The Buzz column, June 22

Councilman Lance MacLean is finally getting his electronic sign on the corner at La Paz and Marguerite. At the June 18 council meeting, the vote was 3-2 with MacLean, Kelley and Ury wanting the sign. Trying to jump back on the fence, Kelley split hairs by saying, “We’re not approving a sign tonight” – indicating the council merely is shopping for a sign. Does anyone believe that?

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Truly a joke, Ms. Kelley said about the sign, “This [not an approved sign] will be a tasteful and subtle sign.” Perhaps Ms. Kelley doesn’t understand what an electronic sign is.

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Those who are unaware of council members’ sense of aesthetics should go on a walking tour. Be sure to walk by ALL council members’ homes. Check the yards (where the grass should be), condition of exterior (paint, roof, gutters) and other maintenance. Does any home stand out as neglected, rundown, aging, etc.? With the council’s June 19 consensus to dictate the looks of private property, is any owner of private property above a review?

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Ury supported the electronic sign and added it could replace the City Outlook newsletter. The latest edition of the newsletter was 32 pages – mostly drivel – and 500-plus words per page. The council should also order permanent seating at La Paz and Marguerite for residents who want to spend 10-12 hours reading contents of the City Outlook on the message board. Ury’s remark was ridiculous. A resident during public comments complained the council is creating a monument sign for itself. Check the signs on slopes and thoroughfares with all council members’ names prominently displayed. The council already has its own monument signs all over town.

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As an update on cell towers and wireless facilities, the council on June 18 overturned the Planning Commission’s recent denial of an antenna near Olympiad Road and Alicia Parkway in Florence Joyner Park. MacLean, Kelley, Ury, Reavis and Ledesma unanimously voted in favor of adding the antenna.

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The June 19 city meeting about the shopping center at La Paz and Marguerite drew criticism from residents regarding the city’s infringing on private property rights. A lone resident said he wanted the center to modernize its look, offering his own example as a property owner who updated his house. He misses the point. He updated his property as he wished, not as the government wished. Residents should note the recommendations include “up to 450” apartments on top of stores.

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Noticeably absent from the June 19 meeting was 2006 failed council candidate Diane Greenwood, who promoted the idea of a “downtown” at La Paz and Marguerite with apartments on top of retail stores. Greenwood should have teamed up with Lance MacLean – two liberals in a pod – interfering with the rights of property owners and encouraging more traffic and urban decline at the location.

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Not forgotten but getting there: the most amusing information about Greenwood emerged after she lost the race. If she returns for another round in 2008, her opponents will have fun. Among Greenwood’s campaign antics in 2006, her signs were placed directly in front of those posted by MacLean and Ledesma. When MacLean either touched or moved her sign from in front of his, she called 9-1-1, summoning two police cars to a street corner as if it were a life-and-death emergency. The person acting as if he were her campaign manager took photos of the scene, implying MacLean was about to be charged with a crime. The photos were splashed across a blog in a smear campaign. While The Buzz doesn’t support MacLean, it also doesn’t support wasting city tax dollars – for police calls and emergency services – on political tricks.

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Three residents approached the public microphone at the June 18 council meeting to complain about multiple families – up to 17 people – occupying a condo. They asked what could be done about it. Councilman Ledesma turned to City Attorney Bill Curley for an answer. Clearly, an answer would not come from the attorney. Curley had been directed months ago by the council to follow up on what could be done. Curley answered on June 18 he’s been “busy” and has not followed through. Taxpayers are actually paying for this nonsense. The Buzz advises homeowners to document everything they find annoying, unlawful, unhealthy, threatening and otherwise unbearable about this multifamily boardinghouse. Include names, descriptions, incidents and dates, license plate numbers and any illegally parked cars. Then call the police. Have as many neighbors join in as possible, as the police like to say, “No one else is complaining.” Hell will freeze over before the council does anything helpful.