Editor, The Smithfield Times:

It is interesting to note how much town government has changed. 

When I started in business in Smithfield, I bought a duplex in the 300 block of Main Street. When we opened, half of the building was a storefront and the second half was a residential rental. As the business became successful, I proposed to knock a hole in a common wall to double the size of the store. Any internal changes were not visible from the street, but the town insisted that I obtain a second special use permit, so I gave them their lousy $150 and moved on. 

In those days, neon signs were not allowed in the Historic District. In addition, the tourism director had a front man who did not live in Smithfield and did not have a business in Smithfield to loudly advocate that all businesses must be open seven days a week. Now, businesses are allowed to set their own hours. In those days, store merchandise could not be displayed on the street unless it was associated with a festival. In addition, there was no negotiating with the council’s decisions unless you had a death wish.

Now, this brings us to the Red Point Taphouse story. Would someone sometimes make a decision and put this story out of its misery? 

Now, the famous park-to-park bicycle trail has raised its ugly head. Why we want to support an expensive project that benefits the few is difficult to understand. The concrete-reinforced bicycle bridge that crosses Jones Creek stands as a lasting monument to a waste of taxpayer dollars. 

It is interesting to note that the most dangerous part of the park-to-park journey is the crossing of the Cypress Creek Bridge. Is VDOT widening the bridge to ensure the safety of cyclists?

 

R.K. Redlin

Smithfield