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ENLARGE
Jeff Pelline
I thoroughly enjoy visiting with our readers — well, almost all of them — whether it’s at the fairgrounds, in the grocery store, church, or via phone, letter or email.
An example of the exception might be a letter I received this week from a local aspiring politician: “Congratulations! You managed to get the good ol’ girls returned to office! ... You and Señorita Kleist and that loudmouth Neanderthal publisher of yours are a disgrace.” At least one correction is in order: It is Señora Kleist, not Señorita.
A more typical experience occurred Thursday, when I received a call from a longtime 79-year-old subscriber, a thoughtful woman who reminded me how much I miss my Mom. This caller got the impression that instead of always taking sides, I saw the “good and bad in everything,” as she did. Bingo. It’s what journalists are supposed to do.
She called my attention to an e-mail sent out to students at American River College by President David Viar last month: “With political discourse running high at ARC in recent weeks, I believe it is essential we not allow engaged discussion to lapse into uncivil actions and words. ... Shouting epithets at others or calling people derogatory names is not acceptable behavior.”
It also said: “We respect the right of every individual to express any idea and to counter another’s point of view. And, while we promote open expression of our individuality and our diversity, we do so within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity and respect.”
The reader who called me said the fighting going on in Nevada City about whether to keep or disband the Downtown Association, as well as the growth measures in Grass Valley, reminded her of this e-mail and its message.
I caught the tail-end of a Nevada City council meeting in person late Wednesday (to sit in for the reporter so he could file the story on deadline at 10 p.m.) and was surprised at some remarks I heard. So much so that I went back to NCTV the next day (thank you, Michael, Lew, Bill et al.) to watch the meeting on video.
Councilman David McKay was highly critical of the dissident Downtown Association group led by Tom Coleman, owner of the landmark National Hotel, as well as Gary Stollery, owner of the Toad Hall Book Shop.
In a serious voice (and no comments from the peanut gallery, please), he likened the debate about whether to continue the group to a “once-a-year lynching.” He also said the anti-Downtown Association groups showed “aberrant” behavior and needed psychological “counseling.” Ouch.
I can understand the anger: This dissident group has a penchant for pushing people’s buttons. It was a long, emotional meeting. I also know this is out of character for David. I admire him, I was eager to publicize his award-winning photography book when he mentioned it at a spaghetti feed at the city’s fire house earlier this year — and I voted for him in June.
But the comment wasn’t appropriate for an elected official at this public gathering, where you need to help heal some deep wounds among merchants, just as the busy holiday shopping season begins. As a long-timer aptly described the outcome of this year’s Downtown Association tussle: “They scored a big win by the skin of their teeth.” Well said.
So why not set the anger aside (whether justified or not) and bang some drums and ring a triangle together — figuratively if not literally? After all, it is Nevada City. In Grass Valley, some inappropriate remarks from former and existing council members have only fanned the flames of discontent as well.
In Nevada City, some people still are fuming at the newspaper for airing the anti-Downtown Association views of “seven people” — as another council member put it — in the paper. They complain we give them too much ink.
It’s our job to present both sides. The vote was awfully close too: Based on a percentage of the assessed value of the businesses in the district, an appropriate benchmark, the results were $15,623 for the association to continue and $15,112 against. That’s a mere $511 difference out of $30,735.
We’ve been covering this story for years, justifiably. In December 2006, police were called to Stollery’s bookstore after a heated dispute erupted about the then-Business Improvement District. Leonard Berardi, owner of Mountain House Books on Broad Street and a BID proponent, was told by police to leave Toad Hall Book Shop on North Pine Street. Don’t shoot the messenger — settle your differences.
To be fair, Gary, Tom and their supporters have 100 years of experience running businesses in Nevada City. They have some legitimate concerns. The mandatory cost of Downtown Association dues comes at a tough economic time.
Merchants also have to weigh whether to pay annual dues to the chamber — in this case, voluntary payments. To some people, the chamber and Downtown Association duplicate too many efforts.
The dissident group also has raised some concerns about transparency and accountability that are legitimate to raise.
