Hi there! Me, damn it.

[Decay B]

I think I introduced myself months ago, but I am not sure.

Let me give it another shot..

I started out as a very left-wing commie type, laboring among the other sectarian pinheads, when my little corner of the sectlet world collapsed. Answer: graduate school!

My hard line views softened and after graduation I worked for several years in a big city government in various planning and community development jobs. Then came some work doing community-based development in low income neighborhoods. Then a short stint selling surplus state human service campuses (former hospitals, etc.)

From there, I started heading for the dark side, doing commercial real estate development (strip center rehabs, commercial office space) before landing back in a facilities planning job with a local institution.

I am not sure what lessons I have drawn from this two decade sojourn in and around planning. I am certainly more sensitive and respectful of property rights and less tolerant of government regulation that is stupid or just arbitrary.

I do still feel more attached to planning as a profession than to the business side of real esate development or even community-based housing and other development.

So - stop by and say hi, ok?

- decay b

 

[Cardinal]

Hi, ok?

Several of us have crossed the line now and then. We keep coming back to redeem ourselves.

 

[mike gurnee]

Some time ago, I had the pleasure of pursuing conditional use application for a city-owned race track outside the city jurisdiction. We learned quite a bit about regulations from the other side. I think it would behoove all regulators to 'test run' a project through their own regulations. You will be amazed how much each provision can cost a development proposal.

 

[Zoning Goddess]

From there, I started heading for the dark side,

- decay b

Wow, this is where my last job went down the toilet. I made fun of a former employee for going to the "dark side". I even said he had become "Darth F____er". Then he mysteriously reappeared as our dept. director. Whoops!

 

[nerudite]

Welcome...

We don't pay much attention to which side you are on here, whether it's planning, the 49th parallel, or gun control regulations... there seems to be a lot of tolerance for all sides. So welcome to the loony free-for-all.

 

[Decay B]

Fellow Cyberbunites (sp?) - I registered, so I guess I am one.

Thanks for the friendly welcome.

You can definitely get burned by joking around in ways that suggest moral superiority on your part. I am in a large metro area, but it is still a small town in many ways.

My "going to the dark side" joke is funnier to me when I say it than if some self-righteous public official or community activist says the same thing.

See ya all around the 'berb!

 

[Planderella]

Hey Decay

 

[donk]

welcome aboard, it will be interesting to have another voice from the other side of the table around.

 

[Tranplanner]

Welcome back to the boards.

 

[Downtown]

Decay - Glad to have you with us. I think most of have dipped our toes in another pond. Builds character and brings perspective.

 

[Chet]

I am not sure what lessons I have drawn from this two decade sojourn in and around planning. I am certainly more sensitive and respectful of property rights and less tolerant of government regulation that is stupid or just arbitrary.
- decay b

Welcome to Cyburbia. Your quote above especially caught my attention. Well stated!

 

[el Guapo]

Yeah, welcome. We cloud use help with the commie infestation around here.