I never did know how to spell her last name or her job title but she seemed to be in City Hall just to help new business owners find their way through the paper maze that appeared to be spread all over the city. She was happy doing it whether she took part in the silver shovel ceremony or was left out to make room for higher ups. She left and many still don't know why.
There are enumerable ways for city employees to assist new and/or struggling business owners that are risking time, money and labor. It seems that there is always another city hall permit to obtain or inspection to pass when the new owner is focusing on income. Those who have attempted to invest in our airport come to mind-being helped by one department and stymied by another. And there are other ways to impede progress.
I have a friend up in a Michigan small town that just bought out a restaurant. He cleaned, remodeled, painted, rejuvenated, and hired more than worked there before, an ideal improvement to Suffolk. But one night there was an altercation between two young men whose skin color did not match. Police were involved and calmed the situation. But to maintain peace the police are still involved, they show up too often, keeping too much of an eye on the place. Regular customers are intimidated by their presence and can’t help but wonder why the cops haven't let go. My friend in Michigan finally went back to city hall to demand relief from an over eager police force. Anyone here in Suffolk feel they have problems with city hall or Departments?
11 comments:
Requests are run thru costly and time consuming application processes that take departments and divisions, comissions and committess. Days, weeks, months, sometimes years pass in preparation for an answer or responce in order to process or approve an application,subdivision, land transfer etc..
The UDO was set in place to slow/control growth. It's what was wanted at the time. Not in my backyard. Be careful what you wish for, So.....That along with ever increasing regulations, and changing the rules and regs as you go along, Constant turnover in staff, re-eding and retraining, all aids in creating a series of road blocks that are a challenge for big business and developers to manuver thru. Small business and individuals running the gauntlet are generally overwhelmed by the process.
The question becomes are these processes something that are still necessary given our current economic situation. Do the people want changed? Government is filled with individual with a deliberate intelorance for the people it serves.
It is also filled with caring individuals working to effect a positive outcome for those citizens they come in contact with.
Accomplishing anything in government takes years as does undoing what's been done. So where should one begin undo what's been done or continue on the current path.
Pock, why not you ask the unofficial mayor of downtown Andy Damiani for his opinion. He knows and understands the issues why it is so difficult and expensive to start up a business in Suffolk. Look at all the downtown refurbished empty store fronts as proof of an unfocused, uncommitted plan by politicians intent to line their pockets and buy votes.
On a brighter note the slumlords got relief from the historic district restrictions. Funny how they were chomping at the bit to have their properties included in the historic district in good economic times and are now leveraging elected officials to get them out.
Elizabeth was smart to leave when she could. Her marketing talent can be seen at the new town center in Hampton. Arranging deck chairs on a sinking ship is not a career a sane person like her would take.
Ms McCrory was the hand-puppet for Steve "the man" Herbert our past city manager, to manage the great unwashed masses that demanded their rights and due, so inconvientely. She was effective at gathering a few voices to seat in the back of the coucnil chamger to lend legitimcy to what Steve wanted by making it look like it was what the people wanted. This charade was the theater that council accepted as a pact with devil to get what they wanted and needed to stay on their seats. A prime example was one where Churtis Millteer made a pact to approve a city budget, if he got a $50000 payoff in "special money" for his friends and supporters in South Suffolk one year, 2002 I believe. This pandering and subterfuge from this cronnie-driven city management came to an end when Linda Johnson and Mr Parr and Gardy came to power and fired Herbert, allowing the dismateling of his cronnies and the new power structure that Johnson now controls. Sad to say, but that is how power and such creatures exisit in Suffolk. Which is worse is hard to say, but do not assume that such creatures of politics serve anyone but themselves and it does so dearly show.
Elizabeth was a funtionary of Myles Standish's administration that unfortunately carried over to Steve Herbert. Standish had a vision for the city's downtown that was described in the Downtown Suffolk Initiative. This was the basis for the revitalization and investment. During the tranfer of city managers that vision was lost as resume building projects like the Garden Hilton-Conference and Marina and the SCCA became a reality but without the necessary engine to drive the economy. Expensive firms like UDA were hired to create chirettes of what the downtown and hamlets could look like. Once again the economic aspects were overlooked by the Herbert-Ralph-Dickens Administrations. Clearly Herbert had an Achilles Heal and that was maintaining focus and critical thinking. We now have a city manager that doesn't think or care about anyone except herself. By intent SCG so insecure there is not one person including the Duputy City Manager worthy or capable of turning the city around when she is told to leave.
Elizabeth may have had her faults as we all do, but she did a heck more for this city than anyone currently warming a seat at the dias.
According to the SNH the sidewalk construction in Chuckatuck-Oakland is nearly finished. This is great news for the three people that walk to the 7-11, Crown gas station, the Pizzeria or the post office if and when it's open. How much did this little piece of pork cost the taxpayer? Where is the cost to benefit analysis? There isn't one. What does the car-man have to say about this expensive piece of pork in his borough? Another clear sign come 2014 election night there will be more change for the borough. For the price of the sidewalk the city could have bought all the cigarettes and beer a person using the sidewalk would need in a lifetime. Waste, waste waste.
I too agree, what has Council-Mike got to say? Is this the kind of government you wanted to bring us, or what you settle for to get along?
Sidewalk project started several years ago. This is only the completion of a project in the capital improvement budget from prior years. Car-Man got nothing to do with this one!
Sorry pal the sidewalk started about two years ago and this extension was just another waste of taxpayer dollars. Car-man (elected in 2008 and seated in 2009) failed to put a stop to this lastest pork project.
You mean that once a capital project is started it can't be stopped? The money cannot be used to some other more rational project than a sidewalk for three people. Does Public Works think the citizens and/or the councilmen are stupid and don't know where millions are being spent on wasteful pork?
anon 11:11
Unbelievable! Mike was elected in 2010 and seated January 2011. At least have your basic facts correct before you respond.
Mrs Martin's husband cannot count, it seems clear to one and all. Sorry for your LOSS Mrs Martin.
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