Now this column is extremely long and winded, so I won't be addressing everything. If you would like to see the column in its entirety please click here.
Also, keep in mind that this column is in response to a column that I linked to last week and you can see that here on this link to my blog post.
Before I begin I just want to pass something on to the RAIDers for a second. Some of this stuff I am simply having some fun with. No need to get all bothered by all of it. It is just at this point, after the months and months of your group stating the exact same things over and over again that some of your spiel is getting comical.
Let's begin...
RAID is not going away anytime soon
Mike Bihuniak
RAID President
Dang.
As President of RAID, I feel compelled to answer your unwarranted attack on our group that appeared in last Sunday's Miner, Ms. Busch. Usually we tend to ignore attacks on us and let the facts speak for themselves, but this latest assault needs to be answered because your statements are inflammatory and false.
(All emphasis mine throughout)
Who's facts?? Yours?? RAID's problem right now is that the facts are not speaking for them.
You first attack our name and say we should be accused of being against all growth and being anti-Kingman
I'll agree and say that it appears RAID is not against all growth in Kingman... just growth in certain area's where the 10 or so members predominately live. RAID has been against an extremely important commercial development project from the get go, and has even gone so far to be against much needed infrastructure improvements that could improve the quality of life for many residents throughout the city of Kingman and beyond.
What RAID will likely say in this regard is that all things involving this needed commercial development and infrastructure improvements need to be put on the back burner for a year minimum. RAID will say that this position does not equal anti-growth... in their eyes.
Of course, you also fail to list our accomplishments, such as preventing our City Council from giving away our well sites in Golden Valley to Mr. Rhodes at a price well below their market value, or most recently speaking out at the last Council meeting on the proposed changes in the C-1 zoning text that would allow numerous undesirable businesses into our neighborhoods.
Well, how braggadocios of RAID. There must be an appraiser or two that belong to RAID (retired most likely). Just what is market value anyway??
And speaking out about commercial zoning is hardly something that equals championing for the good folks of Kingman. Especially since members of RAID were the only folks doing so at the meeting and in their effort made a very weak case at an open meeting. Got to come up with something better than 'because Gwen says so'. I know many folks that are working with the city on a weekly basis to come up with a plan that best serves all of Kingman on this subject and all have told me that NO members of RAID are lending a hand. Lots of work still to be done before these changes see a chance to actually be changes.
Also, a number of our members spoke in support of Joy Brotherton in her effort to rezone residential property to commercial that was in the midst of mostly already commercial zoned properties so that the people living there were able to sell their properties for a reasonable price.
Yes RAID did support this and should have for the reasons they mentioned. What they haven't mentioned is that the rezone case came only after a major amendment to the general plan was made that changed the land use designation for the property in question.
The very same folks that supported Mrs. Brotherton's request to change the general plan later in the same meeting (back in April) told the fine citizens of Kingman that the general plan should not be changed on another important piece of property (located closer to Seneca St.) because the voters of Kingman voted to pass the general plan and the general plan should not be changed without another vote (see Prop 301).
Read it again. The general plan can be changed with the blessing of RAID in some cases, but not when those cases have Interstate frontage or could have some affect on the sacred street of Seneca. I think hypocrisy is the right word here.
You speak of the bond issue as if it is the salvation of this community, and if it were presented properly, I'm sure it would be accepted more readily by the public.
I'm getting the feeling that the bond issue is being supported and accepted by the public. Many folks are already willing to say 'YES' to Kingman, instead of 'NO' like RAID wants them to. Even the editor of the newspaper that covers RAID's every move is saying 'YES'.
The property and business owners of this town would be willing to vote for SPECIFIC PROJECTS, not baskets of wish lists that are being presented to us. You also fail to mention that this $56 million stealth property tax gives this lame duck Council
For the part I emphasized, keep that in mind for a bit later. And why is this council a lame duck?? There are no term limits and there have been no successful recalls.
I have my own reservations about increasing my property taxes by passing the bonds, but what is in the back of my head right now is the feeling that groups like RAID (and other self interests in town) will work to defeat the things that Kingman needs in terms of improvements... and the citizens of Kingman can't simply take on that risk that RAID and others will see to it that the city only progresses when RAID and the other self interests decide that it is okay to do so.
Could some of this bond money be used to finance the proposed Kingman Crossing traffic interchange? Possibly
Finally. At the root of the issue for RAID and priority number one... to defeat any chance of a new traffic interchange to improve such issues as increased sales tax revenue's, public safety, public convenience, and improved quality of life. All for the 'betterment' of Kingman. Yeah right.
Our position is to wait one year and hopefully a new mayor and three new Council members will present us with specific projects to accept or deny.
Funny... I didn't think government worked like that. I thought leaders were elected by the people of Kingman to make the tough decisions. I didn't realize leaders were elected by the people to only then kiss the ring of RAID.
And one year?? What if RAID doesn't like the new ring kissers?? What then?? Wait two years??
I suggest that if you want to learn about who we are and what we are about, please go to our Web site, KINGMANRAID.INFO, and perhaps you will see what we are. We are totally comprised of Kingman residents, we have no out-of-town representatives on our board like another group pushing for the bond issue. Ask yourself why people living in Henderson and Phoenix are coming to Kingman to push for the bond issue in our town?
The RAID hypocrisy knows no bounds, I guess. Here they are asking you to see what RAID is all about by visiting their website. In the next breath though the president of RAID makes some accusation about a different community group he knows nothing about.
RAID is so disingenuous right here it is beyond comical. The RAID president is obviously taking a jab at the local community NON POLITICAL group called CIVIC. The RAID president has no basis for making the accusation he has about a group whose only goal is to raise awareness about local governmental issues and to help motivate folks to vote their own free will who normally would not do so otherwise.
These cheap shots from a group like RAID and other local self interests could be considered as an effort to supress vote's. See, I can say outlandish things as well.
The critics of CIVIC all have one thing in common to this point, they've never been to a CIVIC meeting. Maybe it is time for the critics to get their ass down to the next meeting before spouting off with the lies they have told.
Oh... and wouldn't you know... RAID has been invited to tonights CIVIC meeting to make a presentation against the bond issues to an audience full of folks that may or may not be voting, may or may not have made up their mind on how they'll vote, or may or may not have had even heard of RAID.
If you do leave a comment here please include a yes or no on whether or not you think RAID will actually show up as the invited guests that they are to make that presentation.
Once again folks, I do make it clear that I disagree with the RAID organization and what it stands for. However, I do respect the ten or so folks that are members of RAID. I will not personally attack any individual member and I ask that you abide and offer the same respect if you choose to leave a comment. Thanks.
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