The Ruston council approved the Point Ruston Master Plan tonight with a 3-2 vote (Albertson and Stebner voting no). It's been 23 years and 5 months since the last business shut its doors on this waterfront property. It's finally looking like new businesses will fill that vacant space at the bottom of the hill.
The other item of interest in tonight's meeting: Council Member Huson has agreed to carry on as Mayor Pro-tem until October 31, 2008. The council will be sending out a notice about the vacancy (presumably to take applications for the position).
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14 comments:
Great meeting. Wouldn't you say?
I am glad to see the 3 council votes in favor of Point Ruston.
It looks like we may be moving in a
positive direction.
Change is hard,but constant.We need not be so fearful of it.
Thank you Council for voting to support this development.
Looks to be an important development.
What happens now? Is everything resolved? Are there other decisions that need to be made in the future in Ruston?
It is what it is – clear division within the town and the disenfranchised feelings many Rustionians/Rustonites have. Sad when nobody wants the Mayor’s position in a Town that so many say they love? Over the years I have seen the toll this dysfunctional government has taken on the people of this town. Almost every past official has distanced themselves from our Government and lost friends – real or perceived – over their service to their community. We are so quick to judge one anothers political views based on who they are seen talking to – its pathetic – but it is what it is. When neighbors are gracious enough to volunteer their time – they are met with harassment – but it is what it is.
I see it brewing now within our current council and it’s unhealthy for our community. Bradley has seized power and Jane is his puppet while he has turned on his “so called” friends Dan & Wayne in a vicious manner just as he turned on Michael Transue. Jim Hedrick is perceived as a pawn however Jim is politically savvy – and he and Bradley will have their day. Jim is his own man and Bradley doesn’t like people who possess that attribute. Bradley believes Bradley is the smartest person in town and he has the only good answers – have you seen him express his differences without hostility? It is what it is.
Cohen has gotten all the concessions he ever wanted and – just like the Commencement – we will deal with the lack of planning foresight for those that live close to these developments. The planning commission rushed its review and we will pay for it down the road. These are our neighbors – not planners – and 23 months is not along time just ask anyone who has done any work in any other county. The neighbors to the Commencement will be the first to experience our town’s lack of planning expertise when you are battling for a parking place in front of your home. The increase in traffic will be huge and only getting worse - but it is what it is.
I regret the day that I ever experienced Ruston politics – it is extremely unhealthy. I regret that I had ill feelings toward the people that have volunteered their time for the good of our community. I have almost gone as far to say that I regret being a Rustonian/Rustonite but I can honestly say the people in this town, as a whole, are a fantastic group of quality people. We thoroughly enjoy our neighborhood. It’s just too bad we are forced to govern one another – neighbor governing neighbor – it just doesn’t work – but it is what it is.
A great big Thank You to the Council for approving Point Ruston!
Why do they need to bother with applications? Why not just buy a doormat? It would serve the same purpose, wouldn't it?
Yes, last night was a big step towards our future. I'm sure there will be many more challenges along this road. The process we have come through has been thorough and sometimes gut wrenching. "Growing pains" comes to mind. We are all learning new skills & it is a good thing.
I've allowed a comment that is critical of some of our council members. As public officials, they are subject to more scrutiny and more commentary. This pushes the new “civil” envelope, but I’m still trying to sort out where to draw the line on all this. It may take a while to get the line defined. Thanks for your patience!
I'll chime in with my thoughts to answer your questions, Erik.
I think there will continue to be important decisions in our future, especially as we reach "full capacity". We will still face some important development questions. Water views are increasingly important and I expect more control on that and similar issues.
We'll still need to deal with the changes that come with population growth and major changes in our culture. We have great mix of small businesses that should be supported and encouraged, too.
But the biggest issue is still trying to find a way to work together without so much anger and hurtfulness. I still support the idea of working through a strategic plan for the town - it would force us to come together, talk, work through the issues and find consensus on the important issues.
Just my two-cents worth. I hope others will add their ideas on where we go from here.
As a small business I'm looking forward to the next chapter in our communities growth. Listening to the mix our neighbors want and being a part of that process is very exciting. There are so many opportunities ahead of us!
I want to offer a different observation of Hunt and Huson's actions than Anonymous #4. From what I saw, these two council members broke from the pack and followed their conscience, rather than continuing as puppets. Jane in particular paid a high price. She came under immediate pressure from her supposed friends when she indicated she might not do what they want. My observation is that Dan and Wayne (and Everding and others) turned on her first. I am glad Jane and Bradley were willing to do what they felt was right, no matter what the cost on a personal level. Our system is working like it should, with balance from all 5 council members.
I understand the discouragement over Ruston politics. I don’t think it’s a result of neighbors having to govern neighbors. It’s as much a product of our general state of society that puts self interests over community good and our trend to lash out in anger at anything we disagree with. We just see and feel it at a closer level in a small town.
Thanks for the heartfelt comments. It’s not easy, but you are right in saying “the people in this town, as a whole, are a fantastic group of quality people”, even when we disagree.
As another small business in Ruston I welcome the new development coming with Pt. Ruston. We have seen everything that has happened over the last 26+ years and knowing where we were and where we are going is exciting. To watch the development going up will help us to close the door on the closing of ASARCO. Having the new business's (sp?)both retail/office, hotel, restaurants and the market will provide more of a reason for people to visit Ruston and spend their money in our Town. As Beth said, growing pains, and through those pains will evolve a great community, one I am happy to be part of.
Bev
anon #4 Yes, it is what it is. And your posting is like Yogi said, "about 95% half right".
It is NOW what it is: and guts, work, vision and putting the Town first instead of power and bullying can make Ruston *what it ought to be*.....one of the greatest places on Gods green and blue Earth!
Best wishes, Porkchop
Hey Porkchop.Good to hear from you.Can you belive that we are going to see the smelter site finally developed? How quickly things change!Thanks for the vision you brought to the Council.
Proud to be a Rustonite.
USA!USA!USA!
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