I can understand how the window signs of protest upset some people, and I’m glad they’re coming down. (Well, sort of: Some were quite colorful. When you get “love” letters like we do, nothing is too surprising.)
On the flip side, some of the tactics of the Downtown Association were perceived as heavy handed, not neighborly. One example that I recall: a letter threatening to report fellow merchants to a credit agency for not paying their dues. I wouldn’t do that given the sensitivity.
The leadership of the Downtown Association needs to play an instrumental role in bringing the merchants together. I know Gary and Tom, just as I know many members of the Downtown Association, such as Kirk Valentine of the Nevada City Classic Cafe or Gary Tintle of Tintle Inc.
We don’t agree on everything, but I can find something in common with each one and enjoy the discussions. Being too aligned can be just as bad as being unaligned: You have blindspots.
Gary tells wonderful stories about the California lifestyle of yesteryear, including the West Shore of Tahoe, and his bookstore carries some interesting volumes (local novelist Monte Schultz, and son of the famous late cartoonist, likes to shop there).
Tom shakes a good Manhattan, he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves, and he has made some visible improvements to the National Hotel, including a recent paint job on the façade.
Kirk is a creative restaurateur, having added crêpes to his menu, thanks to his wife Genevieve’s French influence. My wife and I like going to his home to eat a Caesar salad that he makes from scratch (anchovies and coddled eggs) and hearing about his travels to China with his family. Gary Tintle has been a workhorse at the Nevada
City Farmers Market. My son and I would wake up early and enjoy watching him power wash Union Street on Saturday morning, in front of his handsome building.
This is a team of dedicated volunteers.
So there you have it: “a diverse community composed of individuals having many perspectives and abilities,” as the email from American River College’s David Viar put it. With a bleak economy, now is the time to build a strong team in Nevada City, tolerating people who inevitably come out of left field. After all, most of us have stood in left field once, and we no doubt will again.
Jeff Pelline is the editor of The Union. His column appears on Saturdays. Contact him at 477-4235, jeffp@theunion.com, or 464 Sutton Way, Grass Valley 95945.
An example of the exception might be a letter I received this week from a local aspiring politician: “Congratulations! You managed to get the good ol’ girls returned to office! ... You and Señorita Kleist and that loudmouth Neanderthal publisher of yours are a disgrace.” At least one correction is in order: It is Señora Kleist, not Señorita.
A more typical experience occurred Thursday, when I received a call from a longtime 79-year-old subscriber, a thoughtful woman who reminded me how much I miss my Mom. This caller got the impression that instead of always taking sides, I saw the “good and bad in everything,” as she did. Bingo. It’s what journalists are supposed to do.
She called my attention to an e-mail sent out to students at American River College by President David Viar last month: “With political discourse running high at ARC in recent weeks, I believe it is essential we not allow engaged discussion to lapse into uncivil actions and words. ... Shouting epithets at others or calling people derogatory names is not acceptable behavior.”
It also said: “We respect the right of every individual to express any idea and to counter another’s point of view. And, while we promote open expression of our individuality and our diversity, we do so within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity and respect.”
The reader who called me said the fighting going on in Nevada City about whether to keep or disband the Downtown Association, as well as the growth measures in Grass Valley, reminded her of this e-mail and its message.
I caught the tail-end of a Nevada City council meeting in person late Wednesday (to sit in for the reporter so he could file the story on deadline at 10 p.m.) and was surprised at some remarks I heard. So much so that I went back to NCTV the next day (thank you, Michael, Lew, Bill et al.) to watch the meeting on video.
Councilman David McKay was highly critical of the dissident Downtown Association group led by Tom Coleman, owner of the landmark National Hotel, as well as Gary Stollery, owner of the Toad Hall Book Shop.
In a serious voice (and no comments from the peanut gallery, please), he likened the debate about whether to continue the group to a “once-a-year lynching.” He also said the anti-Downtown Association groups showed “aberrant” behavior and needed psychological “counseling.” Ouch.
