On the Market.

An editorial on the proposed Center in the Square renovations.
Guest article by “A Simple Country Fella.”

First of all, I am but simple country fella who takes things at face value. Occasionally I find I am further handicapped by not having been born in the shadow of the Mill Mountain Star and therefore am not a true Roanoker, but an outsider who has been contaminated by ideas not native to the Roanoke Valley. I tell you it is often quite a struggle.

Several weeks ago in the Sunday edition of the Roanoke Fish Wrapper citizens were unreliably informed by Ace Girl Reporter 23 year old Jenny Boone Kincad’s article that the Center in the Square folks had planned and were about to execute a coup to take over the parking lots fronting Campbell Ave and oust half the vendors selling at the Farmers Market. For some reason Ms. Kincad never mentioned that the parking lots are owned by the City of Roanoke, a fact that she probably didn’t know or omitted as detracting from the drama of her article.

Well, let me tell you Excitement abounded and the population rose up to protest. It was generally unclear what they were protesting about but it seemed like most of them were concerned because the Weiner Stand might have to move (but not far) to a new location or even worse go out of business! From the Hue and Cry over that it seemed as if half the population of Roanoke might starve if deprived of Gus’ hotdogs and fries rather than have lower cholesterol levels.

Seeing a pressing need Mayor Nelson Harris, our fearless leader, stepped up to the plate to demonstrate his leadership ability and calmed the masses by saying unto them, Come let us reason together! At least that is what we thought he said only to find out that reasoning together would be done in private and by invitation only. Realizing he had screwed up royally, Fearless Leader arranged to have a “mediator” ride into town on a white horse to bring us together, using the $100,000 “Comprehensive Market Study” as a starting point.

Meanwhile back at the parking lot Jim Spears, Executive Director of Center in the Square was saying we have no intention of executing the coup – but of course in the hub-bub no one heard him until a month after the fact.

For any of you who have attended the “mediation sessions” featuring the “Market Advisory Committee” each of whom seems to have their own agenda, you will recognize it as same-o, same-o covering ground that has been plowed many times before, resulting in the usual unquantifiable goals that leave the participant with warm fuzzy feelings. This ritual dance is known as “Citizen Input”, results in a report by the consultant/mediator or whatever which City Council members can absolve themselves of any accountability or responsibility by claiming that “the Consultant/Mediator whatever said…..” Being able to think and act intelligently is not a job requirement for being a City Council member.

If anyone thinks something is going to come out of this exercise, I suggest they not hold their breath. The City cannot afford any major investment in the farmers market, market building, or anything else until at least 2012. For those who can’t read financial statements and are unaware of the City’s financial posture, it is pretty bad. If you listen closely you will hear that Fearless Leader has changed his sotto voiced caveat from “if it is for the good of the city” to “if a private developer is involved” or some variation. Anyone noticed that services provided by the City have already been reduced? As in the trash collections in the farmers market area, the sidewalks and the streets not being cleaned, etc. etc.

Gotta tell you it is all too much for a Simple Country fella such as myself. Perhaps someone can explain it to me?