Doesn't Anybody Else Care?
Editorial: Monday night the Planning Commission met and I asked to be recognized during the discussion of Denison's proposal to "improve" the lighting of Burke Hall. I had to spar with Mike Crites' daughter, who was sitting in for him as Village Law Director, to gain "standing" before the Commission.
I argued, without success, that I should be permitted to speak since I, as described in Village code in Section 1141.05: "Any other person who claims that a direct, present injury or prejudice to a personal or property right will occur if the application is approved or denied," was a citizen and could potentially be harmed by Denison's proposal.
No where in the law does it say that I must do anything other than "claim" an injury. Nevertheless, Ms. Crites attempted to adjudicate my claim. She denied my right to speak before the Planning Commission about Denison's application.
I argued that Granville's law gave me and any other Granville resident the right to claim an injury and to speak. She said I was attempting to represent a "community" interest and I said my interest was personal.
Also, I didn't, and don't, think she had any basis under our law to decide whether my "claim" was valid. I think the law just requires that I make the claim.
I lost that argument. Tim Ryan, the Planning Commission chair, agreed with Ms. Crites.
But, as it so happens, I own a house on Mulberry. So, I claimed "standing" as a neighbor. Ms Crites asked how far away my house is from Burke Hall. I said two blocks. After some thought, she ruled that I had standing.
What if my house had been three blocks away? Four blocks?
Who would decide where that slippery slope ends? Ms. Crites? Would she ask her father?
I think our law is clear and was written to permit any Granville resident to claim a possible "harm" and enter into any discussion before our government.
I plan to ask the Village Council to review our law to make sure it permits any citizen of the village to participate in the government activities of our Village.
After all, we are within the United States where there is a historical precedent of citizen participation and, furthermore, we are only a village of 2000 or 3000 citizens and we should be able to all participate in the decisions that affect all of us.
I care that the citizens of Granville have the opportunity to participate in their govenrment and in the decisions that will affect all of us.
Doesn't anybody else care?
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The planning commission
The planning commission needs to take a moment to remember that they work to better our town, and that that goal must come with not only a willingness to listen to comments from residents, but also with a respect for public opinion.
My guess is Ms. Crites attempted to deny Jack Thornborough his right to speak knowing about his reputation for stirring things up. Perhaps things wouldn't need to be "stirred up" if the planning commission listened more to the community.
Way to go, Jack. There may have been sarcastic undertones in brent's comment, but I really do consider Jack Thornborough a town hero.
Care?
No one else cares. Jack is everyone's hero.
Go for it Jack
Go Jack. Let's take back our village!
Sometimes you may not feel it, but the great majority of village residents are behind you and support you.
The village council should take action and get this mess under control!
I'm Pissed!
No! Are We Going to Let Them Do This?
What's wrong with you? I mean the Planning Commission, the Planner, the Village Manager, and the Village Council?
Why don't you just give Denison the keys to the village and let them make us over in their own image?
Who is working for us? Who is defending our village and our laws?
Doesn't seem to be our government.
I'm pissed!
Here we go again
What's with Denison? Do they really think they can do anything they want? Where is our village council? They should slap down the planning commission and tell Denison to follow the law. I think we need a completely new planning commission and they should have strict instructions to enforce our law. Otherwise, let's all move somewhere else and let Granville become Westerville!
I care
I care and I'm really concerned that our village government doesn't actually represent us.
Shouldn't the Planning Commision be on our side? Shouldn't they be our gatekeepers?
Why must Jack Thornborough be the one to remind them that they should insist that applications be properly advertised and why must he fight for the right to speak?
Shouldn't we all have the right to speak?
Who is "Ms. Crites?" I thought we paid Michael Crites fancy money to be our Law Director - never mind that he seems to have lost everytime the Village has gone to court.
Who hired him?