If this gas station is so important....

The people that plan on building a gas station/car wash/convenience store on 2216 Warrensville Center Road, University Heights, Ohio, didn't even show up at the special Council Meeting set up to make or break the gas station. The residents of University Heights that, instead, chose to show up, were greeted by a lawyer, that simply said that Waterway wanted a continuance. "To do what?" The gentleman was asked. "I don't know", was the reply, "they need 6 weeks to investigate". "Investigate what?" Was the other question, "I don't know" was the answer, "but they need six weeks". Now a business that cares about what happens in its community, would bother at least to show up. Unless it was a tactic to gain six more weeks to try and change people's (read councilpersons') minds. In the continuance letter they asked councilpersons to travel to their facilities, where they will be shown smiling, high school or college level students, all caucasian but one. These employees will be all (by pure and simple coincidence) be wearing clean and ironed uniforms, they will all be greeting customers in a completely "I didn't absolutely know that you people came here to inspect us", way. Waterway will dine councilpeople and talk to them about what good neighbors thay all are, and how everybody is happy to have them around (commercial areas like the ones they are in (including Bainbridge, OH) don't care). While missing, with outright lack of respect for Council and residents, the meeting where they were supposed to be. The continuance would have been granted just the same. Everybody in Council is trying to be fair. Why then this uncalled act of pure and simple rudeness?
We are open to answers.

Waterway masqueraded as Bluestone calls the Author of the Blog "Nuts"

It's been a while since Waterway infiltrated this blog under the name Bluestone4181. We, of course, recognized them very early. We were appalled by the fact that they didn't have the guts to sign themselves as Waterway, but that would have been what honest, caring, good neighbors would do. We learned that Bluestone, sorry Waterway, does not play "clean", forgive us the pun. They feel that now they have the upperhand because, at the moment, they have the permit. What they do not know, is that it's not over yet. They are already acting cocky and showing that they have a right to gloat. The thing that shows them for who they really are though, is that, under the assumed name of bluestone thay called the Author of this blog "nuts" (read it under the post "Waterway tries to sell a fairytale").
We personally think that it is a low blow, undignified of a company that claims to be about people. We are sorry for you Waterway, but the more you keep this up, the more you show your "littleness" the more sustainers you will call into our cause.
Now go ahead and have a blast with your comments. We are listening.

THANKS UHNOGas members and supporters!!

Update on the Zoning Meeting ALMOST held on February 4, 2008.

 

We arrived to the meeting. We sat down, and we waited, the room got full. We think at least 100 people, but could have been easily more, were there. People arrived slowly. By 6:00pm though, the Zoning Committee members, and the Councilpersons were almost all there. The almost makes the difference. Channel 3 news, and News Channel 5 were there as well, and taping.

Mr. Goldberg (VP of Waterway Gas and Wash Company) started explaining again his project. He said that some changes have been made. One of them was that by re-drawing the plan, they don't need anymore the 10 feet variance. I think that they squeezed the gas station, car wash, and convenience store a little more.

Who do you think may notice?

Anyway, he was making the point that this small business is consented by the ordinance... (I have to look it up, be patient, tomorrow, when I am fresh, I'll put it in) that states that a gas station and car accessories sales are authorized by the zoning and even a car wash (I didn't see that part on the page of the ordinance I got, I'll check again). Anyway, we were all listening when Councilwoman Frankie Goldberg walks in and says that people, at least 25, are outside and would like to come in. At this point, the debate starts: the meeting is already in session, but the people are outside. Do we go to a Synagogue? It's too short notice. The fire marshalls absolutely cannot let anymore people in the building. Do we leave these people outside? For Mr. Zucker, this would be the right solution, everybody else says that they may have something to say and, being a public meeting, we should give them the possibility of hearing what is being said and evntually to reply. The matter is put to a vote. Except for the Mayor and Mr. Zucker, everybody else votes in favor of the rescheduling. The dates will be worked out with Mr.Goldman, the zoning committee Members, and the Councilpersons. The possible locations may be:John Carroll University, or Wiley Middle School's Auditorium.

At the end of the short meeting everybody went outside, and there we informed the people waiting of what went on. The media was out there as soon as they heard that more than 25 people were outside. We'll follow the developments watching the news, and we will keep you posted as soon as we learn more.

You can pat your backs sustainers, we are proud of all of you. We just need to keep it up, and keep showing up, showing that we care.