The highly-talented and Emerald City community-minded Charlie Trentelman contributes yet another wonderful column to the Standard-Examiner this morning.
Today's topic: Dealing with self-serving (and often devious) real estate developers.
Mr. Trentelman begins his very instructive narrative with two Davis County examples of instances wherein developers have recently "baited" local officials into projects originally sold as trendy "walkable villages" -- and then subsequently "switched" -- into proposed plans reminiscent of the urban Big-box monstrosity, Riverdale, Utah.
Giant asphalt parking lots ARE "walkable," after all.
Mr. Trentelman has extensive experience reporting on the behavior of developers in northern Utah, having covered the "real estate developer beat" since the 1980's; and it's in this context that he offers some free and useful advice:
My advice to ... cities: Be ready to fight.Mr. Trentelman then executes a smooth segue, and launches into a discussion of the past performance of one Emerald City developer wannabe who has a grand (and entirely self-serving) "community-friendly" plan for the revival of our heretofore sleepy Emerald City. Yesiree. It's "gondola boy" Chris Peterson he's talking about:
If worse comes to worst, be ready to tell the developer “No!” even if it kills the deal.
Because, believe it: Your cities’ futures are at stake, and developers watch out for
themselves first.
In October 1999, three years of negotiations on a multimillion-dollar land swap between Snowbasin Ski Resort and the U.S. Forest Service were just days from completion.Although the the Standard-Examiner editor who wrote the headline tried to "soften" Mr. Trentelman's point slightly, with the article title "Trouble developing? Reagan said it best: Trust but verify," we do not believe that Mr. Trentelman intended to convey the message, (in light of the reminder of Peterson's past performance,) that anyone should ever again "trust" Mr. Peterson.
Peterson was Snowbasin owner Earl Holding’s real estate manager, so he was handling the negotiations.
This was huge.
Congress had ordered the swap; the fate of Top of Utah’s role in the 2002 Olympics rested on it.
When it looked like nothing could stop the deal, Peterson filed easements for a gondola line up Taylor Canyon.
What chutzpah.
Of all the properties in the deal, Taylor Canyon, with its commanding view of Ogden, its key links in the mountain trail system, was the jewel.
During talks, the Forest Service had insisted, repeatedly, that Taylor Canyon have no easements, no liens, no nothing.
Peterson filed the easements anyway, then told the Forest Service what he’d done.
Forest Service officials were blindsided, but reacted swiftly. The day the news broke, Wasatch-Cache Forest Supervisor Bernie Weingardt and Intermountain Regional Forester Jack Blackwell told Peterson and Holding that, without Taylor Canyon free and clear, there would be no land swap.
Both sides stared. Peterson and Holding blinked. The easements came off.
Did Peterson and Holding act illegally? No. Ethically?
You tell me.
Mr. Trentelman advises Farmington, Layton and Emerald City officials that they should be prepared to "fight like badgers." Mr. Trentelman however is a very nice man, and we think he was being overly polite.
Emerald City is an old blue collar town; and we're thus going to take the liberty of saying in old fashioned blue collar terminology what we think Mr. Trentelman really meant:
"A pox on you, Mr. Peterson -- and the horse you rode in on."
"The horse" in question... by the way, is Boss Godfrey.
And what say you, Weber County Forum badgers?
33 comments:
Luckily for the squirrels living in Taylor Canyon, Wayne Peterson's easements were not part of the Snowbasin land swap. Because the famed Squirrel Patrol was indeed mobilized and active. Nuts! Get 'em!
Rudi, that would be,in the proper equine terminology, PYGMY PONY. Straight from the horse's mouth.
Trentleman's article says: "Reagan said it best - Trust but Verify."
It seems Curm said this very thing yesterday.
Somebody at the SE has been reading the WCF . . .
But kudos to Trentleman for an original and outstanding commentary in any case.
Rudi and Danny:
Rudi: You wrote: we're thus going to take the liberty of saying in old fashioned blue collar terminology what we think Mr. Trentelman really meant...."
Mr. Trentelman has, I think, a long-established record of saying exactly what he means.
Danny:
I read Trentelman's column this morning and I couldn't find "trust but verify" in it. [Though the sense of Reagan's advice was certainly there.] The quote I think is only in the headline to the column.
And now you've gone and reminded people that I actually quoted Ronald Reagan favorably. Sigh. Back to the sweat lodge. I'll need to be ritually cleansed again or the ACLU will demand my membership card back and the chair of the WC Democrats will stop taking my calls.
