HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 05-03 Bring Back Bailey THE REVIEW ()tag', /KTEast
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By Scott Carlson
Bring back Bailey
A city planner's departure from the mitts of Maplewood.But if
the city of Maplewood has appar- that's not realistic the city well
ently left the city council in a might consider Greavu's
quandary. approach.
At leastthat's the impression I "It's an interesting idea Greavu
got when I heard one of the council proposes," Seida said. "It might
members suggesting that maybe have more impact in bringing
they should do some of the work community values to planning."
that used to be performed by Rob-
ert Reed,former city planner. SEIDA NOTED, "It strikes me
in most communities that people
"WE DID IT before," Council- values aren't inserted into the
man John Greavu asserted at a re- planning process until something
cent meeting. is halfway down the road."
At the same time Greavu has H elected officials become
asked City Manager Michael Mil- more involved in the planning pro-
ler to compare the costs of hiring cess perhaps it will become a less
a consultant to work on some of "pre-ordained",Seida said.
the city's major projects with the Of course,he added,there is the
present planning operation, which problem of whether the council
has included two full-time plan- members will have enough time
ners and a secretary. to do the research and preparation
If the council is going to start for some planning matters. In ad-
considering alternatives it might dition there is a dilemma that the
well think about bringing back council would be doing both the
Bailey Saida. planning and reviewing.
Seida was Maplewood's first But Seida added, "I think there.
cityplanner, who stirred up a are minor obstacles that can be
hornet's nest with.his controver- overcome." For instance a corn-
sial ideas. And Seida was never at mittee might be used by the coun-
a loss for words either. cii to collect information.
At times Seida upset city coun-
cil members and other adminis- ANOTHER PROBLEM may be
trators But with Seida in charged that the whole planning process
of the planning department the might have to take more time and
process was always wide open, that could lead to public frustra-
never cut and dried. tion,Seida said.
However, Seida, now a planner As for returning to Maplewood,
with a private firm, might be a Seida indicated that he is probably
tough prospect to recruit. outdated. "What I thought was a
good idea might not work now,"
IN AN INTERVIEW with the he said.
Dispatch,Seida said that he has no The times change and with new
present interest to return to mu- growth is needed new ideas, Seida
nicipal government While work- said.
ing for the Harry S Johnson plan- "Maybe it's time to take a
ners, Seida says he has been able whole new look at planning," Sei-
to broaden his professional experi- da said. "Maybe Greavu's ides
ence isn't that radical."
Perhaps the council could offer If Maplewood can't bring bad
Seida a huge multi-year contract Bailey it may be the next alterna-
in an effort to lure him back into tive