The Cumbling of Obstructionism?

The City Council voted this evening on the next step in the Tom Tousis venture in West Racine. The step allows Tousis to submit a comprehensive plan for the purchase of the corner lot of Washington Avenue and West Boulevard.

Only one alderman, Jeff Coe of the First District, voted against the measure. Coe was adamant that there would be “No gas station put on that corner!”

At first look, a 14-1 vote for Tousis seem promising, but the undercurrent of grumbling makes it pretty obvious that Tousis has some rocky roads ahead of him in this project.

Alderman Sandy Wiedner of the Sixth District made is clear that she wants more to say about the plan and wanted assurance that her voting in the affirmative on this was no indication of her acceptance of the overall plan. She voiced an objection to Tousis proposal of a forgivable mortgage on the $250,000 piece of land. Brian O’Connel from the City Planning Department made it clear that she was not accepting the plan with this vote.

Of course Jim Spangenberg spoke up from the northeast outback of the council making it clear that he was only approving this step as Tousis (or "anybody") should have that opportunity; but he was opposed to the plan.

How the council will go on this issue, I believe, is still up for grabs. But hope is in the air: Mike Shields from the Third District was most positive in the discussion saying the council should support Tousis. “We should encourage young entrepreneurs in the City.”

It is unlikely that a plan could be devised that would meet the total approval of every member of a 15 person council such as this one. There are just too many different opinions among that many people to expect everyone to agree. Not only that, but in a modern, rapidly changing market place, innovation is often a key ingredient to success. And as soon as innovation appears on the scene, so does departure from the status quo, conventional wisdom, and proven success.

And for 15 people that not only think along those lines but get elected promoting those things, finding unanimity on a project that is to succeed in a very difficult economic environment is next to impossible. Our only hope is that at least eight of the fifteen have the vision of a Mike Shields on this issue and allow Tousis to proceed forward.

Tousis, I am sure, is only persisting into this gauntlet of obstruction because he is from Racine and really want to promote his local economy. Any out of town investor would have walked away many objections ago.

But Tousis is still here and I detect subtle support beyond that of Mr. Shields‘. Maybe the Wall of Obstruction of the Old Guard is crumbling.