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Steve Adkins
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Posted: Aug 4th, 2007 01:40 pm |
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For Commentary on all items concerning the Summerfield Town Council & Town Politics
TC-I will be left open for a few days if there's something you want to copy over here)
Last edited on Aug 4th, 2007 01:42 pm by Steve Adkins
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Doug Canavello
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Posted: Aug 5th, 2007 01:56 pm |
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Jim FLynt asked…
The questions relative to planning/zoning that I would ask candidates would be:
Under what conditions if any, would you vote to overturn a planning board decision if elected to town council?
I think the TC members should only overturn a decision if, in their view, a policy is being ignored or violated. Council should focus on policy! Focusing on policy will serve us in many ways, not the least of which is the management of conflicts of interest issues.
When a decision involves an interpretation of established policy, or establishment of new policy, it is up to the TC to vote on the issue, either to override, add to or adhere to the specific policy or ordinance.
Further, under what conditions if any, would you vote in such a manner that your vote/decision was not consistent with the town's comprehensive land use plan if elected to town council?
We have a way to go until the development of the comprehensive plan, but let’s assume one will be in place at some point in the future (I think the consultants estimate at least a year), Four educational sessions are being presented by our consultants this fall regarding the development and implementation of the plan, and I believe these sessions will be open to all citizens of Summerfield.
Obviously, no long-range plan can predict all contingencies of development and land use in the future, so there will need to be options for changes and modifications. I support having some sort of referendum by citizens for the eventual 'Long-Range Plan’, and think it should be re-ratified by the citizens on a regular basis. Then, a Town Council member should be obligated to square his/her decision with the Plan, and explain any apparent deviation(s) by referencing the plan.
Finally, what directional changes or improvements do you see that are needed (if any) with regard to planning, zoning and growth issues?
I agree that the OSRD has been misused and sometimes does not reflect the ‘spirit’ of a rural town, however there are some excellent applications of this ordinance in Summerfield.
A more important issue is finding a mechanism that holds our developers to their promises. Some of the most troublesome issues that have arisen in Summerfield and elsewhere are the instances where developers made promises that they ultimately reneged upon. We need to do research to find out how other municipalities are handling this problem, and then get creative to find a solution.
How Summerfield grows in the next four years will be determined by a wide variety of forces, including FedEX, the widening of Hwy 220 and the I-73 connector. While we are looking at zoning and planning issues the market conditions will be telling us what is viable. Our job is to set policies that respect the wishes and individual rights of our citizens, for the ‘highest and best use’ of land that still gives us what it is that we live in Summerfield for. And I will just surmise that rural character incorporating high quality growth is what we want.
As far as the Jordan Lake Watershed and stormwater regulations, they will have to be addressed. My background as owner of an engineering and environmental consulting firm will certainly be brought to bear on these issues as they come up.
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Opinions in this post are mine. Do not copy, distribute, mass mail or quote out of context without my consent
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FatPappy
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Posted: Aug 5th, 2007 02:30 pm |
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Mornin', Mr Canavello. I appreciate your answers.
What would you say are the most important issues that need to be addressed in Summerfield? How would you go about tackling those issues?
Much obliged.
____________________
How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four; calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
--Abraham Lincoln
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lovettrp
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Posted: Aug 6th, 2007 02:25 pm |
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FatPappy wrote: What would you say are the most important issues that need to be addressed in Summerfield? How would you go about tackling those issues?
What would you say are the most important issues that need to be addressed in Summerfield?
The obvious bitterness and divide in Summerfield between FFS and CCSto me is the most important issue facing our community. Now, opposing views are important to every discussion (when they are handled in a appropriate manner); however, this rift is becoming a obstacle to the volunteers, council members and staff in the performance of their jobs and adds expenses wastes resources. These rifts must be breached. The name calling, public displays of disrespect, and misrepresentation or blatant disregard to facts must be addressed.
How would you go about tackling those issues?
