By: Emiliano Zapata rides again
We need to replace many of the old personal who have kept the city stagnant.
I like Jeff and I do not know the other gentleman but what I do know is that this city is not headed in the right direction.
I know we need to terminate people in the planning and zoning, I know we need to terminate people who are not producing.
I am more concerned about the division within our city.
I am more concerned in what we do to move Harlingen in a new direction.
We will not do that be re-electing the mayor or Larry.
I am sorry for Jeff and Daniel but I am much more concerned about Harlingen as a whole.
Please do not think I am cold just take that anger and think about the city and how we need new direction. Let us start by taking everything personal.
Look at what was done to us with the soccer field that cost us the tax payers, who did it, Larry, Chris the mayor, Brandon Hall, Craig Lonon.
Why did we let these same guys hire Craig Lonon in the first place??
Be inquisitive about every thing that happens to Harlingen.
Off with the old on with the new.
Nothing wrong with Planning and Zoning, that is the least of Harlingen’s worries…
Harlingen does not grow because, planing a zoning make it very difficult to open business. They look for reasons not to open business. We need business in Harlingen have you not noticed? In your opinion nothing is wrong then what is the growth problem due to?
As a business person there is a lot of things wrong with planning and zoning when comes to opening a business. I have been there and believe me its no picnic either. They are so full of it that many a time the various departments can’t even figure out what if anything falls under their own jurisdiction. When they do, each departmnet is fighting over it like a bunch of puppies gnawing a meatless bone. Yes, most of the problems come from there and the needless red tape is also a problem when dealing with the know it alls. Me thinks that the planning and zoning is top heavy with adminstrators who aren’t worth a dime when comes to making Harlingen a viable and energetic place to welcome businesses. If somebody disagrees with me please go and pretend you’re opening a business and use a building as a proxy from de Brooks lots and go for it. I’m pretty sure he’ll go along with the project to prove me wrong!!
I have opened 3 businesses here in Harlingen, have had no problems… I tell them what I want to do, they in turn tell me what is required… I am hispanic, born and raised in the Valley, lower to middle class… I don’t try to beat or cheat the system, I just do what is required and boom! Open for business. Your results may vary.
“Me thinks that the planning and zoning is top heavy with adminstrators who aren’t worth a dime when comes to making Harlingen a viable and energetic place to welcome businesses.”
Nacho, Your statement that P&Z is “top heavy”… uh… there are only 2 people in that department, the P&Z Manager and a City Planner… oh, and a secretary. Also, “when comes to making Harlingen a viable and energetic place to welcome businesses” that is not what they are responsible for… “The Planning and Zoning Division is responsible for administration and enforcement of land use regulations for the City of Harlingen and its extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The division serves as staff support for the City Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and coordinates the application processes for zoning changes, subdivision plats, annexations, and variance requests.”
I not saying that they are perfect, far from it, but it seems people are really quick to blame this dept or that dept for issues that they themselves can control or reslove. It’s kinda like being upset with a cop because you were pulled over for speeding, he is just doing his job.
JETM, I agree with your statement that we need more businesses, I wish I had an answer for this issue, but I don’t. Also, I tend to base my opinions based in fact, I do my research and I try and not listen to any of the naysayers and gossip in this town… just my two cents…