This just in..................
This Monday, a petition for scheduling a public hearing on the matter of giving tax-exempt property status for the Art Museum downtown.
I understand they are well within their rights to request this, but seriously now. And it's not just that alone. It's 110 Salem Ave. SE and the storage building at 302 Campbell Ave. SE
Does not one negate the need for the other?
The city has gifted the land under the Art Museum to them, and now they ask for a break on property taxes. Could it be because they are running short on funds, and know that the property taxes would break the bank?
I don't know - maybe it's just me, but it seems fishy. I might be willing to give them one property, but not both.
Untested and unproven revenue from the "tourists" who will come to see the new art museum do not assure the city of any monetary growth. I would think considering all the "bending over backwards" the city has done during the construction of the museum, the least the museum could do is pay property taxes - as an assurance. Even if they asked for reduced taxes, that I might be ok with. But an exemption?
I'm personally not too keen on the idea of giving them anything more without SOME assurance (or insurance) for the city.
My 2 cents.
Eagerly awaiting the Valley Forward press conference, although it is dubiously timed.
That is all....................
11/30/07
11/29/07
I knew I liked that man...
"There are, in the body politic, economic and social, many and grave evils, and there is urgent necessity for the sternest war upon them. There should be relentless exposure of and attack upon every evil man whether politician or business man, every evil practice, whether in politics, in business, or in social life. I hail as a benefactor every writer or speaker, every man who, on the platform, or in book, magazine, or newspaper, with merciless severity makes such attack, provided always that he in his turn remembers that the attack is of use only if it is absolutely truthful."
-Theo. Roosevelt, President of the U.S.
Think about that for a moment. And look around.
I think I see some muck over there.. anyone have a rake handy?
-Theo. Roosevelt, President of the U.S.
Think about that for a moment. And look around.
I think I see some muck over there.. anyone have a rake handy?
New toys
Go ahead. Scroll down a bit and look to your right.
Harass me all you want. If I am here, I will get right back to you.
I know posting has been light - but I have been active lately. More on that eventually.
Harass me all you want. If I am here, I will get right back to you.
I know posting has been light - but I have been active lately. More on that eventually.
11/21/07
The Sentinel reveals himself.
And no longer is the City alone, listening to one voice.
The Roanoke Star Sentinel has launched.
If you are one of the lucky 30,000 who received the first issue - congrats. If not, hit the link and read it via .pdf online.
Things just got very interesting.
The Roanoke Star Sentinel has launched.
If you are one of the lucky 30,000 who received the first issue - congrats. If not, hit the link and read it via .pdf online.
Things just got very interesting.
11/20/07
Wiley Coyote
Once again, black wins over white - and 2 dimensional thinking succeeds in the face of the future.
Wiley Drive will be closed.
Which is understandable, considering the nature of the issue. However, there is always a middle ground.
Yes, the park - the picnic area - the low-water bridge, all of it - is now off limits to the disabled.
I think we could have done better than that.
Parks and Rec is still going to use some sort of road to get to the inner parts of the park - be it the greenway, or a remnant of Wiley - we should keep that option open for the Handicapped. We do it on Mill Mountain, with the access road to the zoo open as an option for the handicapped, we can damn well do it in the parks.
And we need to. The closest someone in a wheelchair can get to the water itself is the low water bridge.
I'm not disappointed, I actually find myself still hopeful that at some point during the process of the bench cut, someone will speak up and the access needed by the handicapped will be kept.
If not, well - then I'll be disappointed.
Wiley Drive will be closed.
Which is understandable, considering the nature of the issue. However, there is always a middle ground.
Yes, the park - the picnic area - the low-water bridge, all of it - is now off limits to the disabled.
I think we could have done better than that.
Parks and Rec is still going to use some sort of road to get to the inner parts of the park - be it the greenway, or a remnant of Wiley - we should keep that option open for the Handicapped. We do it on Mill Mountain, with the access road to the zoo open as an option for the handicapped, we can damn well do it in the parks.
And we need to. The closest someone in a wheelchair can get to the water itself is the low water bridge.
I'm not disappointed, I actually find myself still hopeful that at some point during the process of the bench cut, someone will speak up and the access needed by the handicapped will be kept.
If not, well - then I'll be disappointed.
11/19/07
Lame. Just Lame.
Roanoke City Council to discuss Mill Mountain and Victory Stadium site in private
City land will be discussed -- legally -- behind closed doors.
I get it. Really, I do. What business would want plans openly debated, for the special interests to rip apart?
In the case of the missing Amphitheater, I really don't care what they discuss behind closed doors. The city will use it's secondary official mouthpiece (the Roanoke Times) to release whatever they want you to see. Pretty images, and little else.
But the Mill Mountain issue is far more important to the future of Roanoke than the Amphitheater. It's the difference between meeting behind closed doors because you need to, and because you can. The definition of "public good" is not all that wide, and in a situation like this I think the benefits of having an open process (especially when the process has been viewed as tainted as this one is) far outweigh any illusionary need for secrecy. One proposal, thats all you have. That's a pretty clear indicator that no other business thinks this is a good idea. As a matter of fact, I would not be surprised if no other business was strong enough to bear the ill will it would receive should it build atop Mill Mt.
Disposition of public property is one thing, disposition of public parks? Well, now thats another thing entirely.
Dear Prudence.... teach these mortals what they cannot know. How to be effective governors.
City land will be discussed -- legally -- behind closed doors.
I get it. Really, I do. What business would want plans openly debated, for the special interests to rip apart?
In the case of the missing Amphitheater, I really don't care what they discuss behind closed doors. The city will use it's secondary official mouthpiece (the Roanoke Times) to release whatever they want you to see. Pretty images, and little else.
But the Mill Mountain issue is far more important to the future of Roanoke than the Amphitheater. It's the difference between meeting behind closed doors because you need to, and because you can. The definition of "public good" is not all that wide, and in a situation like this I think the benefits of having an open process (especially when the process has been viewed as tainted as this one is) far outweigh any illusionary need for secrecy. One proposal, thats all you have. That's a pretty clear indicator that no other business thinks this is a good idea. As a matter of fact, I would not be surprised if no other business was strong enough to bear the ill will it would receive should it build atop Mill Mt.
Disposition of public property is one thing, disposition of public parks? Well, now thats another thing entirely.
Dear Prudence.... teach these mortals what they cannot know. How to be effective governors.
11/9/07
Oh Ward...
It seems that Valerie Garner, from The Countryside Neighborhood Alliance, has uncovered a slice of the past.
She has laid her hands on an article from Nov. 5th, 1997 about the voting down of a potential Ward system in Roanoke.
You can read the article here, with accompanying map.
What's really interesting is the fear-mongering and dis-information that led to the Ward system being voted down (at least as reported by the article).
"More than any city campaign in years, the wards vote brought the city's establishment into open conflict with scrappy, populist types such as the Roanoke Education Association and the NAACP. Powerful lawyers, wealthy Roanokers and business executives worked hard against wards. They noted that voters who now get to cast ballots for all seven council members would have had just three votes under a ward system - ones for the candidate from their ward and one each for mayor and vice mayor.
Ward detractors also called forth an image of Chicago in the days of ex-Mayor Richard Daley - a city of back-room deals and corrupt, cigar-chomping, ward-healing politicians. They warned that council members would be fighting over provincial matters within ward borders instead of promoting the larger interests of the city."
Well - the only good thing is now we need not worry about the Mayor Daley references, as we are rife with back room deals even without the ward system. But I am saddened to hear the twisted math of 7 votes vs. 3. 7 votes that gain you little, vs 3 that might actually accomplish something.
Must be some of that new math that makes 3 useful votes seem like a bad thing.
You know as well as I do, Roanoke needs some form of locality based representation. This "at large" system is only playing to those with "vested areas." Like SoRo, Old SW, and even to a certain extent NW.
10 years later, maybe it's time to do it all again?
She has laid her hands on an article from Nov. 5th, 1997 about the voting down of a potential Ward system in Roanoke.
You can read the article here, with accompanying map.
What's really interesting is the fear-mongering and dis-information that led to the Ward system being voted down (at least as reported by the article).
"More than any city campaign in years, the wards vote brought the city's establishment into open conflict with scrappy, populist types such as the Roanoke Education Association and the NAACP. Powerful lawyers, wealthy Roanokers and business executives worked hard against wards. They noted that voters who now get to cast ballots for all seven council members would have had just three votes under a ward system - ones for the candidate from their ward and one each for mayor and vice mayor.
Ward detractors also called forth an image of Chicago in the days of ex-Mayor Richard Daley - a city of back-room deals and corrupt, cigar-chomping, ward-healing politicians. They warned that council members would be fighting over provincial matters within ward borders instead of promoting the larger interests of the city."
Well - the only good thing is now we need not worry about the Mayor Daley references, as we are rife with back room deals even without the ward system. But I am saddened to hear the twisted math of 7 votes vs. 3. 7 votes that gain you little, vs 3 that might actually accomplish something.
Must be some of that new math that makes 3 useful votes seem like a bad thing.
You know as well as I do, Roanoke needs some form of locality based representation. This "at large" system is only playing to those with "vested areas." Like SoRo, Old SW, and even to a certain extent NW.
10 years later, maybe it's time to do it all again?
11/6/07
Addendum
It is with a heavy heart that I take down the Jean Shepherd Odeo Player - hopefully temporarily.
Due to the rising cost of gas around here - I brought back the VirginiaGasPrices.com Gas Buddy.
With oil topping $97 bucks a barrel today, and gas hitting $2.99 on Electric Rd. I thought I would try and help out with finding some deals on gas.
Looks like the Roanoke ShareBike program could not come at a better time. I just do not look forward to attempting to pedal home with Christmas presents.
Due to the rising cost of gas around here - I brought back the VirginiaGasPrices.com Gas Buddy.
With oil topping $97 bucks a barrel today, and gas hitting $2.99 on Electric Rd. I thought I would try and help out with finding some deals on gas.
Looks like the Roanoke ShareBike program could not come at a better time. I just do not look forward to attempting to pedal home with Christmas presents.
11/2/07
A few loose ends
I know I know.. I have been lax in executing my duties here. I swear it's with good cause (causes including preparing for an arrival in Jan, which takes precedence over nearly everything else). But rest assured I have been working behind-the-scenes.
The body may stop, but the brain rattles on folks.
First question - Is there any way we can get involved in a 3 way trade for City Managers? Nothing personal, uh.. Hillary Burcham, but seriously. It's time to retire and leave the game to someone more willing to play ball and actually FOLLOW the job description. You are not CEO (despite your self-adornment with that title), you are merely an administrator. But I guess this is what comes of leaving a Human Resources administrator in a role for too long. We are getting a touch laughable at this point - now aren't we?
That is not to say the city is one big steaming hot cup of FAIL lately. By far, the best thing to hit this city in a long time is one example of how the city can partner properly with an outside agency.
(point 2)The Greenways. Specifically, the new one nearing completion along the SE stretch of the Roanoke River. It took being out today, in the warm midday sun and standing overlooking the shallow Roanoke River, then up at the changing leaves on the mountains and hills, to really get it.
I considered it to be just another greenway. But when I realized I can walk (you remember how to do that right?) from SE to SoRo in less than an hour (River's Edge to Wasena Park takes roughly the same amount, at a speedy amble) I was convinced. An evening stroll along the river.. especially in the fall. Not that you could not do that before - but it was a bit more difficult and buggy.
Now what I would really like to see is a use put to the bench cut on the opposite side of the river. A mile long park perhaps, only a few hundred feet wide - but open to the public. Maybe another low-water bridge to stroll over from one side to the other. Or perhaps using the space for something.
(topic 3) Something is a great label for the Art Museum. Recently I had family in town, and the first remark on the design of the building (from someone who appreciates both modern and classical design) was "Oh no."
That's right. "Oh no."
If only we could attract thousands of visitors here so they too could say "Oh no." Wait, maybe thats why it looks like it does! Everyone loves looking at a car wreck, not that anyone would admit it, but everyone looks over when we see an accident on the side of the road. So that must have been the idea all along. Pity. Pity this poor city, to have such a tragic museum jutting like a shard of glass from it's face. Shame. *tsk*
Moving on to more pleasing-to-the-eye items. Hawks! We gots HAWKS!
Oh - but the male's a biggun.. When I get the photos I shall post them, but for anyone on Evan's Mill yesterday around 3-3:30pm.. if you didn't see it you were not looking. Right next to the Consultants in Cardiology parking garage entrance - big hawk. Real big. Eating.. something... bloody with feathers.
Amazing animal, and right there at ground level. Like I said - as soon as I get one of the photos I'll post it.
Oh, and stupid (pseudo-)gang violence in Southeast, but don't worry. What happens in Southeast will be dealt with BY Southeast. Can OSW use the hook they have with the city to pass a law stating that all miscreants and thugs must be appropriate to the history of the area in both look and speech? Make the thugs wear wool pants and jackets with ugly hats, and see how long it takes before they move on.
I wonder what a 21st century thug would think of a late 19th century one? And how fast he would find out about laughing at a 19th century thug.
There's an idea! Let's get the City Council to dress like 19th century thugs! They are fast becoming little more than that anyway. Oh look - I just received the next Council agenda... be back later folks.
Oh - 2 more things.
1. Roanoke Game Fest For those of you so inclined to sit around and snipe at things (hey.. wait - nevermind) this sounds pretty promising.
And B. Anyone seen whats happening out at Towers lately? Pretty soon, the way things are going - it will be Fresh Market and Kroger, and no one else.
3 stores down... who is next?
The body may stop, but the brain rattles on folks.
First question - Is there any way we can get involved in a 3 way trade for City Managers? Nothing personal, uh.. Hillary Burcham, but seriously. It's time to retire and leave the game to someone more willing to play ball and actually FOLLOW the job description. You are not CEO (despite your self-adornment with that title), you are merely an administrator. But I guess this is what comes of leaving a Human Resources administrator in a role for too long. We are getting a touch laughable at this point - now aren't we?
That is not to say the city is one big steaming hot cup of FAIL lately. By far, the best thing to hit this city in a long time is one example of how the city can partner properly with an outside agency.
(point 2)The Greenways. Specifically, the new one nearing completion along the SE stretch of the Roanoke River. It took being out today, in the warm midday sun and standing overlooking the shallow Roanoke River, then up at the changing leaves on the mountains and hills, to really get it.
I considered it to be just another greenway. But when I realized I can walk (you remember how to do that right?) from SE to SoRo in less than an hour (River's Edge to Wasena Park takes roughly the same amount, at a speedy amble) I was convinced. An evening stroll along the river.. especially in the fall. Not that you could not do that before - but it was a bit more difficult and buggy.
Now what I would really like to see is a use put to the bench cut on the opposite side of the river. A mile long park perhaps, only a few hundred feet wide - but open to the public. Maybe another low-water bridge to stroll over from one side to the other. Or perhaps using the space for something.
