It was Mr. Davidson Appreciation Night

Well, It's over. The vote did not go our way. Congratulations to Mr. Davidson. The pro-rezoning camp put together a great show. Mr. Davidson's friends paraded in front of the microphone praising his accomplishments and sense of ethics. They left nothing out save the plaque commemorating his great moral integrity. They were also very convincing in painting Mr. Davidson as a victim; a victim of his own actions even.

For instance, that non-conforming plastic factory that was in the backyard for years? We, his neighbors, should all be grateful to him, you see. We should be grateful that he did not try to have commercial zoning grandfathered in after the factory was there illegally for years. What an outstanding citizen. Why, it was only Mr. Davidson's high standard of ethics that stopped him from cashing in on his ethically questionable activity, his law partner informed us with a straight face. Mr. Davidson, we were told, is a victim of his own high ideals.

They successfully turned the tables on Mrs. Verlander, who saved an historic downtown house from demolition by moving it onto her property near the park and occasionally holding wedding receptions there as a "bed and breakfast". They falsely stated that none of the neighbors ever complained about the bed and breakfast so therefore Mr. Davidson was being persecuted.

The facts are that there was no rezoning hearing for the Bed and Breakfast; they are allowed to operate in the designated zoning of that property. None of the neighbors knew it would be run illegally beforehand. As far as we know, none of the neighbors knew Mrs. Verlander was in violation of any ordinances pertaining to bed and breakfasts until it was brought up a week or so ago. To the charge that no one complained about the Bed and Breakfast, that is not true. Many questions were raised at the time the plan was announced and the police were called out to that property at least once over noise issues.

Mr. Davidson complained about the Bed and Breakfast in front of the City Council yesterday. It seemed as if he told Councilman Menard to jump and Councilman Menard didn't even have to ask how high. He immediately berated a subordinate and demanded in no uncertain terms of her that the transgressions of the bed and breakfast be investigated. He apparently didn't see the logical disconnect in condemning one person for not operating under ordinance and rewarding another who operated a plastic factory in his backyard against zoning for years.

Another theme of the night was that Mr. Davidson would be held "captive" by not allowing this rezoning. Indeed, almost every speaker sent to the microphone in support of Mr. Davidson used this word as if programmed. Mr. Davidson is captive to no one. As far as we can determine, he is moving, leaving the rest of the neighborhood to deal with the changes. Good luck to his new neighbors.

We do applaud Mr. Davidson for one thing. He absolutely refused to abide by the plans he submitted proudly before the council, but he did promise that the spirit of the plan would be adhered to. We are sure it will be easy for him to live up to this promise since he gave it on record in front of the City Council and he is a man of integrity. Those of you, however, who know the history of this property and the constant effort to squeeze every penny out of it at the expense of his neighbors might think it difficult for him to do so.

Please join us in hoping that he is a man of integrity and fulfills his promise.