Pot holes may not be of great concern when looking at the big picture, but they are good indicators of how well-run a local government is. In that regard, Northampton has a ways to go. Look at any small side street in town and you will see roads that are in bad need of repair. They say that in Russia  if you request a pot hole repair, they insist that it will be done, but it may take a year or two before they get around to it, maybe. (Not to mention that bribery will help things along.) In Northampton, it may not be that bad but it's getting close. 

Leonard Cohen

Northampton