EDITORIAL: Council meetings too often turn toward Robinson

Florence City Council meetings are starting to turn into the Ed Robinson show. The Florence councilman is getting so much air time during meetings, he’s growing into a local institution.

Whether that’s a good or bad thing is in the eye of the beholder.

For the voters in predominantly black District 2 who elected Robinson, he’s going to bat for what he perceives as their interests. On many occasions, he’s on the losing end of the council votes, but he’s making his voice heard.

For those who sit on Council with him, they must wonder if there’s a Reader’s Digest version of his presentations and proposals. Robinson goes on too long before turning the microphone over for feedback.

For the average citizen trying to make heads or tails of city government, they must wonder whether Robinson takes no for an answer.

For homeowners in Florence, they must wonder if the city’s in the banking business now, ready to hand out home loans for renovations.

From our perspective, we have trouble forgetting Robinson has fought against an increased police presence in Florence because he says police only haul blacks off to jail. And we wonder why he continues to fight for construction of a teen center when he has little more than an idea in mind.

We think Robinson is wrong on the police. To curb gang activity in some Florence neighborhoods, a stronger police presence is essential.

We think Robinson is wrong on the teen center and think he should let it go for now. Come back next budget year with a sound proposal, including costs and possible locations, and present it to Council. Council cannot fund a pie-in-the-sky proposal blindly.

We also have trouble swallowing the possibility of establishing a $2 million line of credit to repair and/or renovate homes in certain sections of Florence. On a 4-3 vote Monday, Council asked city staff to prepare a proposal in line with Robinson’s request.

Only 15 new homes in 20 years have been built in an area the federal government hoped to stimulate with the Community Developmental Block Grant program. The area includes part of north, west and east Florence.

Robinson suggested establishing a $2 million line of credit and take one square block and target each house on the block for repairs or renovation. He said titles could be used as collateral to the city.

“With this line of credit, we could repair and or renovate 80 houses at an average of $25,000 per house,” he said. “With 80 loans we could begin renovation on a house every month based on payment of $300 a month. At 80 houses, that would yield $24,000 per month and let it run for five years.”

We agree with Councilman Buddy Brand, who said: “We’re not in the banking business. Two million seems excessive. We’re not up here to lend money.”

The city’s function is to fund primary services, such as police, fire and utilities. But government also has a major role in development of the city economically and culturally in the interests of all the citizens.

Loans to 80 homeowners, who’ve let their property depreciate and fall into disrepair, doesn’t sound like it’s in the best interests of taxpayers.

The city is investing significantly in downtown redevelopment to the tune of $20 million, Robinson estimates. But with downtown redevelopment, the prospects are much less risky. The city and the Downtown Development Corp. have a solid, vetted plan in place to attract public and private investment.Robinson means well, and he’s passionate about his positions. But he’s just one part of the big picture. It’s not the Ed Robinson Show, and he needs to realize that.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).