Councilman Ken Weir's late explanation of why he wants to remove Commissioner Johnson itself indicates what's wrong with his service on the council. He either doesn't get the idea of what zoning and planning are for or why we have those standards in the first place. Repeatedly citing his interest in serving the interests of the people who elected him he ignores the fact he didn't reveal his agenda or understanding of the issues during his campaign. He ran on his good looks and with a well designed and orchestrated campaign unlike the  better qualified and more upfront Chad Louie who lacked similar campaign direction. Note the differences in the yard signs and compare the effective visual effect of Weir's signs as opposed to Louie's pale visually weak signs.

    That doesn't translate to Weir giving the electorate what they voted for. His public actions do indicate he doesn't care about the effect his planning preferences would have on the community. Promoting the agenda of a well healed out of town special interest and a handful of local speculators doesn't translate to representing the values of private property or the interests of the citizens of his ward. The point Weir and those who repeatedly cite the "private property" mantra are dodging is quite simply it's not about private property. Not when the project they build will have the streets and public infrastructure signed over to the city to manage and keep up. To help guide what the city and its taxpayers are going to accept from a developer is the whole purpose of having a planning commission and a planning staff in the first place.

    It's disingenuous for Councilman Weir to charge Commissioner Johnson of not respecting private property rights. Johnson like the others on the commission very much respect private property rights. Chairman Johnson and the other members of the commission also respect the city and the taxpayers who will become responsible for the public infrastructure in future developments and the protection and safety of those who will live there. That Weir doesn't or refuses to grasp this concept is reason enough to remove him from office. Notice Served; Organizer begins process to recall 3rd Ward Councilman Ken Weir