded them, but I do know they spent millions of dollars, if not billions.  Over the past eight years they have remodeled or constructed 18 libraries with over 450,000 square feet.  The only problem, is now as they finish each library, it lies vacant as there are not funds to run them.  Reminds me of Argentina after Peron.  Peron had funded multiple public works, but then there was too much government debt, and not enough money to run them.  I recall seeing empty high-rise hospitals, statues of government excess.  The times had changed, after the country had been run into debt.

I think these constructions point to a similar process in our country, excessive debt, but not enough staying power.  These libraries are monuments to this governmental process--bonds, debt, interest. Four billion in national debt in a little over three years.  Everybody wants some Obama money. 

These are pictures of the Bascom Library, a block from my work, completed, yet not opened.  It includes a gym and recreation center.