City Council vs. Merryman - Feb. 1

On Tuesday, February 1, the Woodstock City Council will consider adoption of an ordinance to amend the Special Use Permit that was issued two years ago to Merryman Aggregate, allowing a gravel mining operation along U.S. 14 across from the hospital.

At the time 50 Conditions were attached to the Permit. Neighbors have complained about violations of the Permit, and the City has examined the degree of compliance with the Permit and the Conditions.

The City Council was to consider and vote on this ordinance on January 18, but Merryman requested a postponement just hours before the Council was to meet. It was reported that no company officials showed up at the City Council meeting.

One Councilman asked whether Merryman's request was a "stall tactic," as reported by The Woodstock Independent in its Jan. 26-Feb 1 edition. The Minutes of the meeting were a little kinder, phrasing it as the Councilman's asking the City Attorney for his opinion on "Merryman's willingness to reach a decision."

Personally, I liked Councilman RB Thompson's label better, if that's what he asked; and that's how it should have been noted in the Minutes.

The Woodstock Plan Commission met on December 2, 2010, and discussed the problems at the mining site for hours. The Public Hearing portion of that meeting was preceded by remarks by Mayor Sager, who urged "consensus" for almost 20 minutes. The Public Hearing lasted from 7:50-10:45PM.

Merryman didn't like most of the leanings of the Plan Commission then, and they didn't like them any better as the January 18th City Council meeting neared. They had had six weeks to negotiate, mediate, confer, build consensus". Instead, just hours before the City Council was to consider the recommendations of the Plan Commission, Merryman asked for the consideration to be postponed.

The City Council should have told Merryman's attorney that his client, Merryman, had had plenty of time to discuss and deal. Were Merryman officials waiting down the street, just in case the attorney called and told them to get upstairs fast, because the City Council refused to postpone discussion and a vote? Or were they confident that the City Council would agree to the delay?

The City Council has now laid down precedents for last-minute postponements and delays. It's time now for the City Council to set a new course for dealings with businesses. Be fair, of course. But don't get pushed around.

February 1st at 7:00PM should be interesting. The Super Bowl will be history. Turn off the TV and come over to City Hall to see your government in action.

Speaking of TV, wouldn't it be nice to be able to sit at home and watch City Council meetings on your TV? Comcast Public Service Channels offer that. Woodstock could arrange it. Will it? Comcast won't discuss arrangements (or even criteria) with a citizen who tries to get the ball rolling. Comcast insists it must be contacted by an official of the City.

Would you like for City Council meetings to be broadcast, either live or within a day or two of the meeting?