Greed

Last evening I attended a meeting of my local civic association. I feel very fortunate to live in an urban neighborhood with an active civic association. Our association is particularly well run by a few dedicated residents.

 

The meeting was about zoning and building development. In the next street, an absentee landlord who owns a large 6-unit dwelling on a small lot has torn out many old trees on his property to make way for another 3-unit building, for which he is seeking zoning approval. His property abuts one of the loveliest antique properties in the neighborhood. A large 19th-century house on that property and its carriage house have been converted to a respectable condominium association, with mostly owner occupancy.

 

The proposed 3-unit dwelling, which has no proposed architectural merit by admission of the architect himself, would crowd up to within 6 inches of the neighboring property. Six inches! This would negatively impact the resident-owners of the condominium complex in their quality of life and their property values. It is a clear case of urban over-development for profit.

 

I restrained cynical laughter as the architect, sent to the meeting by the absent owner-developer like a doomed gladiator, fumbled his way through ineffective defenses to searing criticism of his plan. At 63, I have been around this sort of thing far too many times in this city. I channeled my annoyance with the hapless architect into positive encouragement of the condominium owners who would be negatively impacted. At the end of the presentation, the chair said, "Is there anyone here who would support the zoning application for this project?" There was silence, and all heads wagged an affirmative, "No way!".

 

Last evening's meeting was a victory for humanism over greed in my opinion. My neighbors loudly voiced their concern for the environment and quality of life here in our neighborhood. They mourned the preemptive removal of old-growth trees. They voiced their support of home ownership and commitment to the neighborhood. The shadowy absence of the slumlord/developer was properly noted and resented.

 

Capitalism does not have to be evil when moderated by the higher values of human beings. The sad fact is that we are in an age of unbridled capitalism, enshrined as "freedom" by the greedy and selfish with financial and political power. Last evening, the citizens of my neighborhood made a small stand against that form of social and environmental abuse in the name of money. This, in my opinion, is humanism in action.