Waldrip Makes Heartfelt Statement

Addresses Civility in Public Discourse and Politely Withdraws 

By Robin M Johnson

In a surprising move, Stuart Waldrip, planning commission member, left the body's regularly scheduled meeting, Wednesday, April 19, after making a statement. First he stated that according to city code, "If any member believes there is a potential conflict of interest they are required to disclose it."

Waldrip holds the stance that there is no conflict of interest between his position on the planning commission and his involvement with High Valley Arts (HVA) the organization holding an option to purchase property at the base of Memorial Hill to potentially build an arts center.

Waldrip disclosed he and his wife made a loan to HVA, which then provided funding to secure property that may be annexed into the C-4 zone at some point in the future. The property is adjacent to the south side of Memorial Hill currently located outside the city limits.

While the arts center will be located on county property, the fields south of this parcel are inside Midway City limits within the proposed C-4 zone. Some residents have called for Waldrip to recuse himself since he is in a position, from their viewpoint, to profit from the Arts Center. They believe he should not be involved in helping to create the city code that will define the nature and use of this new commercial zone, should the city council decide to pass it.

Waldrip outlined his position as defensible yet decided after counseling with Corbin Gordon, city attorney, to leave the meeting for good decoram.

“I am a member of the High Valley Arts board, a non-profit 501c3 organization, dedicated to the benefit of the public," Waldrip said. "There has been some inference that perhaps that involvement would raise a conflict of interest with respect to the C-4 zoning approval. I do not believe that is the case. I think it is entirely defensible.

“I have chosen, in consultation with our city attorney Corbin Gordon … just as a matter of policy and good decorum to not admit that there is a conflict of interest in any respect with regard to either one of those involvements; but I will depart and not participate in the consideration or the voting … with respect to the proposed C-4 zone.”

After his statement Waldrip asked Nichols if he could comment on civil discourse in the public square: Waldrip said, “While we have differences of opinion, sometimes strong ones … on items important to our communities and families; hopefully we can discuss and debate those on a civil, calm, and polite basis.”  

Recent events in our society, Waldrip said, show a lack of that decorum and we have had bad examples set at higher levels of government. 

“I’m worried we are following that bad example.” Waldrip said. He expalined some in Midway have been tempted to turn to an attack on the individuals on a personal basis. 

“I would like to encourage a civil discourse without attack on individuals," said Waldrip.  "My wife, myself, and other individuals have been attacked in recent times, inappropriately, untruthfully, and unmercifully. I think that is a darn shame for our community.” 

In conclusion Waldrip said he wanted to “Encourage everybody that when we debate an item, when we have different views on something, when we want to make a point, that we do it in the form of civil discourse, with politeness and with respect for one another. Let the chips fall where they may and not yield to the temptation to make the matters personal."

Waldrip then excused himself from the meeting for both items on the agenda regarding the C-4 zone. His heartfelt plea set the tone for the comments made during all discussion on both items. 

NOTE: Three part article to follow on the meeting. Watch for it by early next week.