Davis has a message for 'bad actor'

Today we see what happens when a county commissioner gets fed up.

A certain amount of luck goes with my weekly commission email review. I generally pick each commissioner week by random, so it’s just a coincidence if I happen upon a commissioner getting specific emails during the week I’m reviewing.

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Such was the case this week while reviewing Commissioner Holly Davis’ email batch. Davis, as many are aware, has taken a deep interest in the mess at Inverness Villages 4 and led the board’s vote earlier this month to stop all building permits for houses there until the developer shows interest in a solution for the horrible roads.

I use “developer” in a loose way in that he didn’t create Inverness Villages 4, he only bought up all the empty lots and is building houses on them.

The county’s between a rock and a bigger rock in IV 4. There are narrow two-tracks in our county in better shape than what passes for a street in this neighborhood. It’s horrible.

Inverness Villages victims want to see their government do SOMETHING and it responded; no more permits until this is resolved.

So it was with great interest when I saw an email chain between Davis and the developer, whose first name is Anton.

His email to Davis on May 7 made note of her referring to him as a “bad actor.” Anton then asked for a sit-down to smooth it over:

“In brief, I am asking you to get together for a personal meeting, so we can discuss the IVU4 case and hopefully we can find some common ground. I also would like to discuss some solutions that are not on the table yet but will be beneficial to all parties.

“It is not my intention to have a formal meeting with you and supporting staff. Just the two of us in an informal setting.”

Now. It is not unusual at all for a local businessman who finds himself a foul of local government to want a sit down with a commissioner to smooth it out. Some commissioners have done that. These are the ones who fancy themselves as deal makers; results are mixed.

Most commissioners politely decline or send the invite to staff. Commissioners will sometimes participate in a meeting with the businessman if it is led by the county administrator. That’s a fairly routine approach and has the best chance for success if everyone’s motives are pure.

Then there’s Commissioner Davis’ response to Anton's invite: Hold your horses.

Davis wants Anton to pony up the cost for a consultant to get a handle on the problems out there and how best to fix them. So she told him:

“Writing a check in the amount of $35,000 payable to the county would be a welcome gesture of good faith to get the ball rolling.”

In other words, no dice for the “informal” chat unless he’s ready to join the fight.

Anton, who may not be used to people telling him no, was a little indignant in his response.

“Being required to pay $35,000 prior to having a conversation with you at all is premature and unfair,” he wrote. “I remain willing to meet with you at any point, but I should not be required to expend any funds before such meeting can occur.”

(Normally I’d agree with him. Not in this case, though.)

Davis was equally blunt in her reply.

“As you are aware, deserved or not, your reputation is not a good one, and this ‘good faith’ gesture would get us off on a much more productive start.”

There could be more correspondence. This is just from my one week’s look. Maybe they have it all worked out by now (doubt it).

This may not be the etiquette people are used to seeing from a county commissioner. I like it. I’ve driven through this community and spoken with the residents. They are desperate for a hero.

Davis is a long way from being that person and may never get there. The odds are that these folks are just out of luck. Davis has some other ideas as well so we’ll have to see how that goes.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a commissioner put a “bad actor” in his place. The effort may be futile, but worth it.

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