When I read the story in the Feb. 4 Journal titled, “Urban Blight Discussed,” I had to laugh. Dick Rudolph asked, “Are we that complacent that we don’t see what this looks like?” Well, it isn’t complacency. It is way too much regulation, taxation, and fees created by the city itself. Small businesses can’t operate under all the regulation and expense. The following are some examples (there are many more):
The owner of the RV park south of the M & M sold it to a man from California. When the new owner went to have the water turned on, the city’s outrageous hook-up fee was shocking! It was thousands of dollars. The owner pulled out and went back to California.
An eyeglass lens manufacturer wanted to begin a business here but went some other place because the city wouldn’t give hem an entrance to the road in front of his business location.
The bookstore on Main Street closed because the city required a grease trap that cost thousands, even though the bookstore eatery didn’t serve anything that would need a grease trap.
Walmart almost built its big store outside the city limits because the city said the company had to build the building in Southwest style.
It goes on and on.
The “urban blight” is a big sign of too much government! The City Council members should look to themselves for the answer to this problem.
Gayleen Johnson
Cortez
