One of the goals of this council was to bring the community together. This is turning out to be a challenge, with some difficulties that were carried over from the past plus a number of current controversies. Our approach has been to move slowly, to make sure that there is ample opportunity for public input and to consider potential consequences. We have had some hard decisions where the community itself appears to be fairly evenly divided.
I believe we can still work together on these difficult issues, but I also realize that it takes more than Council’s will and an open approach to bring our community together. It takes a willingness from residents, the media, and the various factions. Council cannot make this happen by ourselves, although we can set a positive direction and bring all or our resources and efforts forward to try to achieve this goal. It’s your comments and ideas that keep us on track.
We have had a full plate and at the same time are working to plan for future infrastructure, address housing needs and institute code revisions in a number of areas. We are also now facing a referendum petition over Salida Crossings, filed by Hal Brown. I don’t deny this option as it is a legitimate avenue, but there is no question that other routes, including addressing concerns at the several public hearings we held, offer pathways that don’t have such heavy consequences. Putting this decision to a vote means paying for a special election ($12,000-$20,000). It also adds several hundred thousand dollars to the cost of Salida Crossing, potentially increasing what workers will pay in a project planned to provide housing in a reasonably-priced range that doesn’t currently exist. Working together should be our first way to resolve differences and special elections should be our last resort.
Let’s focus on the needs of the community as it’s hard enough to figure out our growth issues, our housing challenges and the best approach to providing day care, just to name a few issues. We want to preserve our small town character and manage the changes we know are coming. Please join us by sharing your ideas. Write LTEs, send emails to Council, speak at Council Meetings and come to public sessions. If you can think of better ways to communicate, please let us know. Help us in planning for the future.
