Council needs to get monkey off back

Geez, what's the world coming to?
Citizens picketing city hall? Oh me, oh my.
The observer has a couple of observations and one suggestion.
Monroe Transfer wants to settle on a patch of industrial land in the midst of a neighborhood.
Neighborhood residents don't want it.
A few residents apparently do want it.
Some city council members seem like they want it.
Some people fear that Monroe Transfer will sue if they aren't allowed to come into town.
Some people fear that citizens will sue the city if Monroe Transfer comes into town.
Some people think this is an issue that goes beyond economic development and really is a subtle anti-black, anti-poor, anti-east end issue.
The truth is this whole issue came up because it's a throwback to the way the city used to be and not what it should be. No right thinking community puts an industry in the middle of a residential area anymore.
My guess is that deep down inside, almost every council member doesn't really want this thing in the middle of town, regardless of how many or what kind of jobs are promised. It just doesn't make sense.
I don't envy the city council.
But here's an idea. Hold a referendum on the Monroe Transfer issue.
If the majority says it's a good idea, go for it. If not, fight it.
Whatever the outcome, the monkey is off council's back, no one can accuse them of ignoring the prevailing sentiment. No one will accuse them of not listening to the public. It would be, basically, the truest form of democracy.
Anything short of that means a more divided community and the sense that council isn't listening or doesn't care what their constituents think.
It might save some city council members their seats and some face and make their jobs a bit easier.
Then, if the community supports the concept, the city has to make sure it controls the development of the site to make it as least intrusive as possible.

Now, on another matter: I deeply apologize for railing against graffiti in a way that spawned some relatively uncivil exchanges. I really believe in the free exchange of ideas -- even in an in your face and brutal or insensitive fashion. What bothers me is that in an effort to create a dialogue about graffiti, the result was some pretty acrimonious exchanges. I would like to think that anyone who posts on any blogs about the city does so in hopes of making it a better place. But it seems that there's a whole lot of deep-seated pent-up hatred that's poisoning this community. If we could aim some of that anger toward graffiti vandals and others who are degrading the community in a real way, it might actually make a difference.