(topic 3) Something is a great label for the Art Museum. Recently I had family in town, and the first remark on the design of the building (from someone who appreciates both modern and classical design) was "Oh no."
That's right. "Oh no."
If only we could attract thousands of visitors here so they too could say "Oh no." Wait, maybe thats why it looks like it does! Everyone loves looking at a car wreck, not that anyone would admit it, but everyone looks over when we see an accident on the side of the road. So that must have been the idea all along. Pity. Pity this poor city, to have such a tragic museum jutting like a shard of glass from it's face. Shame. *tsk*
Moving on to more pleasing-to-the-eye items. Hawks! We gots HAWKS!
Oh - but the male's a biggun.. When I get the photos I shall post them, but for anyone on Evan's Mill yesterday around 3-3:30pm.. if you didn't see it you were not looking. Right next to the Consultants in Cardiology parking garage entrance - big hawk. Real big. Eating.. something... bloody with feathers.
Amazing animal, and right there at ground level. Like I said - as soon as I get one of the photos I'll post it.
Oh, and stupid (pseudo-)gang violence in Southeast, but don't worry. What happens in Southeast will be dealt with BY Southeast. Can OSW use the hook they have with the city to pass a law stating that all miscreants and thugs must be appropriate to the history of the area in both look and speech? Make the thugs wear wool pants and jackets with ugly hats, and see how long it takes before they move on.
I wonder what a 21st century thug would think of a late 19th century one? And how fast he would find out about laughing at a 19th century thug.
There's an idea! Let's get the City Council to dress like 19th century thugs! They are fast becoming little more than that anyway. Oh look - I just received the next Council agenda... be back later folks.
Oh - 2 more things.
1. Roanoke Game Fest For those of you so inclined to sit around and snipe at things (hey.. wait - nevermind) this sounds pretty promising.
And B. Anyone seen whats happening out at Towers lately? Pretty soon, the way things are going - it will be Fresh Market and Kroger, and no one else.
3 stores down... who is next?
10/30/07
From high atop a windy mountain, it waits
It watches. Always vigilant, always seeking...
The Sentinel awaits.
But not for much longer.
The Sentinel awaits.
But not for much longer.
10/17/07
Gang meeting tonight
Agenda:
Sharks V. Jets: Is the dancing really worth it?
Actually, and in all reality, tonight we get an update from the Roanoke PD on (pseudo-)gang activity in the city itself. It should be interesting.
It's at the Belmont Christian Church, 7pm. If anyone is interested in coming.
Also, Renovate Roanoke is coming up - which promises to be interesting in a wholly different aspect. Seems like the kind of thing that might put a bit of a hurt on Black Dog's business. And improve the call rate for contractors, as those who half paid attention during the classes suddenly find themselves with the need for professional help.
But more important than all that...
It's going to rain.
So forgive me as I have the last bit of quiet time before the busy season and keep my mouth shut for a day or so. I know blogging has been a bit light lately, but that shall not remain so for long.
"So much time, and so little to do." - w.w.
Sharks V. Jets: Is the dancing really worth it?
Actually, and in all reality, tonight we get an update from the Roanoke PD on (pseudo-)gang activity in the city itself. It should be interesting.
It's at the Belmont Christian Church, 7pm. If anyone is interested in coming.
Also, Renovate Roanoke is coming up - which promises to be interesting in a wholly different aspect. Seems like the kind of thing that might put a bit of a hurt on Black Dog's business. And improve the call rate for contractors, as those who half paid attention during the classes suddenly find themselves with the need for professional help.
But more important than all that...
It's going to rain.
So forgive me as I have the last bit of quiet time before the busy season and keep my mouth shut for a day or so. I know blogging has been a bit light lately, but that shall not remain so for long.
"So much time, and so little to do." - w.w.
10/12/07
Woulda... Shoulda.. Coulda..
I was going to post something the other day about a poor dead horse that keeps being kicked. When the Times ran it's cover story on the close of the RFP (request for proposals) for Mill Mountain, I laughed heartily - and really wanted to sit down and type out a massive response, but today I am vindicated.
Read this, and laugh along with me.
Valley Forward, who ostensibly had no financial interest in ANYTHING being built on Mill Mountain, was key in the development of the SINGLE proposal that came in.
Lugar: "We were in contact with two major regional firms and a smaller, respected local firm, all of which had interest and had the wherewithal to consummate something on the mountain," Lugar said. But "because of the [political] climate, they lost interest."
It's not the political climate, you lazy minded yuppie. It's the socio-economic climate. Despite all your flawed and skewed surveys, you still failed to realize that your concept is not something the people want. Granted, you would probably have more support from the masses were you to suggest a Mexican Restaurant or a Red Lobster.
You folks over at Valley Forward need to exit your glad-handing circle for a little while and see how the rest of the world lives. Not all of us own moving companies, work as pharma-reps selling to politically connected doctors, or are able to have both a wife and child, and a mistress or two.
Best case scenario? Drop the Mill Mountain thing, and choose a battle that would actually accomplish something. Raise funds for testicular cancer or something, but stop trying to be civic leaders when you live in a world of your own. You do not speak for everyone, work for everyone, or know whats best for everyone. But such is the conceit of the idle class.
Saving the world is a tiring job, let someone else do it.
In short, regroup and come back with something useful. We don't mind you - we just don't like you.
Read this, and laugh along with me.
Valley Forward, who ostensibly had no financial interest in ANYTHING being built on Mill Mountain, was key in the development of the SINGLE proposal that came in.
Lugar: "We were in contact with two major regional firms and a smaller, respected local firm, all of which had interest and had the wherewithal to consummate something on the mountain," Lugar said. But "because of the [political] climate, they lost interest."
It's not the political climate, you lazy minded yuppie. It's the socio-economic climate. Despite all your flawed and skewed surveys, you still failed to realize that your concept is not something the people want. Granted, you would probably have more support from the masses were you to suggest a Mexican Restaurant or a Red Lobster.
You folks over at Valley Forward need to exit your glad-handing circle for a little while and see how the rest of the world lives. Not all of us own moving companies, work as pharma-reps selling to politically connected doctors, or are able to have both a wife and child, and a mistress or two.
Best case scenario? Drop the Mill Mountain thing, and choose a battle that would actually accomplish something. Raise funds for testicular cancer or something, but stop trying to be civic leaders when you live in a world of your own. You do not speak for everyone, work for everyone, or know whats best for everyone. But such is the conceit of the idle class.
Saving the world is a tiring job, let someone else do it.
In short, regroup and come back with something useful. We don't mind you - we just don't like you.
10/2/07
Slob Art
One question to the City Council, and the architects who did these designs:
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!
What a way to start a day folks.. this one nearly had my cereal bowl flying off the table.
Seems to me we have been here before, friends. Anyone remember the idea for a concrete staircase descending into Market Square from.. oh, what - about a year ago? Artist's concepts and all?
In a conversation a year ago, with a recently departed person from a very important Downtown organization, I clearly remember bringing up the idea of the stone staircase (which I had read about in the Times). The reaction was not quite so supportive. But still, the more I thought on the idea - the more I came to like it.
A sweeping stone (or concrete) staircase descending from the pedestrian walkway, depositing people neatly at the base of the city market area would not have been a bad thing. With appropriate lighting and railing, it might even blend with it's surroundings.
Plus - sweeping staircases have a way of becoming public meeting spots. Hang-outs for the local "youts," places for "arteests" to practice their craft, and even a simple place to squat and gobble lunch on a nice day.
But no... not this.
What brains we have leading us, what grand vision for the future of our fair city. To have the foresight to allow the "Wreck of the Hesperus" monument and Art Museum to be built, so it would not look so out of place alongside this.
I guess we should re-name Salem Ave. between Jefferson and Williamson "Slob Art Row."
Of course, this is being done in an attempt to create a European-style Plaza. But whats being missed (and this is an issue I take mostly with the architects, and only deride the council for not being better educated on the subject) is that most Euro-plazas are.. how to say it, vintage? They are simple in design, fairly open with one or two large features. A staircase and fountain, or a statue and seating. The artists, concessions, and all the rest come in time - they aren't programmed in.
To be honest about it - the best example I can think of for a true Euro-style plaza in the USA would be Washington Square Park in NYC. It has a mix of both concrete and green space, and the population one would expect of Greenwich Village. A population which supports the park, and gives it life.
These are things you cannot program in, you cannot pre-plan for.
But far and above, my favorite moment from the article is the sudden redefinition of the "buzzword du jour" for the City Council. Amphitheater. All 3 designs displayed for the council have "amphitheater functions." Well, that and the sudden appearance of a fishing pier in the midst of Downtown Roanoke (see the $3.5 million dollar concept if you wish).
I do appreciate the fact that Hillary Burcham is advertising in advance the "healthy discussion on the markets future in December", but Alfred "I'm not Carlton" Dowe let loose a head-scratcher.
"In general, I really do like the concept" said Councilman Dowe, "but frankly, the balance that I and the rest of the council will have to deal with is wether or not the timing of the use of the funds is the most expedient thing versus the enhancement of, say, the actual market building itself or incentives to lure another hotel downtown (?!? -rf), or a grocery store - some of the things we already know we need versus something we'd love to have."
WHADDA'YA TALKIN' ABOUT MACK?
And our Vice-Mayor and Vice-President of the Vague and Confused branch of the City Council, Mr. Trinkle added this: "I'm a supporter of the concept of doing something that creates more usage of that space and funnels people into the market area, wether this should be done before or after the Market building is something we should probably all need to address."
And some of you folks voted for these people? How did you understand them?
But kudos to Bus-Drivin' Bev for laying out in the open. The Plaza "is a public space that never had any focus. Any way we might go here we're way ahead of where we've been."
I'll provide further clarification on the "Slob Art" concept, should you need it. Just ask. But between these designs and the AMWV - I'd say that pretty much takes care of everything.
I need to go take some Rolaids now, my stomach is still churning.
I wonder if the council realizes the light at the end of the tunnel they seem to see is really New Jersey?
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!
What a way to start a day folks.. this one nearly had my cereal bowl flying off the table.
Seems to me we have been here before, friends. Anyone remember the idea for a concrete staircase descending into Market Square from.. oh, what - about a year ago? Artist's concepts and all?
In a conversation a year ago, with a recently departed person from a very important Downtown organization, I clearly remember bringing up the idea of the stone staircase (which I had read about in the Times). The reaction was not quite so supportive. But still, the more I thought on the idea - the more I came to like it.
A sweeping stone (or concrete) staircase descending from the pedestrian walkway, depositing people neatly at the base of the city market area would not have been a bad thing. With appropriate lighting and railing, it might even blend with it's surroundings.
Plus - sweeping staircases have a way of becoming public meeting spots. Hang-outs for the local "youts," places for "arteests" to practice their craft, and even a simple place to squat and gobble lunch on a nice day.
But no... not this.What brains we have leading us, what grand vision for the future of our fair city. To have the foresight to allow the "Wreck of the Hesperus" monument and Art Museum to be built, so it would not look so out of place alongside this.
I guess we should re-name Salem Ave. between Jefferson and Williamson "Slob Art Row."
Of course, this is being done in an attempt to create a European-style Plaza. But whats being missed (and this is an issue I take mostly with the architects, and only deride the council for not being better educated on the subject) is that most Euro-plazas are.. how to say it, vintage? They are simple in design, fairly open with one or two large features. A staircase and fountain, or a statue and seating. The artists, concessions, and all the rest come in time - they aren't programmed in.
To be honest about it - the best example I can think of for a true Euro-style plaza in the USA would be Washington Square Park in NYC. It has a mix of both concrete and green space, and the population one would expect of Greenwich Village. A population which supports the park, and gives it life.
These are things you cannot program in, you cannot pre-plan for.
But far and above, my favorite moment from the article is the sudden redefinition of the "buzzword du jour" for the City Council. Amphitheater. All 3 designs displayed for the council have "amphitheater functions." Well, that and the sudden appearance of a fishing pier in the midst of Downtown Roanoke (see the $3.5 million dollar concept if you wish).
I do appreciate the fact that Hillary Burcham is advertising in advance the "healthy discussion on the markets future in December", but Alfred "I'm not Carlton" Dowe let loose a head-scratcher.
"In general, I really do like the concept" said Councilman Dowe, "but frankly, the balance that I and the rest of the council will have to deal with is wether or not the timing of the use of the funds is the most expedient thing versus the enhancement of, say, the actual market building itself or incentives to lure another hotel downtown (?!? -rf), or a grocery store - some of the things we already know we need versus something we'd love to have."
WHADDA'YA TALKIN' ABOUT MACK?
And our Vice-Mayor and Vice-President of the Vague and Confused branch of the City Council, Mr. Trinkle added this: "I'm a supporter of the concept of doing something that creates more usage of that space and funnels people into the market area, wether this should be done before or after the Market building is something we should probably all need to address."
And some of you folks voted for these people? How did you understand them?
But kudos to Bus-Drivin' Bev for laying out in the open. The Plaza "is a public space that never had any focus. Any way we might go here we're way ahead of where we've been."
I'll provide further clarification on the "Slob Art" concept, should you need it. Just ask. But between these designs and the AMWV - I'd say that pretty much takes care of everything.
I need to go take some Rolaids now, my stomach is still churning.
I wonder if the council realizes the light at the end of the tunnel they seem to see is really New Jersey?
9/26/07
If I may
Please direct your attention to the right side of the page, and scroll down a bit. You will find an Odeo podcast jukebox, which is currently set for the podcast "Shepcast" brought to you by the Brass Figlagee.
Why this addition? I happen to be a big fan of Jean Shepherd, and figure that some of you might want to listen too. Now you can, from anywhere you might be.
I trust that you will find it as enjoyable as I do, and if you don't - well, sorry. It will probably be up there through the fall.
You might also notice I removed the link for the chatroom, which no one had used in 50+ days.
Anyway, just some of the "smoke and mirrors" to distract you all from the work behind the curtain here.
Why this addition? I happen to be a big fan of Jean Shepherd, and figure that some of you might want to listen too. Now you can, from anywhere you might be.
I trust that you will find it as enjoyable as I do, and if you don't - well, sorry. It will probably be up there through the fall.
You might also notice I removed the link for the chatroom, which no one had used in 50+ days.
Anyway, just some of the "smoke and mirrors" to distract you all from the work behind the curtain here.
9/24/07
Just something interesting
Don't know if any of you are watching it, but on PBS now - and all week it seems, is The War, by Ken Burns.
It's an amazing thing to see.
It is also followed by Virginia Veterans recollections of WWII.
Not only does it make you think, it makes you thankful.
Although it should be required viewing for all school children. 5th grade at the earliest, but it needs to be shown.
My 2 cents.
It's an amazing thing to see.
It is also followed by Virginia Veterans recollections of WWII.
Not only does it make you think, it makes you thankful.
Although it should be required viewing for all school children. 5th grade at the earliest, but it needs to be shown.
My 2 cents.
125 years
The city celebrates it's 125th with an Arts festival, a housing symposium, and a botched kick-off parade and expo at the newest jewel in the Civic Center.
