The story: An empty lot in a bustling part of east Flagstaff will see commercial, not residential development.
The responses: Affordable housing is the elephant in every room, so to exclude it from a new development on 33 acres at East Route 66 and North Fourth Street (despite heavy car and train traffic in the area) might seem a waste. Or it might not: "There are more suitable locations for mixed use neighborhoods where people are not disrupted 24 hours a day with train horn blasts and traffic," wrote Lives Near the Proposed Project, a resident of the nearby Foxglenn neighborhood. Geo said, "This area is replete with potential for development, but certainly not for housing of any kind. Who in their right mind would want to live not only at the corner of 4th and 66, but right next to the train tracks. " That's an allusion to the area's high crime and street drunk population. Julie Yazzie made a similar observation, hoping the developers will "improve this ugly economically depressed corner. Currently, 4th Street is full of drunks. Not even poor people would want to live in this commercial area."
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The story: A busy Police Log, featuring a large-scale response to an unruly concert.
The responses: The daily Police Log is well-read, but for the most part, lightly commented. Throw in a domestic violence incident with a car as a weapon, repeat vandalism at an elementary school, and a surly crowd at a "Leftover Crack" concert, and the commenters come out. Proud bemoaned, "It looks like the police log from Phoenix. How embarrassing!" I Care said the police are lacking in their duties. "Flagstaff has been overrun by alcoholics, drug users and exploiters of local college students into por-nog-raphy and you name it, it is occurring in Flagstaff. And the current status is 1 out of every 4 students carries an STD. Why you ask? Because we have a chief of police that doesnt get it. " Phx blurted, "Joe Arpaio!!!!"
Let's call this discussion "diverse," not "random."
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The story: The NAU Police Department adds a seized Cadillac Escalade to its fleet.
The responses: The comments on NAUPD's acquisition of a new Cadi were much longer than the brief itself. The 9-year-old vehicle was seized from a drug dealer and outfitted for patrol duties. Amazed wanted to know, "Is it fiscally or economically responsible for NAU to even think about using a vehicle such as this during these times when gas is $3.60 a gallon?" "So was it converted to not be a gas hog?," asked Enough. "Was it converted to not be a slap in the face to students facing ever rising tuition costs while the university cries,"Poverty!" Funding invited critics to "be my guest donate the money they need to get new cars... I have yet to see the bake sale or charity concert."
The responses: The comments on NAUPD's acquisition of a new Cadi were much longer than the brief itself. The 9-year-old vehicle was seized from a drug dealer and outfitted for patrol duties. Amazed wanted to know, "Is it fiscally or economically responsible for NAU to even think about using a vehicle such as this during these times when gas is $3.60 a gallon?" "So was it converted to not be a gas hog?," asked Enough. "Was it converted to not be a slap in the face to students facing ever rising tuition costs while the university cries,"Poverty!" Funding invited critics to "be my guest donate the money they need to get new cars... I have yet to see the bake sale or charity concert."
Other active discussions:
