Who is doing the bullying in Whitehall?
Re “Whitehall leaders won’t bend to FOP, revenge is group’s goal,” (June 14): Mayor Michael Bivens’ guest opinion reduces Whitehall’s June 23 recall to nothing more than “FOP revenge” by a “small group” of bullies. It is an insult to the hundreds of Whitehall residents who did the hard work of organizing, gathering signatures and publicly standing up to their government.
This recall was not dreamed up in a union back room.
It was driven by residents who have watched how this administration operates – the fights with its own citizens, the refusal to listen, the defensiveness whenever anyone dares to question decisions or priorities.
Crime numbers and survey results do not give any mayor a blank check to dismiss legitimate criticism or to cling to power at all costs.
Instead of engaging honestly with citizens regarding their valid concerns about government accountability, transparency, tax incentives, debt, public safety, schools and long‑term planning, Mayor Bivens smears petitioners as “bullies” and blames a handful of union leaders for everything. That is not leadership; it is an attempt to discredit and intimidate his own constituents for using a lawful, democratic tool.
This recall is not about revenge. It is about whether Whitehall voters will tolerate being talked down to, written off and mischaracterized by the very people who are supposed to answer to them. On June 23, the question is simple: Will we rubber-stamp this behavior – or replace it?
Jacquelyn K. Thompson, Whitehall
Who approves the ‘guardrails’
Columbus City Council members are elected. They need money for campaigns.
Developers and landlords have cash to contribute. Neighborhood commissions do not. Careful readers may detect where lies the power in this equation.
On their side, neighborhoods have community outrage and time.
Consider the Pavey Square project.
When developers proposed a great hulking student housing monstrosity along North High Street north of Ohio State, the community was outraged. Especially so as the proposal called for demolition of a row of homes elegantly restored by the late Dr. Charles William Pavey II.
It took time, but thoughtful negotiations produced what can be seen today. Developers got their student housing project. But it’s slightly smaller, slightly lower, tucked in behind the still-standing Pavey properties and all but invisible from High Street.
Community outrage concentrated attention on a bad proposal and time resulted in a good outcome. But now, city council wants to take away the time part.
It’s “messy,” City Councilman Rob Dorans told the Dispatch in a June 15 article about the housing approval process.
But any alternative that unleashes developers to run rampant over neighborhoods in the name of “consistency” is bound to encounter opposition.
Dorans told the Dispatch he acknowledges the need for “appropriate guardrails” surrounding development.
Well, councilman, what will they be? And will your developer donors agree?
Bob Singleton, Columbus
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Whitehall recall isn’t about revenge or FOP. Residents are being smeared | Letters
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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By Letters to the Editor, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
