A Baker's Dozen (of Years)

The more things change the more they remain the same. That's a truism because it's the truth. This is the very first scribbling I offered in this space a dozen years ago today and while the geography addressed in it has changed the underlying issues driving the discussion have not (at least to me). 

At the time I was channeling Dr. Seuss and called it:

And To Think That I Saw It on Norwich's Streets

Driving past Washington Street this morning, it looks a good growth industry might be the hardware business; selling neighbors large plywood sheets and paints so they can erect signs to yell at one another on the issue of spot zoning.

New signs insisting on the right to do with their property what they wish, possibly from those who've sold options to developers, angry at 'the select few' (as their sign says) who insist this commercial endeavor be turned away.

Another sign boasts about the increase in tax revenues and the additional (service) jobs a new mini-sprawl, I meant mini-mall, will bring to Norwich (even though the pharmacy hailed as 'new' will be the existing one from across town and right around the corner from the one my family uses now).

Jobs, much like Einstein's matter, can neither be created nor destroyed, at least in development models. If we take six inches from the front of the blanket and put it on the back, the blanket is NOT a foot longer no matter how long the PowerPoint presentation to the contrary.

Everyone's signs ignore or seem to, our continuing inability to look ahead and plan accordingly. When you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there in much the same way as every book is a mystery if you never finish reading it.

Right now, most of us think any movement, even the circles in which we are continuing to turn, is the same thing as direction. Most don't know the difference between smart growth and economic development (all ducks ARE birds but not all birds are ducks) and until we learn that, we're fated to waste a lot of time thinking we're having a contest between 'property rights' and 'NIMBY' when that's not really what this is about.

Meanwhile, those whose agenda is not and will NEVER be that of advancement and enhancement of Norwich will prosper while residents remain reactive instead of proactive.
-bill kenny