Entry 10 of 824
By Think! Christiansburg On November 29, 2007 at 11:47 AM
Next week provides an excellent opportunity for Christiansburg residents to watch their government in action. Or government inaction, as the case may be.

Monday, December 3 at 4pm, the Planning Commission will, among other activities, have an "election of officers."

I’m nominating any staff member in the Town’s Planning Department to be Secretary to the Planning Commission. Goodness knows Town Manager Lance Terpenny has enough to do besides take notes at the Planning Commission meetings. For example, he could guide the Town into actually using its web site to distribute real information.

Of course, without Mr. Terpenny’s constant presence at the Commission, members may have to actually learn about the current zoning, rather than ask, “Mr. Terpenny, what’s the difference between R-1 and R-3?” And, less involvement by Mr. Terpenny could disrupt the chain of construction related activities that must be benefiting someone, if not the long-time residents of Christiansburg.

Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm, the Town Council will meet to discuss…. Oh wait, we don’t know what they’ll discuss! They publish agendas a mere 24 hours before meetings. Council could be expected to vote on the ordinance/zoning change they requested the Planning Commission to consider. If the Commission decides not to review it after all, because no zoning change is necessary, Council will again be able to do nothing.

When the agenda is published, we will learn if Mr. Adams, President of the Chamber of Commerce, plans to make his contractually required annual presentation to the Council.

So, pencil in December 3 at 4pm to watch the Planning Commission in session. That is unless you are one of the working folks who can’t take time off to go to a meeting during business hours. Also pencil in December 4 at 7pm, to watch the Town Council deliberate on something. I’ll let you know if I find out what that will be.

PS - The Cburg Town Council showed some spunk on November 20, voting to halt construction of additional homes in a subdivision off of crowded and dangerous Route 114 in town. The Planning Commission had recommended in favor. The Council broke the pattern of APPROVE APPROVE APPROVE. Well done.