By Larry Van Guilder
Shopper News

A meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) is probably the last place you would expect to hear poetry.

But Park City resident Doug McDaniel recited a poem in opposing
developer Gary McNabb’s concept plan for a residential project along Washington Avenue.

McDaniel began with prose, chiding commissioners for a history of favoring developers over neighborhood residents.

“We came here today to ask you to listen, finally listen, to our pleas,” McDaniel said.

After noting the blue-collar character of the neighborhood (“Our homes will probably not be featured in City View”), McDaniel read a poem praising “the working man.”

Commissioner Art Clancy, apparently not a poetry fan, said he “took exception” to the tone of McDaniel’s recitation.

Two motions to postpone a decision for 30 days failed before
Clancy moved to approve the concept plan.

“I don’t see that we have a choice,” Clancy said.

A majority of the commissioners disagreed, and his motion was defeated.

A third motion to postpone sailed through, 14-1. Chalk up at least a temporary victory for poetry and the working man.