Is it appropriate for the city to admit they made (and make) mistakes? Don’t we hope the city protects the rights of an individual, or groups of individuals, with the same vigor as they protect the needs of a business with a well-connected attorney? Could it be appropriate for the city to accept responsibility for mistakes?
Is it appropriate behavior for an individual to spend their own money and time trying to get the city (or business) to follow the UDO created (at least in part) to protect property owners and neighborhoods? Is it appropriate behavior for the city to grant illegal variances and disregard the law if they are able to stonewall until the 30-day appeal period has expired? Was it appropriate that Greenlife engaged a former sitting mayor to act as their attorney?
How about keeping a protesting individual out of public places and threatening him with arrest if he shows up without an appointment? Why not arrest him if he calls the police? Is that “appropriate behavior”?
Come on city—act appropriately!
— Wally McLendon
Asheville
Mayor Bellamy, in the fall of 2005, wile running for mayor said, “It’s not rocket science, he’s violating the law.”
No corrective action has been taken by Mayor Bellamy or Council, sense being elected in 2005
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIRIxIlDa78
What has changed the Mayor’s mind regarding compliance with the UDO?
Do you have a point? Do you have the ability to form cogent arguments? Or do you think asking a string of questions qualifies as analysis?
Do you have the ability to “cogent” arguements– That’s good stuff.
Wally’s right even if he doesn’t us declarative sentences. Reid Thompson, though maybe a little crazy, has been railroaded by council and Green Life. Also, Mountain X publishing his arrest record, I think, was uncalled for. I rented one of his apartments for one month, then moved out due to the trucks running all night long. My dog at the time had a hatred of trucks and it was insane!
I will say Green Life has and is making some fair concessions though.
I didn’t say Wally was wrong. I just don’t consider a bunch of questions a good way to make a case for anything. It wasn’t until the end of the second paragraph that I even had a clue what he was talking about.
I know Wally, and HE rarely knows what he is talking about until he goes on for a few paragraphs!
Just like you AsheJoe! :)
Reid Thompson is a local hero for taking on the UDO slackers at City Hall. Now how difficult would it have been for Greenlife to have had their loading dock on the OPPOSITE side of the building from the get-go? Sure would’ve saved everyone a lot of heartache. Whoever is making these decisions about variances to the UDO needs to be called up on the carpet, and hopefully replaced.
Didn’t you all know?
In Asheville, it is “He who hath the Gold maketh the rule.” (…or changes the rules if enough gold changes hands)
The amount to which I agree with Nam vet and Nancy is amazing. Perhaps we’re not so different, and can come together regardless of the divide made by Reagan, Rush and Rove.
And I would like to say you are right Nam Vet, my good friend wally and I are alike, we both have passion in our beliefs, and at times struggle to convey them.