For those not able to keep up with multiple threads... Web Link and numerous others

In several other threads, all since closed, Peter Carpenter [portion removed] about artificial turf at his home and at the fire stations. Ignoring for a moment the odd decision to put artificial turf around a fire station (there are less expensive ways to save water and help the environment) there was the remaining question about how this was accounted for, as was asked of Peter Carpenter multiple times in the above thread:

-- "how is replacing existing grass with turf a maintenance issue when there is no existing maintenance cost to the existing grass? Isn't this an improvement, not maintenance?"

After freely replying to every post in the thread, Mr. Carpenter (one of the Almanac's most prolific poster's, who likes to claim "about 90% of my postings are documented information from authoritative sources and those postings are generally in response to questions posed by other posters") refused to answer the simple question, posting multiple times:

-- "As previously posted, I reserve the right to ignore any questions posed to me on this forum and I will not be answering any further questions posted on this topic."

For such a frequent poster, who claims authority on so many subjects, this caught one poster by surprise, and that poster thought this raised many additional questions:


"The questions raised by your evasion, in an area of self-proclaimed expertise:

* Are you not answering it because you are uncomfortable with the decision?

* Do you intend to investigate this further?

* Did you have prior knowledge of these decisions? Is that the reason you are uncomfortable answering these questions in a public forum?

* Are you refusing to answer because you plan on asking the same questions of the Chief?"

So, for a recap: the fellow who interjects himself into so many threads for the Almanac, PA Online, and Lord-knows where else; a fellow who decided his installation of turf at his home was of such paramount note that it required an article in the Almanac and dozens and dozens of posts in multiple threads about his and the fire department's turf, in an area where he claimed a high level of expertise, suddenly clams up. Tight as a drum.

When it comes to decisions about how taxpayer money is spent.

Oh, the last piece of info? Mr. Carpenter is an elected official, a Director at Menlo Park Fire Protection District.

I do not know why Mr. Carpeter refuses to answer the question. You will have to draw your own conclusions.

If you have a question of a Fire Board Director then you should send that question to them at their official email address:

Web Link

Buh bug Benny and Peter
Please take your discussion elsewhere as it doesn't ear upon my requests to the editor. Benny please start your own forum and you sure sound like someone who was using another name yesterday. Read the usage rules please.
[portion removed.]

What do the general rules say about maintenance vs improvement?