Death update

[jxofaltrds]

Karl

I have been so disappointed in this case that I had to forget about it for a while.

Columbus paid a California firm, Noone quaified in Ohio, to investigate Willie's death. It took 2 weeks for the engineer to find that the pole was not "properly" grounded and that a connection's insulation was poorly installed.

I have not seen nor ,to my knowledge, has anything been published in the local paper.

The initial cost was $35,000.00. Now they are adding an addional $23,000.00 to their bill.

Another child, a girl, was similarly kill recently in a nearby town. That town is going to use the California "experts" to investigate this death.

During a drive on a route that I use frequently, I noticed a light pole with the access panel missing, @ 12" above grade.

What I did.
1) Contacted the twp fire department and explained the danger. I forgot to mention that the wires were hot 24-7.

Problem NOT addressed.

2) Had a friend contact the local village officials.

Problem NOT addressed.

By now ten days have passed.

3) I walked into one of the villages meetings and explained my displeasure with the dangerous condition not being fixed.

"Well the company has that part on order."

4) I explained that they could at least cover the opening until the part came in.

Two days later a piece of cardboard was tape to the opening. It covers 90% of the hole.

This has been two months.

Now you see why I have not responded as promised.

I am so damned pissed at the attitude with the so-called officials in the Columbus area. This pole is within a stones throw of were Jack Nickalus holds his Memorial Tourney.

Sorry for the rant.

Mike P.

[ July 26, 2003, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: jxofaltrds ]

 

[roger]

Re: Death update

Mike,

Sorry for the rant.

Mike P.

No need to be sorry, quite the contrary, you have every right to rant and be mad. I actually feel the same as you.

Roger

 

[russellroberts]

Re: Death update

Nothing to be sorry about Mike. The maddening thing about the little boy's death is that its due to indifference.

Russell

 

[karl riley]

Re: Death update

Thanks, Mike. I know your frustration. Sometimes it seems as if the motto of government and large organizations is: Don't bother me.

Eventually it bothers the hell out of them. Lawyers have their function.

Karl

 

[maniacwhiz]

Re: Death update

In my area, sereval cover plates are missing from light poles.

And one whole street's lamps are out...oh, for about a couple of years.

Half of the town is still using the old 1000/1500W incandescent blubs dimly illustrating the heavily wooded roads. Many of them are missing their covers, or worse, just the socket and blub remain. :roll:

 

[thomasf]

Re: Death update

I know I am new here but this is a real tragedy, and ranting is well deserved.
Tom

 

[roger]

Re: Death update

Welcome Tom.

Roger

 

[s.d. cronk]

Re: Death update

Let's not forget gentlemen that most light poles along highways and streets, including the one in question in Columbus are under the exclusive control of a serving utility, therefore not subject to the requirements of the National Electrical Code or under the authority of a building department. They operate under the National Electrical Safety Code. The majority of these installations and the serving utilities have never been subjected to any form of inspection other than verification that they comply with the construction specifications. You must deal either with the "fox who is guarding the hen house" or attempt to contact PUCCO...either way not very responsive. Note also that the building department in Columbus was never contacted or consulted about the Towne St. bridge because of those reasons. I'm sure that we have all had the enjoyment of discussing grounding or bonding of ct or metering enclosures with the power company to understand what attempts at grounding were probably done, ie; ground rod to the pole with no connection back to the grounded conductor other than the earth!

 

[bennie]

Re: Death update

s.d.cronk: Do you have a copy of the NESC? You will find that grounding is performed more extensive than in the NEC.

The NESC is detailed, and rules are strictly honored. Most lineman are also under the IBEW/NECA rules of safe installations.

 

[s.d. cronk]

Re: Death update

The NESC is detailed, and rules are strictly honored. Most lineman are also under the IBEW/NECA rules of safe installations.

"Strictly honored" is great but enforced or verified by whom, I don't feel that anyone intentionly installs something wrong but it still happens as we find everyday. But who checks for compliance with the regulations for these installations.....not electrical inspectors, but the installers.

 

[jxofaltrds]

Re: Death update

Question

Who owns the light poles?

Who installed the light poles?

There are still problems on (or around) the bridge.

The serving utility is owned by the city. Am I correct?

Sam, you might let the others know that you work for the city. http://www.com.state.oh.us/ODOC/dic/scripts/dicbbsqy.htm

I have talk(ed) to AEP.

