My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. The topic, of course, was the now-failed effort to build an office tower.
Despite all of this, there was something else going on with this project, an invisible hand pushing it as it rose, phoenix-like, from the ashes for the third time. In various reports since it was announced in 2008, the project was described as being located in an impoverished neighborhood desperately in need of development. A speaker at the town hall meeting finally named it: race.
I have to say that although the project appears to be off the table, I believe it will be resurrected at some point in the future, for the very reasons that I outlined in the article. I hope the citizens continue to be engaged, continue to ask questions. And, of course, think towards next May’s council elections. The Three Amigos – Tommy Smigiel, Andy Protogyrou, and surprisingly, Angelia Williams – could use some help.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 