Some projects are just not appropriate next to a residential neighborhood, no matter how much money Gilbert thinks it’s going to make. This is one of them.
Isn’t it the local government’s responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens? Should local government introduce a project with known high noise and traffic levels next to the homes of Gilbert residents who seek a retreat from noise and traffic?
Even if you don’t live in the affected neighborhood, do you care about your neighbor’s quality of life? Or just your own? As Mike Webb puts it, are you a PIITBY? (Put it in Their Back Yard)
What about the cost of this public/private partnership? If things don’t go quite right, who gets left holding the debt? BMX or Gilbert citizens?
The Town of Gilbert will be holding a second BMX Open House on Tuesday, April 8 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, at 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert. It seems that, after the first open house, some residents started asking some "vetting questions" that hadn’t been asked by the Town of Gilbert or the Town Council. Were they too mezmerized by the dog and pony show put on by BMX?
Mike Webb asked some of those very important vetting questions ignored by others. See Is Gilbert Really Serious about BMX?
Here’s the news article regarding the open house: Second BMX Open House Scheduled for April 8.
See Also:
How Long will BMX Be an Olympic Event?
Town Council Votes Against Business Owner; Bows to Unproven Worries of Neighbors. NOTE: These are the Minutes of a Town Council meeting from October 20, 2011. Look at #20. This was a public hearing. Notice how much money the business owner paid and was willing to pay to reduce and eliminate noise levels. He hired an attorney, and he hired a sound engineer. He was willing to spend an additional $150,000 to address concerns of neighbors. Notice how many hoops the business owner jumped through in order to please the neighbors and Town Council. Notice how the business owner met with the neighbors prior to this meeting to address and resolve every one of their concerns. And yet, Mayor John Lewis, and Council Members Jenn Daniels and Eddie Cook voted against the business owner and in favor of neighbors. Kind of interesting that the shoe is on the other foot now, and some Council members disregard legitimate concerns of neighbors when it comes to BMX. Not only that, but some Council members did not bother to demand from the Town the same level of proof that was placed on the business owner who wanted to build a car wash. Not until Mike Webb brought it to their attention.