God Bless Trentelman for digging down in his recollections and giving us this jewel.
I'll bet he has a lot more "goodies" in his memory bag.
Let's hope that he puts them out for all to read.
As soon as I saw the headline and read a couple paragraphs of Trentleman's excellent and cogent article, I KNEW this would be the new thread today!
Now, let us hope the Council has read this too. They need to do what the U.S. Forest Service did....act swiftly and decisively.
The Council must call a press conference right down there in our beautiful park and tell the Ogdenites who watch the news just what the mayor and his crony Peterson are up to. Do it now!
EXPOSE, EXPOSE, EXPOSE. Remember that cockroaches always scurry back into the woodwork (and into Sandy woodwork) when the lights are turned on!
A new and on the ball atty could find the way to put our parklands and trails that Malan's wanted all of us to enjoy ad infintum in trust.
Go Council...kudos to Trentleman.
Couldn't have said it better myself, Sharon. The idea of putting our parks into a public trust has been bouncing around for some time now. Why has nothing been done to make this so?
Without our easy access to the real outdoors, without public trails and an uninterrupted view of our "Mountain Majesties" (sans more McMansions and gondolas) Ogden will be no different from some blue-collar flatland town.
Now that “Beatnick McTrentleman” has stabbed me in the back on the gondola, maybe it’s time I came clean on my real reasons for wanting it. Then you’ll all understand why I am willing to do whatever it takes, including climbing into bed with Chris Peterson. It’s that important.
Several months ago I was in my office late one night, and I was looking at some of the Internet sites that Scott Brown told me to look at. He said they are places executives like me use to relax.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. I opened it, and as I looked up and down the personage that stood before me, I began to wonder if she could be real, or if she might be from another planet. She spoke to me in English, and although she didn’t write anything down, she called herself “Zorna.” She said she came from a strange place she called “Udda-da-Viducc.”
As a person of strange spirituality, I felt a rush of emotion. What happened next, there in my office over the next hour and a half, was the most spiritually-satisfying experience of my life. It was not of this world. Taking a C note from my wallet – presumably only what was needed to refuel her spacecraft – she left.
Several weeks later, I wished to commune with her again, and I tried to contact her with the usual methods: I put aluminum foil on my head and connected wires to my fillings. But her message to me came in another form.
It started with a strange oozing – one that burned like the exhaust from her space ship – followed by tiny red and white spots all over my body – here’s the amazing part – that in places spelled the letters Z, L and G.
Talk about advanced communication. What do you know that starts with these letters? That’s right: Zorna, Lift Ogden and gondola. And if you think about it, the gondola route will form a giant Z, signaling for Zorna to return from the sky.
When I first told Curt about my visitor, he said he too had received a visitation from this strange and wonderful being. Neither Chris nor Bob have communed with her yet, but if you look closely at the artwork in their homes you will find much of it now incorporates the shape of the astral pyramid, a well-known calling signal for extraterrestrials. As we all wait, what else can we do, but hold to the vision?
Zorna, does this blog reach planet Udda? Can you beam me up? The giant Z will soon be visible.
Rudi- I hate to tell you that you need to correct your headline to "B A D G E R S" instead of Bagders.
Are there any clandestine Z's incorporated in the lighting or structure of the new, (clean one owner) Jackass Center?
The best thing that could happen to Ogden would be for Zorna to beam Godfrey to her planet FOREVER!!!
All of Ogden AND the Council NEED to follow Trentleman's advice: "Be ready to fight. If worse comes to worst, be ready to tell the developer 'No!' even if it kills the deal. Because, believe it: Your cities’ futures are at stake, and developers watch out for
themselves first."
How well we know that!! Look at the people who have lost their homes in Layton, Morgan and South Weber because of unstable ground and greedy developers who don't give damn!
Anyone (Godfrey) who wants to give the beautiful open space where Ogden's trail heads are to a greedy wannabe millionaire like his daddy-in-law and who thinks he's a developer (Peterson) but can't get his act together enough to even put his plans on paper clearly does not have the best interests of Ogden at heart! I've heard hundreds of people say that the reason they moved to Ogden was because of the nearness of the beautiful open space within walking distance. That the ability to be "in nature" within minutes of their home, to be able to enjoy the serenity and peace of hiking on the trails east of Ogden, restores their inner peace, energy and sense of well-being and is a priceless benefit of living in Ogden.
You won't buy that feeling at Gold's Gym or Fat Cats Arcade & Bowling or riding high above the City in a gondola. In fact, you can't buy that feeling anywhere in Ogden! The best part is that it is free and it's there for EVERYONE to feel and enjoy!
