Zoning Update #10

Now that they've certified zoning for the ballot, it's time to get to work opposing it. I understand that a campaign committee is being formed; the site JohnsonLiberty.com has information on 13 reasons why you should vote against zoning. I'll add a few more:

- if you're somehow missed, you have a year to get it straightened out - the administrator may waive the fee (if he feels like it).

- It won't clean up anything - trashy trailers, raw sewage (they already have an ordinance about that), etc. There's nothing in the plan on enforcement of the rules.

- The County is really, truly broke. The officeholders are in a squabble because some have followed direction and cut their employees to 35 hours a week, while others have ignored the request. The County Commission seems to be blowing off the complaints. Interestingly, the officeholders who complied are all female, and the ones who didn't are male. See the Daily Star Journal website for stories & editorials.

Too bad we were put into this position by a scam, the temporary P&Z Commission was forced to waste it's first 6 months without any support from the County, and the plan was rushed through without adequate public input along the way (at least that's what I've heard around town) to save the cost of a separate election.

Zoning Update #9

Everything is in place for a vote on April 7th. I ask anyone who wants to help defeat the zoning to contact me. I will have more info on what it does & doesn't do shortly.

BTW, I was buttonholed by 3 commission's officers and asked if I was going to oppose the issue; my answer - "But of course." They tried to dissuade me, then asked that I stick to facts. I will - but I told them there are other committees and I can't control what they say.

I Told You So!

Yes, I did. Back in 2005, when the Hawthorne development was pushing through their Transportation Development District (AKA the "Wal-Mart tax"), I questioned the both the propriety of asking taxpayers to back a for-profit development and the assumptions involved. Sure enough, the economy turned sour and Hawthorne is back asking for more taxpayer support. See DSJ article, 1/12/09 for details of their request. It seems they want the city to back them to over $1/2 million instead of the agreed $150K per year. WOW! Meanwhile, the DSJ Editor suggests that the city ought to be prudent, yet compromise (DSJ editorial, 1/12/09).


I wonder if anyone in the city has seen the TDD's books? If anyone has requested information under the Sunshine Law?

For background, visit OldDrum.net.

Zoning Update #8

Latest news: The Public Hearing will at 7 PM on Tuesday 1/6, at the Fairgrounds. It will be preceded by a P&Z Commission meeting at 6 PM, same location. If you wish to comment on the proposed draft (latest versions available at OldDrum.Net you will be limited to 5 minutes, so plan your comments accordingly. The agenda & ground rules are posted there, as well.

If you saw the Daily Star Journal article on county finances, you'll know that it's pretty tight. I'm still waiting to see how they budget for P&Z if it passes.