Louder, Crowder!

This article in today's News & Observer calls City Councilman Thomas Crowder principled, an all-or-nothing perfectionist, and anti-development. Absolutely right! Good for him. What? Oh, the Disturber apparently thinks that's a bad thing.

I have more respect for Thomas Crowder than for any other member of Raleigh’s City Council. As a twenty-something resident of this city, I plan to remain here well beyond 2050. I appreciate the vision that Crowder has for the future. I appreciate that a council member is willing to think hard enough about the long-term implications of decisions made today, rather than making the easiest choices that clear the issue from his plate or sweep it under the rug.

I have been disappointed to see other council members who pledged that they would stand up to big real estate and development cave at the last minute. According to Philip Isley, the developers of the Soleil Center were allowed more “latitude” simply based on the amount of money they have to invest into the project. Basically, they just bought their way into the Crabtree area, and Crowder was the only council member that voted against throwing the city’s Comprehensive Plan to the wind. More importantly, Crowder has been the only member vocalizing his support for the taxpayers that have invested millions upon millions of dollars in the convention center project. He is the only one actively standing up to the developers to ensure that a long-lasting, quality structure is built. I’m sure it has been an inconvenience to the council to have to put the extra thought and effort into getting it right. I will be sure to do my part to help relieve the complainers of their inconveniences during the next election.

But, you know, the Soleil site “is where it is,” according to Planning Commission Chair Mark Everette. Too bad it couldn’t be downtown, or anywhere else that the Comprehensive Plan suggested for major development. “It is where it is,” so when you combine that with the fact that Everette had a personal interest in getting the project approved, hey, go right ahead!

For the record, Crowder did not refer to the Soleil Center as a giant pickle. He was describing a 40 foot tower in the Crabtree Valley as Raleigh’s equivalent of Durham’s “giant pickle” – the University Tower.

So, in response to Mr. West’s comment that “it appears…that [Crowder] is not willing to sacrifice his personal agenda for the common good” I say shame on you! Just a small amount of research will show that the opposite is true. It just so happens that nearly every other member of the council has a personal agenda, and Crowder’s agenda for improving this city while looking ahead to the future does not mesh with the old-school agendas. Mr. West: Why did you choose Charles Walker over Renee Bethea for the Planning Commission?

Thankfully, Crowder’s firm stand against EIFS has drawn a great deal of attention, and people are beginning to see that there are issues that need to be addressed. My hope is that the voters of Raleigh will tire of the so-called leaders that make decisions that benefit their small network of colleagues, and stand up and support the people who are standing up for us. If we don’t speak up, eventually no one will be there to hear us.