Genuine dialogue needed to build the community

I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Jeremy Grimm and John Reuter and others who are providing leadership in tackling growth issues. No matter what they propose some party or constituency will feel aggrieved or threatened. My sense of their actions is that they are trying to find a reasonable compromise between opposing interests.

The assertion that stricter regulation of “drive-through” services could be construed as “anti-growth” is probably true for some.

I can imagine that for others, less regulation of it could be seen as “anti-people.” To suggest that it “would not serve a legitimate purpose” is goofy. But labels such as “anti-growth” and “hurt the local economy” are meaningless “throwaway” phrases and contribute nothing to resolving competing points of view.

How do we find a balance between those who would like to see less tyranny of the automobile and those who feel that there is no such thing as too many engines idling. People have legitimate concerns about air quality around their homes and community. To be dismissed as anti-business is unfair at best and insulting at least.

Issues like “drive-through” businesses are important and complex. Thank you to the officials and citizens that are engaged in genuine dialogue trying to come to grips with the process of community building.

CHRIS HECHT

Sagle