Now for me to live up to my belief that you must offer (or brainstorm an idea) a solution to problems (be part of the solution not a part of the problem)... I offer the following. Town Council should have meetings with representatives of both groups together on a quarterly (or less/more if necessary) basis. These meetings would be run by council but then agenda topics would be set by the two groups. The groups would have an opportunity to submit topics for discussion. The board would select two topics (arbitrary number) from each group. The purpose of this would be to come to a consensus between the groups on how topics are to be handled. This type of discussion could have addressed the main problem with the park surveys... if we (all groups involved) agreed on the contact methods to be employed, amount of response necessary to satisfy a majority of the community, and what constitutes a "majority opinion"... the augment over the survey results could have been avoided and this issue could have been removed for the discussion table since the "majority" (predetermined in the meeting) would have spoken.
Mr. Canavello wrote: "I support having some sort of referendum by citizens for the eventual 'Long-Range Plan’, and think it should be re-ratified by the citizens on a regular basis. Then, a Town Council member should be obligated to square his/her decision with the Plan, and explain any apparent deviation(s) by referencing the plan."
Lovett's Response: Most of this I agree with... I do like the idea of a referendum on the eventual long range plan but here is the rub... the community can (and was highly encouraged to)participate in the creation of the plan (this i feel is the real referendum phase), help craft the vision for the town, and codify it in a document. Now, if a specific group of people does not like one or two points of the (consensus) plan for what ever reason and manages to orchestrate a movement to vote it down then the plan goes un-ratified. Ok... now a year + is lost and Summerfield has wasted over one hundred thousand dollars... not "chump change" especially when you factor in the wasted time and effort of the volunteers of the steering committee.
The citizens are involved in the process (the one year long + process) to develop this plan. If there is a serious concern then it should be addressed in the plan development phases. I feel that each of the selected members of the steering committee can be contacted by citizens to express any concerns. Any concerned citizen (not the group... it is just easier for me articulate myself) should get involved. Please do not complain after the document is prepared. Everyone must remember that "if" everyone works together early enough, the plan will contain enough for everyone to make all groups content... DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE PLAN GOES TO PRINTING TO START COMPLAINING OR GETTING INVOLVED.
The plan should be re-authorized by the Town Council every 5-years (allowing for only one vote by a council member during their elected term). I do not think a 5-year public referendum on the plan is necessary. The re-authorization should be the responsibility of the council... that is why we have elections to vote in the person that we feel will represent yourselves best. If you do not like the views of a person do not vote for him/her.
One last problem regarding prepared documents that are not accepted ... The zoning board currently references the Summerfield Long Range Plan (i believe that is the proper title... I would have to check) in rendering their decisions on some cases. The rub is ... this document is used since it is the boards a ong range view of the community... but this view was never accepted by council (or at least that is what I have been told). We (the zoning board) se it to address areas in the ordinance and other plans are silent).
Last edited on Aug 7th, 2007 12:53 pm by lovettrp
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Doug Canavello
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Posted: Aug 6th, 2007 02:32 pm |
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Important issues include:
Development – How do we develop in a fair, responsible way that honors current residents at the same time allowing opportunity for newcomers.
Water and septic – These issues are going to become more and more important with further development. There is a finite amount of water and a finite amount of space for septic.
What do we want our government to do for us, and how much are we willing to pay for it? – One of the things that I see as lacking up to now is full cycle budgeting. By this I mean projecting budget issues and projects ahead into their entire life spans, to see what the total real costs are and whether we have the funding in place to support them
Policy development – As I pointed to in my earlier post, it is time for Summerfield to look at models of government. I understand that is what the current council-manager referendum is starting to look at. But I’m concerned we haven’t got a governance model in place to make that system work. Our current council has no muscle in establishing and enforcing policy, and it takes something to get there. I have experience on a not-for-profit Board of Directors, and getting the system in place takes time, patience and some good outside people to help.
Ethics and integrity – Summerfield needs to establish and incorporate an ethics policy. Transparency means any citizen can see how decisions are being made and how money is being spent.