Wayne Newton is playing the Civic Center for the first time in ages, and it's not even associated with the 125th (it was booked outside the 125th celebration scope). No, instead Crystal Gale is the featured performer for our 125th.
Now word on the street comes that there is nothing else planned of any consequence for the 125th.
No, even though 100 years ago this month, the Great Roanoke Fair was just winding down - a tradition which lasted many years (held on the old Fairgrounds, recently home to Victory Stadium). Why did we not renew this tradition? Why is this the best we can do?
Could it be the ego-tastic CEO of Roanoke's doing? The woman who publicly screwed over Bob Dills, yet now sweetly wants him to be part of YET ANOTHER oversight board?
In 125 years, the City of Roanoke has seen a great many things. The winter of 1887, when snow buried the entirety of downtown and land values fell like stones. The Flood of 1892. The great Roanoke Fairs of years gone past, not to mention the boom of industrious growth, and the vacuum of industrial vacancy. And yet the City has survived.. endured.
We are now a medical mecca (regardless of weather or not you wish to like Carilion), a great attractor for retirees who move to the general area, and a simmering hotbed of creativity (again, you might not want to see it, but it's true).
All this after 125 years of surviving layoffs, downturns, floods, fires, con-men (no one recently, eh Warner?), and the Commonwealth's insane "Independent City" rule.
And apparently this 125th celebration is worthy of all that. This 125th reflects the struggles, the triumphs of this history that is Roanoke.
Everyone, Quick! To the History Museum of Western Virginia - where we might actually glean something about the past!
Before that Juke Joint Jezebel erases that too, and replaces it with her version of things.
Who would have thought that Roanoke would have it's own Hillary Clinton?
Wayne Newton is playing the Civic Center for the first time in ages, and it's not even associated with the 125th (it was booked outside the 125th celebration scope). No, instead Crystal Gale is the featured performer for our 125th.
Now word on the street comes that there is nothing else planned of any consequence for the 125th.
No, even though 100 years ago this month, the Great Roanoke Fair was just winding down - a tradition which lasted many years (held on the old Fairgrounds, recently home to Victory Stadium). Why did we not renew this tradition? Why is this the best we can do?
Could it be the ego-tastic CEO of Roanoke's doing? The woman who publicly screwed over Bob Dills, yet now sweetly wants him to be part of YET ANOTHER oversight board?
In 125 years, the City of Roanoke has seen a great many things. The winter of 1887, when snow buried the entirety of downtown and land values fell like stones. The Flood of 1892. The great Roanoke Fairs of years gone past, not to mention the boom of industrious growth, and the vacuum of industrial vacancy. And yet the City has survived.. endured.
We are now a medical mecca (regardless of weather or not you wish to like Carilion), a great attractor for retirees who move to the general area, and a simmering hotbed of creativity (again, you might not want to see it, but it's true).
All this after 125 years of surviving layoffs, downturns, floods, fires, con-men (no one recently, eh Warner?), and the Commonwealth's insane "Independent City" rule.
And apparently this 125th celebration is worthy of all that. This 125th reflects the struggles, the triumphs of this history that is Roanoke.
Everyone, Quick! To the History Museum of Western Virginia - where we might actually glean something about the past!
Before that Juke Joint Jezebel erases that too, and replaces it with her version of things.
Who would have thought that Roanoke would have it's own Hillary Clinton?
9/21/07
It's coming..
The return you have all been waiting for is nearing completion.
It's not going to be the same as it was, but different - some might say better.
But it will be done soon.
Watch in the next 2 weeks for the link.
It's not going to be the same as it was, but different - some might say better.
But it will be done soon.
Watch in the next 2 weeks for the link.
9/18/07
Shall we try this again?
Did ya hear? Parking rates got the ok. Big shock.
So did a 1 million dollar "incentive" for Cambria Suites (which I think was a smart move, for multiple reasons).
They also changed the date for Walgreens, rightly if they expect growth (and while another drug store does not seem like much - at least it's accessible by public transit - more jobs for those who cannot or do not drive).
Countryside Neighborhood Alliance got a WIN with the extension of the Countryside Golf Course management contract, or so it seems. Time will tell on that one.
But a big ol' Thanks! to the Roanoke Times for posting what I could not find while searching the documents for the City Council agenda. The Market Advisory report. (pdf)
The usual things top the list as goals - expanding the market itself and all the accompanying suspects as one would expect. Some of it seems trivial: Replacing offending Ginko trees (sorry, but they drop fruit - thats what Ginko trees do. Of course, this fruit is edible - so anyone with some foresight could potentially harvest this and use it accordingly), cleaning sidewalks daily (normally the responsibility of the business located upon said sidewalk), and loitering (the city made a choice years ago to allow the homeless to remain downtown, out of charity).
What gets me is the innovative ideas that were put forth. Some are great, and some are blatant attempts at further ruination.
GOOD: WiFi credit card terminals, ceiling fans/ radiant heat, extending tables up Market on Saturdays, and lockers for purchased items to save you multiple treks back to the car.
BAD: A certain restaurateurs play for increased sidewalk space - so he can take that over too. Sure - try walking the Market on a Sunday and see if you don't hit this roadblock (non-ADA compliant roadblock at that), preserve awnings (didn't we just replace them?), and repave the street (you know, under that asphalt is a lovely layer of cobblestone - of course, that might require thought though).
And here is where we get to the HINKY:
Expand current management to night time, 24/7. (DRI or the City of Roanoke? Considering the current trend.. I know who I'm looking at.)
Provide a variety of attractive uses during events, or when Market is closed. (vague? a tad.)
Expand evening use: events, move First Fridays, yadda yadda. (A climbing wall in the parking garage? And would these events not require that Market Square be closed more often?)
These things sound great, for the time being. Problem is, we have an egotistical City Council (and administration - D&b) who think they own the forest AND the trees. The type who know the value of everything, but the worth of nothing.
I am going to admit something for the first time ever. I think the building of a new Art Museum downtown is a good thing.
I still think it's a crowbar to the historical nature of Downtown Roanoke, but yes - it says we are desperate enough to throw money at any crowd that has money. And yet, we cannot keep our own crown jewel shining enough without a major to-do about it.
The market has made leaps and bounds over the years in terms of growth. Part of that is the fact that tourists seem to love it. Kind of like going to a Red Socks game in Boston, if you're in the area - thats what you do.
Roanoke is a very unusual place - like Kansas City without the river as a hub, like Albany without the State Capitol as a motivator, but yet Roanoke refuses to die.
That is because there is vast opportunity for those who refuse to see the negatives, the "can-nots" lead to the "will-nots", and they drag everyone down.
There are a few self-stimulating businesspeople around here who believe they are God's Gift to something (no idea what), and everyone should bow and listen when they speak. Apparently some do, so these folks get even more inflated - until they hit a point where they become so ridiculous - they lock the system up. We saw it with Victory Stadium, and with the Star City Diner (how many of you know Spanker sat on the Library board for the City?) - and we see it again with the Amphitheater crew.
SO what? The city gets a concert venue that's outdoors. As I have posted previously, it's a good idea (as a multi-use facility) to locate it across from Carilion's new Bio-park. 8-12 concerts a year though.. there should be that many uses of the space in a month. Concerts, Renaissance Fairs, flea markets, what have you.
It's the limited scope of the brains behind the project that frighten me. These are our "ambassadors" to others looking for places to relocate. The same ones who cannot figure out what to do with a large section of the city prime for redevelopment, because no one ever thought about doing it there before.
Thinking outside the box is a wonderful thing, especially if you realize what a box is - and not worry about the pretty color of it.
Our Mayor, Hizdishonor, just returned from a trip to Sundance where he learned about Global Warming (among other things, like the joys of being a Hollywood star who near-owns a town). Upon his tanned return, he announces a new initiative: the Clean and Green campaign, which he also mentioned at the State of the City address.
Well, aside from Harris lying to get into the Sundance Summit (apparently, he forgot to mention that Mayor around these parts means City Council member who gets to bang the gavel when he feels like it and not much more), this "Clean and Green" campaign suddenly emerges again.
Gwen Mason, please stand up and tell us all how you "invented" the "Clean and Green Campaign."
Now remember, there is no money behind this effort now - but Mason says she hopes to change that. And get rid of icky cigarette butts.
Oh - Im back folks, and just getting started.
Oh - and to the Roanoke Times, lest you think you get a pass this time. Wonderful reporting on the Gay Pride day in Elmwood park. Great to know the entire day had something to do with Senator Larry Craig. You deserve a Pulitzer for that kind of reporting, and a 2x4 to the cranium if you think that was anywhere NEAR informative.
FAIL.
Be back later..
So did a 1 million dollar "incentive" for Cambria Suites (which I think was a smart move, for multiple reasons).
They also changed the date for Walgreens, rightly if they expect growth (and while another drug store does not seem like much - at least it's accessible by public transit - more jobs for those who cannot or do not drive).
Countryside Neighborhood Alliance got a WIN with the extension of the Countryside Golf Course management contract, or so it seems. Time will tell on that one.
But a big ol' Thanks! to the Roanoke Times for posting what I could not find while searching the documents for the City Council agenda. The Market Advisory report. (pdf)
The usual things top the list as goals - expanding the market itself and all the accompanying suspects as one would expect. Some of it seems trivial: Replacing offending Ginko trees (sorry, but they drop fruit - thats what Ginko trees do. Of course, this fruit is edible - so anyone with some foresight could potentially harvest this and use it accordingly), cleaning sidewalks daily (normally the responsibility of the business located upon said sidewalk), and loitering (the city made a choice years ago to allow the homeless to remain downtown, out of charity).
What gets me is the innovative ideas that were put forth. Some are great, and some are blatant attempts at further ruination.
GOOD: WiFi credit card terminals, ceiling fans/ radiant heat, extending tables up Market on Saturdays, and lockers for purchased items to save you multiple treks back to the car.
BAD: A certain restaurateurs play for increased sidewalk space - so he can take that over too. Sure - try walking the Market on a Sunday and see if you don't hit this roadblock (non-ADA compliant roadblock at that), preserve awnings (didn't we just replace them?), and repave the street (you know, under that asphalt is a lovely layer of cobblestone - of course, that might require thought though).
And here is where we get to the HINKY:
Expand current management to night time, 24/7. (DRI or the City of Roanoke? Considering the current trend.. I know who I'm looking at.)
Provide a variety of attractive uses during events, or when Market is closed. (vague? a tad.)
Expand evening use: events, move First Fridays, yadda yadda. (A climbing wall in the parking garage? And would these events not require that Market Square be closed more often?)
These things sound great, for the time being. Problem is, we have an egotistical City Council (and administration - D&b) who think they own the forest AND the trees. The type who know the value of everything, but the worth of nothing.
I am going to admit something for the first time ever. I think the building of a new Art Museum downtown is a good thing.
I still think it's a crowbar to the historical nature of Downtown Roanoke, but yes - it says we are desperate enough to throw money at any crowd that has money. And yet, we cannot keep our own crown jewel shining enough without a major to-do about it.
The market has made leaps and bounds over the years in terms of growth. Part of that is the fact that tourists seem to love it. Kind of like going to a Red Socks game in Boston, if you're in the area - thats what you do.
Roanoke is a very unusual place - like Kansas City without the river as a hub, like Albany without the State Capitol as a motivator, but yet Roanoke refuses to die.
That is because there is vast opportunity for those who refuse to see the negatives, the "can-nots" lead to the "will-nots", and they drag everyone down.
There are a few self-stimulating businesspeople around here who believe they are God's Gift to something (no idea what), and everyone should bow and listen when they speak. Apparently some do, so these folks get even more inflated - until they hit a point where they become so ridiculous - they lock the system up. We saw it with Victory Stadium, and with the Star City Diner (how many of you know Spanker sat on the Library board for the City?) - and we see it again with the Amphitheater crew.
SO what? The city gets a concert venue that's outdoors. As I have posted previously, it's a good idea (as a multi-use facility) to locate it across from Carilion's new Bio-park. 8-12 concerts a year though.. there should be that many uses of the space in a month. Concerts, Renaissance Fairs, flea markets, what have you.
It's the limited scope of the brains behind the project that frighten me. These are our "ambassadors" to others looking for places to relocate. The same ones who cannot figure out what to do with a large section of the city prime for redevelopment, because no one ever thought about doing it there before.
Thinking outside the box is a wonderful thing, especially if you realize what a box is - and not worry about the pretty color of it.
Our Mayor, Hizdishonor, just returned from a trip to Sundance where he learned about Global Warming (among other things, like the joys of being a Hollywood star who near-owns a town). Upon his tanned return, he announces a new initiative: the Clean and Green campaign, which he also mentioned at the State of the City address.
Well, aside from Harris lying to get into the Sundance Summit (apparently, he forgot to mention that Mayor around these parts means City Council member who gets to bang the gavel when he feels like it and not much more), this "Clean and Green" campaign suddenly emerges again.
Gwen Mason, please stand up and tell us all how you "invented" the "Clean and Green Campaign."
Now remember, there is no money behind this effort now - but Mason says she hopes to change that. And get rid of icky cigarette butts.
Oh - Im back folks, and just getting started.
Oh - and to the Roanoke Times, lest you think you get a pass this time. Wonderful reporting on the Gay Pride day in Elmwood park. Great to know the entire day had something to do with Senator Larry Craig. You deserve a Pulitzer for that kind of reporting, and a 2x4 to the cranium if you think that was anywhere NEAR informative.
FAIL.
Be back later..
9/14/07
Parking, Parking - Oh how your're gonna pay...
Center in the Square, Church Ave., Elmwood Park, Tower, and Market garages: $1 per half hour, $6 daily maximum.
Gainsboro: $.50 per half hour, $5 daily max.
Higher Ed lot: $.50 per half hour, $5 daily max.
Market and Williamson: $.75 per half hour, $5 daily max.
Monthly Center: $90 reserved, $70 unreserved.
Evening Rate:
Church, Tower, Market, Higher Ed lot: $2
Gainsboro: $2, $1 discount for RHEC students "with appropriate student documentation when presented to the attendant on duty."
Center in the Square: $3
Saturday Rate:
Tower and Market: $2 (4pm-9pm only)
Center in the Square: $3 (4pm to 9pm only)
And I am sure all this money will be well accounted for and going precisely where it is intended to go. To build a garage for the folks buying condo's and lofts down the west end of Campbell Ave.
How much one of those going for now? $149k+ if I remember.. certainly they need city-subsidized parking.
Any council member who thinks this is a brilliant way to pay for the parking garages should be made to work on them. Call it "sweat equity", although I have a feeling Harris could not swing anything other than his jawbone - so it might be a while before the garages would be finished.
Anyway, enjoy folks. Oh - and ignore that they canceled the 7 p.m. meeting for lack of anything to do.
Thats right - nothing to see here folks. Keep moving.
Gainsboro: $.50 per half hour, $5 daily max.
Higher Ed lot: $.50 per half hour, $5 daily max.
