tense negotiations continue

Negotiations are tense but it is hoped that a safe release of the possibly 13-or 14-feet-from-the-street signs will be released this morning. I am optimistic that can be achieved altho city officials are adamant that those signs present a clear and present danger to the pedestrian and vehicular traffic passing by. Those who scoff at zoning for not being able to control roof mildew or mold or garage sales should be glad to know that zoning has acknowledged this as a TOP PRIORITY and responded in a firm and determined manner! It is NOT clear if any ransom money received from the challenger crisis will go into the Revenue Enhancement Fund or directly into the zoning department budget, but either will be welcomed by city officials in these dire economic circumstances! Residents can be assured that this is just ANOTHER means, besides raising our taxes and fees, to enhance the city coffers. It is NOT true that city officials have demanded any one, or all, the political challengers to surrender to City officials before the safe return of the wayward signs can be accomplished! That is just a RUMOR! City officials are confident that holding the signs hostage is sufficient at this time. We in the Springs have a long and storied history of city officials taking up or disappearing the signs of political opponents, officially or unofficially, and they want us to know that tradition LIVES! The past activities of Councilman Garcia has apparently inspired zoning to new heights in its never-ending battle against political challengers! There will be updates as they occur in these tense negotiations and video at 11. Dr. Mel P. Johnson