Sometimes, a simple comment can betray so much more.
The controversy over the empty Bay Oaks property in Ocean View has long pitted the cause of open space against redevelopment in a neighborhood that could really use both.
The cause has been entangled in court, where the city found itself dope-slapped in 2007 by the state Supreme Court for its shenanigans in fighting parkland on the site. The parcel's fate has been the subject of two petition drives, including one shaded by a canopy erected on the property last weekend.
That presumption prompted a reaction from the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
"It's inappropriate on their behalf, and it does raise liability issues," Board Chairman W. Sheppard Miller III said, adding that a letter would be sent to Bill Kerry, who heads the committee determined to protect the Bay Oaks property. "It'd be best if he did his politicking off our land."
Best for whom, precisely?
It was, after all, city taxpayers who paid for the property. It was city taxpayers who set up shade to gather signatures. Perhaps that's who Mr. Miller was referring to when he asked the Bay Oaks committee to get off "our land." Somehow, though, we doubt it.
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I recall when Virginia Beach
I recall when Virginia Beach had two similar issues, that is land that could be a community park, but did not have the funds to develop a park in either case. So in both cases, homes were planned and developed, and the balance of the land was used to create a community park which the area residents helped to plan. The money derived from the sale of the homesites was sufficient to fund the parks, and both the new residents and the existing ones had a stake in the maintenance and preservation of the facilities. I believe this is a totally analogous situation, and frankly, the select few residents of Ocean View who stand in the way of a rational decision and disposition of this land may be surprised about how residents city wide think about their intrasigence.
Let's put it to a referendum.
Once all the facts are given the city officials may have more support than you think.
We are all serfs
This is an example of typical government mentality. They think of us as being beholding to them. We exist to feed their needs and they are entitled to whatever they deem is in their best interests. After all nobody elected them and no one can fire them. Besides they have sacrificed so much by serving us that complaining just proves we are ingrates so, to them we deserve whatever they do to us. This mentality is rampant. Just take "journalists" for example. Instead of telling us what is happening they also feel compelled to dictate how we MUST feel about things. If we disagree then we are guilty of some kind of ism and are labeled as some kind of ist. This is the final word on any matter no further discussion allowed. Being free is great isn't it?