Market and Williamson: $.75 per half hour, $5 daily max.
Monthly Center: $90 reserved, $70 unreserved.
Evening Rate:
Church, Tower, Market, Higher Ed lot: $2
Gainsboro: $2, $1 discount for RHEC students "with appropriate student documentation when presented to the attendant on duty."
Center in the Square: $3
Saturday Rate:
Tower and Market: $2 (4pm-9pm only)
Center in the Square: $3 (4pm to 9pm only)
And I am sure all this money will be well accounted for and going precisely where it is intended to go. To build a garage for the folks buying condo's and lofts down the west end of Campbell Ave.
How much one of those going for now? $149k+ if I remember.. certainly they need city-subsidized parking.
Any council member who thinks this is a brilliant way to pay for the parking garages should be made to work on them. Call it "sweat equity", although I have a feeling Harris could not swing anything other than his jawbone - so it might be a while before the garages would be finished.
Anyway, enjoy folks. Oh - and ignore that they canceled the 7 p.m. meeting for lack of anything to do.
Thats right - nothing to see here folks. Keep moving.
9/11/07
8:46:26 am
I hate to use a generic CNN video, but it's very hard to get your hands on a copy of the live NY stations coverage these days.
With any luck - I will never have that worry again.
9/7/07
Im a bad boy
I know it's been a while since last we chatted. Things here at Forgotten-HQ have moved into overdrive for a bit, and I have been forced to bite my tongue on many an issue, due to the nature of my current dealings.
But, nothing lasts forever. And the delicate phase of the operation is nearly complete - at which point a Hurricane will appear... heading right for our "leaders."
I have been watching these past few weeks, and seeing far too much.
The mayhem returns next week.
But, nothing lasts forever. And the delicate phase of the operation is nearly complete - at which point a Hurricane will appear... heading right for our "leaders."
I have been watching these past few weeks, and seeing far too much.
The mayhem returns next week.
8/28/07
Would you?
Need I even say how much this resembles our own Council?
Would you trust this crew (not one of which is a successful business owner mind you - and that includes FITA, which David has little to do with on any regular basis) to handle the business of a city?
Are you really that surprised that there is so little response to the City's request for proposals on various projects?
Is it any wonder when you have to defend a city against statements like: "There is just no available capitol in Roanoke to spend on growth," and "Roanoke will never garner the kind of investments it needs to be a city."
Anyone out there willing to pony up a scholarship to the Higher Ed Center, we need at least 7 - possibly 10, to send the heads of the city (council, manager, and assistant managers) in for a remedial class in Basic Business Economics. We know they already have degrees in creative writing.
As Daffy Duck says: "Deeeesphickable!"
8/22/07
Aubrey and The Win
I guess I should weigh in on the Aubrey Hicks situation, as I have been to many a meeting where the ARB is brought up with contempt.
Congrats to Mr. Hicks and his family, as they now can get on with the business of living in their house leak-free.
I know there are at least 3 other families in the area covered by the ARB awaiting the certificate. And waiting. And waiting.
To anyone who watched, or heard about the City Council meeting the other night (as I watched) - the travesty of the woman from Old SW who installed replacement windows that were 1/10th of an inch too small for the old window frame, which went on for a ludicrous amount of time with no real outcome, only served to highlight the failure of the ARB.
The ARB should be limited in it's powers to approving, and providing guidance to homeowners in the Historic Districts. It should not be empowered to bring charges against the homeowners, nor bully people into making changes they cannot afford. One of the reasons we specifically chose Southeast was that it was NOT under the control of the ARB.
Even though we have a myriad of styles, of home ages, designs - people tend to appreciate what they have, and take pride in the quirks and designs of the homes they own.
That's the key right there though - they own. Renters cannot be expected to care, because in a good majority of cases - the landlord does not care. But that is off point.
Back to Mr. Hicks and the ARB. One of my favorite sections of the story is as follows:
"Architectural Review Board member Don Harwood said the ruling created a "dark day" for the board. It sends a signal to other homeowners that they can do the same thing Hicks did and get by with a slap on the wrist, he said.
He disagreed with the judge's conclusions about why Hicks' certificate was denied, saying the case put the board between a rock and a hard place. Hicks had ample time to come to the board about problems with his roof before he started taking it down, but didn't.
"We have no proof that it was in such bad shape," Harwood said.
The board ruled based on the question of whether the change Hicks was making to the roof would have passed, Harwood said. Had Hicks come to the board, he could have been pointed to possible cheaper alternatives such as repainting the roof, he said. "It's sad that it got to this situation." (rt 08/22/07)
Harwood states they had no proof the roof was in bad shape. Excuse me? You need no proof. It is not up to you to determine the livability of a dwelling you do not own nor live in. It is the homeowner. If my wife decided that she no longer liked the shingle look - and wanted something different - and we had the available money, I see no reason why someone else should tell me that the property I purchased I have no say in. They do not have the right to impose that kind of control.
Now - as to offering suggestions, assistance with choosing materials, or yes - even restricting paint colors (believe me, no one wants to live next to a circus tent) and perhaps speeding up the process by becoming more user friendly - that is the role of an ARB.
Roanoke cannot afford a NYC-styled ARB. We struggle to hold onto the citizens we do have, and yet here we are giving them incentives to leave.
Commercial properties in Historic Districts are quite another issue. They do need to maintain a unified look and style - consistent with the area. Most homeowners are not going to start slapping up awnings, redolent with advertisements on their homes. Commercial properties? It happens frequently.
Perhaps if the ARB went and did some digging, maybe gathered a few historic photos of each house they can, and compare that with the current version of the home - then they might be able to make a case for a 1/10th inch differential being bad, or a shingle roof replacing a tin roof undesirable.
They say that they have no evidence of the roof being bad, show me evidence of it being good.
Oh - and repainting a roof (unless done with tar, or a rubber sealant) will not stop leaks or cracks from developing in a durable, but breakable metal roof. The only roof that has a 1000 year promise is copper. Once the patina sets on it, it is nearly indestructible. Tin has a maximum life of 125 years before replacement becomes the only option.
But you folks go on and paint your roof like the ARB says. That should work well.
Anyway - once again. Southeast is older, more historic, and has no ARB to answer to. All we ask is that you keep the circus tent to a minimum.
Congrats to Mr. Hicks and his family, as they now can get on with the business of living in their house leak-free.
I know there are at least 3 other families in the area covered by the ARB awaiting the certificate. And waiting. And waiting.
To anyone who watched, or heard about the City Council meeting the other night (as I watched) - the travesty of the woman from Old SW who installed replacement windows that were 1/10th of an inch too small for the old window frame, which went on for a ludicrous amount of time with no real outcome, only served to highlight the failure of the ARB.
The ARB should be limited in it's powers to approving, and providing guidance to homeowners in the Historic Districts. It should not be empowered to bring charges against the homeowners, nor bully people into making changes they cannot afford. One of the reasons we specifically chose Southeast was that it was NOT under the control of the ARB.
Even though we have a myriad of styles, of home ages, designs - people tend to appreciate what they have, and take pride in the quirks and designs of the homes they own.
That's the key right there though - they own. Renters cannot be expected to care, because in a good majority of cases - the landlord does not care. But that is off point.
Back to Mr. Hicks and the ARB. One of my favorite sections of the story is as follows:
"Architectural Review Board member Don Harwood said the ruling created a "dark day" for the board. It sends a signal to other homeowners that they can do the same thing Hicks did and get by with a slap on the wrist, he said.
He disagreed with the judge's conclusions about why Hicks' certificate was denied, saying the case put the board between a rock and a hard place. Hicks had ample time to come to the board about problems with his roof before he started taking it down, but didn't.
"We have no proof that it was in such bad shape," Harwood said.
The board ruled based on the question of whether the change Hicks was making to the roof would have passed, Harwood said. Had Hicks come to the board, he could have been pointed to possible cheaper alternatives such as repainting the roof, he said. "It's sad that it got to this situation." (rt 08/22/07)
Harwood states they had no proof the roof was in bad shape. Excuse me? You need no proof. It is not up to you to determine the livability of a dwelling you do not own nor live in. It is the homeowner. If my wife decided that she no longer liked the shingle look - and wanted something different - and we had the available money, I see no reason why someone else should tell me that the property I purchased I have no say in. They do not have the right to impose that kind of control.
Now - as to offering suggestions, assistance with choosing materials, or yes - even restricting paint colors (believe me, no one wants to live next to a circus tent) and perhaps speeding up the process by becoming more user friendly - that is the role of an ARB.
Roanoke cannot afford a NYC-styled ARB. We struggle to hold onto the citizens we do have, and yet here we are giving them incentives to leave.
Commercial properties in Historic Districts are quite another issue. They do need to maintain a unified look and style - consistent with the area. Most homeowners are not going to start slapping up awnings, redolent with advertisements on their homes. Commercial properties? It happens frequently.
Perhaps if the ARB went and did some digging, maybe gathered a few historic photos of each house they can, and compare that with the current version of the home - then they might be able to make a case for a 1/10th inch differential being bad, or a shingle roof replacing a tin roof undesirable.
They say that they have no evidence of the roof being bad, show me evidence of it being good.
Oh - and repainting a roof (unless done with tar, or a rubber sealant) will not stop leaks or cracks from developing in a durable, but breakable metal roof. The only roof that has a 1000 year promise is copper. Once the patina sets on it, it is nearly indestructible. Tin has a maximum life of 125 years before replacement becomes the only option.
But you folks go on and paint your roof like the ARB says. That should work well.
Anyway - once again. Southeast is older, more historic, and has no ARB to answer to. All we ask is that you keep the circus tent to a minimum.
8/20/07
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.
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.
8/16/07
The heat, and Heat
This is ludicrous. 100+.. I'm ready for winter, skip fall at this point - fall brings with it the chance of an "Indian summer" and I don't wanna hear the 's' word again.
Hopefully this is nearly over, and we are headed into the decline of the dog days.
Which brings me to another thought, why are all the festivals downtown one day events?
Why not have something over a 'month of Sundays' - you know, like real cities do.
We have the Mill Mountain Theater, we have the Star City Playhouse - a virtual ton of local talent, not to mention the nearby college kids.
Why is there no "Shakespeare in the Park"? You know, an outdoor festival of plays and performances that spans the entire summer? Or is our population too old to be outside in the sun?
I recently had to announce (to a) clarify and b) end ) that the city is more interested in attracting, and less interested in retaining the youth.
Mr.s Wishneff and Lea have hit upon a good idea, tax incentives for artistic-type thingys. But here's the caveat to that emptor: Art is organic - and so are art communities. Sure, you can legislate an area to be a haven for the artistic, but that does not mean you are going to get the true artist's community. That's organic.
Remember a few years back, when Roanoke had a thriving and vital punk scene? Well, what happened? I guess the DIY was done in.. somehow.
/old man mode on
Back in my day - Bands pooled money to buy abandoned warehouses and use them for shows. Bosses who owned empty buildings would rent them out as rehearsal space (not that there was ever a crowd there for a impromptu show or anything).
There was a network, and yes - Roanoke was even on the list of places to play. So what happened?
Everyone go shoegazing for a while? Maybe church never let out?
You can say you want to make a multi-generational community center, but that doesn't mean the multi-generations will come.
I'm not sure what to make of the complete and total lack of a visible scene (either I'm too old and have forgotten what a scene is, doubtful).
You never hear anyone describe themselves as 'hardcore', straight-edge, or even punk - but you do hear 'Christian' a whole hell of a lot.
When did that become part of your resume? (WARNING: possible subcutaneous concept ahead - turn back now if you are easily irritated.)
When did a personal opinion on religion become something waved about like a VIP pass, that will get you in anywhere - or let you get away with anything?
And by the way - which version of Christian?
You might already know my religious opinion of choice, or you might not. It's part of what I am, not who I am.
Are the two related? The lack of any appreciable scene & the quasi-religious branding of the people?
Remember - no matter what you do, Roanoke is still called "The San Francisco of the Blue Ridge."
Any ideas why?
Hopefully this is nearly over, and we are headed into the decline of the dog days.
Which brings me to another thought, why are all the festivals downtown one day events?
Why not have something over a 'month of Sundays' - you know, like real cities do.
We have the Mill Mountain Theater, we have the Star City Playhouse - a virtual ton of local talent, not to mention the nearby college kids.
Why is there no "Shakespeare in the Park"? You know, an outdoor festival of plays and performances that spans the entire summer? Or is our population too old to be outside in the sun?
I recently had to announce (to a) clarify and b) end ) that the city is more interested in attracting, and less interested in retaining the youth.
Mr.s Wishneff and Lea have hit upon a good idea, tax incentives for artistic-type thingys. But here's the caveat to that emptor: Art is organic - and so are art communities. Sure, you can legislate an area to be a haven for the artistic, but that does not mean you are going to get the true artist's community. That's organic.
Remember a few years back, when Roanoke had a thriving and vital punk scene? Well, what happened? I guess the DIY was done in.. somehow.
/old man mode on
Back in my day - Bands pooled money to buy abandoned warehouses and use them for shows. Bosses who owned empty buildings would rent them out as rehearsal space (not that there was ever a crowd there for a impromptu show or anything).
There was a network, and yes - Roanoke was even on the list of places to play. So what happened?
Everyone go shoegazing for a while? Maybe church never let out?
You can say you want to make a multi-generational community center, but that doesn't mean the multi-generations will come.
I'm not sure what to make of the complete and total lack of a visible scene (either I'm too old and have forgotten what a scene is, doubtful).
You never hear anyone describe themselves as 'hardcore', straight-edge, or even punk - but you do hear 'Christian' a whole hell of a lot.
When did that become part of your resume? (WARNING: possible subcutaneous concept ahead - turn back now if you are easily irritated.)
When did a personal opinion on religion become something waved about like a VIP pass, that will get you in anywhere - or let you get away with anything?
And by the way - which version of Christian?
You might already know my religious opinion of choice, or you might not. It's part of what I am, not who I am.
Are the two related? The lack of any appreciable scene & the quasi-religious branding of the people?
Remember - no matter what you do, Roanoke is still called "The San Francisco of the Blue Ridge."
Any ideas why?
8/14/07
Yall lookin for somethin?
All I have for you is a cup of scalding reality, but it's not quite ready yet.
Until then, enjoy some Tom Waits.
Jersey Girl
Heart Attack & Vine
And Holly Cole, I can see clearly now...
Until then, enjoy some Tom Waits.
Jersey Girl
Heart Attack & Vine
And Holly Cole, I can see clearly now...
8/9/07
Impressive, young ones.
I'd like to announce a new blog has joined the Roanoke scene - one that really does have the ability to change things.
NewVaConnects has started a blog, and is shooting out the gate with 2 provocative posts.
PARTNERS ON ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL
Anyone who pays attention to the Roanoke City Council, should have noticed that Councilman Lea and Councilman Wishneff often vote together. They also seem to be of like mind on various projects, for example, this week I received a newsletter style email from them discussing a proposed development of the former Grand Building on Campbell Avenue.
