Okay, so the mayor and most of the city government is upset with the paper, again.
The reason for their outrage? We accurately reported the city council’s plans to designate a portion of the town a slum or blighted area all in the hopes of getting access to more urban renewal money.
The actions aren’t bad, but the scale makes one pause. The map of the targeted area covers most of downtown and most of the older residential areas (but curiously stops short before the strip where the richer people in town live).
People have repeated called to state their displeasure that we spotlighted this proposed plan with a 60 point font headline and a big old map delineating the future area. At the council meeting, numerous disparaging comments were made about the recent coverage of the issue. Of course, I believe our coverage was vindicated by the large number of people who showed up at the meeting to further voice their displeasure at the prospects.
In the West, the words “eminent domain” can be fighting words – almost literally. The thought that the government may have the power to pull the land out from beneath you does not sit well with some people (and if this concept doesn’t make one briefly pause, I would ask them to reconsider the premise. One need not be paranoid, but I wouldn’t want to be blasé and blind to the possibilities).
The paper’s stories outlined the process that was proposed, detailing the multiple steps that one would need to take before any steps were taken and how this is the opening step to be eligible for Urban Renewal money. Of course, if some people don’t make it past the headline and the three and a half column graphic, I don’t believe the paper should be held responsible (though the mayor must disagree).
I myself did my best to educate the public. I took my turn fielding phone calls who wanted the paper to know that, “I don’t live in a slum!” Actually, I quite enjoyed those calls and used the opportunity to encourage people to share their opinions through a letter to the editor, or better yet, show up to the council meeting itself. I detailed the time and place for some people and later learned that one particularly impassioned person did show up to the meeting.
Of course, public feedback only works to the point. As is the case in some circumstances, a person may ask for outside input, smile and nod while the opinions are shared, and then do what they were planning to do anyway.
At the board meeting last night, the city council unanimously voted to declare the previously mentioned large portion of the city to be a slummed or blighted area.
I’m sure there will be another round of phone calls today from people who wake up to that message:
Good morning, resident! You just woke up in a slum! May you and your property value have a nice day.
If the city council wants to have less headaches, they may want to consider moving more slowly and methodically in the future. And if you decide to rush things and make a ruckus, don’t get upset with the press when we truthfully and accurately state what you did. We’re just holding the flashlight. You’re the one who stepped in it.
Have a nice day, city council. The city hall you all meet in now resides in a newly designated slum area. May you and your co-workers suffer the obvious jokes with a smile.
I know I’ll be smiling. After all, the newspaper is across the street and in the same blighted boat. Only time will tell if the crew mutinies.
said...
Hey Caleb, it is Kyle and Michelle. Just wanted to say hello and see how you are doing. Sorry it has taken so long to leave a comment. We will try to keep in touch. Take it easy.
Caleb Michael said...
Thanks for looking. Give my regards to the various family members. I don't know when I'll be back through, but know I'll definately try to schedule a Sunday stopover in KC.
said...
Now, see, there's one of the things I hate about bureaucracy; how in the world does changing the word you use to refer to a part of town increase its worthiness for urban renewal?
Caleb Michael said...
Are you seriously trying to apply logic to government actions?
CO'mon! You're smarter than that.
said...
Yes, but I'm also a math major so logic is all I have.