Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 22:53:06 -0500
From: virginia penley
Subject: RE: GOP Chairman’s critique of the BOC
I read Mr. Bock’s opinion piece posted last week regarding two recent decisions by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners.
It appears to me that Mr. Bock shares a quality with Mr. Starkweather: chiefly that when the fact pattern suits them they will push a narrative that on the surface appears to have merit, but upon further review misses nuance in attempt to lead an audience to their intended conclusion.
From what I understand, the commissioners are pursuing a long term strategy with zoning that will begin with the initial zoning and conclude with a land use map, a detailed plan and input and changes along the way.
In addition, the BOC is the elected governing body not the planning board. The point of the exercise is to take input, make policy and pursue a course of action that is good public policy and can eventually be broadly endorsed by the constituents.
As for the lawsuit, again from the limited understanding of a poor widow in the woods, it appears that the BOC has elected to hold its position in abeyance. Chatham County is not wasting any resources and apparently can rejoin the suit if it is strategically viable and sensible public policy. They have not misled anyone and appear to be keeping all options open in order to be flexible.