Mayor Roberts' Vision

Just as I thought, still nothing about the recreation center. Back off I did, and you see what happened, Nothing. Am I the only person that sees the importance of giving our children an opportunity to stay off the street and build a future? Are we so busy building a community for the rich kids that the real kids have to suffer. You know, they have needs, too. We as a community suffer when we ignore the needs of the less fortunate children. They are the ones most at risk for crime, drugs and teen pregnancy. Hum, where did that come from? Oh, I don't know maybe, CRIME STOPPERS. Oh yes, check out Impact statistics about teen pregnancy.

Constituent,
Welcome back. Your dialogue has succeeded in attracting attention. During some public meetings, your comments were discussed.
If you want action, which I believe you do, try to attend Imagine Anderson Community meeting at the Civic Center in Anderson. The meeting will be held this evening 6 until 8 p.m.
I hope that the City/County Joint Committee will take over the project and implement the plan, which should include your concerns.

I wish I could be there, however my kids have two basketball games, one at 6pm and one at 8pm. Please let me know what happens, as I am very interested and willing to volunteer whatever time necessary to help this change come into existence.

John F. Kennedy: If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

Shih,
Amen.

With the hotel and uptown lounge sites possibly available, it might be an incredible site for the parking garage we have needed for the downtown area. Parking is very limited downtown, even with the municipal parking lot across from the police station. A parking garage is vital for economic growth. Is there anything concrete planned yet, Art?

Julia Barnes,
Based on my understanding, the parking deck is still in the planning and debating stage, nothing is concrete.
I also, believe that the location of the Thunderbird hotel and Uptown Restaurant could make ideal locations for parking lots, especially since Thunderbird is next to the Calhoun Condominium development. This area is truly short on parking.

Art,
The developers should have thought about that before they proposed and completed the Calhoun project. What is worse the City should have stopped it and let the developers pay for parking or take the project elsewhere. Now we the taxpayers have to pay. Where is the sense in that? The donwtown area has great buildings and no parking, it's about time the developers of all these projects began to foot the bill.

Constituent,
I share your concerns. Parking in Downtown Anderson is becoming a bigger issue according to some business people in the area. A more aggressive approach for a joint venture between City and private developers should take place before it is too late.

Art,
The developers should have thought about that before they proposed and completed the Calhoun project. What is worse the City should have stopped it and let the developers pay for parking or take the project elsewhere. Now we the taxpayers have to pay. Where is the sense in that? The donwtown area has great buildings and no parking, it's about time the developers of all these projects began to foot the bill.

- Constituent

Yes, then we could have left the two buildings empty for another 5-10-15
years.

It would have been fabulous.

How about we get the county to build a parking deck, since they occupy the most space downtown, and have the most people working/ doing business downtown?

Were you aware that when they built the new courthouse (hall of justice) they could have stuck an underground parking deck beneath it
to house all the county parking plus some? Unfortunately, the county was too cheap and the city didn't go in on it.

Too bad. Now we are stuck with parking lots that remain empty (Benson St) and ones that fill up (behind friends and fashion shack) with county business.

There is plenty of parking... you just have to do a little walking.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the mayor had problems of his own.

You see, he is well aware of the issues you are talking about. However, there isn't much he can do, when all the other members of city council still want the city to spend millions of dollars on a municipal business or muni-bus center (not to be confused with mini-bus, which is how city councilmen get to the meetings).

The fact is that the city council WANTS to spend that money on the muni-bus center, meanwhile our beloved mayor thinks there are better investments we can make for our future, especially where kids are concerned. Did you see his campaign at all?!?!? He hasn't given up on
anything with which he was concerned, it just takes some time to make it happen.

So, it isn't the mayor that's the problem, rather the leftovers of Richard's administration who demand an edifice be built in his name.
But don't underestimate the power of public shaming. Call your councilpeople, and harass them on why they want a muni-bus center, when they could be improving the lives of their constituents.

If I understand correctly, the Mayor of Anderson is basically an at-large city councilman with a ceremonial title. He is the "first among equals", but has no more power than any other councilman.

