Let's beat a dead horse.

Sooner Investment recently submitted a change order on their development, Bridges at Spring Creek. Remember the Yes-No-Maybe-Sometimes vote.... this is what that was about. Why is this important? Because they want to lessen their gifts to the city, change their master plan and tear down that little wall of trees between Belks and Hafer. That vote goes out the window. Yippee. Let's dance again. Hopefully my side won't get out-spent $180,000 to $5,000 again.

Before you dismiss me, let me explain my position.

I live in Turtle Creek Commons, located directly south of where Bridges is to be located. (East of Panera Bread, for you locals.) I received word that this wound is about to be reopened and thought I would explain my position.

I was one of those so-called "no Edmond... tree hugging hippies." While I am no Al Gore, I also don't go around leaving water faucets turned on and laugh like a hyena. Environmentalism isn't my priority, but it is not neglected.

I decided to go the No No Yes Yes route for several reasons. The primary reasons where...

1. It will affect my property value. Yup. I'm self-centered. At least I'm honest. I don't understand how Sooner Investment has the right to profit whenever it directly screws me over --- along with dozens of other citizens who live here.

2. Traffic already is horrible. Adding at least 8,000+ more cars through the Bryant and 15th Intersection is a horrible idea. Considering that this is a pipeline for 1,000 high school student drivers twice a day, and the danger goes up exponentially.

3. They passed the zoning act illegally. Granted, I fudge on laws sometimes... like speeding. Do I violate major zoning codes...? Nah. Do I pay for a lawyer who is the mayor's bro-in-law to represent me to get my way? Nah. Should have thought of it.

4. Safety (long term.) Without a doubt, the economy is booming right now. When this occurs, wealthy areas attract merchants and quick development. What can happen, however, is over-development. Look at West Oklahoma City, in the old white-flight areas near Overholser. Putnam City used to be the snobby end of town, along with all of the other biases associated with Edmond. It was overdeveloped and what happened... those buildings get left behind. What fills these buildings...? Look at DeVille Shopping at 10th and Rockwell... home of crime. Look at 39th and Portland... a continuous cycle of one-month-and-done establishments and crime. Edmond should learn from other parts of the city's mistakes.

5. Reasonable growth is a good thing. Growth for growth's sake is not always a good thing. The NIMBY factor comes into play here, along with the rooftops before businesses bit.

6. Hafer Park. Sure, there will supposedly not be a direct line of sight from Hafer to the development. What about the bright glow of flood lights into the night's sky. When Shakespeare in the Park returns, they'll barely need lighting, as it will be provided by Bed Bath and Beyond on steroids.

7. (this is where it gets trivial...) They pushed me into oncoming traffic. One of the paid campaigners at a rally literally pushed me in front of a moving car. Funny for some; not for the driver. I survived.

8. (this is recent...) They're not coming through on their promises. If one looks you in the eye and lies to you once, should you trust them the second time around?

All of that said... I sort of understand the other side. Money talks. Ignore the diamonds. Yea Team. Go Fight Win.