I've never understood why neighborhoods aren't allowed to decide what they will allow in them and what they won't. Take me, for example. Any neighborhood that would allow me in it, probably doesn't have very high standards. But, I guess that would be discrimination against Polish-American Caucasians and I am really not in the mood to be suing people over it anyway. But what about buildings? Walmart has a long history of pushing their way into neighborhoods when the neighbors don't want them. After all, they believe you are not only entitled to get a good price on merchandise, but they believe you should be FORCED to take it! Don't be making them send that door greeter out to get you. They are scary enough walking in the door sometimes, let alone having to have them come to your front door and telling you "Thanks You for going to Walmart....and I mean right now!"
How about if the brute is your own city government? Unfortunately, not uncommon. City councils and planning commissions across the country are always doing "what's best" for neighborhoods by either using eminent domain laws, or just building stuff that the neighborhoods don't want. The motive, of course, is always money........but in their noble political doublespeak, they will always say it is for the best of the neighborhood. Take, for instance, the area around 71st and Metcalf in Overland Park. The people in the neighborhood don't want a four story apartment building there. They put out petitions and even went to the planning commission meeting. Did their efforts work? Of course not. Two of the councilmen voted against it and deserve proper recognition: Janie Thacker and Charles Hunter. The other members caved in. And they, as is with councils across the country, give the old excuse "it may not be a perfect plan, but it's the best we got." No, the best you had was to listen to the people of the neighborhood who do not want it there. These councilmen do not live there.....but they should be representing the ones who do.
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