And you are absolutely right that there is plenty of parking in downtown Anderson if you don't mind walking. There are huge parking lots at S. Manning and E. River St. that are usually used by the Churches on Sunday. There is also the old McCants parking lot (that has grass growing in it) across from the old McCants at E. Whitner St. and S. Fant St. Sure, it's a bit of a hike, but there is (free) parking available.

Let’s see. So far this forum has talked about a baseball stadium, Belk site redevelopment, downtown parking deck, downtown building code enforcement, the mini-City Hall, a downtown parking garage, and a muni-bus center.

All of the above versus one call for aid to less fortunate children.

I find it difficult to believe that ratio of expensive materiality to improving the lives of Anderson’s children represents Mayor Robert’s Vision.

“…and so it goes.” KV

Pappy, I'm afraid that one of us is misunderstanding the other.
My contention is that Mayor Roberts' vision IS to help the people of this city, but he is bogged down trying to convince the rest of city council that expensive edifices don't *really* help the constituents of the City.
It's an uphill battle. I suspect that most City Councilmen don't feel much like helping constituents (I can think of some exceptions: Steve Kirven). Most of them seem to want to be the good-ol-boys they were when Richard Shirley was head of the city Council.

Wayward is correct, Mayor is an at-large council seat with a few extra responsibilities. There is only so much one man can do to build consensus.
Which is why I suggest public shaming of the City Council.

Pappy, I'm afraid that one of us is misunderstanding the other.
My contention is that Mayor Roberts' vision IS to help the people of this city, but he is bogged down trying to convince the rest of city council that expensive edifices don't *really* help the constituents of the City.
It's an uphill battle. I suspect that most City Councilmen don't feel much like helping constituents (I can think of some exceptions: Steve Kirven). Most of them seem to want to be the good-ol-boys they were when Richard Shirley was head of the city Council.

Wayward is correct, Mayor is an at-large council seat with a few extra responsibilities. There is only so much one man can do to build consensus.
Which is why I suggest public shaming of the City Council.

- Jack Ruby

Jack--

I understand your point and totally agree. All I was trying to say was the same as you, I believe, that too much has been leftover from my friend's administration.
That was to spend money on physical projects around main street to glorify his tenure while forgetting about his many constituents in dire need.
As for shaming the Council, I have been trying that for years re dual rates.
They have no shame.

As for Mayor Roberts, I believe him to be an honorable man stifled by a majority of the other councilmen.
My hope is that he will publicly speak out about this wrong allocation of effort and money.

"...and so it goes." KV

Pappy, I'm afraid that one of us is misunderstanding the other.
My contention is that Mayor Roberts' vision IS to help the people of this city, but he is bogged down trying to convince the rest of city council that expensive edifices don't *really* help the constituents of the City.
It's an uphill battle. I suspect that most City Councilmen don't feel much like helping constituents (I can think of some exceptions: Steve Kirven). Most of them seem to want to be the good-ol-boys they were when Richard Shirley was head of the city Council.

Wayward is correct, Mayor is an at-large council seat with a few extra responsibilities. There is only so much one man can do to build consensus.
Which is why I suggest public shaming of the City Council.

- Jack Ruby

Jack--

I understand your point and totally agree. All I was trying to say was the same as you, I believe, that too much has been leftover from my friend's administration.
That was to spend money on physical projects around main street to glorify his tenure while forgetting about his many constituents in dire need.
As for shaming the Council, I have been trying that for years re dual rates.
They have no shame.

As for Mayor Roberts, I believe him to be an honorable man stifled by a majority of the other councilmen.
My hope is that he will publicly speak out about this wrong allocation of effort and money.

"...and so it goes." KV

- PAPPY

Then let's kick those other *censored*ers out!

Pappy, I'm afraid that one of us is misunderstanding the other.
My contention is that Mayor Roberts' vision IS to help the people of this city, but he is bogged down trying to convince the rest of city council that expensive edifices don't *really* help the constituents of the City.
It's an uphill battle. I suspect that most City Councilmen don't feel much like helping constituents (I can think of some exceptions: Steve Kirven). Most of them seem to want to be the good-ol-boys they were when Richard Shirley was head of the city Council.

Wayward is correct, Mayor is an at-large council seat with a few extra responsibilities. There is only so much one man can do to build consensus.
Which is why I suggest public shaming of the City Council.

