Stuck on Stupid: Part Deuce
Ethics Don't Exist in Maud Robinson or Shirley Damon's World
Our post on the Vienna Architectural Review Board has generated interest. We were sent this email written by a small business owner who could not understand the 'rules':
"Dear [Vienna Board Member], Thanks for your email. It said very well what I felt going through the process. Without the concrete and objective guidelines, it seems just like pure luck to get your application approved without any bumps. Looking at the signs of my neighbors, I still fail to grasp what are the rules for appropriate signs. Since there are deadlines and scheduled meetings, you can easily get lost and frustrated in the process. Believe it or not, [Name], one of the sign companies that I contacted for my sign application declined to work on it simply because the regulatory district is Town of Vienna. Unfortunately, I don't see the staff at the Town office very helpful and informative to guide through with applications, either. A newcomer to the Town like me is pretty much on her own navigating through the right path. I believed that I was doing what I was told to do, and quite frankly had no doubt that my application would be approved at the last meeting. Since my [business] has been open 3 weeks now without a permanent sign and I was given an impression at the last meeting that my revised plan would get a fairly immediate attention, I frantically ran around to deliver it to the Town on Monday. I haven't heard anything until now. What I am trying to tell you is, [Name], that I seem to be the only one who suffers from the unpredictable outcome and feels desperate. I was very excited and happy to open a business in Vienna, hoping the love would be both ways..I am sorry that I may have seen only my side of the coin, but that was not my intention to have dropped you a line. I simply wanted to say thank you for your earnest work. I needed to tell you that businesses in Vienna need a person like you on the Board who realizes the problems with the process and is not afraid of the challenge. I'll look forward to your visit to my [Business] soon, Sincerely, [Name}."
Nearly identical problems are seen in the Windover Heights Historic District. Systemic problems ladies and gentlemen. Systemic problems.
