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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Friday, November 06, 2009 10:16 PM

Payday loans, planners

This is in response to Joe Blake’s Oct. 31 Reader Forum comments about payday loans.

I would like to thank Mr. Blake, a resident of Garnett, for showing an interest in Ottawa. His interest, however, is not supported with information that would be obtained by attending our Ottawa Planning Commission meetings, knowing how the planning office functions and becoming educated about our zoning. Some of the assertions in his Reader Forum letter almost certainly would have been different were that the case.

Also, Blake would have been better served had he read The Herald more carefully. He would have realized Ed York, current chairman of the planning commission, was not present for the discussion about payday loans during the study session. I chaired the meeting in his absence. Therefore, it was impossible for York to exert any conflict of interest. Furthermore, if and when any conflict arises, potential or actual, we are given the opportunity to recuse ourselves, something York has done on other occasions. Lastly, a majority vote of the seven members of the planning commission is required, minimizing, if not eliminating, any action the result of conflict of interest.

By attending our meetings one also learns that an opportunity is provided for public comment. These comments are taken very seriously, for, after all, we commissioners are charged with serving and protecting the community to the best of our ability. I do not remember, however, anyone from a neighboring city who has the temerity to offer suggestions about what should happen in Ottawa.

Yes, Ottawa has ordinances just as Blake’s city, Garnett, has ordinances, and those ordinances are enforced. A city is a dynamic entity, however, so ordinances have to be visited, altered or written anew. The planning commission is one of the entities for bringing this about by being in touch with the public. It has no governing power. It listens, formulates and recommends.

A careful look at Blake’s letter possibly reveals his intent when he writes about how banks take advantage of the overdraft privileges attached to checking accounts. I strongly agree this is a questionable practice and urge banking customers to beware. However, to link this with payday loans is a stretch. Banking practices are highly regulated. Banking has an aura of respectability earned over the years. I frankly cannot say that about payday loans.

Payday loans may have their place. There is a segment of the population that does not have a banking relationship and has no place to turn if they run out of cash a few days short of pay day. Some place to get a few dollars for a few days can be a good thing. Pawn shops have provided such a service for years. Pawn shops are regulated too. The goal, as far as I am concerned, is not to put payday loan enterprises out of business nor outlaw them, but to assure, to the best of our ability, that they are honorable with a presence appropriate for our city.

So, this is not a discussion based on “good” versus “bad.” Nor has the city of Ottawa decided anything as Blake would have us believe. This is a discussion concerning our citizens and how this city is presented. This is a discussion to protect property owners. This is a discussion to encourage new business to locate in our city. This is a discussion about our future. This is no different from any of the other discussions at the meetings of the planning commission.

— Richard Warren,

Ottawa planning commissioner

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Payday loans, planners

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.