Tamir Nolley wrote:
� � � � "I believe the example of not allowing a small travel trailer in the
driveway of a private home is a perfect example of the kind of control-heavy
local government that my campaign is about changing. � These are exactly the
sort of absurd zoning laws that should be changed.�..... My philosophy is
that we should live in a city governed from the grassroots up, not from the
top down."
You close with your philosophy that city government should be from the
grassroots up. This sound really good, but what does it mean? Are you
referring to a democracy, a dictatorship of the proletariat or something
else? My understanding of what happens under democracy is that we as
individuals have banded together and through our votes, or our
representatives votes, have given some of our rights to the community in
exchange for certain benefits. Zoning rules, although cumbersome and in need
of periodic review are one of those benefits. They allow us to buy a home
with the knowledge that only certain types of structures, businesses or
activities will be allowed to move in as our neighbors. We give up a right to
do whatever we want on our land, but gain a benefit in that our neighbor is
controlled as well. I certainly do not believe that limiting people from
living in RVs parked in my neighbors driveway is an example of "control heavy
local government" or an "absurd zoning" law. Your comment that you would
support "small RVs" in someone's drive points out an additional problem. Who
gets to define small?
<Unless it's a rental property with unsafe living conditions,
<tenants being mistreated or charged unfairly, then the city should not be
<invasive.
Interesting comment. Since you prefer a grassroots theory of government who
do you suggests makes the decision about which rent levels are being "charged
unfairly?" Is this decided in a democratic style election with all voters or
do just tenants get to decide what should be fair?
Perhaps my interpretation of your letter is incorrect but it appears that you
support peoples "right" to a place to live, but you ignore the "rights" of a
property owner. I agree with your statement that we need creative solutions
to a tight housing market but lets not trample on other peoples rights to get
there. Perhaps as your campaign proceeds you can develop a housing plan that
shoots a little higher than people living in RV's and old garages.
Bob Gustafson
13th
