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City Must Balance Needs of the Many with the Wishes of Neighborhoods, Individuals |
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by Dr. Carl Mumpower
Op-Ed
Asheville Citizen-Times
February 3, 2005
In reading the editorial,
"Montford Tree-Cutting Dispute Shows Importance of Ironclad Development
Agreements" (AC-T, Jan. 24), I was reminded of the childhood fairytale
"Chicken Little."
Youll remember our feathered friend who was
riddled with persisting anxiety leading to authoritative certainty "the
sky is falling." It wasnt, it didnt, it hasnt, and there is no sound
evidence that it is about to.
Still, "Chicken Little" provides a
marvelous demonstration of "foul play" that mirrors the actions of
those who translate fear and passion into shallow truth.
The
editorial in question would lead you to believe that your neighborhood
is in imminent danger of demise, and that, as we speak, City Council is
pondering how to get a fast-food restaurant into your back yard.
Be
assured that there is no movement to trample on neighborhoods,
businesses or developers by this council, and the facts and numbers
demonstrate that none of these groups is getting a blank check or bums
rush.
Teasing anxieties may be a means to advancing ones
political future, but it is not the best way to authentically support
Ashevilles future.
When it comes to balancing a city, it is in
our clear interest to flock together. Commerce employs, houses and
feeds most of us. Without businesses, which use less city service a!
nd
th
us contribute higher tax revenue percentages, the average neighbors
tax bill would be much higher.
It is also true that without good
neighborhoods and quality of life, our citys businesses would not
flourish. As for developers, most of the neighborhoods, historic
landmarks and man-made venues we enjoy today came through their
creative hands.
To dismiss all developers as self-serving,
destructive and greedy is to ignore deeper truths. This form of "fowl
play" has been perfected by the ostrich, a bird that stretches its neck
to see what it wants to see, and proverbially hides in the sand when
faced with something it doesnt.
There are others who like the
game of "fowl play" - including the blue jay. Highly territorial, this
bird squawks like crazy when its space is challenged. With limited
concern for the common good and the realities of a growing community,
the blue jay has one agenda - keeping unwanted intruders out of the
back yard, or if there is a nice view or greenscape next door, out of
the neighbors backyard, too. There is a distinct difference in raising
concerns and active NIMBYism. We would be in big trouble if everyone
was a blue jay - its not fair to migrate here and then close the door
behind you.
Fortunately we have a majority community that prides
itself on leaving the doors open to new people and new possibilities.
Both require adaptation.
Managing a city is much like riding a
bicycle. In the case of growth, there are ditches of indifference on
one side and control on the other.
City government is trying to
wobble down the middle of the road toward a balanced future for
Asheville. We understand and regret that we run over toes, but we
actively reach for fairness.
Anything involving people,
politics, and property will never be perfect. By combining our eff!
orts
to nudge development in a good direction, the constructive input of
community-minded citizens and the natural forces of self-correction
with the graces of a higher power, we come much closer than chaos or
selfish interests will ever take us.
My greatest respect goes
out to those "birds" who work harder to pull us together than tear us
apart. These are the folks who think about mutual responsibility,
informed opinion and the deeper truth over less helpful versions of
"fowl play."
Like any other city we will always have our share of chickens, ostriches, blue jays and the like.
Thats
OK as long as the majority of us keep flying together - taking full
advantage of the blue skies and green hills that beckon Asheville to a
bright future of "we" versus "me."
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