They wrote: "As you know by now, City Council voted 5-2 yesterday to give an $880,000 grant to the developer of the former Grand Building on Campbell Avenue. We were the two no votes and we wanted to give you our reasons for voting no."
The letter goes on state "City Council was not handed one piece of paper documenting the need. We saw no analysis (slight or vigorous) by staff verifying anything to do with the request. Nor did anyone on Council, except us, even ask to see the Developer’s numbers.
(read more)
and...
FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN ROANOKE
Every day we read about the future of downtown Roanoke. Where will a new music venue go? What about apartments? Lofts? Office space? The latest debate, is the future of the Jefferson Motor Lodge - you know, that great looking motel next to Elmwood Park and the library on the corner of Elm and Jefferson.
(read more)
Keep an eye on them, who knows - maybe they are the leaders of the new generation.
NewVaConnects has started a blog, and is shooting out the gate with 2 provocative posts.
PARTNERS ON ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL
Anyone who pays attention to the Roanoke City Council, should have noticed that Councilman Lea and Councilman Wishneff often vote together. They also seem to be of like mind on various projects, for example, this week I received a newsletter style email from them discussing a proposed development of the former Grand Building on Campbell Avenue.
They wrote: "As you know by now, City Council voted 5-2 yesterday to give an $880,000 grant to the developer of the former Grand Building on Campbell Avenue. We were the two no votes and we wanted to give you our reasons for voting no."
The letter goes on state "City Council was not handed one piece of paper documenting the need. We saw no analysis (slight or vigorous) by staff verifying anything to do with the request. Nor did anyone on Council, except us, even ask to see the Developer’s numbers.
(read more)
and...
FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN ROANOKE
Every day we read about the future of downtown Roanoke. Where will a new music venue go? What about apartments? Lofts? Office space? The latest debate, is the future of the Jefferson Motor Lodge - you know, that great looking motel next to Elmwood Park and the library on the corner of Elm and Jefferson.
(read more)
Keep an eye on them, who knows - maybe they are the leaders of the new generation.
8/6/07
Curious, but good..
City rejects Countryside Golf Course plan
"Roanoke's government has rejected a development plan for Countryside
Golf Course because the latest version, submitted last week, was
"totally unacceptable," City Manager Darlene Burcham said today."
Ok - considering the interested developers had changed the plan the first time around to appease the community directly around the course, one has to wonder what changes were revealed that would have Ms. Burcham decrying them as 'totally unacceptable."
Did they give even more green space over to the community? Was the number of houses cut, or perhaps the targeted prices slashed?
Maybe we will eventually find out.
Keep your eyes over here for further developments.
"Roanoke's government has rejected a development plan for Countryside
Golf Course because the latest version, submitted last week, was
"totally unacceptable," City Manager Darlene Burcham said today."
Ok - considering the interested developers had changed the plan the first time around to appease the community directly around the course, one has to wonder what changes were revealed that would have Ms. Burcham decrying them as 'totally unacceptable."
Did they give even more green space over to the community? Was the number of houses cut, or perhaps the targeted prices slashed?
Maybe we will eventually find out.
Keep your eyes over here for further developments.
Now, you too can have your own Nelson Harris sighting!
Roanoke, VA- Mayor Nelson Harris will give the annual State of the
City
address at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Roanoke Civic
Center's Special
Events Center. Citizens are invited to attend.
Should be interesting to see if he actually shows up. Been a while since anyone has seen him outside of council chambers.
Wonder if he regrew the goatee?
Also, why are there 6 (SIX!) closed door meetings today for the Council? We know one is for Countryside, but what of the rest of them?
City
address at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Roanoke Civic
Center's Special
Events Center. Citizens are invited to attend.
Should be interesting to see if he actually shows up. Been a while since anyone has seen him outside of council chambers.
Wonder if he regrew the goatee?
Also, why are there 6 (SIX!) closed door meetings today for the Council? We know one is for Countryside, but what of the rest of them?
8/5/07
RED ALERT! RED ALERT!
This is no joke folks, a rumor was reported on the Farmer's Market Blog, and I have independently verified this. The City is planning to take back the Farmer's Market from Downtown Roanoke, Inc.
Effectively canceling the contract between The City of Roanoke and Downtown Roanoke, Inc. within the next 6 months, with the Market falling under the auspices of the City.
This, in the wake of the City dumping Car Park as the management company for the parking garages (wonder if that has anything to do with the parking fee hike) - along with a few high profile departures in the city's contractors (DRI, EventZone) leaves more questions.
Will EventZone be booted out in favor of the city's new Arts Commissioner?
At this point, from the information I gathered - thats a 50/50.
What is the deal here? Does the city really just want to destroy everything it worked for for the last 25 years?
God help us all.
Effectively canceling the contract between The City of Roanoke and Downtown Roanoke, Inc. within the next 6 months, with the Market falling under the auspices of the City.
This, in the wake of the City dumping Car Park as the management company for the parking garages (wonder if that has anything to do with the parking fee hike) - along with a few high profile departures in the city's contractors (DRI, EventZone) leaves more questions.
Will EventZone be booted out in favor of the city's new Arts Commissioner?
At this point, from the information I gathered - thats a 50/50.
What is the deal here? Does the city really just want to destroy everything it worked for for the last 25 years?
God help us all.
7/31/07
Sometimes you have to look elsewhere
Let's own up to a problem we know we have, but do not know what to do about.
Rental properties are abundant in the best and worst neighborhoods in Roanoke, and in various states of viability.
Take for example a story brought to our own Southeast Action Forum meeting last month - a young woman who lives on Elm Ave. SE (after the split) has had major problems with her neighbors across the way.
Aside from drinking and using drugs at all hours day and night, they keep the property in the traditional manner accustomed to those of that lifestyle. Trashed, badly.
But things did not get truly bad until the neighbors started calling the police on these fine, upstanding citizens - trying to get some peace on the street for the children and elderly who also live there.
From verbal harassment, to physical property damage - the surrounding neighbors tried as hard as they could - even to the point of calling the landlord themselves to explain the situation. And as one might suspect - he was moved. A half an inch.
In response to the complaints of the neighbors, he decided the only proper thing to do would be to move in a relative to the property - however the one he chose joined up with the thug life-no job wanna-be's.
Finally, after a true eviction was attempted (and thanks to the backwards laws, foiled by the tenants saying they had a lease agreement), and with the prodding of a certain local police officer - the landlord was... compelled to go to court and take every available legal measure to rid these people from the neighborhood.
Now, the question remains, why did it take such actions to get the landlord to "man up" and do something about the hoods in the hood?
Why? Because the landlord had nothing to worry about from them being there. Regardless of the numerous code violations on all 3 of the properties owned by this landlord, he is still making money off the deal.
But there is an answer, and it comes from a small suburb (or group thereof) of the city of Minneapolis. Parts of it we have in place, and parts we need to have in place. As follows:
"With a new ordinance that takes effect Aug. 10, St. Louis Park will require landlords to evict tenants who deal drugs, commit violent crime or repeatedly disturb neighbors. If they fail to evict tenants at the prompting of police, landlords face a $750 a month fine."
(read more here)
This is not a hard concept. Yes, there should be a blacklist of people who are known to be troublesome renters and everyone from the PD down to the landlords should get a copy. Yes, there is a fair housing law - but do you realize that applies both ways? To be fair to the renter, you need to have a fair community to rent in - and to have a fair community to rent in, you need to be fair to the community.
My personal favorite extension of this idea comes from another suburb of Minneapolis which already has a rental ordinance. From the article: "Brooklyn Park, which already has a rental ordinance, is considering going a step further by seizing rent at poorly maintained properties and holding it in escrow until repairs are made."
Could you imagine the outrage? The rats fleeing off the sinking ship that would be the rental property game in Roanoke? Certain landlords would claim to be "targeted" by this, others would cry racism - but honestly, we want the city to grow and prosper - and by allowing people to live in sub-standard conditions, yet pay prime rates - it's a barrier to that growth we all cheer about.
Even South Roanoke has multiple rental properties, some on streets you would least expect them.
The point of all this is to say that the city has done a decent job in attempting to correct the slumlord/landlord situation, but sometimes you cannot be nice... you have to play ugly.
But that means with the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority as well.
Otherwise, answer this question: How many times can you turn the other cheek?
Rental properties are abundant in the best and worst neighborhoods in Roanoke, and in various states of viability.
Take for example a story brought to our own Southeast Action Forum meeting last month - a young woman who lives on Elm Ave. SE (after the split) has had major problems with her neighbors across the way.
Aside from drinking and using drugs at all hours day and night, they keep the property in the traditional manner accustomed to those of that lifestyle. Trashed, badly.
But things did not get truly bad until the neighbors started calling the police on these fine, upstanding citizens - trying to get some peace on the street for the children and elderly who also live there.
From verbal harassment, to physical property damage - the surrounding neighbors tried as hard as they could - even to the point of calling the landlord themselves to explain the situation. And as one might suspect - he was moved. A half an inch.
In response to the complaints of the neighbors, he decided the only proper thing to do would be to move in a relative to the property - however the one he chose joined up with the thug life-no job wanna-be's.
Finally, after a true eviction was attempted (and thanks to the backwards laws, foiled by the tenants saying they had a lease agreement), and with the prodding of a certain local police officer - the landlord was... compelled to go to court and take every available legal measure to rid these people from the neighborhood.
Now, the question remains, why did it take such actions to get the landlord to "man up" and do something about the hoods in the hood?
Why? Because the landlord had nothing to worry about from them being there. Regardless of the numerous code violations on all 3 of the properties owned by this landlord, he is still making money off the deal.
But there is an answer, and it comes from a small suburb (or group thereof) of the city of Minneapolis. Parts of it we have in place, and parts we need to have in place. As follows:
"With a new ordinance that takes effect Aug. 10, St. Louis Park will require landlords to evict tenants who deal drugs, commit violent crime or repeatedly disturb neighbors. If they fail to evict tenants at the prompting of police, landlords face a $750 a month fine."
(read more here)
This is not a hard concept. Yes, there should be a blacklist of people who are known to be troublesome renters and everyone from the PD down to the landlords should get a copy. Yes, there is a fair housing law - but do you realize that applies both ways? To be fair to the renter, you need to have a fair community to rent in - and to have a fair community to rent in, you need to be fair to the community.
My personal favorite extension of this idea comes from another suburb of Minneapolis which already has a rental ordinance. From the article: "Brooklyn Park, which already has a rental ordinance, is considering going a step further by seizing rent at poorly maintained properties and holding it in escrow until repairs are made."
Could you imagine the outrage? The rats fleeing off the sinking ship that would be the rental property game in Roanoke? Certain landlords would claim to be "targeted" by this, others would cry racism - but honestly, we want the city to grow and prosper - and by allowing people to live in sub-standard conditions, yet pay prime rates - it's a barrier to that growth we all cheer about.
Even South Roanoke has multiple rental properties, some on streets you would least expect them.
The point of all this is to say that the city has done a decent job in attempting to correct the slumlord/landlord situation, but sometimes you cannot be nice... you have to play ugly.
But that means with the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority as well.
Otherwise, answer this question: How many times can you turn the other cheek?
7/30/07
Something (not so) new for you
Don't know if you have ever heard about it - but there is a website that aggregates the local news, and allows you to comment on it. It's called Topix.
I recently signed on to be an editor (simply adding news items into the feed), and would like you all to come over and take a look from time to time.
Topix: Roanoke, VA.
Kinda interesting really, once you sign up (free) you can add stories from various sources or even post your own to the feed.
Anyway, I'll be back with more later - I've got some work to do. The forgotten-lawn awaits.
I recently signed on to be an editor (simply adding news items into the feed), and would like you all to come over and take a look from time to time.
Topix: Roanoke, VA.
Kinda interesting really, once you sign up (free) you can add stories from various sources or even post your own to the feed.
Anyway, I'll be back with more later - I've got some work to do. The forgotten-lawn awaits.
7/25/07
The Bitch and Moan club
This.
Is it just me, or is the city getting a wee bit touchy lately about it's role in Roanoke?
Is it just me, or is the city getting a wee bit touchy lately about it's role in Roanoke?
"Near the end of Tuesday's meeting, there was heated discussion about
which organization should be in charge of making sure these proposed
changes occur.
Tom McKeon, chairman of Downtown Roanoke Inc.'s board of directors,
said that DRI, an advocacy organization, is capable of overseeing the
suggested changes to the market area. The ideas include improving trash
pickup, cleaning up sidewalks, closing Market Square and other market
areas to allow only pedestrian access, and hiring a nighttime manager
for the market.
But Brian Townsend, assistant city manager for community
development, said the city should take responsibility for doing the
jobs it already holds, such as trash pickup and other cleanup measures.
"I have some concerns about the structure and DRI's history of being an advocacy group, not a doing group," Townsend said." (JKB-RT)
Unlike the structure of the City Government, which is an anti-advocacy/pro-oligarchy group. Which is not to say they do not do things well. Garbage pickup is spot on, especially in the Business District - but as far as fully thinking out the needs of the area (any area for that matter) it serves, well.. I'd say the City Council gets a D+ overall.
Now this is not to say they are alone in this. I know people who complain about alleged "potholes" in the roads endlessly, and leaning phone poles. Taking things from a minor side-thought to a major Freakin' problem on the scale of a nuclear war - but more personal.
These people seem to think the City is personally targeting them for stuff like this.
Maybe there is something to the paranoid power-grab the City has been making, I'd be a bit worried myself about the nuts taking control... oh wait.. never mind.
And now it seems a good number of you out there have joined me in the "Single-Issue B&M Club" - as the Art Museum nears the halfway point.
Notice how visibly invisible it is from various points? It takes about a good minute to spot it on Williamson and Elm. But wait - it gets better. This $66 million dollar beauty, befitting a small city such as ourselves and reflecting the beauty of the surrounding environs?
Aluminum siding.
"Made of pre-patinated zinc surfaces on aluminum panels, the unique color of the panels is created though a process in which the panels are bathed in an acid mixture and then rinsed with water until the desirable patina is achieved." (artdaily.com)
Acid-washed Aluminum siding.
I guess artist architect who designed it, Mr. Stout - looked towards the Blue Ridge and saw.. a trailer park? A subdivision?
Pay for what you get folks... Government or otherwise....
7/13/07
Just a man
Just a 109 year old man.
Last survivor of Passchendaele (don't worry - I cannot pronounce it either).
Ok - if that does not ring a bell - how about this?
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
—By John McCrae
Last survivor of a 3 month battle which saw over 500,000 lives lost. Between the start of the campaign on July 31 and its end on November 8, an average of 5,000 men were killed or wounded.
This one survived. He is the last known survivor of the battles on Flanders fields, and one of the last know survivors to see the front lines in World War 1.
You know, ancient history right?
