EDITORIAL: Out of sight out of mind - until

Is it any wonder that our stormwater infrastructure is in need of repair? It's not a top-of-mind issue even for those who are supposed to think about such things. However, there are occurrences that let everyone know that what's out of sight and mind can come roaring back with a vengeance. Work around Second Street sounded the warning that we have a problem.

Anything that's been around for 150 years handling the runoff from storm after storm is bound to decay. Water will find every nook and cranny and will exploit every leak in a pipe. The cost to fix the problems — just downtown — starts at $30 million, but officials won't really know until they complete a study.

This is one of those issues government has to tackle before a sinkhole opens up and swallows a car or worse. It's work we have to do. What we don't know is how we will pay for it.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 9:34 PM with the headline "EDITORIAL: Out of sight out of mind - until ."