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On the Soap Box - We discuss items that affect all of the citizens of
Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, our great country, the
USA, and the world.
Have a view, take a stand, respond to something you read here. Get involved in the process, but here's the only rule:
THE SOAP BOX RULE - Have a positive solution for anything you complain about.
Anybody can gripe. Today, the airwaves are full of people complaining
about everything. What we need are viable solutions to the problems we
face. So....Think about what upsets you, and then Think about what
would be a good fix to the problem. If you can't fix the whole
problem, maybe you have a way to get us started in the righht
direction.
Hopefully we can get some good ideas to act upon.
12/19/2005 -part 1
Here's a Starter:
Downtown (Where I have spent the past thirty years working) NEW CONSTRUCTION:
We have spent an amazing amount of time, effort and money to preserve
and renovate our Historic Downtown, and now things are starting to
happen - BUT the last four buildings built Downtown have been
metal buildings. Nothing wrong with a metal building - they're
efficient, durable and affordable - the only problem is why are they
being allowed in the Historic Downtown area? They are Metal Buildings!
There's a time and place for them - but not next to places where people
get fined if they do anything to negatively impact the historic nature
of the building they own. The reason people can build metal structures
right across the street from historic structures is because those metal
buildings are outside the Designated Historic District. They are
perfectly within their rights, because the law says they can do it. OK,
there's the whole argument of, "Just because you can do something,
doesn't mean you should do it," but that argument doesn't hold water.
When a businessperson is looking for affordable commercila land to
build his new building upon, and it happens to be Downtown - it's a
done deal. Add to that, the fact that Downtown is HOT - Well, it
seems to make sense - at first blush. The Problem is that it's wrong!!!
What kind of a Historic area will we have if we allow a bunch of metal
buildings to spring up in the exact area where we have been working
feverishly for the past thirty years to develop a tourismdestination
(You know History, Heroes and Hometown Feeling).
We need a New Rule: (That was the gripe - here comes the solution - remember the soap box rule?)
Solution:
Do as the City of Fayetteville has tried (in vain) to do with
the County - have Municipal Influence Areas on the borders of the
city's Historic District. This is also known as extra terratorial
jurisdictions, or areas where city development rules are in effect,
despite the fact that the area is not in the city. This aids in orderly
develpoment and growth, in that areas, which will soon be part of the
city, will be developed according to city codes and not require
expensive retro-fitting.
The guidelines for an Historic District are
strict - and it is just about impossible to expand our current district
- HOWEVER - what if we create a Municipal Influence Area surrounding
the existing Historic District, and make those properties, within that
area, subject to the same rules as the Historic District. That way we
wind up with greater restrictions on what happens to buildings that are
renovated and built within that area. These laws are already on the
books. Grantewd some tweaking may be needed, but we will not be
re-inventing the wheel. Plus, we know that the city likes this concept.
Here is an opportunity to show the county that the city can use the MIA
concept to fix challenges within its borders. as well as at the
city/county line.
Well, I'll tell you that some
property owners will pitch a fit over the additional regulations. I
remember the screaming that went on when we started the first Historic
District( I was on the original Historic Resources Commssion). You know
who screamed the loudest? People who didn't take care of their
property, and left it to rot. Those folks eventually sold to people who
INVESTED MONEY in those same properties and then the VALUES OF THOSE
PROPERTIES INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. It could happen again.
We have a new Mayor and several new councilmen - maybe someone will suggest they read the soapbox at Malzone.com - who knows?
12/19/2005 - part 2 -
Here's one more - a quickie
Ever get trapped by the Train on Hay Street? Yeah, me too.
You can gripe all you want - but the trains still keep coming - HERE's a Solution:
PUT A WARNING LIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE HILL - AND on
Hay Street in town ON THE OTHER SIDE OF RAY AVENUE - That
says:
" Train approaching - USE THE ROWAN STREET BRIDGE"
Thanks for that idea from Mr. Crawford McKethan, a great real estate
appraiser, who gave it to me years ago. I've mentioned it to
several city folk - but nothing has ever happened.
It seems so simple ---- doesn't it?
12/20/2005
Problem:
Selective Enforcement of City Codes - Anyone who has ever had an
experience dealing with the City Inspections Department should know
that we have a Reactive Inspections Department. It's a very good and
capable department. It is just understaffed and overworked. As a
result, most people are noted for infractions when:
a) a neighbor or competitor reports a possible violation; or
b) an inspector rides/walks by a violation to or from his or her office.