Are we going to let that sneaky, deceitful mayor steal Ogden's precious and priceless jewel from us? I think that it's time the residents of Ogden let Godfrey, Peterson and the City Council know that they will NOT let that land which has for decades been accessable to the public for their enjoyment and use taken from them so that two very greedy men can realize their dreams of becoming wealthy.
Trentleman reveals the traits in Peterson that we've already seen in Godfrey -- They will get what they want, no matter what and it's going to be their way or no way! No wonder they are such good pals and "in bed together!" He said: "During talks, the Forest Service had insisted, repeatedly, that Taylor Canyon have no easements, no liens, no nothing.
Peterson filed the easements anyway, then told the Forest Service what he’d done." (Doesn't this sound familiar - only it's Godfrey and the City Council?)
"Forest Service officials were blindsided, but reacted swiftly. The day the news broke, Wasatch-Cache Forest Supervisor Bernie Weingardt and Intermountain Regional Forester Jack Blackwell told Peterson and Holding that, without Taylor Canyon free and clear, there would be no land swap.
Both sides stared. Peterson and Holding blinked. The easements came off." Pray to God that the City Council can be as effective in saving the golf course! "Did Peterson and Holding act illegally? No. Ethically? You tell me." The whole of Godfrey's reign has been unethical as far as I am concerned! And HE claims that there is NO ONE more ethical than he! Are we choking on the BS?!
I definityely do not believe and I would think that the City Council has learned that we cannot follow the advice of the SE's editorial staff that was issued today: "Trust but verify." We agree with Rudi that in light of both Godfrey's and Peterson's past performances no one should ever again "trust" them!
Ogdenlover and others, I've been told that the Council did look into putting the golf course into a trust, but were told that it wasn't feasible because the Mayor has to approve it. Also, I understand that Ms. Jeske spent hundreds of hours drafting two different ordinances that would give the Council approval authority when large parcels of land are sold and authority to determine whether a development plan complies with the City's General Plan (the Planning Commission currently has that authority). In my opinion, it is a gross injustice and misappropriation of power that a group who is APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR, NOT ELECTED BY THE CITIZENS, has more authority than the City Council who is supposed to be one of the governing bodies of the City! This is definitely a misappropriation of authority and should be addressed by the Legislature! The City's attorney told the Council that Ms. Jeske's proposed ordinances were not legal!
I'm not sure what else the Council can do to stop Godfrey and Peterson. I think that the citizens must take a stand and let the Mayor and Peterson know that a law suit will be filed against them personally if they pursue their plans to sell/buy and develop that public use land!
Hey Brett,
Rep. Hansen did just what you suggest, look at hb109,2007 session, but it was shot down by the mayors lobbyist.
Mr. Trentelman's heads up is timely and very much on point. But I don't think some of the solutions called for here will do much good, or are even possible --- such as Council- called press conferences and so on. The Council is a legislative body to some extent and whatever actions it might deem prudent to resolve the matter of the proposed park sale once and for all will have to be taken (a)as a body (b) in open session (c) through the exercise of its assigned powers and via its legitimate functions. Not by calling press conferences.
Whether the ordinance covering sale of city properties [revised and it seems weakened somewhat by the previous Council] needs amendment and beefing up is certainly something Council members might want to look into, and if a majority of them are so inclined, they might want to move on the matter before the coming election, while the Mayor has apparently become gun-shy of the park sale and gondola proposals [having told the SL Trib they will not be major goals of a third term, and having told the same paper he wants only to examine the gondola idea to see if "it makes sense" for Ogden]. I don't expect that attitude to long survive his re-election, should it occur, so pre-election might be the best time to alter the land sale procedures if the Council intends to. And whether city park lands should... or even can... be placed in some kind of public land trust might be worth looking into as well. [Though it may not be possible.]
But we need to remember that a subsequent Council could simply alter the land sales ordinances yet again, so that the election of Council members this Fall is a vitally important matter as well.
I don't think threatening to sue the Mayor or Mr. Peterson is a particularly good tactic. First, if the Mayor operates within the laws and does not exceed his powers as city executive, he is immune, I think, from personal liability suits in such matters. Provided Mr. Peterson's proposed purchase of the city's parklands approved by authorized city officials in the regular way, I doubt he would be vulnerable to personal lawsuits on the matter either.