"I fell in a trench. There was a fella there. He must have been about our age. He was ripped shoulder to waist with shrapnel. I held his hand for the last 60 seconds of his life. He only said one word: 'Mother'. I didn't see her, but she was there. No doubt about it. He passed from this life into the next, and it felt as if I was in God's presence. I've never got over it. You never forget it. Never." — Henry Patch, last living survivor of Passchendaele, 12/07/2007
Not for him.
Howz about them apples?
Well, it appears the City has decided on a "tentative" design and scope for the Market Garage project.
How about this? Adding another 6 floors. And only 70 parking spaces.
That's right - Fire Station #1 is about to be loomed over by commerce, housing, or some combination of the two.
So aside from the fact that once the addition goes on - you have now just plunged that intersection into perpetual twilight, explain to me how with either commerce or residential - it makes sense to do it on a tight street with bad access for emergency vehicles?
Well - it would not be so bad, but you removed the closest ones.
And speaking of Fire Station #1 - Kudos to Wishneff and Lea, for finally realizing they are done with the City Council, and taking it to the streets. They are absolutely right about the downtown Amphitheater, Elmwood park would require little modification beyond seating and sculpting.
Plus the benefits to the downtown businesses and residents would be numerous. But, and this is not my but, the "For the City" crew has shown themselves clearly for what they are.
From the Breaking News article the day of the press conference: "The press conference, held at Fire Station No. 1 and attended by about 20 downtown business owners, citizens and members of the media, was not without contention. Local musician Cyrus Pace and John Anderson, president of the Farm, an advertising agency, challenged Wishneff and Lea.
Pace argued that the vote has already been made, and Anderson said the three “For the City” council members who voted for the river location were carrying out a mandate delivered to them when they swept the 2006 council election.
“Why can’t you guys just accept the decision?” Anderson asked.
(emphasis added -ed.)
Lea and Wishneff said they were responding to citizens’ concerns and providing an alternate proposal.
Wishneff said after the press conference that he expects the amphitheater will continue to be an issue through next spring’s municipal elections, when voters will select a mayor and three council members. Wishneff's and Lea’s terms will each be up, along with those of Councilman Bev Fitzpatrick and Mayor Nelson Harris."
I'm sure a bit of digging would reveal some interesting connections between Mr.'s Pace and Anderson and "For the City."
And speaking of Tweedle Dee, Dum, and Doh! - they're reaction (next days article - no mention of the hecklers) - well Dowe says "it's an option" if they do not like what they receive from the Request for Proposals. But "once the council decides to make a decision and go forward, we're in a position where we have to see that through. We have to respect the integrity of that process."
Integrity.. right. Just like back when you were a... no - save that for later. But it is interesting to note that Alfred "Token Candidate" Dowe might actually have some sense about him - and be willing to voice it. He won't be around for long.
Gwen "I'm much funnier than Jackie" Mason had this to say: "The ayes and the nays have been counted, and I'm sure that Mr. Wishneff and Mr. Lea are prepared to put their good brains to work on other issues that are facing the city. But the decision on the amphitheater has been made," Mason said.
SO there. I bet she even pouted a bit after saying it. So what do you think was intended by the "good brains" comment? Is Ms. Mason a zombie? Well.. maybe...
And our sincere and wise Vice-Mayor.. what have you to say? "I think what's going on is to a degree they've learned that a decision is never a firm decision recently. That's really been holding Roanoke back," Trinkle said. "If you can constantly re-debate or make it an election-cycle issue, nothing gets done and the bigger issues like schools get muddied. It's not good leadership to constantly bring old issues up for debate instead of moving on."
Displaying a mastery of how to structure a sentence, Dr. Trinkle reminds us all of how He and his crew even got elected in the first place. Making a non-issue distraction into a political windfall using the shadiest of practices.
Well, I know I've been quiet lately - but it looks like that is all coming to an end. If these half-wits keep things up like this, I might have to make this a full time job.
Oh - and someone tell me why there is a 5 minute "Mill Mountain Incline Update" on the agenda for the next council meeting?
How about this? Adding another 6 floors. And only 70 parking spaces.
That's right - Fire Station #1 is about to be loomed over by commerce, housing, or some combination of the two.
So aside from the fact that once the addition goes on - you have now just plunged that intersection into perpetual twilight, explain to me how with either commerce or residential - it makes sense to do it on a tight street with bad access for emergency vehicles?
Well - it would not be so bad, but you removed the closest ones.
And speaking of Fire Station #1 - Kudos to Wishneff and Lea, for finally realizing they are done with the City Council, and taking it to the streets. They are absolutely right about the downtown Amphitheater, Elmwood park would require little modification beyond seating and sculpting.
Plus the benefits to the downtown businesses and residents would be numerous. But, and this is not my but, the "For the City" crew has shown themselves clearly for what they are.
From the Breaking News article the day of the press conference: "The press conference, held at Fire Station No. 1 and attended by about 20 downtown business owners, citizens and members of the media, was not without contention. Local musician Cyrus Pace and John Anderson, president of the Farm, an advertising agency, challenged Wishneff and Lea.
Pace argued that the vote has already been made, and Anderson said the three “For the City” council members who voted for the river location were carrying out a mandate delivered to them when they swept the 2006 council election.
“Why can’t you guys just accept the decision?” Anderson asked.
(emphasis added -ed.)
Lea and Wishneff said they were responding to citizens’ concerns and providing an alternate proposal.
Wishneff said after the press conference that he expects the amphitheater will continue to be an issue through next spring’s municipal elections, when voters will select a mayor and three council members. Wishneff's and Lea’s terms will each be up, along with those of Councilman Bev Fitzpatrick and Mayor Nelson Harris."
I'm sure a bit of digging would reveal some interesting connections between Mr.'s Pace and Anderson and "For the City."
And speaking of Tweedle Dee, Dum, and Doh! - they're reaction (next days article - no mention of the hecklers) - well Dowe says "it's an option" if they do not like what they receive from the Request for Proposals. But "once the council decides to make a decision and go forward, we're in a position where we have to see that through. We have to respect the integrity of that process."
Integrity.. right. Just like back when you were a... no - save that for later. But it is interesting to note that Alfred "Token Candidate" Dowe might actually have some sense about him - and be willing to voice it. He won't be around for long.
Gwen "I'm much funnier than Jackie" Mason had this to say: "The ayes and the nays have been counted, and I'm sure that Mr. Wishneff and Mr. Lea are prepared to put their good brains to work on other issues that are facing the city. But the decision on the amphitheater has been made," Mason said.
SO there. I bet she even pouted a bit after saying it. So what do you think was intended by the "good brains" comment? Is Ms. Mason a zombie? Well.. maybe...
And our sincere and wise Vice-Mayor.. what have you to say? "I think what's going on is to a degree they've learned that a decision is never a firm decision recently. That's really been holding Roanoke back," Trinkle said. "If you can constantly re-debate or make it an election-cycle issue, nothing gets done and the bigger issues like schools get muddied. It's not good leadership to constantly bring old issues up for debate instead of moving on."
Displaying a mastery of how to structure a sentence, Dr. Trinkle reminds us all of how He and his crew even got elected in the first place. Making a non-issue distraction into a political windfall using the shadiest of practices.
Well, I know I've been quiet lately - but it looks like that is all coming to an end. If these half-wits keep things up like this, I might have to make this a full time job.
Oh - and someone tell me why there is a 5 minute "Mill Mountain Incline Update" on the agenda for the next council meeting?
7/5/07
To wit's end and beyond!
After reading an op/ed piece by Mac Obenshain in today's Times (read it here), I am curious as to when Valley Forward will sponsor "Gallop 4 Literacy."
This letter takes spin far beyond the "O’Reilly Factor," far beyond the Hillary Clinton campaign.
This letter goes so far as to twist the words ofthe Oxford some Dictionary, J.B. Fishburn, and the commonly understood meanings behind words... and not just words.
Words strung together into a phrase! Which, for the benefit of the woefully under-educated, he dissects into it's raw parts - and explains in brutal detail what you fail to comprehend!
Lucky us!
J.B.F. said that Mill Mountain should be"... developed and forever preserved, improved and maintained for the use and pleasure of the people of the City of Roanoke, Virginia, and vicinity as a public park."
Now "developed," his dictionary states, means "to bring a more advanced, effective, or usable state" AND "to cause to grow and expand." But.. but... that's just one definition of it, among at least 7 main, and upwards of 20 sub- definitions all dependent upon it's context.
Oh wait - context. Hmm... context. What possible context could J.B.F. have had in mind when writing these words?
Well, not being as apparently historically accurate as this individual (who, by the way, still thinks Rockledge is up on Mill Mountain - and crumbling as we speak. "The former Rockledge Inn should not be discarded to the side like some broken-down old thing.") I happen to know that at some point in his life, J.B.F. either witnessed or heard about the debacle of Woodland Park - or possibly the abandonment of Mountain Park & Casino.
Not wanting this gift to befall the same fate - he wisely included a blurb about the expected use and future of Mill Mountain.
I forgive the absolute ignorance in regards to the Hotel Roanoke, the H&C and Dr. Pepper signs, and the Star. I am guessing he is on the young side of "twenty-something" and does not know about the lights, stars, and hotel's checkered past. Well, all except the Star - which was a commercial venture graciously maintained by the Chamber of Commerce for many a year.
But this individual, with his twisted dictionary, does not receive pleasure from Mill Mountain. So let's all change it so he does.
That is basically the entirety of his argument, minus the spin.
So all you people who enjoy the mountain, the zoo, the activities at the Welcome Center (yes, the building which rests on the site of the former Rockledge) - tough kitties! He knows more than you do! He can selectively use a dictionary! Possibly multiple!
And am I mistaken or did he attempt to invoke the "Scooby-Doo" rule by stating we will continue to "defy Fishburn's request instead of granting it." Does this mean the ghost of J.B.F. will begin appearing atop the Star, until the Valley Forward Mystery Machine comes to investigate - and build an Inn to quell the evilness?
Ahh... perhaps Valley Forward needs a Propaganda Minister to better control the message and it's disbursement.
Oh - and as a point of clarification: The definition of "forever preserved."
1,001 - thanks Mac!
This letter takes spin far beyond the "O’Reilly Factor," far beyond the Hillary Clinton campaign.
This letter goes so far as to twist the words of
Words strung together into a phrase! Which, for the benefit of the woefully under-educated, he dissects into it's raw parts - and explains in brutal detail what you fail to comprehend!
Lucky us!
J.B.F. said that Mill Mountain should be"... developed and forever preserved, improved and maintained for the use and pleasure of the people of the City of Roanoke, Virginia, and vicinity as a public park."
Now "developed," his dictionary states, means "to bring a more advanced, effective, or usable state" AND "to cause to grow and expand." But.. but... that's just one definition of it, among at least 7 main, and upwards of 20 sub- definitions all dependent upon it's context.
Oh wait - context. Hmm... context. What possible context could J.B.F. have had in mind when writing these words?
Well, not being as apparently historically accurate as this individual (who, by the way, still thinks Rockledge is up on Mill Mountain - and crumbling as we speak. "The former Rockledge Inn should not be discarded to the side like some broken-down old thing.") I happen to know that at some point in his life, J.B.F. either witnessed or heard about the debacle of Woodland Park - or possibly the abandonment of Mountain Park & Casino.
Not wanting this gift to befall the same fate - he wisely included a blurb about the expected use and future of Mill Mountain.
I forgive the absolute ignorance in regards to the Hotel Roanoke, the H&C and Dr. Pepper signs, and the Star. I am guessing he is on the young side of "twenty-something" and does not know about the lights, stars, and hotel's checkered past. Well, all except the Star - which was a commercial venture graciously maintained by the Chamber of Commerce for many a year.
But this individual, with his twisted dictionary, does not receive pleasure from Mill Mountain. So let's all change it so he does.
That is basically the entirety of his argument, minus the spin.
So all you people who enjoy the mountain, the zoo, the activities at the Welcome Center (yes, the building which rests on the site of the former Rockledge) - tough kitties! He knows more than you do! He can selectively use a dictionary! Possibly multiple!
And am I mistaken or did he attempt to invoke the "Scooby-Doo" rule by stating we will continue to "defy Fishburn's request instead of granting it." Does this mean the ghost of J.B.F. will begin appearing atop the Star, until the Valley Forward Mystery Machine comes to investigate - and build an Inn to quell the evilness?
Ahh... perhaps Valley Forward needs a Propaganda Minister to better control the message and it's disbursement.
Oh - and as a point of clarification: The definition of "forever preserved."
1,001 - thanks Mac!
7/4/07
1000
Well, that's another milestone gone and buried.
Thank you to everyone (and everything) that makes all this possible on a daily basis. And you - the readers - a major thanks.
Enjoy the 4th folks - be safe, eat BBQ, have a beer on me.
7/3/07
Out of the box
From time to time I have to step outside of the Roanoke-area mindset, and look on a larger scale. Worldwide.
We occasionally need to be reminded that Amphitheaters, Stadiums, and parking issues are only a small trivial annoyance in life.
After 9/11, the London Bombings, Madrid, and any number of smaller terrorist attacks and "near-misses," I found this article over at The Daily Mail out of London. It's one mans story of being your worst nightmare. A radical terrorist who believed in what he was doing.
It begins: "When I was still a member of what is probably best termed the British Jihadi Network - a series of British Muslim terrorist groups linked by a single ideology - I remember how we used to laugh in celebration whenever people on TV proclaimed that the sole cause for Islamic acts of terror like 9/11, the Madrid bombings and 7/7 was Western foreign policy.
By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair's bombs" line did our propaganda work for us."
You can read the rest here.
Eventually, and I'm sure if I was as widely read as some bloggers I'd get a ton of hate mail about this, you folks out there who try to blame Bush and try to infuse politics into the conversation might just realize that it's not politics. Not even close to being about politics.
It's about religion, theology and theocracy, and fear. And that's fear on both sides, thank you.
Anyway - it's a fascinating article - and much more important than a $2 parking fee, Darlene's latest hair cut, or playing "Where's Nelson?"
And lest you think we are sheltered from the rest of the world here in lil' ol' Noke..
A "Terrorism Expert" yesterday on Your World with Neil Cavuto was talking about how you expect attacks on the larger cities, the larger airports. But it's when you are not looking (and he said this specifically) that the smaller places like Roanoke, Virginia get hit - then we all have a problem.
Now why would he single us out like that? Makes you think.
We occasionally need to be reminded that Amphitheaters, Stadiums, and parking issues are only a small trivial annoyance in life.
After 9/11, the London Bombings, Madrid, and any number of smaller terrorist attacks and "near-misses," I found this article over at The Daily Mail out of London. It's one mans story of being your worst nightmare. A radical terrorist who believed in what he was doing.
It begins: "When I was still a member of what is probably best termed the British Jihadi Network - a series of British Muslim terrorist groups linked by a single ideology - I remember how we used to laugh in celebration whenever people on TV proclaimed that the sole cause for Islamic acts of terror like 9/11, the Madrid bombings and 7/7 was Western foreign policy.
By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair's bombs" line did our propaganda work for us."
