Council's games with Catholic Church plan will cost it come elections

Dear editor:

Once again, city council has seen fit to delay the Catholic parish church project. And like before, the good councilwoman (Alain) Isaac is leading the charge.

Just when the project was back on track with the city council overturning the planning and zoning commission's recommendations, and city planners drafting a revised conditional use permit, councilwoman Isaac has yet again blocked further progress by "going to war" with the parish with silly and mundane concerns.

Isaac questioned the validity of the study the parish had already conducted in regards to how parking will be affected by the project. She stated that the study doesn't "accurately depict how many downtown parking spots the church would need if the project were approved."

She also brought up a new concern, one of which she calls "not in harmony with the existing or intended character of the downtown area." She further added that "downtown was not intended for this kind of use."

Are you kidding me?

How does a church, one of which has been at the same downtown location for over a century, and has contributed to the wellness of this community for so many years, not be harmonious with the downtown area?

What does the councilwoman consider harmonious? Is it the many unsightly, run-down vacant buildings? Or is it the numerous bars (watering holes) that dot the downtown area? Is that harmonious? How about the unkept streets and sidewalks downtown? Is that harmonious?

The last thing that one would consider downtown Mountain Home is harmonious -- one could easily describe it as just plain ugly. How does a muti-million dollar church and fellowship project that will greatly enhance the beautification of the downtown area not be harmonious?

To add insult to injury, the city council voted 3-2 to have a formal independent parking study conducted as part of the council's decision that "may" approve the project with the parish flipping the cost of another survey. This, of course, is after the parish has met the city's demands on meeting them half-way in scaling down the original project.

This new request by the city will once again delay the project a "minimum" of 30 days or more, and there is no guarantee that the project will be approved.

So, I guess this is how business is conducted by our city officials. If someone has a project that would greatly enhance the downtown area delaying tactics and hidden agendas are what's in store.

I thought one of the mayor's campaign promises was to promote the future development of downtown? Another empty promise by a politician whose agenda was to be elected, and to assist only those within his inner circle (shifty fifty).

While the city council continues to drag out a simple project like this, there are far more urgently pressing matters, such the crumpling state of city streets and infrastructure, which are appalling (and) the current situation with our hospital, not to mention the financial crisis of our school district.

No, our city council has focused its attention on harassing a religious institution that has been a solid foundation of spiritual support for this community for over 100 years.

Funny how the church project is called the "Fellowship Center." Does the councilwoman know the meaning of the word "fellowship?"

Her and the actions of some in city council are quite the opposite of fellowship. On the contrary, they could be construed as hostile.

I have a special message for those in city council, especially councilwoman Isaac -- this voice will not go away and neither will the voices of the parishioners of Our Lady of Good Counsel and of those in our local community who support this project. We will continue to be a thorn in your side and to remind you of your obligations as a servant of the public -- yes, that's right, you serve the taxpaying citizens of this community, especially this one, who is disgusted by your dirty tactics.

You hide behind the false perception of being the good and fair public servant, only doing their job and voicing the concerns of your constituents, when your true motives are to kill this project. Shame on you!

In closing, I implore all of you in our local Catholic community, as well as our non-Catholic brother and sisters, be it business owners, local leaders, and other local religious organizations and affiliations who support this project, to take a stand! Let your voices be heard, contact the mayor or city council and express to them your support of this worthwhile project.

This is "our" community and these are "our" elected officials. Show them your resolve on April 12 during the next city council meeting. Let them see in person what fellowship is all about. God bless.

John Jackson