We elect Mayors and Councils to make decisions about the wisdom of such proposals for us. Threatening to sue them if they make decisions they are fully authorized to make just because we disagree with those decisions seems pointless to me. The remedy for governmental decisions we do not like is to remove the people who make them at the ballot box. Government by law suit or threat thereof is no way to run a city. Not even Ogden.
I thought the most important point Mr. Trentelman made [besides his advice to "fight like Badgers" in such matters] is the one Brett noted above: that these are not stand-up guys. I don't want to over simplify things, but it really does come down to this: there are people whose word is their bond, and you can take a handshake agreement with them to the bank. And there are people whose word cannot be trusted if they see an additional advantage for themselves can be won by breaking it. And Mr. Peterson seems to have established, on the land-swap agreement he tried to alter at the final moment, that Mr. Trentelman discusses, that he is not a stand-up guy.
Does that mean the city should do no business at all with Mr. Peterson? No, it doesn't. If a Peterson proposed project will benefit the citizens in the judgment of the Mayor and Council, they ought to take it seriously. But it does mean he has forfeited the benefit of the doubt, he has forfeited the presumption of good will that others might be entitled to, and that the City's representatives should treat his assurances as unreliable unless and until they are locked into binding written agreements and in no uncertain terms.
No, it's not the best way to have to do business as a city [or as a private citizen]. But it's the way the Council now must deal with Mr. Peterson. And with the Mayor.
I truly wish this were not so. But, as Brett noted, past performance matters and the Council needs to keep that firmly in mind in dealing with any representative of the Peterson/Godfrey administration in the future. On development proposals and on all other matters.
Has anyone ever figured that the reason the city is in this big mess is because the council does NOT do their due diligence in asking any questions of the mayor. I now understand that there is someone on the council who is going to run for mayor and this person has no clue to what is happening. Give me a break. Is this going to be throw them all out because they ALL don't know anything.
ha ha ha, no! "The reason the city is in this big mess is because" the Mayor is so unethical, sneaky, conniving, deceitful and can't be trusted! He is not a team player, he doesn't communicate, in short, he is a failure as a leader and a mayor! I take it that you are a "know-it-all" like the Mayor! Are you going to run for the city council, Bobby G, so you can show those dumb council members up with your brilliant mind?
Ha ha ha:
While I'd agree that in the past the Council has been far too docile in its dealing with the executive branch, I also think since the previous election, the Council has visibly improved its performance as an oversight body, and as the members have been repeatedly embarrassed by the Mayor [the ShupeWilliams fiasco, the St. Anne's "sale" fiasco, the Bootjack refusal to answer Council questions, the Reid golden parachute separation agreement, and so on and so on and so on], it has shown an increasingly independent spirit and willingness to ask the questions that need to be asked, and a refusal to be buffaloed into quick and unthinking actions.
You're too hard on the present Council. There is still work to be done, I agree, but this is not the docile Council that the previous one too often was.
Someone on the City Council is running for Mayor? Please, do tell. Not Mr. Garcia, he's already ruled it out. Who?
Well, if Curmudgeon is right, and the Council shouldn't hold a press conference, why not the rest of us?
Those of you willing to show up at a certain time at the park...say so on here.
The press conference will be arranged.
Curm, there you go,too soft on ha ha ha, it's more than obvious this person represents his/her handle. Ha ha ha, this present core of the council is getting better and better. AS it stands today, with Mr. Safstan's retirement,(sincerely the best wishes Rick) the only seat that needs replacement is the one held by Mr.Stephenson. He of the professional looking personal website that appears far out of a shipping clerks pay scale. Makes you wonder if lying little matty arranged some shady deal with Pinnecle to provide his one auto vote, no question asked pocket lacky, a free token esteem boost, I wouldn't doubt it's on the city's dime.(In some convoluted sorta peccary/Arrington sleazy fashion.
Speaking of Ricks departure Word is Kent Peterson of car sales fame will be seeking that seat. I hope for his sake he shows no direct connections to lying little matty or lift Ogden. Oh, since lift Ogdens webpage hasn't been updated or touched for many moons, will they please send the obituary to Schwebke so we can get on. Mr. Peterson, I hope you haven't attatched you name to the new restructured version, ENVIZION OGDEN,(Z for Zorna per matty)could be rough sleddin.
Curmudgeon
Your points about threats and law suits are worthy. However, waiting for an election, in order to remove government officials, may be an untimely remedy. A quicky sale of Mount Ogden Park property would be a McMansion nightmare.
