Interpreting Small Town Politics 
by Zube, Jun 7, 2004
Updated: Jun 2, 2007
http://www.stat.colostate.edu/~zube/smalltown.txt

It's time for another real-world experience lesson.  It's expensive if
you buy it yourself, but it's free here.

Consider these four questions.

Q1: When a town has a pithy phrase associated with it (for example, my
town is called _The Choice City_), what does it really mean?

Q2: When a town has spent a large amount of time and effort to
construct a zoning plan, what effect does it have on actual development?

Q3: When a town asks for input on any development project, what effect
does it have on actual development?

Q4: Of what value are you to your town?

Answers:

A1: Nothing.  It's propaganda.  Someone thought it would make a good
slogan, but it might as well be _The Xxxyspzw City_ for all the
difference it makes.

A2: None.  The whole purpose of a zoning plan is to make residents
believe that the Planning Board has a plan.  In reality, when Money
walks through the door, the plan will be changed to suit Money's
needs.

A3: None.  The purpose of asking for input is only so they can later
say, "We asked for input on this project."  Money will do whatever it
wants and the town will smile with its hand out as it does.

A4: Very nearly zero.  Just pay your taxes and shut up.  Oh, you can
make all the noise you want, but the Town has an odd aural affliction.
It can't seem to hear anyone who doesn't have gobs of money.  It has
been to the doctor many times, but no cause can be found.  Very, very
sorry.