The 10-month debate over striping of multi-modal paths may be resurrected at some point in the future thanks to a shrewdly cast vote of an Amenity Authority Committee member.
In December, AAC member Rich Lambrecht began lobbying for striping down the center of multi-modal paths. He cited safety concerns. But the issue has been on a rocky road ever since.
Districts 1, 2 and 3 said no thanks to the AAC’s offer to pay for striping. Only District 4 accepted the offer. But then an interlocal agreement that would have permitted the striping in District 4 got bogged down in the AAC.
Lambrecht had a stroke earlier this year and was replaced on the AAC by Don Deakin, who resides in CDD 4.
In the latest installment of the striping saga in Wednesday’s AAC meeting, Deakin cast what appeared to be a puzzling vote.
AAC member Carl Bell cast the lone vote in favor of the interlocal agreement which would have permitted striping in CDD 4.
Then Deakin joined AAC members John Wilcox, Ann Forrrester and Jo Weber in voting against the interlocal agreement.
Even Wilcox, who serves as AAC chairman, asked Deakin if he understood what he was doing.
After the vote, Deakin shared his strategy.
In voting with the prevailing side, he can at some point raise the issue again and ask for a revote. Had he voted with the losing side, he would not have enjoyed that privilege and the interlocal agreement and multi-modal path striping would have been dead.
Deakin is betting that the upcoming AAC elections in which three seats are up for grabs, might change a future vote.
Weber, who is not running again, will be replaced by either Lowell Barker or Frank Kirschenheiter.
Bell and Forrester also face challengers.
