If you drive down Riverside, don't be surprised to see cars swerving as if massive boulders are suddenly appearing in front of them.
Unfortunately, it's almost worse.
With the changing weather, Muncie streets are lined with potholes, causing erratic driving and blown-out tires. You may have noticed a car or two suddenly disappearing into the newly born monsters of the road, or maybe you were witness to the few who were able to swerve without driving directly into oncoming traffic.
OK, maybe no cars sunk into a sudden abyss. But with ever-changing Indiana weather, it seems as though the Muncie pothole problem becomes bigger by the minute.
No, potholes are not a friend to anyone, especially those who are charged with the task of keeping our streets clear of the massive moon craters. When asked about the potholes surrounding campus roads, Kevin Kenyon, the self-proclaimed "Pothole Guy" on campus, was up-front about his concern.
"Oh no, are there more potholes on campus right now?" Kenyon asked. "We work very hard to keep our roads clear of potholes because they're just an embarrassment for us."
Turns out, his work has paid off. The Pothole Guy isn't to blame for on-campus roads that look like they're under construction. Pothole Guy's jurisdiction only covers the recently renovated parts of McKinley Avenue and all campus parking lots. Those roads have held up under the pressure of Indiana weather. The real problems are University and Riverside Avenues, which the city oversees.
Muncie deputy mayor Dick Shirey, who's in charge of Muncie road maintenance while a search for a new director of the city's street department continues, failed to return a message given to his secretary.
With significantly deep potholes littering roads on and surrounding the campus, Pothole Guy defended the city's maintenance of campus roads.
"The city will eventually get to us," Kenyon said. "They always do. I don't know if it's always as soon as students like, but they've done a good job for us. I mean, Riverside used to be like Baghdad."
Riverside used to be like Baghdad? Past tense might be unnecessary.
We want to know your take on the city's handling of the potholes on campus roads and surrounding areas.
What kind of damage have potholes caused your vehicle? Where are the worst streets or areas right now for potholes? Should the city increase its effort to limit severe potholes? If so, what should be done?
Send your thoughts to DayWatch editor Ryan Wood at daywatch@bsudailynews.com.
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