New Developments 1

Some years ago, while waiting for a connection in Las Vegas, I started chatting with another fellow who was looking out the same window of the waiting area watching the planes move around.

We discovered that we were both from the same area and introduced ourselves. I recognized his name and said, “I voted for you! Twice!”

He had succeeded a county executive whose term in office was notable for petty influence-peddling and incompetence and had served the two terms allowed him. I thanked him for his part in cleaning up the mess.

He said to me (this is from memory, but it’s pretty close),

I had one rule. I never met with a developer unless the country attorney or the head of the country zoning board was with me.

Think about it.

When something goes wrong in local government, it almost always involves real estate. . . .

I know nothing about the facts of this proposal except what’s in the newspaper story at the link, but recalling that conversation makes think about the first line of the 59th Street Bridge Song.