I am a member of a Rotary Club, and I love our Four Way Test – and I would bring it to each and every discussion and action;
Is it the truth?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FREINDSHIPS?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
If we can do that with our town government, we can say we accomplished something.
___________________________________________________________________
Rather than address all of these at one time, I think it is more appropriate to look at them one at a time. So over the next few days I’ll discuss some of them, and maybe other Forum participants will suggest other issues.
I think it’s important to realize that the Town of Summerfield has a diversity of people, each with their own ideas of what’s important, and a Town Council-person can sometimes be most effective by listening.
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Opinions in this post are mine. Do not copy, distribute, mass mail or quote out of context without my consent
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FatPappy
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Posted: Aug 6th, 2007 03:39 pm |
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| Much obliged, gentlemen! Speakin' for myself, I hear some good ideas in both answers and I appreciate the thought that went into them.
____________________
How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four; calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
--Abraham Lincoln
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Steve Adkins
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Posted: Aug 6th, 2007 09:09 pm |
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lovettrp wrote: What would you say are the most important issues that need to be addressed in Summerfield?
The obvious bitterness and divide in Summerfield between FFS and CCSto me is the most important issue facing our community. Now, opposing views are important to every discussion (when they are handled in a appropriate manner); however, this rift is becoming a obstacle to the volunteers, council members and staff in the performance of their jobs and adds expenses wastes resources. These rifts must be breached. The name calling, public displays of disrespect, and misrepresentation or blatant disregard to facts must be addressed.
lovettrp
I extend a personal invitation for you to attend a meeting of FFS at my home Tuesday 7 Aug at 7 pm to learn what FFS is about. 7591 Cassidy Way, Summerfield.
Last edited on Aug 6th, 2007 09:10 pm by Steve Adkins
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lovettrp
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Posted: Aug 8th, 2007 03:30 pm |
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I would like to thank Steve A. for the invitation to last nights FFS meeting! I did enjoy being surrounded by people who have such a positive attitude of the community. It was a refreshing change! I would like to thank everyone for their interest in our community, especially the hosts of last nights meeting. I am excited about the possible Candidate forum/debates and I was impressed with the creative ways to encourage a worthwhile turnout. Count me in!
Last night an individual questioned me about my last posting...I will try to clarify my intent and apologize for a poor job of articulating my position! The issue was my response to the question in a posting regarding the most important issues that need to be addressed in Summerfield? I should have been a little more clear in my statements by responding something like ... "The obvious bitterness and divide in the Summerfield community, best illustrated by groups with differing agendas (eg. FFS and CCS), to me is the most important issue facing our community." I mis-characterized both the CCS and FFS as opposing groups battling each other - I believe each group would exist even if the other(s) did not. Each group has their own independent agendas! I still believe that meetings with local groups should occur so the TC members can get a better feel for the needs/issues/concerns of the community... Quarterly meetings with groups like these are good ways to a improve communication and address concerns early. I hope that clears things up a bit. Thank you!!
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Cracker Jax
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Posted: Aug 8th, 2007 04:20 pm |
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Thanks to you Mr. Lovett for clarifying that statement! No matter the personal opinions of the individual FFS members, the FFS as a whole is not "against" any group. They are simply "for" Summerfield. If I'm not mistaken, at least one concerned citizen who is also a candidate, attends all Friends for Summerfield meetings and if she were willing, could attest to that fact herself.
I'm very impressed by you and I appreciate your willingness to become more involved. Good Luck!!!
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Steve Adkins
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Posted: Aug 8th, 2007 11:05 pm |
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lovettrp wrote: I would like to thank Steve A. for the invitation to last nights FFS meeting! I did enjoy being surrounded by people who have such a positive attitude of the community. It was a refreshing change! I would like to thank everyone for their interest in our community, especially the hosts of last nights meeting. I am excited about the possible Candidate forum/debates and I was impressed with the creative ways to encourage a worthwhile turnout. Count me in!
lovettrp, I sincerely thank you for coming to the FFS meeting Tues nite. CJ said it best, FFS is not against the CC's, we're FOR Summerfield. We love our community. I regret I am out of town and could not attend, but look forward to meeting you soon.
