A Small-Town Affair
What do you do if this mixed-use project you want to build on the waterfront — shops, condos, restaurant — is unpopular with some people?
“I was surprised it took Geneva as long as it did to get the city council to grant her Tidewaters permit.” [said friend Jack to Tess, in Book Two.]
“There’s been a history of opposition to any development along the waterfront.” Tess shrugged. “It’s a handy location to spotlight. An easy focal point for the anti-growth crowd to use to drum up support for their cause.”
“I can see why they’re concerned. It’s a pretty spot.”
“I may never be able to convince the people who prefer a patch of grass to a stretch of pavement that a new building can be a good thing … But I happen to think my design is an improvement on that vacant, weed-filled lot.”
So you stay strong, even when that nasty Howard Cobb — a Carnelian Cove city councilman who’s also a real estate developer and has a rival project planned for elsewhere in town — comes around making threats about flawed environmental impact reports and such.
“Studies bought and paid for,” Howard said as he stabbed a beefy finger at the table. “By you.”
It also helps if your grandmother, the wealthy and intimidating Geneva Chandler, has had a private word with another, undecided councilman whose vote could make or break your project. She pulls out that favors list, the wavering councilman crumbles, and voila. Project approved.
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Label GMOs Signature Gathering Training
meetings / 4 p.m. Sun Yi's Academy of Tae Kwon Do, 1215 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata. Help gather valid signatures to get the 'California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act' on the 2012 ballot. E-mail northernhumboldtlabelgmos@hotmail.com. 223-0424.
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Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
Audubon Society Field Trip
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THREE Comments
Comment / By Susan Fox / Nov. 12, 2009, 7:11 p.m.
This rated a cover article? You’ve got to be kidding.
Comment / By Thirdeye / Nov. 14, 2009, 5:34 p.m.
Fluffy topic. Fluffy article. Fluffy reporter.
Comment / By Jeff Musgrave / Nov. 16, 2009, 12:58 p.m.
Not so fluffy…
You can smell the stench of Terry’s greenscare propaganda, it burns the eyes stronger than pepperspray. It’s not surprising that she promotes big development and attacks activists in her novel(her husband works for Eureka Ready Mix).
Kind of reminds me of Caltrans Richardson Grove Improvement Project(RIP) manager Kim Floyd’s husband Bryan Plumley. I’m sure Kim’s pursuit of the RIP has nothing to do with big development(and Plumley’s ties to Goldman Sachs).
I always thought that romance novels were trashy. Thanks for reaffirming my convictions.
Great article Heidi!