BY: JON GLOVER CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS
No one knew what the outcome would be. No one knew if the voice of the residents of Cooper Road would be heard. Nevertheless, all knew the Ordinance for rezoning was up for vote.
No one knew if the MPC Board’s decision to support rezoning of the area in question would gain support. No one knew if the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s decision not to support the rezoning would gain support. No one knew if the voice of the people, no to the rezoning would yield their desire; no one knew.
However, what all knew was that Councilman Willie Bradford supported the development, thus supporting rezoning that would allow such. Even when Councilman Bradford asked his colleagues yesterday to join with him with their support, no one knew if the disposition would be other than what the voice of the people wanted.
The Council said “no” to Ordinance 21 Zoning Case No. 19-470-C. No, you do not have our blessing in doing to this community what they community does not want. No you will not change the zone from its present rating R-1-7, Single-Family Residential district to R-2, Multi-Family Residential district. No, you cannot and we will not support Councilman Bradford’s effort.
The Council said “no” to Ordinance 21 Zoning Case No. 19-470-C. No, you do not have our blessing in doing to this community what they community does not want. No you will not change the zone from its present rating R-1-7, Single-Family Residential district to R-2, Multi-Family Residential district. No, you cannot and we will not support Councilman Bradford’s effort.
In a vote 5-2 (Flurry and Bradford-yes; Boucher, Fuller, Green, and Green – no) the measure failed.
The people of the Cooper Road had won. The people of the Cooper Road had defeated Goliath. The people, every person who stood with the people of the Cooper Road won.
Today, was the beginning of a new day for the residents of the Cooper Road, the members of the Council heard a cry. The Councilmembers said, with their vote, we hear you.
Today was a day and a victory for every citizen in our City. Today the citizenry of our City can now say we are now equipped to fight our battles. Today was a victory for all of us.
Seeing people, regardless of socioeconomic status, or even where they lived, come together for a common purpose, to save a community, made it all worth the wait.
The MPC Board said yes but the Council said no. The Metropolitan Planning Commission said no and the Council said no. The people of the Cooper Road said no and the Council said no. United we stand is still ever true, that was seen today.
There is no time for division and divisiveness. We all have to stop and give thought to what our common purpose is, to be our brother’s keeper, today we were and tomorrow we will continue to be.
In addition, the people said no, the Council said no, and it was a done deal. Is not it good to see how government works for the people when it is really about the people. A victory, a sweet victory won today.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE March 13 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB-THE INQUISITOR.