Comments on: A conversation about economic growth in Richmond http://www.chrishardie.com/blog/2006/08/a-conversation-about-economic-growth-in-richmond.html Personal Blog for James Christopher Hardie Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:38:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Dave http://www.chrishardie.com/blog/2006/08/a-conversation-about-economic-growth-in-richmond.html#comment-3646 Dave Mon, 28 Aug 2006 03:05:27 +0000 http://www.chrishardie.com/weblog/archives/2006/08/a-conversation-about-economic-growth-in-richmond.html#comment-3646 I believe your petition, although well intentioned, is counter-productive to business growth in Richmond. Frisches, Kohls, Walgreen, Menards and any others who decide to build in Richmond on the ‘Hayes development’ probably would have been just as satisfied to build on another location in that area that could deliver the level of traffic they need to succeed. You surely must understand that the developer was very instrumental in luring those businesses into his development. Should you blame the developer? Those businesses should not be blamed, nor is it right to penalize them for wanting to locate there AFTER the land became available. If you want to blame some one or some body, blame the city officers who allowed the area to be re-zoned for the type of business that will be located there. If the city officers claim their hands were tied due to zoning ordinances, ask those same officers why ordinances are not crafted sufficiently to deny zoning that is detrimental to our community. This situation again points to the lack of competent leadership in Richmond. I hate to bring up the old saw; ”…you always get the government you deserve…” , but it is appropriate here. We need to steer the debate towards how we can get real leadership into this community. Is our form of government the best for our city? Do we have so many “councils” that the decision makers are insulated from accountability? Can we manage to elect a strong mayor with leadership skills? Where can we find and recruit progressive leaders for the community? I believe your petition, although well intentioned, is counter-productive to business growth in Richmond. Frisches, Kohls, Walgreen, Menards and any others who decide to build in Richmond on the ‘Hayes development’ probably would have been just as satisfied to build on another location in that area that could deliver the level of traffic they need to succeed. You surely must understand that the developer was very instrumental in luring those businesses into his development. Should you blame the developer? Those businesses should not be blamed, nor is it right to penalize them for wanting to locate there AFTER the land became available.

If you want to blame some one or some body, blame the city officers who allowed the area to be re-zoned for the type of business that will be located there. If the city officers claim their hands were tied due to zoning ordinances, ask those same officers why ordinances are not crafted sufficiently to deny zoning that is detrimental to our community.

This situation again points to the lack of competent leadership in Richmond. I hate to bring up the old saw; ”…you always get the government you deserve…” , but it is appropriate here. We need to steer the debate towards how we can get real leadership into this community. Is our form of government the best for our city? Do we have so many “councils” that the decision makers are insulated from accountability? Can we manage to elect a strong mayor with leadership skills? Where can we find and recruit progressive leaders for the community?

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