Paula’s Perspective- Pitch and Patch

“Oh Mercy…. What have I gotten myself into now ?”

My thoughts as I stood outside the Street Department looking at this ….. this machine!!

How did this all begin? A comment from a reader: Jack Brake of Warren Power Attachments

Paula,
Is it too late to discuss solutions regarding the pothole problem you are having? I found your article when looking for something else.
I offer a pothole patcher that uses spray injection patching. In your article you mention that spray injection patching requires a skilled operator and the equipment cost is higher. I agree that some of our competition is more expensive and takes a lot of little tricks to run properly. I assure you that our patcher will be cost effective and is VERY easy to operate. In less than an hour I could have YOU effectively running the machine. Generally, operating total patcher costs about 1/2 the amount of the traditional methods. It also takes less labor and the patches are permenant. With this savings a city can generally make the machine pay for itself is a short time.
Please let me know if this is still open for discussion!
Thanks,
Jack Brake

So here we are today…….

Thankfully Paula’s Posse was there for moral support. Thanks to Mike Challendar, Henery, Liz Tobias, Mum Stack and of course “That Woman” Loraine Ritchey. (What did Jim Smith mean when he said, “Now what are you two up to??” when he saw us at Chello’s this morning?!

As soon as we pulled out of the Street Department we were at the first Patch to Pitch. This corner was chosen for its close proximity to the Department so Chuck can easily monitor. I was thinking of using one of my old campaign wickets and making a sign to designate this as Paula’s Pothole but I’m not sure it would last very long (the sign that is).

Jack Brake from Warren Power Attachments was a good sport in directing me in how to apply. It wasn’t hard to do. The hard part was trying to be sure I didn’t trip/fall in the other potholes around as I was spraying and that a vehicle didn’t get too close causing Paula to be part of the fill.

After experiencing this I have a new respect for the people who do repair work on our roads.

There was only so much “stone” to work with so we had to move down the road to work on patches by St. Stan’s church. Just before we were to begin on the final hole the Mayor Krasienko and Service Director Gilchrist showed up. (Wow now I really felt like I was under the microscope) Thank goodness I had my Hard Hat on (supplied by Chuck) and I even have my very own steel toe shoes ….. maybe I’ll wear them to council in case someone tries to step on my toes

The real proof if this or any other machine is the answer will be when they (the potholes) go through a freeze/thaw cycle, heavy rain, plowing and a year of Lorain weather.

I appreciate everyone’s courtesy that was extended to me; I really do want to help this poor city in regaining some of its dignity.

ED NOTE: and it only took 15 minutes for Paula to get the hang of it by the time we reached St. Stan’s she could pitch and patch with the best of them Paula – Pitchin and a Patchin-rockin and rollin
video Henery Hawk
Photos Liz Tobias

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROCESS CHECK OUT TOTAL PATCHER http://www.warrenpowerattachments.com

Henery Hawk of Lorain County Photographers Blog will be following up on the potholes to see how well Paula’s Patch holds up!