I believe the Mount Ogden Park property was originally deeded to the city for a park. It's been discussed, on the WCF, in the past. Perhaps a law suit that attempts to enforce the original intent of that deed would be appropriate. A petition, signed by registered voters, might get some attention. Who knows, maybe a judge could stop a sudden sale. Stranger things have happened.
A land trust, as suggested by Sharon, is an outstanding method of protecting the park property. Numerous cities and counties are scrambling to protect open spaces, in perpetuity, with land trusts. Here’s a relevant EPA link: Smart Growth and Open Space Conservation. It contains good information and some interesting links.
Oh yeah,
Mr. Trentelman is the best writer at the Standard Examiner and is an Ogden treasure, IMHO.
Bill C., it wouldn't surprise me if Godfrey didn't try to get the infamous Kent Petersen of the old Petersen car sales to run for the Council -- he's desperate now that it's usually a 5-2 vote, opposing him, and they are two of a kind. But I was told that Kent lived in South Ogden because he had a Stake position in the L.D.S. church in South Ogden.
Maybe the Council should look into the conservation land trust independent of Bill Cook and staff. Ms Jeske told me that she had suggested doing that and had requested Bill Cook/staff to look look into doing that. She said that she was told that it wasn't feasible because the Mayor also had to agree to doing that which seems highly improbablable.
You don't say, be patient! All prospective candidates have to register to run by July 16th -- just 11 days from now and you'll know who it is!
I got my Vote Neil Hansen for Mayor sign today. No doubt my property value just went up.
"Thank you for your confidence," she told the council. "I have a lot to learn."
I don’t know about you but from what I’ve heard, Mary Hall has ratted out Susan Van Hooser into running for mayor.
WOW…..I really mean……WOW
‹^› ô¿ô ‹^›
Freakn laddy da!)
“…….Councilwoman Van Hooser requested that if this is indeed to be an ongoing program, the Council should be informed of what was to transpire with it in writing. "...maybe you didn't understand it," Mr. Arrington said, going on to say that the matter had indeed been previously discussed.
That’s a powerful statement to make about a council woman that “has a lot to learn” in her words as she was picked to be sat on Santa’s lap for the short time she was there. Every time I hear that woman talk, it’s like she’s in fantasy land.
“……Susie believes her experience on local committees will bring a fresh perspective to the decision-making process as significant issues affecting Ogden's future are debated.”
The poor chick can’t even understand agendas at the council meetings or what is being talked about, what makes you think she can bring her ego in to say, I told you so Godfrey!!
I just don’t like the idea of her running, please mary convincer her to stay out while she can, she’ll do more for Ogden in that aspect than if she were to run. I don’t see why we shouldn’t get behind Rep. Neil Hansen on this one. He knows the rules, he knows the game…….and best of all, he listens to you. And one more thing…you should look into the minority report he caused. Its one of the greatest things I've ever seen a man do FOR the people. Just FYI, it was the First, Last and ONLY report in the State of Utah to ever be written because the Republicans did away with that rule. Any questions? http://www.votethebumsout.net/
What's with your typing? I c@@@n h%rdly *nder^st#nd it!
But I agree with you.
The first time I read what you said...it looked like gobbledygook...but then it straightened out. amazing what Windex can do for glasses or something. Anyway..you are right. Susan needs to stay on the Council and keep speaking out...she should run for Safsten's seat..she'd win. the mayor's job is too big for her.
Caddyshack:
Thanks for the link on public land trusts. I think the idea is well worth pursuing. My only concern is that I didn't know, and am still not sure, if such trusts are possible using land that is already owned by the public. I've seen them used to protect land owned by others willing to have it so protected, but I'm not sure city-owned land is eligible for trust protection. Absolutely worth exploring and thanks again for the link.
I also think public petitions can be an effective way to make a point with sitting officials. Takes a lot of work and organization, though, and a failed petition drive [one that draws only a relatively few signatures] can have the opposite effect from the one intended.
I don't think that you property value went up because of the Neil Hansen sign, but I do think that you have just raised you morals a bit.
Fletch In West Ogden:
Couple of points:
First, any Council member who is reluctant to take what a Peterson/Godfrey administration flack, like Mr. Arrington, says at face value is fulfilling the requirements of his or her office properly. Not immediately tracking the endlessly changing spin put out by the Peterson/Godfrey administration --- "the board of the St. Anne's center wants to sell their facility and move to 12th Street.... opps, sorry, not they don't" or "this tile store wants to buy the Shupe Williams property.... opps, sorry, no they don't" --- is in my book a sign of intelligence and prudence, not confusion.
