By Craig Hall, Publisher/Owner | Commentary, The Business Times
Oops, they did it again.
That’s right, after being rejected outright in the latest, ill-timed, usually-low-voter-turnout-to-benefit-progressives, springtime elections, our city council once again generously served up another slice of cake while completely ignoring the voice of the people who screamed loudly on April 8, “We don’t want your ideas, follies or leadership anymore!”
I’d say they have deaf ears, but that would imply they are at least attempting to listen to the people.
Instead, in their alternative Grand Junction universe our Feckless Foursome of “Abe the Sausage King of Grand Junction (and if you don’t get the joke, this column won’t hit your reality either) Herman,” “Anna the Stout, confident progressive,” “Randall right is wrong and wrong is right Reitz” and “Jason if not now, Nguyen do you need my vote?” have decided now is the time to finally do something more about Whitman Park.
Yes, I know they decided a while back to shut Whitman Park down from its 24/7/365 out-of-town guests and move them to the “resource center” but a few blocks away after making them literally roam the desert all over town. I say “out-of-town guests” simply because by the time I write another column on the homeless problem in our area, these same fine folks will get together with other “community leaders” and give the problem yet another name and claim it a solution. I also say guests because they stay and commune in special accommodations provided by the city.
Then again, these same folks aren’t “guests” when it comes to downtown foot-traffic statistics used to justify bollards galore on Fourth and Fifth streets. Rather, they’re magically drivers of the local economy.
But really, Craig, one tone-deaf topic per column.
So, back to the vote to approve nearly a quarter of a million dollars to go to a Boulder (is there really another city in Colorado which would enhance the irony?) design and engineering firm to begin “revitalization” of Whitman Park. I could point out the obvious and ask why a local firm didn’t win the bid, but how does that get you elected to the House of Representatives, governor or preside in your proper place of ruling over the serfs?
Then again, this rushed vote is what happens when you thought you were going to get four more years of progressive rule in your hamlet but instead lost in the last election. Because that’s what this is really about.