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Although the state of Massachusetts is nowhere near the state of Florida in earning its own Fark tag, we moved a little closer today when a story from the Herald reached the Fark front page with the tag "DUMBASS" and the following comment:

Boston can't even build a sidewalk without three government agencies suing and fining each other.

Alas, it is true, and it's even worse than the summary suggests. The sidewalk in question is on Huntington Avenue, and those who are in wheelchairs are unable to navigate the sidewalk safely. The Neighborhood Access Group, which calls people out when they neglect to shovel sidewalks in winter, is already on the case.

But the city hasn't fixed the sidewalk, which would be a no-brainer in terms of common sense and good PR. The city has instead earned $479,000 in fines from the state Department of Public Safety.

So, why can't Our Popular Mayor, Tom Menino, the "urban mechanic," use a little elbow grease to get this job done? a) A spokesperson says the job will cost $2.5 million (for a sidewalk? Only in Boston!) and b) They want to use the fines to help pay for it, and they want the MBTA to pitch in. As if the MBTA can afford anything these days.

In short, the situation is a Gordian Knot of epic proportions, and it's sad that a public shaming--as opposed to the urge to do what is right by those who use wheelchairs--is what might fix the problem.

[Boston Herald, FARK]

A slice of Huntington Avenue sidewalk from Google maps.