I can understand the anger: This dissident group has a penchant for pushing people’s buttons. It was a long, emotional meeting. I also know this is out of character for David. I admire him, I was eager to publicize his award-winning photography book when he mentioned it at a spaghetti feed at the city’s fire house earlier this year — and I voted for him in June.
But the comment wasn’t appropriate for an elected official at this public gathering, where you need to help heal some deep wounds among merchants, just as the busy holiday shopping season begins. As a long-timer aptly described the outcome of this year’s Downtown Association tussle: “They scored a big win by the skin of their teeth.” Well said.
So why not set the anger aside (whether justified or not) and bang some drums and ring a triangle together — figuratively if not literally? After all, it is Nevada City. In Grass Valley, some inappropriate remarks from former and existing council members have only fanned the flames of discontent as well.
In Nevada City, some people still are fuming at the newspaper for airing the anti-Downtown Association views of “seven people” — as another council member put it — in the paper. They complain we give them too much ink.
It’s our job to present both sides. The vote was awfully close too: Based on a percentage of the assessed value of the businesses in the district, an appropriate benchmark, the results were $15,623 for the association to continue and $15,112 against. That’s a mere $511 difference out of $30,735.
We’ve been covering this story for years, justifiably. In December 2006, police were called to Stollery’s bookstore after a heated dispute erupted about the then-Business Improvement District. Leonard Berardi, owner of Mountain House Books on Broad Street and a BID proponent, was told by police to leave Toad Hall Book Shop on North Pine Street. Don’t shoot the messenger — settle your differences.
To be fair, Gary, Tom and their supporters have 100 years of experience running businesses in Nevada City. They have some legitimate concerns. The mandatory cost of Downtown Association dues comes at a tough economic time.
Merchants also have to weigh whether to pay annual dues to the chamber — in this case, voluntary payments. To some people, the chamber and Downtown Association duplicate too many efforts.
The dissident group also has raised some concerns about transparency and accountability that are legitimate to raise.
I can understand how the window signs of protest upset some people, and I’m glad they’re coming down. (Well, sort of: Some were quite colorful. When you get “love” letters like we do, nothing is too surprising.)
On the flip side, some of the tactics of the Downtown Association were perceived as heavy handed, not neighborly. One example that I recall: a letter threatening to report fellow merchants to a credit agency for not paying their dues. I wouldn’t do that given the sensitivity.
The leadership of the Downtown Association needs to play an instrumental role in bringing the merchants together. I know Gary and Tom, just as I know many members of the Downtown Association, such as Kirk Valentine of the Nevada City Classic Cafe or Gary Tintle of Tintle Inc.
We don’t agree on everything, but I can find something in common with each one and enjoy the discussions. Being too aligned can be just as bad as being unaligned: You have blindspots.
Gary tells wonderful stories about the California lifestyle of yesteryear, including the West Shore of Tahoe, and his bookstore carries some interesting volumes (local novelist Monte Schultz, and son of the famous late cartoonist, likes to shop there).
Tom shakes a good Manhattan, he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves, and he has made some visible improvements to the National Hotel, including a recent paint job on the façade.
Kirk is a creative restaurateur, having added crêpes to his menu, thanks to his wife Genevieve’s French influence. My wife and I like going to his home to eat a Caesar salad that he makes from scratch (anchovies and coddled eggs) and hearing about his travels to China with his family. Gary Tintle has been a workhorse at the Nevada
City Farmers Market. My son and I would wake up early and enjoy watching him power wash Union Street on Saturday morning, in front of his handsome building.
This is a team of dedicated volunteers.
So there you have it: “a diverse community composed of individuals having many perspectives and abilities,” as the email from American River College’s David Viar put it. With a bleak economy, now is the time to build a strong team in Nevada City, tolerating people who inevitably come out of left field. After all, most of us have stood in left field once, and we no doubt will again.
Jeff Pelline is the editor of The Union. His column appears on Saturdays. Contact him at 477-4235, jeffp@theunion.com, or 464 Sutton Way, Grass Valley 95945.