You can read the rest here.
Eventually, and I'm sure if I was as widely read as some bloggers I'd get a ton of hate mail about this, you folks out there who try to blame Bush and try to infuse politics into the conversation might just realize that it's not politics. Not even close to being about politics.
It's about religion, theology and theocracy, and fear. And that's fear on both sides, thank you.
Anyway - it's a fascinating article - and much more important than a $2 parking fee, Darlene's latest hair cut, or playing "Where's Nelson?"
And lest you think we are sheltered from the rest of the world here in lil' ol' Noke..
A "Terrorism Expert" yesterday on Your World with Neil Cavuto was talking about how you expect attacks on the larger cities, the larger airports. But it's when you are not looking (and he said this specifically) that the smaller places like Roanoke, Virginia get hit - then we all have a problem.
Now why would he single us out like that? Makes you think.
6/28/07
Pseudo-Gangs VS. The Real Deal, how many years?
The Northwest graffiti incident has brought forth the talk of "gangs" in Roanoke. Even though most who were affected, including the police, have said there is no way this was gang related; people still talk about gangs being here.
I myself have said on many an occasion that what we have here is bored youth, bent on imitating what they think is cool, and creating nothing but damage and irritation where ever they go.
It is not uncommon to hear stories of girls who started smoking weed at 11, guys who started at 9. They are your "gang members" here. But what separates them from real gangs?
This.
A series of gang assaults in a one-block area of the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx claimed one life, and police are trying to determine if they are part of a pattern.
The beatings apparently intensified over the weekend, when police say four young men were attacked by a large group of suspects on Friday and Saturday nights.
Police say on Friday night, two young men in their 20s were surrounded and assaulted by a group of males, as many as 10, in separate but similar incidents.
The first victim was attacked at the intersection of East Kingsbridge Road and Morris Avenue at around 10:15 p.m. Friday night, according to reports. The next victim was reportedly attacked nearby, just a few minutes later.
Both men were treated at a hospital for their injuries and released.
Then on Saturday, within a block of those attacks, two more men were surrounded by a group of 10 men and beaten, investigators say. One of the victims sustained cuts on his hand and head from an unknown object. The other remains hospitalized with a serious eye injury.
Most recently on Sunday, detectives learned that a victim of a previous attack had died.
(WABC7-NY)
And where did these youths start? Smoking weed at 11? Some. Tagging graffiti at 13? A few.
But much like up there, most of the real gang members started at birth. The home life was no life, and they found their way on the streets.
And if you think that 11 year old girl smoking weed is not going to spawn a 9 year old boy smoking weed - your kidding yourself.
While we might not have real gangs now, in another generation or two - we will. Because of the home life.
The little things don't matter - church, school, work. It's all about the home. And if there's little to no control at home - then there will be none in the next generations home.
Sometimes the problem can be controlled outside the home. Neighbors showing kids the proper way to be adults, but in all reality - if they are not getting it inside the home - then they will most likely not get it at all.
I know this post is out of the blue - but when you hear talk of gangs around here, and people cannot seem to figure out why - well, sometimes you have to write the answer on a shovel and smack them with it before they understand.
I myself have said on many an occasion that what we have here is bored youth, bent on imitating what they think is cool, and creating nothing but damage and irritation where ever they go.
It is not uncommon to hear stories of girls who started smoking weed at 11, guys who started at 9. They are your "gang members" here. But what separates them from real gangs?
This.
A series of gang assaults in a one-block area of the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx claimed one life, and police are trying to determine if they are part of a pattern.
The beatings apparently intensified over the weekend, when police say four young men were attacked by a large group of suspects on Friday and Saturday nights.
Police say on Friday night, two young men in their 20s were surrounded and assaulted by a group of males, as many as 10, in separate but similar incidents.
The first victim was attacked at the intersection of East Kingsbridge Road and Morris Avenue at around 10:15 p.m. Friday night, according to reports. The next victim was reportedly attacked nearby, just a few minutes later.
Both men were treated at a hospital for their injuries and released.
Then on Saturday, within a block of those attacks, two more men were surrounded by a group of 10 men and beaten, investigators say. One of the victims sustained cuts on his hand and head from an unknown object. The other remains hospitalized with a serious eye injury.
Most recently on Sunday, detectives learned that a victim of a previous attack had died.
(WABC7-NY)
And where did these youths start? Smoking weed at 11? Some. Tagging graffiti at 13? A few.
But much like up there, most of the real gang members started at birth. The home life was no life, and they found their way on the streets.
And if you think that 11 year old girl smoking weed is not going to spawn a 9 year old boy smoking weed - your kidding yourself.
While we might not have real gangs now, in another generation or two - we will. Because of the home life.
The little things don't matter - church, school, work. It's all about the home. And if there's little to no control at home - then there will be none in the next generations home.
Sometimes the problem can be controlled outside the home. Neighbors showing kids the proper way to be adults, but in all reality - if they are not getting it inside the home - then they will most likely not get it at all.
I know this post is out of the blue - but when you hear talk of gangs around here, and people cannot seem to figure out why - well, sometimes you have to write the answer on a shovel and smack them with it before they understand.
6/25/07
If you Trinkle
My dear Aunt had a sign that hung in her bathroom. It read "If you sprinkle when you tinkle be a sweetie and wipe the seatie."
I'm thinking about getting a new version made.
"If you Trinkle..."
Today's Times Commentary Page features 2 side-by-side columns about the amphitheater drama.
One is by Our Own Vice-Mayor, the other by Tom McKeon, chairman elect of DRI's Board of Directors and Exec. Director of the Higher Ed Center.
Tom's argument that the amphitheater should be located downtown is clear, concise, and gives examples. It's not a great argument by any means - but a valid one, and understandable.
Trinkle however goes on the offensive from line 1: "Well here we go again: Council makes a decision; council members on the losing side endorse malfeasance, wrong process, no input, scandals; council reverses its decision; nothing gets done. Right? Wrong!"
He goes after the Times, the citizens, the downtown organizations and anyone with a thought in their head.
But remember, you are all stupid and wrong.
Well, maybe not so much stupid as uninformed on the issues. But that's ok - if you have a problem with it - he already knows it and has spoken with you. Right?
"I personally have met with every group and individual that I knew was opposed to the river site to better understand their viewpoints. I have never hidden my thoughts on this subject, and only with one e-mail two weeks ago did I encourage the rest of council to likewise weigh in on their thoughts. After all of this input over a long period of time, one differential came to my mind: Where should it be today or where should it be in the future?"
How about where should HE be today, or in the future? Another victim of the Peter Principle?
Then there's this gem: "Win or lose on votes, as I have, I will always lean more toward optimism and avoid the showmanship, negativity and misleading accusations that really have no place at this level of the political game. "
Followed a few paragraphs down by this curious line: "The bottom line was four council members who took the time to be fully informed voted for the river, and we are moving forward despite clear negativism aimed at derailing the project."
Is that to imply that 2 of them were not informed? We know Mr. Wishneff was not present, but Lea and Fitzpatrick were. I hesitate to think that either one of those two men would not be "fully informed", given that one of them was the Vice Mayor just prior to your little coup Mr. Trinkle.
But who am I kidding - the guy has it all, a job that gives him everything he wants - both with the city and with Carilion, a restaurant across the alley way with his picture painted on the backside across from his medical offices, a series of young, hip, Forward kind of people shining his shoes to get the next slot in the city council.
But he's right - I have to wonder how "fully informed" he was considering the city has previously cleared the area off Orange Ave. for an amphitheater.
Oh, wait. They did not have the money or support to build it then.. think they have the money now to start work on Reserve Ave.?
Want to bet?
I'm thinking about getting a new version made.
"If you Trinkle..."
Today's Times Commentary Page features 2 side-by-side columns about the amphitheater drama.
One is by Our Own Vice-Mayor, the other by Tom McKeon, chairman elect of DRI's Board of Directors and Exec. Director of the Higher Ed Center.
Tom's argument that the amphitheater should be located downtown is clear, concise, and gives examples. It's not a great argument by any means - but a valid one, and understandable.
Trinkle however goes on the offensive from line 1: "Well here we go again: Council makes a decision; council members on the losing side endorse malfeasance, wrong process, no input, scandals; council reverses its decision; nothing gets done. Right? Wrong!"
He goes after the Times, the citizens, the downtown organizations and anyone with a thought in their head.
But remember, you are all stupid and wrong.
Well, maybe not so much stupid as uninformed on the issues. But that's ok - if you have a problem with it - he already knows it and has spoken with you. Right?
"I personally have met with every group and individual that I knew was opposed to the river site to better understand their viewpoints. I have never hidden my thoughts on this subject, and only with one e-mail two weeks ago did I encourage the rest of council to likewise weigh in on their thoughts. After all of this input over a long period of time, one differential came to my mind: Where should it be today or where should it be in the future?"
How about where should HE be today, or in the future? Another victim of the Peter Principle?
Then there's this gem: "Win or lose on votes, as I have, I will always lean more toward optimism and avoid the showmanship, negativity and misleading accusations that really have no place at this level of the political game. "
Followed a few paragraphs down by this curious line: "The bottom line was four council members who took the time to be fully informed voted for the river, and we are moving forward despite clear negativism aimed at derailing the project."
Is that to imply that 2 of them were not informed? We know Mr. Wishneff was not present, but Lea and Fitzpatrick were. I hesitate to think that either one of those two men would not be "fully informed", given that one of them was the Vice Mayor just prior to your little coup Mr. Trinkle.
But who am I kidding - the guy has it all, a job that gives him everything he wants - both with the city and with Carilion, a restaurant across the alley way with his picture painted on the backside across from his medical offices, a series of young, hip, Forward kind of people shining his shoes to get the next slot in the city council.
But he's right - I have to wonder how "fully informed" he was considering the city has previously cleared the area off Orange Ave. for an amphitheater.
Oh, wait. They did not have the money or support to build it then.. think they have the money now to start work on Reserve Ave.?
Want to bet?
6/21/07
While I'm thinking of it
This whole amphitheater issue, the speed and abandon with which the city council has rushed into it - it makes me wonder if they ever had any plan beyond soccer fields at "River's Edge?"
What better way to eliminate the appearance of "lack of foresight" than to make a decision, regardless of how feasible it may be?
Neither location considered by the firm hired to do the study has ample parking nearby, ease of access from the highway, or a real way to keep the surrounding area from being blasted by the noise of whatever is on stage.
So I guess what they have done here is a blatant attempt to keep the wool firmly over our eyes.
Make your own call, but I'm calling shenanigans.
What better way to eliminate the appearance of "lack of foresight" than to make a decision, regardless of how feasible it may be?
Neither location considered by the firm hired to do the study has ample parking nearby, ease of access from the highway, or a real way to keep the surrounding area from being blasted by the noise of whatever is on stage.
So I guess what they have done here is a blatant attempt to keep the wool firmly over our eyes.
Make your own call, but I'm calling shenanigans.
6/20/07
Rumble
Amazement. Plain and simple. It's hard for me to believe the Roanoke Times finally said something I agree with in regards to the City Council.
"A council gang of four -- Mayor Nelson Harris, Vice Mayor David Trinkle, Alfred Dowe and Gwen Mason..." - editorial from the Roanoke Times
Now lest I be accused of clipping it to fit my bias, the rest of the line goes on to say that the Council failed basic civics by cutting residents out of the process in deciding the location of the new Amphitheater.
It's correct on both counts. Yes, Roanoke does have a gang - a Gang of Four. Those wacky independents, who answer to no one and were voted in by smoke and mirrors. Well, 3 of the 4 anyway. The Mayor outright suckered people. But one thing the Gang has probably thought of, and has plans for - is the upcoming elections. I'm sure in "virtual back-room" dealings the candidates have been pre-selected, and pre-screened for compliance.
This, coming from someone who was actually FOR the amphitheater being built on the Victory Stadium site. I still hold true to the belief that having it there, regardless of weather or not we can fill 7k seats (and I think we could do better, bigger), is a direct call to businesses which might very well see the benefit in having such a facility right near by.
But back to our story. The Gang of Four, these Four Horsepeople of the Ridiculous if you will, have set in stone their will for the future of the City Council. A big part of that is Darlene herself. She keeps the City workers, and some residents, in fear. As long as Darlene is there - the city will be kept in stasis. No problems from the pesky citizens, as it were.
Take, for example, the City Market debacle. Anyone have a clue as to why these "mediation" sessions are not being shown on TV? All we get are soundbytes - and sure, every citizen who has a stake in the Market (and I think that counts as all of us) is welcome to attend - but you know the hard truth is - some of us have other things to do than sit for hours in a meeting. Like work. Hours outside of the 9-5 grind. The hours that normal people work.
Like the current call for Valley Metro to extend operational hours, theres a good reason for that. People in the 21st century work 24 hours a day. Unlike the 1/10th of the population that is truly represented by the current City Council, who have nice day jobs.
So I like my coffee with non-dairy creamer, in vast quantities, and readily available when I like. Does this mean I expect every place I go to have this exact combination ready for me? Negative. I realize that I am not all, and all are not I. This is something the City Council fails to realize - they are acting as if they are all, and there must be something wrong with you if you are not as wise as they are.
So lets think about this for a minute.
How do we go about fixing the problem of a City Council gone awry? Simple - we rumble.
The City has long been divided into quadrants - as we are reminded by the news each time graffiti pops up pitting SE vs. SW (sprayed by the same hand it seems). So let's rumble - once and for all and for the good of the city.
Each area gathers up it's best and brightest - and puts them forth to serve the public interests OF THAT AREA.
If this sounds strange - allow me to remind you of this - there are 3 seats coming open in the next election - and the Mayor's chair.
1 seat per section of the city. And the 3 dwarfs left. The citizens of the City need to come together in their neighborhoods and commit to taking back the City.
Sure, it means there will be debate and disagreement, but that's life. And eventually, there will be compromise, and we can start back on the path of rebuilding the city.
I hate to keep harping on this, but it stands as the perfect example of the cities outright confusion and dereliction of duty.
Roanoke's 125th celebration has been forgotten. The fireworks on the Fourth of July will go off just as they always do, nothing terribly spectacular or different about it. An Art Festival has been announced for the first weekend in October. Anyone hear about it? Anyone care?
Nothing that celebrates the history of Roanoke, the where we have been and the where we are going, absolutely nothing.
Even with the wreck of the Hesperus going in downtown, even that smacks of beige. Whatever opportunity to truly set ourselves apart has been lost now - destined to be another city with an ultra-modern museum.
I have met, talked with, debated with, and conversed with many residents from many different parts of the city - and I can tell you this much. Roanoke is not bland, beige, or any of the above. It is a city whose residents care, have personality and life, and yet have been washed right out of the system.
Well - like I said, let's find our best and brightest, support them and may the battle rage on long and hard, and the victors be the citizens of Roanoke.
Southeast is in.. Northwest? Southwest? Northeast? Don't you think it's time we had a say?
Or are you content to let your city steamroll you?