Second: I think an elected official whose attitude is "I have a lot to learn" is someone rather to be admired than criticized. It's kind of refreshing to run into people in office who do not share Mayor Peterson/Godfrey's belief that on all matters he has the light, the truth and the way and has nothing to learn from anyone else. [Recall when he asked the old Council to approve purchase of very expensive rollaway seating for the Amphitheater, and the Council say no, too expensive right now. And he bought them anyway?] I find an openness to new ideas and other views rather an asset than a liability in a public official. And if I came to believe... as I do not... that Rep. Hansen was not open to listening seriously to those with ideas and opinions other than his own, I'd think less of him as a candidate, not more.
Third: you seem to be supporting Mr. Hansen's candidacy, which is fine. I think he's a good candidate and certainly preferable to Mayor Peterson/Godfrey. But it would be prudent of you to remember that Mr. Hansen's role is to present himself as a wise alternative to Hizzonah, Mayor Matthew Godfrey. I can think of no surer formula for defeat, and no strategy surer to bring grins to the Peterson/Godfrey administration than to have those challenging him for office to begin rounding on, and attacking each other.
As for the Councilwoman you're talking about, I've sat in on Council work sessions at which she has pointedly asked Hizzonah and his minions questions they clearly would rather had not been asked. And I was there when she announced she didn't think the Council should spend any more time trying to figure out a procedure for dealing with a proposal, the so far mythical "Peterson Proposal," that had not actually been made, and that the Council should refuse to do more on the matter until a proposal was actually presented. Made sense to me, and from what I could see, to other Council members as well.
You want to explain why Hansen would be a fine alternative in the Mayor's office to Mayor Peterson/Godfrey, have at it. I've posted on that topic here myself. But attacking the qualifications of others who may challenge the Mayor is a bad idea, a bad strategy and will, in the end, increase the Mayor's chances for re-election.
I hope Mr. Hansen will keep his eyes on the prize, and keep his campaign focused on why the Mayor should not be entrusted by the voters with a third term, and why he, Rep. Hansen, should be entrusted with his first term. None of that need... or should... involve shifting focus to attack other Godfrey challengers.
Did someone mention Arther Arrington?
Since the general topic seems to be the election and related matters, there are some interesting letters to the editor in today's [Friday's] SE.
The first is a reply to Mr. Geiger's op ed piece a while ago, pointing out that many businesses moving to Utah have realized the preserving open space creates business opportunities. Link
here.
The second argues that using Ogden city public funds to build a gondola primarily to serve a private resort development constitutes "corporate welfare." Link here.
And in some really good news for Ogden, Mr. Schwebke reports that this year's Hot Rockin' 4th event drew big crowds: 10K on the first night and 15K on the 4th of July, according to event promoter John Gullo. Attendance was "the best we've every had," he said. Link here.
Finally, the SE reports that Ogden is on the cutting edge of police transportation, having bought some Segway scooters, primarily to police the new downtown mall development site, but also useful for policing large crowd special events like Hot Rockin' forth. And kids come up to talk to the policemen riding them. Other Utah police departments are apparently looking into Segways for police patrolling, but Ogden is the first city in the state to buy and deploy them. Link here
I wonder if the policemen would have preferred cars that don't break down?
Being one of the naysaying obstructionists without a good thought or a good deed for the community, I bring that up anyway.
Cops on bicycles and horses bring children around wanting to pet the horses, and chat with their 'heroes'. They're also charming and lend an certain ambience to the city besdies security that is so needed.
Where will the cops put a Segway when not on it? What an enticing lure for a sticky fingered kid!
These things are great for Costco and Sams', the Pentagon and other huge places.
Oh, that was a suggestion...pardon me. We naysayers don't have constrctive suggestions.
On Segways:
Acutally, the Segway purchase might be a very good idea. We'll have to see how they work out on the street, of course. But giving them a tryout for urban crowd policing is one of the decisions Mayor Godfrey's pet police chief made that I think might be a good one. For lots of reasons. They can go places police cars can't, for example. Highly maneuverable, far less dangerous in crowded conditions, improve response times in crowded venues, apparently very energy efficient, non-polluting --- and pooper-scoopers not needed. As a way to bring increased mobility to foot-patrolling beat cops, may be a real benefit.
Are there drawbacks that may only become clear on the street in use? Easily could be. But the only way to learn what they are, and to decide if they outweigh the benefits, is to test them out as urban venue patrol vehicles.
On this one, I think the administration and its pet police chief probably made a wise decision.
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