Larry has probably already figured out how to fit the WalMart into the SE corner of 4th and Osuna. It would be more like him to make coffee and sharpen pencils for developers than to listen to citizen groups like Mayor Marty has done. We are the VLR: Very Larry Ridden; Voicing Little Resistance; Village of Listless Representation.
When we’re done admiring and saluting our surrounding neighbors outside the village who have apparently managed to shut out Wally World we ought to give some thought to what might happen to us. Our village has settled into a state of fatigue that may prove fatal if we don’t wake up and start to participate, ask questions and take action. Look at the turn lanes on Osuna: where do they go? Look at the traffic lights on the SE corner of the intersection: why are they pointed at a building and not a street? Who pays for nonsense like that? You do. Why?
What would you like to see happen in our Village Center? If you participated years ago in helping to create the Master Plan for the village or ordinances that would restrict crass development in the commercial areas along 4th Street and think your work is done, it’s time to rub the sleep out of your eyes. Villagers are now being told that we “owe” developers like Sir Northdale de Plaza Los Ranchos something. We’re being told that a reworking of the rules is in order for the sake of our morals, our health, and our safety. Over and over, people in opposition to the Larry movement have been told they should be ashamed of themselves for having a point of view and daring to participate in a public process.
So, maybe it’s look in the mirror time. Are you ashamed to have a vision of your own? Are you simply happy to have Larry figure it out for you? Do you feel indebted to the guy with all the vacant retail shops at Northdale? Should we take up a collection for him since we can’t shop at his empty stores? Should we send Larry a thank you bouquet for doing all the thinking for us? If we keep on looking the other way we’re going to end up running out of ways to look.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
El Picador welcomes pitchforks to the picaresque. And he seconds the comments---its time to wake up!
I recommend the recent expose of WalMart in the last issue of The New Yorker. Anyone with half a brain, after reading that article, will see the philosophical kinship between WalMArt and "the thug in a rug" we have for a mayor in this sad little burg. Watch for a Pooperstore with a few vigas and "Village of Los Ranchos" plastered inconspiciously on its glaring sign to spring up soon. Unless, of course, we can talk some ballonists into landing on the lot in the meantime!
Post a Comment