"A council gang of four -- Mayor Nelson Harris, Vice Mayor David Trinkle, Alfred Dowe and Gwen Mason..." - editorial from the Roanoke Times
Now lest I be accused of clipping it to fit my bias, the rest of the line goes on to say that the Council failed basic civics by cutting residents out of the process in deciding the location of the new Amphitheater.
It's correct on both counts. Yes, Roanoke does have a gang - a Gang of Four. Those wacky independents, who answer to no one and were voted in by smoke and mirrors. Well, 3 of the 4 anyway. The Mayor outright suckered people. But one thing the Gang has probably thought of, and has plans for - is the upcoming elections. I'm sure in "virtual back-room" dealings the candidates have been pre-selected, and pre-screened for compliance.
This, coming from someone who was actually FOR the amphitheater being built on the Victory Stadium site. I still hold true to the belief that having it there, regardless of weather or not we can fill 7k seats (and I think we could do better, bigger), is a direct call to businesses which might very well see the benefit in having such a facility right near by.
But back to our story. The Gang of Four, these Four Horsepeople of the Ridiculous if you will, have set in stone their will for the future of the City Council. A big part of that is Darlene herself. She keeps the City workers, and some residents, in fear. As long as Darlene is there - the city will be kept in stasis. No problems from the pesky citizens, as it were.
Take, for example, the City Market debacle. Anyone have a clue as to why these "mediation" sessions are not being shown on TV? All we get are soundbytes - and sure, every citizen who has a stake in the Market (and I think that counts as all of us) is welcome to attend - but you know the hard truth is - some of us have other things to do than sit for hours in a meeting. Like work. Hours outside of the 9-5 grind. The hours that normal people work.
Like the current call for Valley Metro to extend operational hours, theres a good reason for that. People in the 21st century work 24 hours a day. Unlike the 1/10th of the population that is truly represented by the current City Council, who have nice day jobs.
So I like my coffee with non-dairy creamer, in vast quantities, and readily available when I like. Does this mean I expect every place I go to have this exact combination ready for me? Negative. I realize that I am not all, and all are not I. This is something the City Council fails to realize - they are acting as if they are all, and there must be something wrong with you if you are not as wise as they are.
So lets think about this for a minute.
How do we go about fixing the problem of a City Council gone awry? Simple - we rumble.
The City has long been divided into quadrants - as we are reminded by the news each time graffiti pops up pitting SE vs. SW (sprayed by the same hand it seems). So let's rumble - once and for all and for the good of the city.
Each area gathers up it's best and brightest - and puts them forth to serve the public interests OF THAT AREA.
If this sounds strange - allow me to remind you of this - there are 3 seats coming open in the next election - and the Mayor's chair.
1 seat per section of the city. And the 3 dwarfs left. The citizens of the City need to come together in their neighborhoods and commit to taking back the City.
Sure, it means there will be debate and disagreement, but that's life. And eventually, there will be compromise, and we can start back on the path of rebuilding the city.
I hate to keep harping on this, but it stands as the perfect example of the cities outright confusion and dereliction of duty.
Roanoke's 125th celebration has been forgotten. The fireworks on the Fourth of July will go off just as they always do, nothing terribly spectacular or different about it. An Art Festival has been announced for the first weekend in October. Anyone hear about it? Anyone care?
Nothing that celebrates the history of Roanoke, the where we have been and the where we are going, absolutely nothing.
Even with the wreck of the Hesperus going in downtown, even that smacks of beige. Whatever opportunity to truly set ourselves apart has been lost now - destined to be another city with an ultra-modern museum.
I have met, talked with, debated with, and conversed with many residents from many different parts of the city - and I can tell you this much. Roanoke is not bland, beige, or any of the above. It is a city whose residents care, have personality and life, and yet have been washed right out of the system.
Well - like I said, let's find our best and brightest, support them and may the battle rage on long and hard, and the victors be the citizens of Roanoke.
Southeast is in.. Northwest? Southwest? Northeast? Don't you think it's time we had a say?
Or are you content to let your city steamroll you?
6/19/07
Later on
I need to finalize some details for a post I will be putting up later on today. But at least now you have something to look forward to.
I know the world is not listening with baited breath to hear my every word, but some folks are... especially considering the topics in the news lately.
Oh yes, we will have some fun late tonight.
I know the world is not listening with baited breath to hear my every word, but some folks are... especially considering the topics in the news lately.
Oh yes, we will have some fun late tonight.
6/15/07
6/11/07
The new deal
Of all the projects in the works, this one is the one I am most looking forward to.
First there was Forgotten-Roanoke, and along with that came Forgotten-Wife and Forgotten-Dogs, and to that list we can now add Forgotten-Baby.
I have 7 months to get the new site perfected, up and running smooth - along with all the other baby-related activities that will be going on.
Wish us luck, and remember - the Sentinel is always watching.
I'll be around as often as I can, but I cannot promise a full working site anytime soon - I will let you know when the rough copy is live though.
Once again, bear with me.. It just got even more interesting.
First there was Forgotten-Roanoke, and along with that came Forgotten-Wife and Forgotten-Dogs, and to that list we can now add Forgotten-Baby.
I have 7 months to get the new site perfected, up and running smooth - along with all the other baby-related activities that will be going on.
Wish us luck, and remember - the Sentinel is always watching.
I'll be around as often as I can, but I cannot promise a full working site anytime soon - I will let you know when the rough copy is live though.
Once again, bear with me.. It just got even more interesting.
6/6/07
Sword
Gold
Omaha
Juno
S. L. A. Marshall: "Already the sea runs red. Even among some of the lightly wounded who jumped into shallow water the hits prove fatal. Knocked down by a bullet in the arm or weakened by fear and shock, they are unable to rise again and are drowned by the onrushing tide. Other wounded men drag themselves ashore and, on finding the sands, lie quiet from total exhaustion, only to be overtaken and killed by the water. A few move safely through the bullet swarm to the beach, then find that they cannot hold there. They return to the water to use it for body cover. Faces turned upward, so that their nostrils are out of water, they creep toward the land at the same rate as the tide. That is how most of the survivors make it. The less rugged or less clever seek the cover of enemy obstacles moored along the upper half of the beach and are knocked off by machine-gun fire.
Within seven minutes after the ramps drop, Able Company is inert and leaderless. At Boat No. 2, Lieutenant Tidrick takes a bullet through the throat as he jumps from the ramp into the water. He staggers onto the sand and flops down ten feet from Private First Class Leo J. Nash. Nash sees the blood spurting and hears the strangled words gasped by Tidrick: “Advance with the wire cutters!” It’s futile; Nash has no cutters. To give the order, Tidrick has raised himself up on his hands and made himself a target for an instant. Nash, burrowing into the sand, sees machine gun bullets rip Tidrick from crown to pelvis. From the cliff above, the German gunners are shooting into the survivors as from a roof top.
Captain Taylor N. Fellers and Lieutenant Benjamin R. Kearfoot never make it. They had loaded with a section of thirty men in Boat No. 6 (Landing Craft, Assault, No. 1015). But exactly what happened to this boat and its human cargo was never to be known. No one saw the craft go down. How each man aboard it met death remains unreported. Half of the drowned bodies were later found along the beach. It is supposed that the others were claimed by the sea."
remember.
Gold
Omaha
Juno
S. L. A. Marshall: "Already the sea runs red. Even among some of the lightly wounded who jumped into shallow water the hits prove fatal. Knocked down by a bullet in the arm or weakened by fear and shock, they are unable to rise again and are drowned by the onrushing tide. Other wounded men drag themselves ashore and, on finding the sands, lie quiet from total exhaustion, only to be overtaken and killed by the water. A few move safely through the bullet swarm to the beach, then find that they cannot hold there. They return to the water to use it for body cover. Faces turned upward, so that their nostrils are out of water, they creep toward the land at the same rate as the tide. That is how most of the survivors make it. The less rugged or less clever seek the cover of enemy obstacles moored along the upper half of the beach and are knocked off by machine-gun fire.Within seven minutes after the ramps drop, Able Company is inert and leaderless. At Boat No. 2, Lieutenant Tidrick takes a bullet through the throat as he jumps from the ramp into the water. He staggers onto the sand and flops down ten feet from Private First Class Leo J. Nash. Nash sees the blood spurting and hears the strangled words gasped by Tidrick: “Advance with the wire cutters!” It’s futile; Nash has no cutters. To give the order, Tidrick has raised himself up on his hands and made himself a target for an instant. Nash, burrowing into the sand, sees machine gun bullets rip Tidrick from crown to pelvis. From the cliff above, the German gunners are shooting into the survivors as from a roof top.
Captain Taylor N. Fellers and Lieutenant Benjamin R. Kearfoot never make it. They had loaded with a section of thirty men in Boat No. 6 (Landing Craft, Assault, No. 1015). But exactly what happened to this boat and its human cargo was never to be known. No one saw the craft go down. How each man aboard it met death remains unreported. Half of the drowned bodies were later found along the beach. It is supposed that the others were claimed by the sea."
remember.
For those of you in Southeast
Tonight, 7pm at the Police Substation @ 1015 Jamison Ave. will be the monthly meeting of the Southeast Action Forum. Please join us tonight as we honor some of our long-time members.
see Southeast Roanoke Rising for more information.
see Southeast Roanoke Rising for more information.
6/4/07
It must be tough (breaking up is hard to do)
I can't imagine it is easy being the mayor of a city. Any city, for that matter. But Roanoke, with it's diverse (somewhat) population and wide-spread socio-economic base must be particularly tough.
It must be tough, having to decide between making major choices and public appearances.
In any other city, that might be true - but in Roanoke, we have a weak mayor system. Which means the Council and City Manager make the heady decisions, which makes the Mayor just another member of the council, with a title.
So why is the Mayor not making many public appearances? Aside from the business-related ones, Mr. Mayor has not been seen at a good number of functions a dignitary official should be at. I can think of a recent dinner for a number of people who are active within the city neighborhoods. Darlene was there, as was her Assistant City Manager Brian Townsend. But the Mayor declined due to schedule conflicts.
Well I would think if it were important enough for Darlene "CEO" Burcham to attend, it would behoove the Mayor to put in an appearance. But no. And this was the 2nd time the Mayor had declined to appear before this group. This is not to say ANY member of the current council attended, or was scheduled to attend - but someone (even Alfred Dowe) should have made some effort to be there. But again, as Mayor of a city which holds the position of Mayor of low importance in the grand scheme of the city, what else could be going on?
There's 2 ways to think about this. #1 - Mr. Harris is much like that freight train downtown; if the train ain't movin' it's useless. Or #2 - Mr. Harris is playing limited engagements before select audiences, and anyone else gets the short sheet.
Harris has had a good run, since 2004 he has been the Mayor, the pastor at Virginia Heights Bapitst, worked on completing his doctorate, and writing books. He has overseen the overthrow of the average citizen in favor of the SoRo crowd (For the City), demolished Victory Stadium (a smokescreen issue), and kept the City Market stagnant. But in the same breath one cannot help but mention the greening of the greenways, the flood reduction project along the river, and the revamp of the Civic Center for trade shows. All worthwhile projects, certainly.
I see what you did there.
So what's next for Mr. Mayor? Short of giving him the same "sacrificial lamb" treatment that Bev Fitzpatrick has received, I think it's time to return this shepherd to his flock.
Mr. Harris,
We thank you for your 4 years in office, it's been fun - really. But I think it's time we both admitted what the problem is. We've grown apart. There was a time when your smile and words brought a twinkle to our eye. But not every relationship is meant to last, and though parting be painful - I think it's time we went our own directions. There are a lot of fish in the sea, Mr. Harris - and I have a feeling you will find your very own soon enough. But we are not that fish. Not anymore. It's not you, it's us - we've just grown past what we had. And yes, in a way you helped us reach this point, but we don't feel you can go all the way with us.
Let's be honest, you haven't always been there for us. And you haven't always had our best interests at heart. Maybe it was the lure of the title, or the status - but we don't feel it anymore. But we are ok with that, and we will come through this intact. We feel it's better that you do not attempt to contact us in the future, and we will pass along anything you might have left behind.
Sorry for this,
Citizens of Roanoke City
~~~~~~~~~~~
Like I said, must be tough - breaking up is always hard to do.
It must be tough, having to decide between making major choices and public appearances.
In any other city, that might be true - but in Roanoke, we have a weak mayor system. Which means the Council and City Manager make the heady decisions, which makes the Mayor just another member of the council, with a title.
So why is the Mayor not making many public appearances? Aside from the business-related ones, Mr. Mayor has not been seen at a good number of functions a dignitary official should be at. I can think of a recent dinner for a number of people who are active within the city neighborhoods. Darlene was there, as was her Assistant City Manager Brian Townsend. But the Mayor declined due to schedule conflicts.
Well I would think if it were important enough for Darlene "CEO" Burcham to attend, it would behoove the Mayor to put in an appearance. But no. And this was the 2nd time the Mayor had declined to appear before this group. This is not to say ANY member of the current council attended, or was scheduled to attend - but someone (even Alfred Dowe) should have made some effort to be there. But again, as Mayor of a city which holds the position of Mayor of low importance in the grand scheme of the city, what else could be going on?
There's 2 ways to think about this. #1 - Mr. Harris is much like that freight train downtown; if the train ain't movin' it's useless. Or #2 - Mr. Harris is playing limited engagements before select audiences, and anyone else gets the short sheet.
Harris has had a good run, since 2004 he has been the Mayor, the pastor at Virginia Heights Bapitst, worked on completing his doctorate, and writing books. He has overseen the overthrow of the average citizen in favor of the SoRo crowd (For the City), demolished Victory Stadium (a smokescreen issue), and kept the City Market stagnant. But in the same breath one cannot help but mention the greening of the greenways, the flood reduction project along the river, and the revamp of the Civic Center for trade shows. All worthwhile projects, certainly.
I see what you did there.
So what's next for Mr. Mayor? Short of giving him the same "sacrificial lamb" treatment that Bev Fitzpatrick has received, I think it's time to return this shepherd to his flock.
Mr. Harris,
We thank you for your 4 years in office, it's been fun - really. But I think it's time we both admitted what the problem is. We've grown apart. There was a time when your smile and words brought a twinkle to our eye. But not every relationship is meant to last, and though parting be painful - I think it's time we went our own directions. There are a lot of fish in the sea, Mr. Harris - and I have a feeling you will find your very own soon enough. But we are not that fish. Not anymore. It's not you, it's us - we've just grown past what we had. And yes, in a way you helped us reach this point, but we don't feel you can go all the way with us.
Let's be honest, you haven't always been there for us. And you haven't always had our best interests at heart. Maybe it was the lure of the title, or the status - but we don't feel it anymore. But we are ok with that, and we will come through this intact. We feel it's better that you do not attempt to contact us in the future, and we will pass along anything you might have left behind.
Sorry for this,
Citizens of Roanoke City
~~~~~~~~~~~
Like I said, must be tough - breaking up is always hard to do.
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