To the editor:
I just want to say that I agree with Kathy Forbes letter to the editor in the Jan. 24 – Feb. 6 edition of the Brookhaven Reporter. I can’t add anything myself but I find the following quote describes the mayor and City Council perfectly:
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” – C.S. Lewis
Rick Woodward
To the editor:
Many thanks to Kathy Forbes for her “Pink Pony: City vs. will of the people?” letter in your Jan. 24 –Feb. 6 issue. I share in Kathy’s frustration, perplexity, and increasing anxiety.
The Pink Pony is ultimately a legislative fluke: Born of an old “arrangement” with DeKalb County, the only club of its kind in our city, no threat to property values nor to the general peace, and a source of government revenue. Easily grandfathered into our city, it provides jobs for some 300 people [several of whom might be single working parents].
Our newly elected city government has yet to produce specific reasons for attempting to shut down the operation. Their critically important credibility as elected government officials has suffered accordingly.
I’ve been involved in local zoning issues for some 36 years, both as an individual and as a member of various activist groups. I’ve known members of our Brookhaven City government for years–you know who you are! I worked hard to help found the city of Brookhaven. Once you lose your credibility, it won’t ultimately matter what else you can bring to the table.
Give us some solid reasons for your actions, [and your refusals to act], or stop a process that could involve years of financial and emotional drain. You can do better than this!!
Tom Reilly