Its not about these guys protecting thier own businesses, its about protecting the town. If a business doesnt do the best it can and fails in the market place, that IS how ir works. However, there is a larger issue here. The core of our town is worth protecting. Not individuals, not gov taking sides, not unfair practice, but the leaders of our wonderful town putting things in place to protect it. At some point, there will be too much "growth" and downtown will fall no matter how well they "compete" with national chains and big developers. Growth is good, its how we all survive, but we all mow the grass, get haircuts, go on diets and yes, sometimes we even have to plan our growth to stay healthy.
Thank you Geoff. I sat on the long range plan board and for over year we worked to put the voice of the people of Southern Pines into a document that would simplify the job of serving on town council. "What do the people of Southern Pines want us to do in a situation like this?" "Lets ask them by using the plan we adopted less than a year ago!"
It has been very frustrating to hear how things are zipping through council with little or no public input and a simple "we looked at the plan, but its only a guide". No one can be against some growth, but we are NOT on track with what we spent a year fine tuning. What do we have and what should we do with it? A simple question that was very hard to answer a few years ago and still not a gimmie. But we have given our leaders what they wanted, a specific answer to that question. I firmly believe that, as mayor, Smithson will be a far better steward of the public ideal than his opposition.
Thank you for bringing a key point to light. People need to know that the plan is in front of our leaders at each meeting and that it is not to be diminished over time by dismissal and convenient interpretation.
1SPLOCAL 7 months, 2 weeks ago
'Impact Statement' Seems Unnecessary
Its not about these guys protecting thier own businesses, its about protecting the town. If a business doesnt do the best it can and fails in the market place, that IS how ir works. However, there is a larger issue here. The core of our town is worth protecting. Not individuals, not gov taking sides, not unfair practice, but the leaders of our wonderful town putting things in place to protect it. At some point, there will be too much "growth" and downtown will fall no matter how well they "compete" with national chains and big developers. Growth is good, its how we all survive, but we all mow the grass, get haircuts, go on diets and yes, sometimes we even have to plan our growth to stay healthy.
1SPLOCAL 1 year, 7 months ago
Long-Range Plan Needs Your Support
Thank you Geoff. I sat on the long range plan board and for over year we worked to put the voice of the people of Southern Pines into a document that would simplify the job of serving on town council. "What do the people of Southern Pines want us to do in a situation like this?" "Lets ask them by using the plan we adopted less than a year ago!"
It has been very frustrating to hear how things are zipping through council with little or no public input and a simple "we looked at the plan, but its only a guide". No one can be against some growth, but we are NOT on track with what we spent a year fine tuning. What do we have and what should we do with it? A simple question that was very hard to answer a few years ago and still not a gimmie. But we have given our leaders what they wanted, a specific answer to that question. I firmly believe that, as mayor, Smithson will be a far better steward of the public ideal than his opposition. Thank you for bringing a key point to light. People need to know that the plan is in front of our leaders at each meeting and that it is not to be diminished over time by dismissal and convenient interpretation.