- Jack Ruby

Jack--

I understand your point and totally agree. All I was trying to say was the same as you, I believe, that too much has been leftover from my friend's administration.
That was to spend money on physical projects around main street to glorify his tenure while forgetting about his many constituents in dire need.
As for shaming the Council, I have been trying that for years re dual rates.
They have no shame.

As for Mayor Roberts, I believe him to be an honorable man stifled by a majority of the other councilmen.
My hope is that he will publicly speak out about this wrong allocation of effort and money.

"...and so it goes." KV

- PAPPY

Then let's kick those other *censored*ers out!

- Jack Ruby

I've got my boots on !!

"...and so it goes." KV

Pappy, I'm afraid that one of us is misunderstanding the other.
My contention is that Mayor Roberts' vision IS to help the people of this city, but he is bogged down trying to convince the rest of city council that expensive edifices don't *really* help the constituents of the City.
It's an uphill battle. I suspect that most City Councilmen don't feel much like helping constituents (I can think of some exceptions: Steve Kirven). Most of them seem to want to be the good-ol-boys they were when Richard Shirley was head of the city Council.

Wayward is correct, Mayor is an at-large council seat with a few extra responsibilities. There is only so much one man can do to build consensus.
Which is why I suggest public shaming of the City Council.

- Jack Ruby

Jack--

I understand your point and totally agree. All I was trying to say was the same as you, I believe, that too much has been leftover from my friend's administration.
That was to spend money on physical projects around main street to glorify his tenure while forgetting about his many constituents in dire need.
As for shaming the Council, I have been trying that for years re dual rates.
They have no shame.

As for Mayor Roberts, I believe him to be an honorable man stifled by a majority of the other councilmen.
My hope is that he will publicly speak out about this wrong allocation of effort and money.

"...and so it goes." KV

- PAPPY

Then let's kick those other *censored*ers out!

- Jack Ruby

I've got my boots on !!

"...and so it goes." KV

- PAPPY

Good, then YOU can be my campaign manager

Pappy, I must reply to your comments about Mayor Shirley's time in office. You and many others like to blast away about the many positive things which were accomplished. Did you ever attend a city council meeting in the old chambers? I bet not. Did you realize that anyone with physical disabilities was unable to get up the stairs? Have you spoken with any police officers, city judges, staff personnel,etc: about their working conditions? You claim to want progress for Anderson- new industries, but you think they will want to locate here unless we make it more attractive? Rather than just attack Richard because you don't like him, give credit to the council, city manager,etc

Pappy, I'm afraid that one of us is misunderstanding the other.
My contention is that Mayor Roberts' vision IS to help the people of this city, but he is bogged down trying to convince the rest of city council that expensive edifices don't *really* help the constituents of the City.
It's an uphill battle. I suspect that most City Councilmen don't feel much like helping constituents (I can think of some exceptions: Steve Kirven). Most of them seem to want to be the good-ol-boys they were when Richard Shirley was head of the city Council.

Wayward is correct, Mayor is an at-large council seat with a few extra responsibilities. There is only so much one man can do to build consensus.
Which is why I suggest public shaming of the City Council.

- Jack Ruby

Jack--

I understand your point and totally agree. All I was trying to say was the same as you, I believe, that too much has been leftover from my friend's administration.
That was to spend money on physical projects around main street to glorify his tenure while forgetting about his many constituents in dire need.
As for shaming the Council, I have been trying that for years re dual rates.
They have no shame.

As for Mayor Roberts, I believe him to be an honorable man stifled by a majority of the other councilmen.
My hope is that he will publicly speak out about this wrong allocation of effort and money.

"...and so it goes." KV

- PAPPY

Then let's kick those other *censored*ers out!

- Jack Ruby

I've got my boots on !!

"...and so it goes." KV

- PAPPY

Good, then YOU can be my campaign manager

- Jack Ruby

Hey Jack--

I think you would make a great councilman. That group needs an infusion, no, a total replacement of the old fogies by young men willing to get off the beaten path and consider the human factor over monuments to themselves.

I'd love to manage your campaign but have no experience, am not a City resident and am an old fogie, but just in body not in mind.


"...and so it goes." KV