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Local business owner criticizes development and council conduct during public comment
Summary
Tommy Musch of Make Skate Ontario criticized downtown development as gentrification, called for replacing elected officials, and urged replacing tattered flags. His remarks were emotional and included repeated personal asides; the mayor reminded him to limit comments to agenda topics when appropriate.
Tommy Musch, who identified himself with Make Skate Ontario, used his public-comment time to express strong opposition to downtown development and certain council practices.
Musch said redevelopment efforts amounted to "gentrification" and criticized the council's ties to the building industry. He also objected to a tattered U.S. flag downtown and urged the council to replace it. "Skateboarding is not a crime," Musch said, and at one point urged elected officials to stop taking campaign contributions and suggested they should retire.
Mayor Leon and the council did not take formal action on Musch's remarks; the mayor repeatedly tried to keep the record focused on the specific agenda items during the public hearing. Musch also returned to speak during the Downtown Civic Center public hearing and reiterated concerns that the DDA represented the same development approach he opposed.
