|
Usually when one of my colleagues in this paper decides to take me to task on something I have written I ignore it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and has the right to object or agree in writing to anything I have said. This week an opportunity presented itself that any writer looks for, an article that basically writes itself.
Apparently our City Manager here in Temple City was less than enamored with a couple of things that I said in my article a couple of weeks ago. It was about the snail’s pace at which the long awaited panacea to all of Temple City’s downtown’s woes, Applebee’s, was progressing. As a punishment he chose to “educate” me as to the whys and wherefores in the fascinating world of city government. I’m still all a titter.
Unfortunately he seems to be suffering from the same malady, ignorance, that he was accusing me of. Based on his supplied definitions of the word, we are both “unaware and uninformed” because I don’t care how things are done, I just expect them to be done.
You see, I am very Machiavellian when it comes to city government. By that I mean it is not my job to make things happen in this city, that’s the job of our elected officials and the city employees. If it doesn’t get done, or done in what to me is a timely fashion, or is something that I don’t want to happen, it is my responsibility, along with every citizen, to make my displeasure known.
I am fortunate in the fact that I don’t have to wait until the next planning commission or city council meeting to make my opinion known. As far as that goes I have been voicing my opinions and suggestions more than any other citizen in this town and have been doing it in writing every week for years. I have given suggestions in my past columns as to types of restaurants and different ways of approaching the development of the downtown area. I know they were read by all involved at the time, as sure as I am that this is being read by the current ones now.
In the article that the City Manager took exception with, I described Applebee’s as a step up from Denny’s. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with that. Both restaurants serve their place in the culinary chain, think about it, without a bottom there wouldn’t be a top. Although with the way he vehemently defended Applebee’s honor I got the feeling that maybe he owned stock in the company or something. Also, as part of my “education” it was pointed out that Applebee’s also had a sports bar and would be “a great place to watch Monday Night Football and grab a brew” and “also allow us yet another venue in which to show our pride in our school sports teams.”
That is an excellent suggestion, what with the structural future of Clearman’s “The Boat” being called in question. Sure the place will still exist but in what form is yet to be seen, but not to worry Applebee’s is coming to the rescue. I’m sure the Sheriff’s Department is pleased because they won’t have to drive as far to pick up the drunk drivers after Monday Night Football. As to celebrating with our high school athletes in a sports bar, I think I’ll pass.
So to the real crust of the matter, as far as what I was saying in my last article, and to be honest, the only thing I was complaining about, was the delay in completing the project that was approved five months ago. This turned out to be the only part of my journey “out of the black hole of ignorance” I found enlightening in the least.
Apparently, the City has been waiting for a permit to do some major modifications to the exterior to fulfill the city councils’ vision or “evolving theme” as it was put. That would be one that included a patio area for outdoor dining. Ooo, dining al fresco, I’m up for that! Apparently the city council has been watching Trading Spaces and the Food Channel, good job. Because if you’re not going to listen to any of my suggestions that would be the next best thing.
The real question then becomes, why didn’t you put that in one of your “City Updates” big boy? That way all of us “lay people” wouldn’t be driving by wondering why nothing was being done at the site when in reality the permits to begin construction haven’t even been approved yet. And considering we’re waiting on the County of Los Angeles for approval, we may see you in April or we may not, but you keep us up on the “Current Status” OK?
He had one final bone of contention, and please keep in mind that his entire article was based on three paragraphs out of nineteen in my article, which is what Editor Baskin and I refer to as selective reading, the city council. In particular the city council’s performance thus far. Unfortunately for the CM or is it MC, in going back to my article, I never once even mentioned the city council. But since you brought it up…
You are absolutely right when you say that our current city council has been in office a “scant nine months” but who’s counting. More accurately, three of the five council members have only been there nine months. While the new three haven’t got any excuses for the past two years what about the other two? I hope this doesn’t mean that we are going to have to wait an additional two years before we see any results. I hope not. Otherwise my children’s children will be waiting for a Chili’s, a Souplantation and a new Cineplex when they are in their 40’s.
As you said “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” In reality it took almost 500 years. Sorry, but I don’t think I’ve got the time.
The Bush Speaks: I wanna remind you all that I -- in, in order -- what -- in order to fight and win the war it requires a expenditure of money -- uhh, uhh -- that is commiserate with keeping a promise to our troops to make sure that they're well paid, well trained, well equipped. Washington D.C. ,Dec. 15, 2003.
B.D.’s response: -- Dubya doesn't even know when he’s using the wrong words, but he probably doesn’t care. He is the Prez of the United States.
|
