The Roanoke Market —is it a camel or a horse?

I’m all for democracy.  It’s what we here in America are all about.  I fly the American flag at my house, and proudly say the Pledge of Allegiance before every Rotary meeting.  So don’t get me wrong when I say there is such a thing as too much democracy.

Ever encountered the adage that begins with the question, “Heard about the committee that set out to design a horse?” 
The response is, “They came up with a camel.”

The inference is that no one could decide that they for sure wanted a sleek animal that could go very fast carrying a heavy load under most conditions.  They had to add humps, and the ability to go without water and whatever other attributes that camels possess that horses lack.

I like horses better.  They are sleek, muscular and fast.  But this isn’t about horses – it’s about committees, democracy and the Roanoke Market building, where another adage also fits, “Too many cooks spoil the soup.”

Think of your favorite restaurant.  Doesn’t matter if it’s Carlos’, The Library or Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Got a fix?  What do you like about it?  What specifically makes it a better choice than another place? 

Now imagine if a committee was designing any of the three instead of one person with a vision.

Let’s say Col. Sanders has some people “helping” him out.
“I want to have a restaurant that serves my chicken recipe,” he’d say.
“Well chicken is good, but a lot of people like steak,” one committee member might say.  That would be true.
Another might offer, “Whether it’s steak or something else, people want variety.” Hard to refute.
“But I have a vision,” the Colonel would counter.  “I want to see an empire where everyone comes just to get my chicken.” 
Can you hear the committee?  “Well good luck with THAT.”

Same for The Library—one of the most expensive fine dining options in Roanoke or Carlos’ where Brazilian fare is the theme, Roanoke isn’t exactly wealthy and we have no Brazilian population, yet the Library is an institution and Carlos’ has been voted Roanoke’s favorite restaurant many times.  Bet you’re glad there wasn’t a public hearing to decide how to plan the menu.

Carlo’s wouldn’t be Carlos’ if they served lasagna, and The Library should no more offer chicken nuggets than KFC filet mignon.

So Roanoke is trying to figure out what to do with its mouse infested, too-long-neglected, focal point of the market area.  It anchors the market in general, rivaled only by the Star in the category of what makes Roanoke, Roanoke.

So never mind committees, studys and public hearings.  There are more people who think they have a say in this thing than there are drumsticks at a Hokie tailgate.  City Council, Mayor Bowers, City staff, the Health Department, Chico the pizza guy, Downtown Roanoke Incorporated, the citizenry—all think they should be heard.  Don’t be surprised if John McCain and Barack Obama show up and weigh in.

Someone needs to emerge from this fray.  Mayor Bowers needs not to talk about what he will NOT do – His quote for today “Neither he nor I will vote to close the Roanoke City market building once we’ve reopened it.”  Referring to the stance he’s adopted with Councilman Sherman Lea. 
Great – but someone needs to step up and talk about what he or she WILL do.  Get more input from the public?  Please.  Stop hiding behind the process.  We’ve got enough opinions.

If the mayor can’t come up with a proposal that he can push through, there are people on council who can.  Let them have their way. 

Downtown Roanoke Inc. has proposed a specific plan to turn the place into a European marketplace.  The best anyone else has come up with is either, “not that,” “a market for a small Appalachian City” or “let’s ask the public.” 

Those answers lead us straight back to Victory Stadium and for that matter, the amphitheater. 

Just because it’s taxpayers’ money does not mean the market should have a piece of what every tax payer wants.  It’s time to abandon the “something for everyone” approach.

The best we have in this city or any city comes from a single vision. 

We have a chance here to have a thoroughbred.  They don’t run near as fast if they sprout humps.