Simpson: The gloves came off, the campaign turned nasty
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It was most offensive to read the deliberate mis-leading statements of Ms. Pace designed to demonize the mayor and council members and to deceive and confuse residents. But some of us have long and accurate memories.
Let me explain:
In the June 10 Independent Ms. Pace stated that the mayor and Mr. Dembow voted for a party house across from Ms. Theresa Mao’s house. Never happened.
As a former vice mayor and council member for 12 years who also served on the Planning Commission, I am keenly aware of the updated planning process and what transpired at that meeting in 2019. I watched it with interest.
The Sanctuary Resort applied for a permit to build a two-story, five plex across from Ms. Mao’s home, with pools and patios. Terrible!
The process now demands that all applications go to council before they go to planning commission for a statement of direction. There the project was red-lined to alert planning about concerns.
The planning review would require public hearings, a citizen review (all properties within 1,500 feet notified).
Hillside building concept review.
Council for final approval.
February 2019 Meeting: Thomasson stated that she could never support this project. However, she respected the process and the applicant so she voted to move the project to the Planning Commission.
Mr. Dembow stated that it would be unfair to deny the applicant the opportunity that every resident in town has to present their case to the Planning Commission. If it can not be modified to be acceptable… it “won’t fly.”
Mark Stanton seemed to echo the sentiment about equal treatment of applicants and respect for process. The mayor voted to move it forward.
The vote was 4 to 3 in favor of moving the application forward. Hearing that the application was moved forward out of courtesy only, the applicant withdrew the request. The process worked.
Ms. Pace says “Stab in the chest not in the back” I say, stop stabbing and try kindness and transparency. We like a kinder Paradise, not warfare. This is our home.
