As the walls decompose

Another day, another City Council meeting. (go here to watch it live, just click on the city logo on the right)

No small meetings today either. Aside from the change-up taking the Countryside debate to the 2pm meeting, when most of the Countryside advocates had previously signed up for the 7pm one - the city will be tackling the rezoning request of the Rescue Mission.

Anything beyond that is an unknown as of right now - the agenda is set, but porous it seems.

Well, with the exception of the signing of a year-to-year contract with EventZone that is. Wonder what the plans are for that.

The general consensus around town is that the city council is gearing up for another round of "Slam the Citizens" with things that are of no benefit to the average citizen, and create no growth.

Like the new $6 daily parking rate at certain street-level lots. Cancellation of certain monthly parking agreements. Things like that.

This edition of the Roanoke City Council seems to be firmly entrenched in it's own collective ass, as it does not hear the citizens. Well, quite frankly it does not seem to hear anyone, least of all the high paid planners it hires to investigate ideas.

Instead of asking a architectural firm, or a building firm where to put an amphitheater - why not ask a marketing firm? You can build it, but you still have to sell it to performing acts and the crowds that will attend alike. And sure, you can have trolley-style people-movers running every 10 minutes up and down Jefferson to the very spot, but to what end? People who work and attend med school in that area will still have to travel to the pick-up point. It has been stated that running down MacClanahan would add too much time to the trip, but if you have businesses and people willing to use the service - well, can anyone say LeDuh?

We all know the City has brain drain problems, but did you realize it affects those serving it?

The city council, the mayor, and the city manager all need to come out and explain EXACTLY and EXPLICITLY what their plans for the city are. Not this "go see our vision statement and go away" crap.

The City Council is not acting in the best interests of Roanoke at any time. They fail. Plain and simple.

Fail.

And thanks to the brilliant leadership we have suffered under for many years - now we can see the tangible effects: the walls of the city are beginning to decompose. From the lowest man on the rung, to the people who pay the City salaries - not many are happy about how things are being run.

Even the Roanoke Times is beginning to fumble hard.

The gossip is flying a mile a minute around here about what really is going on. Even Hometown Bank is the subject of major talk.

The only way to quell all the unrest in the city is to come clean, and do your damn job. Tell the citizens whats going on, and listen to them when they tell you something.

Optionally, continue on the way you are going - and act really surprised when your ass gets tossed out at the end of your term. And let the city decay even further.

We have some whip-smart people here in Roanoke, listen to them. Now get back to work.