You are welcome at any future meeting, first Tuesday of each month, and watch our website http://www.friendsforsummerfield.com.
Thank you for the clarification on your comments.
Steve
Last edited on Aug 8th, 2007 11:07 pm by Steve Adkins
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FatPappy
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Posted: Aug 8th, 2007 11:08 pm |
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| I agree, Crackah. Soundin' good, Mr Lovett. Pappy appreciates your fair-minded attitude.
____________________
How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four; calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
--Abraham Lincoln
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lovettrp
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Posted: Aug 9th, 2007 04:24 pm |
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FatPappy and Cracker Jax
I would like to thank you both for your kind words!
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Cracker Jax
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Posted: Aug 15th, 2007 03:43 am |
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It was a night of revelations at the SF TC meeting. Strickland went on record as being "opposed to phase II of the park" so many times that she was indeed beginning to sound like a "broken" record (Stole that one from somebody else... you know who you are!). I must say that I saw her smile more tonight than at any meeting in the past. Could it be that she was playing to her public?
One speaker from the floor stated that he had read about disruptions at council meetings and suggested that the council consider a Sargent at Arms to attend meetings and control the disruptive attendees. I didn't catch his name, but I think it was a great idea!
Several of the candidates for council were introduced to the public. Incumbents Brown, Williams, Collins, Barnes, and challengers for the seats Lovett, Flowers, Waldrup, Canavello all showed up in time to be introduced. Wendelken attended, but arrived too late to be introduced.
Interesting discussion on the Council-Manager form of govt. (Be careful - we can't call it Manager-Council anymore because according to Mr. Hill,a certain council member called him to task on this - perhaps concerned that they aren't getting top billing?)
The issue up for discussion was whether or not to put the change of government issue on the November ballot and let the voters educate themselves and decide whether or not they want a change of government. That's it.
On this topic at least, Candidates Flowers, Canavello and Wendelken seemingly aligned themselves squarely with the Concerned Citizens and spoke in opposition of allowing the citizens to make the decision for themselves. None of them seemed to understand however, that the purpose of the public hearing was to put the decision to the voters, not whether or not we needed the change. They didn't seem to understand that we didn't care how they were going to vote..... just that we want a vote too.
Citizen Dunham after being thrown for a loop when Brandt was able to instantaneously produce the wording of the referendum, regained her composure and later spoke in opposition stating that she doesn't believe that there has been "groundswell of support" for the change. This is the same woman who asks that minor decisions that come before council go to referendum. I just don't get her.
The only thing I can figure is that the Concerned Citizens are afraid that the results of the November referendum will indeed show a "groundswell of support" for this change. Time will tell I suppose.
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FatPappy
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Posted: Aug 15th, 2007 11:16 am |
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| Much obliged, Crackah. I notice Strickland was able to oppose the park without a groundswell of opposition. I notice she didn't have any trouble voting against letting the citizens decide what form of government we want. Or does she think such decisions are best left only to Concerned Citizens?
____________________
How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four; calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
--Abraham Lincoln
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DOGGETTJA
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Posted: Aug 15th, 2007 12:09 pm |
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| Another issue that came up last night was about the trail system in Summerfield. Does Ms Strickland not realize that we the people who took the time to come to the rezoning heard all about the trail system. We the people think that in this period of more obesity then ever known at any time of this country are willing to maintain a trail system in order to provide outdoor experiences and exercise for people. Also does she not realize that if we don't accept these easements that they are deeded to Guilford County or Greensboro? It is amazing how much land Guilford County and Greensboro hold in Summerfield because in the past we had a mayor who also refused to accept any easements. The property on the Armfield property that the Town will have to negotiate with the city to use as a Park is such land.
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