Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Wed, Sep 09 2009
The deal that got away
I had a very difficult time this morning watching a senior friend get upset over a Planning Commission decision to approve a project that will ultimately ruin the view from the kitchen window of the house she has lived in for decades, a house she and her husband own free and clear after years of hard work and sacrifice. I've been trying to think of the other property owner's point of view. Maybe developing and selling these properties was his retirement plan. I don't know. But it's been tough watching her be so upset while he makes money and doesn't have to live in the neighborhood that his transaction will affect. My friend is a volunteer, giving time and effort to civic organizations and schools. She makes certain that third graders in the area each have their own dictionaries for school. The man who is developing his property is probably also a good man in his own way. It's just difficult knowing her and not knowing him. He smiled and didn't make eye contact with her as he and his land consultant left the room where the decision came down. I wanted him to stop and shake her hand and tell her that he knew she was suffering while he celebrated and ask her if there was anything he could do to ease her suffering. But when I think about it, what could he do? There's no monetary value one can put on looking out the window at nature while you wash the kids' (and later) grandkids' sticky breakfast plates. She'll have to hold onto her memories and leave him to whatever pleasure he gleans from his business victory.
The land deal is one that will ultimately affect several households, including our own, with increased traffic, neighborhood housing/population density and water usage. Time will tell what it really costs. I've heard it said that a successful business deal is one in which everybody gets at least some of what they want. If that's true, this one is sporting major failure before the land has even had so much as a spade taken to it.
posted at: 14:23 | category: /Miscellaneous | link to this entry
I had a very difficult time this morning watching a senior friend get upset over a Planning Commission decision to approve a project that will ultimately ruin the view from the kitchen window of the house she has lived in for decades, a house she and her husband own free and clear after years of hard work and sacrifice. I've been trying to think of the other property owner's point of view. Maybe developing and selling these properties was his retirement plan. I don't know. But it's been tough watching her be so upset while he makes money and doesn't have to live in the neighborhood that his transaction will affect. My friend is a volunteer, giving time and effort to civic organizations and schools. She makes certain that third graders in the area each have their own dictionaries for school. The man who is developing his property is probably also a good man in his own way. It's just difficult knowing her and not knowing him. He smiled and didn't make eye contact with her as he and his land consultant left the room where the decision came down. I wanted him to stop and shake her hand and tell her that he knew she was suffering while he celebrated and ask her if there was anything he could do to ease her suffering. But when I think about it, what could he do? There's no monetary value one can put on looking out the window at nature while you wash the kids' (and later) grandkids' sticky breakfast plates. She'll have to hold onto her memories and leave him to whatever pleasure he gleans from his business victory.
The land deal is one that will ultimately affect several households, including our own, with increased traffic, neighborhood housing/population density and water usage. Time will tell what it really costs. I've heard it said that a successful business deal is one in which everybody gets at least some of what they want. If that's true, this one is sporting major failure before the land has even had so much as a spade taken to it.
posted at: 14:23 | category: /Miscellaneous | link to this entry
