To the editor:
Journal-World front page news (Feb. 8) is all too familiar in our city. “City allows fake grass at apartments.” This decision is one of thousands that reflect what is wrong with our country: misguided decisions crafted by politicians that protect the elite 1 percent at the expense of the other 99 percent.
In a 4-1 vote, city commissioners rewarded an elite for violating a city code. The only thing that was grandfathered was a continuation of cronyism over democracy. City staff and a majority of the electorate did not and do not support this decision.
Four commissioners chose to protect an elite rather than represent the majority opinion of the electorate. They know it, we know it, and they know that we know it. An elected official is obligated to make decisions that are in the best interest of the majority of the electorate. Invertebrates posing as vertebrates have no role to play in a democracy.
The one bright spot in City Hall’s recent decision is Commissioner Bob Schumm. He had the fortitude to represent the majority opinion of the electorate rather than embracing cronyism. For that he deserves a thank you. The four invertebrates posing as vertebrates should be remembered at the next city election. I say it is time to send them home to their day jobs. What say you?
Comments
Did_I_say_that 1 year, 3 months ago
"City staff and a majority of the electorate did not and do not support this decision." "...protect an elite rather than represent the majority opinion..." "...in the best interest of the majority of the electorate." "He had the fortitude to represent the majority opinion..."
J. Joe - How do you know what the "majority opinion" is? Why do you get to put words in the mouths of the "majority of the electorate"?
Has there been a city-wide vote asking the electorate to decide the issue via a majority vote? Was there a scientific poll with adequate and diverse participation to determine the will of the majority? Or, are you operating under the assumption that J. Joe's opinion must be the opinion of the majority, because J. Joe is never wrong?
My opinion? Why not? Won't it reduce fossil fuel use and the pollution of lawn mowers?
Have you ever seen a comment with nothing but questions before? Don't you just love rhetorical questions?
Renaissance 1 year, 3 months ago
I think the commission decision sends a loud message that city codes are merely suggestions not laws. They quite literally undermined themselves
Renaissance 1 year, 3 months ago
I think the commission decision sends a loud message that city codes are merely suggestions not laws. They quite literally undermined themselves
snap_pop_no_crackle 1 year, 3 months ago
It's a tad chilly for public defecation right now. Best not occupy anything until spring.
Paul R. Getto 1 year, 3 months ago
Sounds like old New England town hall meetings, which I believe still take place in some municipalities. Interesting conception, that is.
rtwngr 1 year, 3 months ago
"I know it, you know it, they know it, we know that they know it, they know that we know it, you know we know that they know it, they know you know we know it, we should have known that they would know that you should have known it." whew I'm dizzy.
Hey, who's that holding their breath?
I am not part of the 1% and that don't want to associate with those claiming to be the 99%. I wish those that claim to be the 99% would stuff a sock in it. The whole 99%, OWS, was and is still a bunch of bs. You are not "entitled" to a job of your choosing just because you spent a great deal of money in college. Nobody "owes" you anything. You have the same opportunities as the rest of us. I would make a recommendation, though. Get a bath or shower, maybe trim up the old beard and mustache, get a nice looking haircut, and go find an entry level position somewhere. Work your way up by showing up on time, performing the tasks that are expected of you, put up with a little crap from your boss once in a while, and don't steal from your employer because you are not entitled to anything your employer has paid for. And by the way, be prepared to pass a drug test before being hired. You see, a lot of employment insurers will not allow an employer to hire someone who can't pass a drug test. Think about it.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 1 year, 3 months ago
Lots of straw men, ideological posturing, over generalizations and general cluelessness, but nothing of value in that post.
Paul R. Getto 1 year, 3 months ago
Ah, Bozo. If the owners required 'content and value, in Internet blog posts, the thing would shut down and what would the advertisers do? Repeat after me: "Click count, click count, click count........"
vertigo 1 year, 3 months ago
You have to remember when they grew up the older generations pounded it into their heads and force fed them the idea of "if you don't want to be flipping burgers at McDonalds you better go to college."
And now they've gone to college, have degrees, can't get a job, and the same people call them entitled whiners because they don't want to flip burgers at McDonalds.
gl0ck0wn3r 1 year, 3 months ago
"majority of the electorate did not and do not support this decision."
I assume he did a statistically relevant poll on the subject?
dncinnanc 1 year, 3 months ago
I'm pretty naive on this topic.. could somebody please explain the drawback of fake grass? Is there a reason why this is a big issue? Seems like DIST has a point with the pros of no watering or mowing...
jafs 1 year, 3 months ago
Others will probably do a better job, but there are some environmental concerns with fake grass, like lack of water absorption, increased runoff, etc.
But, the really big problem with this decision is that the developer knowingly broke the city code, and the commissioners just let him do it anyway.
Paul R. Getto 1 year, 3 months ago
+1 I tend to agree. Who cares? We've already 'paved paradise and put up a parking lot.' What's a little astroturf hurt? http://www.leoslyrics.com/joni-mitchell/parking-lot-lyrics/
deec 1 year, 3 months ago
It is a big deal because it violated code, they were told it violated code, and they installed it anyway, then got the commission to allow it. The 1% got what they wanted from their sycophants in local government, just as they do at all levels of government. Fake grass is often made of oil, something we are running out of. It kills the soil beneath it, and causes excess runoff of storm water.
Ron Holzwarth 1 year, 3 months ago
Made_in_China, you need to learn to use youtube!
'Big Yellow Taxi' - performed by Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell Big Yellow Taxi by willybeable
Paul R. Getto 1 year, 3 months ago
+1 Thanks; I'll work on that. I'm so old I thought a "You tube" was a condom.
aryastark1984 1 year, 3 months ago
Can we PLEASE stop using the word "elite" in this manner? Monied? that works. Politically connected crony politics? that works too. Corporate overloads? 100% behind you.
As far as I can tell. BSP ( before Sarah Palin) Elite was used as a singular noun - (e.g., Harvard is a school for the elite) or as an adjective (the elite gymnastics squad), but she took a perfectly good singular noun, made it plural, and turned it into an insult to hurl at anyone who ain't HER kinda folk.
This may be a perfectly valid complaint, but use the word "elites" and I cannot get past the "nails on a chalkboard" sound I hear inside my head.
verity 1 year, 3 months ago
I so agree with you.
It used to be considered good to be elite.
hujiko 1 year, 3 months ago
Fritzel can get away with anything in this town, the Oread fiasco is a testament to that fact.
Paul R. Getto 1 year, 3 months ago
Now, now. The Oread bunker will make a nice retirement home for professors after KU takes it over when they go bankrupt. Nice view, too..........
crazyks 1 year, 3 months ago
What happens if a dog poops on artificial turf? This is a residential area they're talking about, isn't it?
Just a question...I don't know much about artificial turf...
overplayedhistory 1 year, 3 months ago
Man you just made me think of a great prank.
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