As a full-time resident and voter, I’ve predicted, then watched with despair the steady decline of four key elements that define the General Plan, our user’s guide. Four key elements embedded in it brought us all here to begin with. Only a few aspiring politicians seem to notice, much less understand, what these mandatory defining elements in the General Plan are, excluding them from running for the seat to begin with.
There are no uncertain terms in the General Plan, so please inform yourself as to what they are before you pull the lever for someone who cares less about them. Do not be fooled by big talk, meaningless promises or social media groupthink. Read the General Plan carefully, and you will learn what’s been lost in order to save what is left. It will also direct you to the properly centered candidates truly qualified.
If your council or mayoral candidate does not publicly support, much less comment on the General Plan elements as a basis for their platforms, then I suggest instead voting for Jeremy Rubell, John Kenworthy or Tana Toly, and Jack Rubin for mayor. They all understand what they are.
The ongoing baloney rhetoric and finger pointing, victim behavior spewing out of some council seat challengers and supporters is nothing short of juvenile to me and a giant red flag. They also provide no solutions for anything important for residents, also exposing themselves as “collaborators” behind the scenes in plain sight. Nothing but the same parroted talking points, same ol’ same ol’ and zero real solutions.
The community decline confirmed year after year via surveys proves the residents and voters have been for the most part ignored, now completely on defense and fed up with business as usual, waiting for previous false promises to be met from years ago, now being crushed under what is coming and proposed.
Dakota Pacific reveals another destructive gut punch we face. This kind of short-term Thinking requires rezoning and breaking code which adds to the congestion. Then we do the roadway fiddle-faddel dance, promoting park and ride lots for weekend tourism.
My choice this election is clear and supported by facts. The logical resident voter choices are Jeremy Rubell, John Kenworthy or Tana Toly for council and Jack Rubin for mayor, all who have shown they have the guts to push back on clueless, hi-rise development of public property or citizen-owned open space.
My choice is the four that are tough enough, or perhaps you could use the word “mean” enough, to say no when needed. Get out and vote smarter this time around. We won’t get fooled again.
Peter Marth
Old Town