Blog: Being on the Receiving end of 'a Direct Affront'

Listening to Commissioner Frazier using that colorful phrase to express her indignation over the BOC’s new policy on travel reimbursements, got me reflecting on the countless number of times that I’ve taken affront at the way she and Rothschild had insulted my intelligence and sense of right or wrong, by their conspicuous attempts to further their personal agendas; and most intently, the pecuniary interests of residential developers, who they’re beholden to for bankrolling their campaigns.

That their patrons were perhaps getting antsy over their hired guns dragging their feet in getting concessions and policies adopted by the board that would facilitate the rezoning of available land for residential development, became apparent last week at a public meeting, when out of a clear, blue sky, Frazier-in an obvious effort to get back on their good side-made a proposal to do away with the impact fee developers are on the hook for, and justifying it by flashing a chart depicting the sharp decline in residential developments in recent years, with no mention made, however of it being due in large part to the nation’s overall faltering economy. 

Though it wasn’t acted upon, and was to be tabled until later on, I took it as an opening salvo, in what is right around the corner by way of similar proposals designed to significantly improve developer’s profit margin in their ledgers. 

To think otherwise, one would have to believe there’ll be a huge drop in the unemployment numbers before the presidential election, and that Romney will choose a pro-choice on abortion person as his running mate. But then again, it’s not outside the realm of possibility, since he was once on that side of the issue as a governor.

So, we’d do well as that old nautical saying goes, to ”batten down the hatches,” in preparation  for the portentous times ahead, and thereby avoid returning to the not too distant past, when developers had unbridled development rights, with the full blessings and consent of the then commissioners. The most notable of which were Donald Dell, who was serving his third term, and Robin Frazier, in her first term. 

And as I distinctly recall, she was more supportive of opening the floodgates for residential development than Dell, as was clearly revealed by her strongly advocating removing the cap on building permits; and then-incredulous as it sounds-going so far as to recommend abolishing all zoning laws.

How true, as Forrest Gump said: “Stupid is as stupid does.”

Oh well, so it goes when the majority of voters in the county automatically (without a second thought) reject every candidate for public office with a “D” in front of their name on the ballot, stopping only short of willingly sacrificing their birth rights before they’d do so. 

Incidentally, I don’t know if those of you who watched that public meeting the other day, where she got her comeuppance for always using her private vehicle, rather than the readily available county pool cars for both within and out of county trips, happen to notice her facial expression when her talons were removed by a vote of 3-1.

I could only liken it to eyes as flat and vicious as the eyes of a mean dog crouched over a bone, which even had my dog, who was watching that climatic moment with me, trembling in fear.

PS: She can take comfort in knowing that her talons will quickly grow back, sharper and longer than ever.