Editorial: Let the residents be heard

By: Editorial | Opelika Auburn News
Published: March 23, 2009

When it comes to pairing bars and daycares, hopefully what comes to mind is playground equipment — some over-head bars, maybe even, some monkey bars. But a recent discussion at the Auburn Planning Commission meeting paired the two in a way that has stirred anything put images of fun and frolicking for some local folks. And rightfully so.

Concerned parents and neighboring business owners pleaded with the commission to "bar" a proposed bar from opening next door to Hardy's Creative Childcare on North College Street in Auburn.
In a 6-3 vote of approval, the commission sent the issue on to be decided by the city council.

The parents didn't take the disappointment lightly. A newly-created online petition has garnered an impressive list since its first signature Monday — 345 signatures as of Wednesday evening.

One of the saddest things is apathy — you don't like what's going on, but you aren't passionate enough to do anything about it. These parents are setting the example for residents everywhere. If you have an opinion, express it. This country has sacrificed lives for our right to speak our minds, and yet, we have election day voter turnout numbers that are a fraction of the call-ins for American Idol.

There is a recent example in Opelika that residents can make a difference.

On the Opelika City Council's March 3 agenda, council members were scheduled to consider a retail liquor lounge license for Parkway Package Store. In this case, it appears that the council members had done their homework. But it was a comment that council member Joey Motley shared that makes this point. Motley said a resident near the business in question called him concerned about the impact this would have on the neighborhood. Did you catch that? — A resident called. For the record that agenda item died without even getting a motion for discussion.

So how about that daycare-neighboring bar? It seems obvious that adult activities and children don't mix. Why risk the "broken-beer-bottle-on-the-playground" scenario?

Here's hoping that city leaders do what they were elected to do — represent the interests of the majority of the people who put them there.

Cheers.