Where Did You Go on Summer Vacation?

By Billy Aldridge

The kids are out of school, the boss has given you two weeks off and you’re looking forward to getting away from it all.  Before you pack the wife and kiddies in the car and head for the great outdoors, I’d like to share with you some recent articles I have come across that go to show you how plumbing problems can effect even the toniest resorts and most popular destinations.

All Bets are Off at the Flamingo Casino In Las Vegas

If you have ever visited the Las Vegas Strip then you can’t miss this pink neon lit landmark that’s located right across from Caesar’s Palace.  Made famous by the movie starring Warren Beatty a few years back, the Flamingo is the casino that put Vegas on the map.  However, a recent spate of plumbing problems have forced the resort to close a number of hotel rooms, their food court, the Cabaret Theater and one of their show bars beginning on July 15.  Management have stated publicly that they are unsure of when the work will be completed.  Performances at the Cabaret Theater have been cancelled and tickets refunded.  Guests scheduled to stay at the north end of the casino have been rebooked at Caesar’s Resorts.

Hawaii Says Aloha to Lanakila Summer Fun Program

The Department of Parks and Recreation in Honolulu Hawaii announced on July 11 that due to an emergency plumbing problem at the Lanakila District Park that their Lanakila Park Summer fun Program would be cancelled. 

Said Director Tom Robinson, “We really apologize to the parents and kids affected, but we must cancel Lakila Summer Fun due to a plumbing emergency that occurred late this afternoon.  Staff members are calling parents and will be on site in the morning to inform people of the closure.  DPR plumbers will visit Lanakila first thing in the morning ot begin repairs and the department will make an announcement as to whether or not Summer fun can resume Friday.”

Plumbing Lawsuit Takes a Bite Out of the Big Apple

On Tuesday, the NYC Department of Buildings was sued for ignoring plumbing and fire safety provisions.  Both the Plumbing Foundation and the Mechanical Contractors of New York filed Article 78 litigation against the New York City Department of Buildings, accusing the agency of ignoring city code.

“Stewart O’Brien, the executive director of the Plumbing Foundation and a former commissioner at the Department of Buildings said that he heard through the grapevine that Forest Cuty Ratner was considering doing plumbing and fire suppression work without using licensed workers in the factory where plumbing and sprinkline piping was being installed.”

Vandals Destroy Plumbing at Two Seattle Public Parks on July 4

The Space Needle wasn’t the only thing to witness the rocket’s red glare in seattleon the Fourth of July.

Apparently so did two public parks in Seattle when vandals set explosives off in the comfort stations at two area parks, destroying toilets and plumbing fixtures in comfort stations at Leschi Park and Madrona Park.  Reports indicated that miscreants shattered toilets by placing explosives inside them.  Decontamination and repair crews have been on the scene since July 6 to clean up and repair both facilities.  According to the report this kind of unfortunate event has happened in Seattle area parks before.  In the meantime, port-a-potties have been placed in both parks.

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge & Sons Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.  For more helpful plumbing hints and how-to videos visit their site at http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com