Our seawall is being ravaged by time and the sea! A month and a half ago I called an engineer (a specialist in the art and science of seawalls) to take a look and make some recommendations for saving our wall, and ultimately, our property, which the sea seems intent on reclaiming!
A good guy, he made some reassuring comments, and then began to peel back the layers of my pain…I was a good prospect, in that I wanted him to know how important the issue was to me and I wanted him to get some sense of urgency! He told me he’d get back to me within two weeks with his take on the situation, and a couple of fixes.
Two weeks passed, with no word…and three weeks! I contacted him and was told… Busy, vacation, stalled projects, holidays, on-it, soon, next week, etc.
There still have been no recommendations.
Last week I was surveying the seawall, and made a observation…no more erosion of soil, not damage to the wall. It seems that the sea has done its worst (knock-on-wood) for the time being. Called the engineer this morning; thanked him for his visit; told him I wouldn't need his recommendations! He said “Are you sure?” I said, “Yes! Why didn't you act sooner?” He said, “Busy, vacation, stalled projects, holidays, etc.”
His inability to make a COMMITMENT that he could keep, hold himself ACCOUNTABLE, and take RESPONSIBILITY for his actions probably cost him $3500 for the recommendations and untold thousands for the actual repairs!
Ever happen to you? More important, did you ever play the engineer’s part?
There seems to ALWAYS be an excuse for not taking action...and the excuses are never a substitute for results!! Thanks for reminding me of that, Rush.
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