But you’re right Brucie, the OSCC has taught me to be like a dog with a bone, and I just can’t let it go. I just wanted to bring up that the petition is kind of bogus, and to try and use it as leverage, as if there was some sort of majority buried in the data did not prove to be true. Besides, I even saw Karl Marx’s name (ok, maybe it’s the guy’s real name?). Trying to use this kind of thing to influence policy, especially policy that affects the authority of our boards (remember Bruce, you and I serve on a board too, so we have to watch our brothers’ backs), should be fought to the end. Besides, I don’t see how the opinion of some tourist from CA or Iceland should carry any weight in local policy.

Mike, 12,700 bad reasons will never replace one good for me, but let’s talk about what we do agree on: As much as it rubs me wrong, I believe the Hotel is a beautiful asset to our downtown, and should be left alone, given a certificate to operate, and just let them start getting ready for the next season. The horse is out of the barn, the train has left the station. Just sign the paper and move on.

But like I said, I’ve learned to be a dog with a bone and I just won’t let it go completely. We have to be very, very clear that this is not a precedent, and this thing will never happen like this again. That we have faith in our HRB, and we will support their decisions (so when Wayne Creed decides to paint that mural on the side of his house depicting scenes from the 1970s classic Debbie Does Dallas, the HRB will have the authority to shut him down).

One thing we’ve learned in the OSCC fight is that the Historic Tax Credit terrain is very treacherous, and it would behoove us to do as much as we can to empower, not emasculate our HRB. Ultimately our businesses, tax base, and property values will depend on it.

I’m done! No more! Make me stop!

My point being that without that guy from Iceland — and everyone else who comes to this town and spends money here — there is no fight to which to bring a dog. It’s that insular view of the world that is restricting our growth and contributing to the un-business friendly approach many have in this town. The if-you-ain’t-from-here-you-don’t-matter belief. I’m tired of it. Everyone has a say. Everyone.

Hotel “A” operates, and sheds $20,000.00 a year in taxes.

Hotel “B” is refused an operating license and lays fallow, driving the owners into bankruptcy and they leave. You stood on principles, and now CC gets $0.00 in taxes from that business.

Which is more beneficial to the school system?

However, it must be said, that this petition appears to have many of the same traits as the original application that was turned into the Historic Review Board. Just sayin’.

The “it” being that these 200+ people are looking at the bigger picture here and not just precedents. What good is a precedent if it is discordant with what the majority of the people say is the right thing to do? I don’t know if 200+ is the majority or not, but I’ll assume it’s the majority until proven otherwise.

Also, while I am as concerned about the Town’s handling of the old school as you are, that is an entirely separate issue that has nothing to do with how the HRB adjudicated on this property.

A lot of folks have come to the defense of the developer in this case because we understand that guidelines are just that. There is leeway built in to them on purpose for these specific reasons. I’ve read the guidelines. As Mr. Campbell previously noted, they are not law. They are guidelines. But, they should be considered as part of the whole, not exclusively, when applied to situations such as this.

No one here is saying that the developer did not err. He admitted as much. But, it’s now time for the town to determine a win-win solution so the developer can re-open this coming spring and we can collectively move on.

Signed,

A “Rogue Home Owner”