From reading this morning's Gazette, I find myself in disgust with the City Council of Charleston. I will find it laughable should Sasaki show up to reveal a plan like the one, or even including the one, Ms. Johnson has envisioned.

How can Mary Jean Davis say that there will be no new buildings or a marina? Does she already have in mind what SHE wants to see in Charleston? Does she have inside scoop? Does something smell a little fishy to you? Democracy in action in the City of Charleston yet again.

I applaud Ms. Johnson and her efforts, and the fact that if it weren't fer her, we wouldn't even be talking about this. I am also of the belief that if it weren't for Ms. Johnson, we wouldn't have even been discussing the erosion with the Army Corps of Engineers. I believe it was she that has brought all of this to the attention of the City and the public.

I can understand that a marina on the Kanwha River itself may not be possible, but what is the problem with taking it around the corner, just up into the Elk?

I must say, City Council is doing one-Helluva job shoving their thumbs up their respective rears, and Mary Jean Davis is wonderful at shoving her foot in her mouth. Chairperson of the waterfront committee? That makes as much sense as giving a monkey a machine gun. I think I will be campaigning diligently when City Council elections are up again. I will campaign against every member out there that doesn't support a progressive waterfront. With all of the quotes, it will be simple to show the public the idiocy sitting in the Big Building downtown.

Bigdaddywv30 wrote: ..... I must say, City Council is doing one-Helluva job shoving their thumbs up their respective rears, and Mary Jean Davis is wonderful at shoving her foot in her mouth. Chairperson of the waterfront committee? That makes as much sense as giving a monkey a machine gun. I think I will be campaigning diligently when City Council elections are up again. I will campaign against every member out there that doesn't support a progressive waterfront. With all of the quotes, it will be simple to show the public the idiocy sitting in the Big Building downtown.

I'm thinking that this part of the post is in the category of the forum guidelines delineated as  "Also, please refrain from the use of foul language, vulgarity, name-calling, slander/libel and/or other defamatory remarks."

I'd like to think we can show the world-wide web that CRW citizens can discuss our differences and frustrations civilly - at least online anyway.

Andy, I would like to sincerely express my apologies to you and any other persons who have read these statements and have taken offense at the use of language. Maybe my language is offensive, but I will not apologize for the sentiment. Again, my apologies.

Further, I attended the meeting at the Civic Center on July 28th. I will give credit where credit is due. I may not put much faith in the waterfront committee so far, but I do have faith in the professionals from Sasaki. Granted there were no solid ideas brought forth at that time. I am referring to the feeling I got from them of confidence. I feel that they can be trusted to put forth ideas to utilize the space to it's fullest potential. Actually, I am very excited at attending the upcoming meetings and taking part in this endeavor.

I really appreciate how they stressed that the work they propose will entice developers to use other land along the boulevard to develop more. I think that developers should look at this site and really consider the work that Ms. Johnson has done. I would love to see a structure such as this at the corner of the Kanawha and Elk. I think this is exactly the kind of development Sasaki was talking about.

Controversy over shutting down a lane or two of the boulevard will be a big problem for Sasaki and the City. I fall towards the side of closing them. I disagree with the gentleman's comment that "emergency services use the boulevard a lot". With all due respect to the man and his opinion- BULL! I don't know where he lives, but on the East End where I live, I see Emergency Services using Virginia and Quarrier more than the boulevard.

Piedmont could be developed more for use, and the speed limit on the boulevard could be lowered.

Also, to those of you who are older and who may resist change, I am referring to the wonderful senior citizens of the area who love the boulevard just the way it is, I beg you to think not of how you want this to be for you. Think about how you would want to see it grow for your children, grand-children, and great-grand-children. We must progress. We must make the city more exciting and lively in order to make it so your children and grand-children will want to stay and raise their families when you have left this earth. I do not intend to be rude with these statements. My intent is realism.

Thanks to Ms. Johnson for putting forth this forum, as well as her wonderful ideas.

Apology accepted.  I agree on the modification of the current use of the blvd space.

Andy