What is the normal course of progress? What does progress mean to you?

Ever since Peter's testimony last week, I have been thinking about the normal course of progress, and what it means in the context of the proposed Isthmus Building Height Rezone.

I am sorry, and with all due respect, I do not consider spending $50,000 in public money, on a study for a private luxury condominium development project (a development that has very dubious public interest merit) to be in the normal course of progress.

Okay - so the City spends $50,000 on a project that will of be of potential direct benefit to those who need it least. Meanwhile; regular, ordinary, average, normal Americans are losing their jobs and their home mortgages.

I don't consider spending $50,000 of public money on a private luxury condominium development to be good public policy. I don't consider the rezone proposal, the proposed Larida Passage, or the City's facilitation of the rezone to be anything like what I would consider to be the normal course of progress.

Also check out a poem I just weblogged: Empty Store Fronts.

- Whitlock

p.s. So then what is the normal course of progress, what would it look like? I am going to be thinking about that, and I'll get back to it. In the meantime, please discuss.

YOU are invited to join others in a Community Dialogue.

Wednesday, Sept. 3rd, 7:30 - 9 pm
Traditions Fair Trade & Cafe'
5th & Water St.

Protesting war equipment at our port? Tall condos for rich people? Olympia as a nuclear-free zone? Improving downtown - but how? Traffic conditions(bikes & cars)

Our community needs to discuss a number of controversial issues, and every person has values, experiences and perspectives worth sharing. Solving our community concerns needs everyone's voice - including YOURS!

We are starting to create community dialogue opportunities. Help provide a format in which we speak to be heard, and learn to listen as others do the same.

Refreshments provided.