The Town needs to show more Respect for the Residents as a whole:

This includes property owners, students, residents of the ETJ (Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction), and people who live and work in our community.

I think it’s great that a group of people finally stood up to developers and said: “Hey, we’re proud of this community and we want you to stop some of these development practices that are ruining this town." This took a lot of courage. However, now I think the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. When I attend public hearings and hear such things as “you foreigners” or “you greedy land owners,” I realize we have reached such a level of blatant disrespect, that cooperative efforts toward improving the community are unattainable.

I think it’s time we take a deep breath, relax, and start taking note of what all sectors of the community are saying. People are getting so heated at these debates because they feel their interests are not being considered. Leaders need to respectfully listen to the concerns of all sectors. Leaders need to encourage developers to get to know the concerns of a neighborhood before they start a building project nearby. Neighborhoods need to understand that this is a town not a country club, and government cannot dictate what people do with their private property—government can only steer property owners in a proper direction. Town leaders have to consider not only how a development impacts a neighborhood, but also how the development might help increase affordable housing options or decrease dependence on the automobile, or reduce urban sprawl.

We need an environment, where people can express their views without fear of being called names. Where they can contribute their “2-cents-worth” to help make a building project an asset to the community. I think most people are reasonable enough to understand that we can no longer live by principles of (1) “It’s my land and I’ll do what I want” or (2) “Not in my backyard.” I think if we show more respect to all members of the community, we can find workable and constructive solutions. There is going to be compromise and not everyone is going to be completely happy with the end result, but give-and-take is just part of life.

As for residents of the ETJ (Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction), town leaders need to understand that their decisions have a great impact on the ETJ. The residents of this area have no true representation since they cannot vote in town elections, but yet they are subjected to the same building standards imposed by the town. Town leaders need to be cognizant of this double-standard and to make sure the concerns of ETJ residents can be heard and considered.

And finally—students. If it weren’t for the students, most of us wouldn’t have jobs. We just have to realize that students are going to be students. The town needs to encourage an environment where the students can socialize without disturbing an entire neighborhood. I think King St. is the perfect place for this. King St. could offer more cultural and social activities such as music clubs, restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, bars and art venues. This would provide a place to “hang-out.” A place where students can have a good time without keeping their neighbors awake. A place where the students won’t necessarily get the cops called on them for noise violations.