Nitpicky or “Us vs Them”

At the last Planning Commission work meeting, members discussed what actually counts as the removal of a building. This question matters especially for structures that were compliant when built but no longer meet newer ordinances—such as 30-foot front setbacks or updated lot size requirements.

Some commissioners suggested defining “removal” as when a certain percentage—say, 51%—of the structure is gone. At that point, the property owner would have to rebuild under current regulations.

They also acknowledged possible workarounds for homeowners dealing with issues like black mold or other structural problems. In those cases, an owner would have to choose a work around: to demolish the building in stages—taking down a portion, getting new approval, then removing more, and repeating the process until the job was done. It would take more time and money, they admitted, but, well—what the heck.

Whaaaaat?

These are people’s lives, people with budgets and better things to do than play games with town ordinances. They’re talking about their neighbors, human beings who shouldn’t have to live with black mold for longer than necessary because Planning Commission made an ordinance that does nothing to “enhance the village character” but ultimately serves to screw their fellow residents. Clearly not their intent, but that was the upshot.

At the last Town Council meeting they were discussing portable signage and how the suggestion was to not allow them to have balloons on them. Jack Burns said, “Isn’t that being a little nitpicky?” to which Kyla responded, “This is Springdale; it’s what we do.” Everyone chuckled, including me as I listened.

You know what? I’m not chuckling now. Did you know you are not allowed to paint your house white in Springdale? Yeah, nitpicky, it’s what they do.

Have you ever been to a TC meeting when the Mayor has reminded someone while they were asking a question or making a comment that they had exceeded their 3 minutes? She tries to be polite but it’s like listening to fingernails scraping against a blackboard.

Have you listened to citizens in a meeting making a comment about items that could be addressed and the Mayor gives a polite,”Thank you” without any response to those questions asked or issues commented on? It’s so awkward. It’s like playing ping pong with quicksand on the other side. It’s like, oh, so that’s the sound of one hand clapping. It’s like the opposite of communication. If it’s mandated by regulation, change the regulation.

Have you listened to the most recent meeting when Stan Smith made many comments about portable signs? It was warm and friendly and communicative. One time he spoke for more than 8 minutes. The Mayor joked, “Well, he has 5 businesses, he should get 15 minutes.” I thought they might start singing, “Kumbaya.”

I am not complaining about how they treated Mr. Smith. I am absolutely complaining that most other people don’t receive the same friendly response. “For my friends, everything. For my enemies, the law,” is how it feels. Yes, it really does feel like “us vs them” and we are the enemy. It doesn’t always feel that way, but it does far too often.

I don’t know exactly how or when the “us vs. them” mentality took hold. Was it citizens being too quick to complain when the Town Council made a decision they didn’t like? Or citizens not appreciating the time and effort Council members put in? Maybe it was the Council getting defensive when faced with public criticism—or being too proud to admit mistakes. Most likely, it was E) all of the above.

What I do know is that things can improve. But real change will come fastest if it starts at the top.