My First City Meeting
Last night I went to the Planning Commission meeting which, coincidentally, was the first city meeting that I have ever attended. The major item on the agenda was to approve a Conditional Use Permit (CUP no pun intended) for New Orleans Cajun Restaurant to sell beer and wine. Arriving at City Hall, I had no expectations and I just wanted to witness the goings-on of our city’s democratic process. It really made me realize a few things, one of which is that I didn’t’ remember the whole Pledge of Allegiance. I left City Hall with a mixture of feelings reminiscent to those of when I first watched Britney Spears’ “Oops I Did it Again” video. I felt a little confused, excited, ashamed, entertained, depressed, and I couldn’t wait for others’ to witness the ridiculousness.
The council inevitably voted 3 to 2 to deny New Orleans Cajun their beer and wine permit. I mean, why not deny a family owned restaurant, who has been in Hermosa for 11 years (when the average life is 4) and has won the praise of food critics and the business of Hermosa locals, the right to compete with other restaurants that offer beer and wine? About a dozen people from the community spoke in favor of the permit and no one spoke opposed, but the council had made up their mind before the meeting even took place.
Remember what it was like when you had to ask your parents for something and they said no simply because they didn’t understand and had no intention of even trying? Well that’s exactly what this was like. One councilman said, “Well, you can’t look at it like Joe and Lois’ business that provides great service and food. You have to look at it as another beer and wine permit in our downtown area”. Really? Then it would be as just to say, “You can’t look at the drunken behavior stemming from the bars. You have to just take into consideration this particular request”. Their major concern was adding more of the same “problems” to the downtown area. Problems such as 8th Street drunk bumper cars, the Blue 32 drug mules and pier stabbings. Local business owners and Cajun food beware. Hermosa has had enough.
Back to the analogy of our parents. They never understood the root of the problems, so it was virtually impossible for them to provide actual solutions. This commission was no different. If drinking really is the root of the problem, then the Planning Commission should be held responsible. If violence at the pier is a problem, then the local law enforcement should be held responsible. If public voice (or lack thereof) is a problem, then we all should be held responsible. Which leads me to another question: Who declares what constitutes a problem?
One thing that seemed shady was the councilmen kept reiterating that New Orleans Cajun can appeal the request to the City Council and they can be asked to reconsider. Is this the process? Does the city keep bouncing requests they deem as risky (or risqué) back and forth because they do not want to be the ones accountable for actually making a decision? Do they stop to consider what their government action (or inaction) has on the community? Are these people just elected so they can feel special being addressed as ‘councilman’ or do they have Hermosa’s best interest in mind? Will the Planning Commission also take responsibility if the Cajun restaurant is unable to stay in business?
OK, yes I understand that it’s really easy to criticize from the sideline or be a Monday morning quarterback. There is no possible way for me to understand or empathize with our city officials because, frankly, I have no idea what it entails. Maybe it’s hard to be held accountable for making tough decisions or have to play the political game or research controversial issues or have a mind of your own, but the councilmen wanted this job and thus have a responsibility to the citizens, the local businesses and the city.
The democratic tomfoolery continues tonight with the Public Works Commission meeting. Hearsay is that a consultant has recommended that Pier Avenue have three lanes in one direction and one lane in the other. Sounds like someone got bored, bought some drugs at Blue 32, drove home drunk and drew up some radical plans for our town. The it’s-so-crazy-it-just-might-work methodology really only applies if you’re in a dire situation and also starring in an 80’s movie featuring a four minute montage set to inspirational music, not for city planning. I’ll be at the meeting tonight to determine if the douche baggery will continue, or if it was an isolated instance of bagginess.
The council inevitably voted 3 to 2 to deny New Orleans Cajun their beer and wine permit. I mean, why not deny a family owned restaurant, who has been in Hermosa for 11 years (when the average life is 4) and has won the praise of food critics and the business of Hermosa locals, the right to compete with other restaurants that offer beer and wine? About a dozen people from the community spoke in favor of the permit and no one spoke opposed, but the council had made up their mind before the meeting even took place.
Remember what it was like when you had to ask your parents for something and they said no simply because they didn’t understand and had no intention of even trying? Well that’s exactly what this was like. One councilman said, “Well, you can’t look at it like Joe and Lois’ business that provides great service and food. You have to look at it as another beer and wine permit in our downtown area”. Really? Then it would be as just to say, “You can’t look at the drunken behavior stemming from the bars. You have to just take into consideration this particular request”. Their major concern was adding more of the same “problems” to the downtown area. Problems such as 8th Street drunk bumper cars, the Blue 32 drug mules and pier stabbings. Local business owners and Cajun food beware. Hermosa has had enough.
Back to the analogy of our parents. They never understood the root of the problems, so it was virtually impossible for them to provide actual solutions. This commission was no different. If drinking really is the root of the problem, then the Planning Commission should be held responsible. If violence at the pier is a problem, then the local law enforcement should be held responsible. If public voice (or lack thereof) is a problem, then we all should be held responsible. Which leads me to another question: Who declares what constitutes a problem?
One thing that seemed shady was the councilmen kept reiterating that New Orleans Cajun can appeal the request to the City Council and they can be asked to reconsider. Is this the process? Does the city keep bouncing requests they deem as risky (or risqué) back and forth because they do not want to be the ones accountable for actually making a decision? Do they stop to consider what their government action (or inaction) has on the community? Are these people just elected so they can feel special being addressed as ‘councilman’ or do they have Hermosa’s best interest in mind? Will the Planning Commission also take responsibility if the Cajun restaurant is unable to stay in business?
OK, yes I understand that it’s really easy to criticize from the sideline or be a Monday morning quarterback. There is no possible way for me to understand or empathize with our city officials because, frankly, I have no idea what it entails. Maybe it’s hard to be held accountable for making tough decisions or have to play the political game or research controversial issues or have a mind of your own, but the councilmen wanted this job and thus have a responsibility to the citizens, the local businesses and the city.
The democratic tomfoolery continues tonight with the Public Works Commission meeting. Hearsay is that a consultant has recommended that Pier Avenue have three lanes in one direction and one lane in the other. Sounds like someone got bored, bought some drugs at Blue 32, drove home drunk and drew up some radical plans for our town. The it’s-so-crazy-it-just-might-work methodology really only applies if you’re in a dire situation and also starring in an 80’s movie featuring a four minute montage set to inspirational music, not for city planning. I’ll be at the meeting tonight to determine if the douche baggery will continue, or if it was an isolated instance of bagginess.
