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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

"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....

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?

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 of the 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!

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.

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.

First - 2 weathermen on drugs. Now this?

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.

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?

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.

Does Roanoke ignore it's young? YOU BETCHA!

Seriously now.. wtf?

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?

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 have no explaination