Is that a mean-spirited comment? Your sarcasm tag does nothing to hide that evil dig, which is unwarranted. Very off base and a very pollyanna attitude to think every community is going to be manageable.
Here, where I live, the things that define my opinion were wrapped up in a lawsuit that won a developer two million dollars from this city, and another three million from attorneys that he identified because he felt they interfered with his vested rights. They did. His lawsuit would explain how the community leaders played dirty and the City wasn't exactly stellar in following best practices. In fact, the lawsuit would show how they did quite a bit of their promises outside of the public view, through contracts that were forced negotiations because of previous lawsuit--or through private conversations made with the City Attorney.
What the lawsuit revealed was a social network that tipped the scales into conspiracy and business interference It was an interesting lawsuit to read. Exactly the kind of mean spirited behavior you would expect to find when a group of "community leaders" saw profit in kicking out a developer. What they were trying to do, would not have been a selfless venture. In addition, what they did required a massive misinformation campaign in order to mount support in their favor. Much in the same way that Trump defames people, these people were character assassinators against anyone that stood in their way.
Both Republicans and Democrats were involved, because, where there's money, people get induced. In fact, one of the main Democratic leaders of this attempt to commandeer private land tried to run for office in a primary against an incumbent Democrat. His platform was not a typical Democratic one. This was not an ideal situation, having one kind of Democrat running against another kind of Democrat. The challenger was a chamber-of-commerce style Democrat, which is to say, as close to a Republican as someone can get. His friends, that helped "spread his story" in the community, were Republican. Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi tried to see if he was interested in steering his ambition to another seat and he accused them of bribing him! He provided fodder for right-wing paper. What kind of real Democrat does that? He would only get two percent of the vote.
And I got to see, first-hand, how a good ole boy community operates. I tried to get involved, starting with ex-commissioners who knew the problems and tried to address the situation through a Charter Review update, which was legally mandated. Much like Trump's style, the City ignored proper government process and did not tend to the review when it should have. So someone else in the community began a grassroots attempt to update it, and I was asked to join.
After a few promising meetings, one of the "civilians" showed me the problem we're faced with. Hey, he said. I can no longer come to the meetings because the City has offered to turn my building into a city historical landmark. See that? That's how it works around here. At least he explained why he was dropping out. Most people just get "induced" and start to avoid me. I never know why, until gossip comes my way to give me some background.
In the end, our citizen-generated Charter review was co-opted by the city and the good ole boys in the community. In fact, it was already co-opted when they came to ask me for my help. I just didn't know it. One of the main good buddies of the community was banking us, which really only consisted of buying a dozen binders and paper so we could be on the same page, going line-by-line through the Charter and all of us knew which statements were being revised, and why.
None of it would matter in the end. They tossed the old charter out, and adopted a completely new one that I imagine worked better for the City, and the good ole boy usual suspects, and made it harder for community grassroots movements.
And that was just one experience of many.
It would really be kind if you show you understand that my opinion was based on very painful experiences that continually get repeated. Just say that you respect my experiences, even if you don't agree with my conclusions.
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