I think this makes sense, and I think it's a reasonable question.
I think you're confusing opinions and choices. There are many opinions, but few
choices. If Santa Clause says to the elves "Do you want Fuwah or Saads for
lunch?" the elves may have many opinions as to what they want for lunch, but
they only have two choices.
PLCB and the owner of the Rite Aid are saying: "We want to put this liquor
store at this location, but we need a zoning variance." -- That's the only
choice, zoning variance or no zoning variance.
Since all of our news is coming from the DP they're framing the "debate" you're
talking about. They had, if I recall, a Penn Professor who spoke for the
Mosque, and they interviewed several local store owners and someone (mis)quoted
Barry. Those are public _opinions_ A, B and C. If you think there's a public
opinion D that's not represented, do what Al does and write a letter to the
newspaper -- they'll most likely print it and it joins the public discourse.
"The liquor store should be at 40th street" is a cromulent opinion, but it's
not a choice unless someone at 40th street offers a storefront. PLCB and the
Owner of the Rite Aid get to decide all on their own, with input from nobody
that they would like to move the store to 43rd. But they need a zoning
variance. So after they're proposed the move, the only thing we get to say is
"This zoning variance should be granted" or "This zoning variance should not be
granted."
I'll defer to Al and Liz on zoning board stuff, since they've been through it,
but this is my understanding of the process,
kc
Ray said:
to dumb it down even further:
the question is being framed as a public choice between A or
B. I'm asking how are A and B public options? are they
options of our making? our only options? our best options?
