Just learned that the president of the Farmers Market board has asked the city that the structure being built on Union Square not be named in association with the Market. the farmers market is not really happy with the structure and does not want it to even be called the Farmers Market anything or the Market Pavilion... They do not want people to think that the city built it for them... even tho the city did build if for them... the President of the Market Board said all of this at a meeting with city staff... but the city folks just looked at him and said nothing and then went on to the next item on the agenda.
I haven't seen any coverage on this issue on the Hickory Hound, even though this entire process has been a classic example of abuse of power by the city. Two members of city council sit on the market board and basically railroaded this through, without public hearings or consideration for the budget process. And now, the market wants to be disconnected from it. Oh, and the design isn't even by a licensed architect and the city basically went through the back door on permit approval.
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of December 20, 2011 -- Addendum on Union Square's largest Awning yet - $285,000
No Public Hearing for the Big Tent on Union Square
The Hound: To understand the dynamics of this issue, you need to realize that on the Hickory City Council we have a member that owns property in the immediate vicinity of Union Square, we have a member who is informally a Board Emeritus of the Hickory Downtown Development Association, and we have a member who sits on the Farmer's Market Board who tilts everything in the City Administration's direction. No public discussion was held on this issue and they think that was a good thing. No public discussion was held on the issue of Hickory Alive either, it was just silently removed... Kind of like the way past tyrannies have worked to quietly silence their critics.
The Mayor talked on Hal Row's show earlier this month about the perceived Heavy Handedness of this City Council. There is no perception about it when things are done blatantly to suppress the will of the people of this community. They keep trying to keep 800 pound guerrillas and pink elephants under the radar and yes they are successful with the comatose people in this community, but ain't everyone comatose folks and those who are awake are going to work hard to wake the comatose from their stupor.
5 comments:
If this weren't so pathetic, it'd almost be funny. It's almost unconscionable at how this crap gets ramrodded through. Well no, no it isn’t. The whims of the few are fed by the apathy and fear of the many. And if you DARE speak up, you are quickly trivialized, shouted down, and made to look the part of buffoon for questioning those in power and prominence over you. Lord Acton was oh so right when he said, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” You’d think Lord Acton had a way of seeing what is transpiring in Hickory today during his time.
It wasn't ramrodded through, it was discussed at length since last year's council meetings.
I have been to every council meeting and this was NEVER discussed. And that is the God's honest truth.
Thom, Since you have been to every city council meeting and you have been fed up with the way our city is run. Why did you not run for council this last cycle. I'm sure you find it more rewarding to be a critic rather than a leader or is your ego so fragile you wouldn't beable to take the loss.
I might just run and I certainly don't mind losing. I just want to talk about issues. The best part would be the debates. They would be quite entertaining.
Do you think they would debate me? How about now? I challenge any City Council member to a debate -- I want the Hickory Daily Record and WHKY and whomever else wants to to be there. Let's talk issues.
You name the time and the place and I will be there. Just make sure that it is recorded. Oh, I'll make sure it's recorded.
Post a Comment