I spent the better part of the week on a last minute work trip to Amsterdam and London. You know one thing that’s cool about Europe? There are buildings that are centuries old and are still in active, vibrant use. The West Bend School District could learn a thing or two.
This is the kind of B&S post I adore. Worldly yet unaware, all in the service of making a dig.
Dig deep, Owen. Tell us what’s different between those places and West Bend.
jjf, the older sturdier buildings were not built with union labor. My guess the run down West Bend schools were built with union labor.
Mar, do you have any source to confirm your claim?
Can you think of any other differences between buildings and governments in West Bend, London, and Amsterdam?
jjf, I am not your fricking librarian. Do your own research, boy.
Oh, no need, I’ll just listen to you. Owen says the building is fine, you say it’s run-down.
jjf:
Since mar isn’t going to be of any service, here are some factoids:
Building construction in Amsterdam in that era was controlled by the Guilds, forerunners of modern Unions. The Guilds were the origin of the terms Master, Journeyman, and Apprentice, amazing like modern union terminology. And because of the threat of fire causing major damage, building standards were implemented to restrict of eliminate flammable building materials.
But Le Roi! Buildings that are centuries old! Active! Vibrant! Never needed renovation! Didn’t cost much to keep them up-to-date! What’s their secret?
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say “Yeah, but we don’t need the Taj Mahal!” during a discussion about a school construction referendum.
Come on, someone tell me the thing or two that the West Bend School District could learn from the Brits and the Dutch.