BTW What were all the workers doing when they were checking the other poles in the city?

Mike P.

[ July 30, 2003, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: jxofaltrds ]

 

[jxofaltrds]

Re: Death update

Another BTW

I did offer my serv(ic)es to the city.

I did contact channels 4,6 & 10 and the Dispatch.

Since I am a nobody, or someone who should be ignored, I was not contacted.

I know I am PUTTING A BULLSEYE on my head. But what the hey!

Make it right!

Mike P.

[ July 30, 2003, 06:36 PM: Message edited by: jxofaltrds ]

 

[jxofaltrds]

Re: Death update

Now I am on a roll.

The City holds itself as being smarter that the NEC. IE The city has codified, that the dining room (for an example) be on its own 20amp curcuit.

If the city is "adding" to the NEC, they must have someone that is vastly smarter than the NFPA.

The time has come that their arrogance is going to bite them on the *** .

Mike P.

 

[wocolt]

Re: Death update

Mike
Do you have Ohio Edison there in Columbus ?
They are not owned by the city, but are certainly regulated by the state of Ohio. PUCO has a big sat in this. Also dont be surprised if the 'Deregulation ' gets part/all of the blame, for this tragedy, which of course is an entity that can not defend itself but can be blamed for the obvious neglect.
Shameful is what it is.

WmColt

 

[jxofaltrds]

Re: Death update

No.

Ohio Edison is just north of Columbus.

AEP has 13200 lines in the bridge, The problem is only the light poles.

Lets ask about all the lights in the "Short North" that do not work.

no one can figure that out either.

I say that it might have been a homeless person plugging into to the light pole, to heat his Eggo, that caused the problem. Then it is Jimmie Carter's fault.

Habitat should have built him a home.

The city thought that paying an "expert" to lay the blame that this would go away.

Sorry there is a child died.

Yes, I have alot to lose. BUT, so do(did) our troops.

Mike P.

 

[s.d. cronk]

Re: Death update

Yes Mike I do work for the City building department, not the serving utility, I have never attempted to conceal that. No matter who owns the serving utility they are still governed by PUCO and their rules. All I have stated is that most of theses poles have never been inspected by anyone other than the serving utilities, because they are under their exclusive control. As far as hiring an "expert" to lay the blame on, where is the basis for that? I personally think that they hired somebody else so that there would not even be the appearance of a cover up. In fact as soon as the report came out they put it on their web-site, same day...does not sound to me like they are trying to hide anything. As far as the city having a supplemental building code,which covers only 1-3 family dwellings, they are far from the only ones who have done so. Still not sure what you have to lose though?

 

[chief_insp_cols]

Re: Death update

Yes, I have to agree that this was indeed a tragedy.
No one ever contacted this office to assist in the investigation of Willie Wagners death.
All the investigative agencies know how to get a hold of me at any time day or night.

All of the utlities under the purview of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio use the NESC, not the NEC. Do they always follow the NESC? Probably not. That is not for me to decide.

Mike P. The City of Columbus, Division of Electricity owns and installed those light poles. The bridge was built in 1920 and the lights were added around 1960. The fixture type was replaced in 1984 by the Division of Electricity, from MV to HPS. Yes, the serving utility is a division of the City of Columbus. Is that any reason to slam Mr. Cronk?? Just because his paycheck is signed by the same guy that signs the ones for Electricity?

The final report by Exponent Failure Analysis Associates was indeed published in the local newspaper, as well as on all 3 major news stations. The report itself was not published word for word, but the final determination was.

As far as the City having it's own Building Code........??? Yes we do, right along side thousands of other cities/states. The reference to a 20A dining room circuit came into the code in the late 50's or early 60's. Maybe THAT person was a lot smarter than some of the other (in your words) "so called officials".

This death had nothing to due with the Building Services Division of the City of Columbus, and any references to that are just absurd.

Gerald Tudor,
Chief Electrical Inspector, City of Columbus, OH

 

[bennie]

Re: Death update

Usually in an accident this serious, there is more than one contributing factor.

What are the findings, and are they credible?. Is the investigating group unbiased?

What direction did the victim receive the fatal shock? Was the pole, or victim energized?

 

[chief_insp_cols]

Re: Death update

The full report can be viewed at:
Street Light Investigation

 

[tom baker]

Re: Death update

Thanks. I'll see if I can run a reprint in the international municpial signal association journal....