Solution: - We need a pro-active inspec tions department. We need
to make sure that they have enough qualified inspectors that they can
handle all of the renovations, new construction and condemnation jobs
that they handle now. Remember that Fayetteville will never be as small
as it is today. In ten years we won't know our town. We are getting
ready to experience the biggest growth spurt since the 1960's. Along
with FORSCOM will come hundreds of companies who want to get close to
our ever growing military neighbor. That will mean big city businesses
who, when they discover the flaws in our system, will take full
advantage of its weakness. The results could create real short term
trouble for our community.
We need less rules that are enforced in a regulated, even-handed
manner. We need teams of people looking for infractions - but
infractions that count. Not some beaureucratic mumbo-jumbo - but real
life / safety issues. Most people who deal with the inspections
business know that it is run pretty much by the insurance industry.
Insurance adjusters relate potential problems (on a loss
basis) and the next thing you know, somebody who sole job it is to
write rules - writes some new rules. Needed or not - it becomes the law
- and the inspectors are forced to enmforce the rules. We create an
environment that discourages growth, because we are swamped with an
ever-growing mass of rules.
What if we create a rule free zone - maybe in the Downtown area. An
area where the nit-picky rules are done away with. (Councilman Paul
Williams will love this one) We can review projects, and figure out
ways to make good things happen. Let the Downtown Alliance (made up of
business and property owners from Downtown) decide whether or not
something will fit into the plan for Downtown. We can take an
entrepreneur by the arm
and say,"You've got a great idea, a good business plan, good financing,
and a great track rercord. Now we have a few problems, but -
Don't worry we'll make this work."
Imagine if the 3,000 acres designated by the city and the "Marvin Plan"
for Downtown Recitalization, were noted as an Entrepreneurial
Zone.
Instead of inspectors coming by inhibiting businesspeople from trying
to earn a living - we need to encourage businesses to grow - as long as
they are quality businesses, and not hurting anyone. As long as they
are working to increase the value of being a part of the Fayetteville
Business Community. As long as they are trying to make things better -
in the minds of the majority of people they will be living and working
with. Use common sense. Be practical.
Is that so difficult to understand?
Then why can't we make it work?
Comments? - use the conact us link.
12/21/05
Not a problem - a statement -
Politically, I registered as a democrat when I turned 21,
as did everyone else in Cumberlkand County back then. I like most of
America think of myself as an Independent - I vote for Democarts and
Republicans who do what they say, and treat everybody in a fair manner.
Those traits go way beyond party loyalty. Often, what I like about a
politician is a person who will listen to his constituents before he
listens to his party leadership - you don't see that often. I have said
for years that we have a two party system - the party in power - and
the party that wants to get into power. Ever notice how they all morph
into something they never were before - after they gain power?
I am a proud fiscal conservative, and a social moderate. But generally
I believe the strength of this nation comes from letting people do
whatever they want to do, as long as they don't infringe on the rights
of anyone else to do the same. I was taught civics and freedom in the
fourth grade when Mrs. Dermond had us all stand up and swing our arms
as crazily as we wanted to. The only rule? We couldn't touch or bump,
or even graze another classmate. That was a simple lesson I'll carry to
my grave.
I'm also a big fan of the Constitution. I think the guys that came up
with the unique way our country is supposed to work, were pretty clever
- and inspired. They had a little thing called the separation of powers
that has seemed to work for over two hundred years, - that's why I'm
here today - a national issue -
Front page of the Fayetteville Observer - VP Cheney wants more power
for the Executive branch. These guys slay me. I was always taught that
the best defense is a strong offense - but come on. The president gets
caught taking it upon himself to re-write the law about wire-tapping
because "he felt it was within his power to do so," The country is
outraged - bipartisian howls of protest. He gives speeches about his
duty to protect us - and that he knows what's best for us (My Dad
always said that right before the belt came off...).
Still the public is outraged - The furor doesn't die down -
Investigations are demanded to find out whether or not the president
broke the law (Where's the attorney general?).
So what is the administration's response?
The administration says it needs more power!
And the principal is called separation of powers - it's just that simple.
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