I'm glad to see some discussion on this site and wish we could find more ways to strengthen the "real" community through this interactive component. Here is an interesting article about a neighborhood of Tucson, AZ where the online editor is requiring people to identify themselves. As the comments indicate some people disagree with that approach and I think it can "chill" discussion even if it cuts down on the personal attacks and name calling that can happen anonymously. But it is also good to see a site that is helping the community.

I sent a few emails out to "official" people asking them to weigh on on the Wegmans/Roche issue, but I can understand that it's unlikely they will jump in here. The private discussions have been going on for weeks and what happens here can sometimes seem more like venting than constructive discussion. But I think we are missing out on an opportunity if we keep talking only among people who "matter." Who thought Scaccia mattered. Now he does. Closing down and controlling the process only causes problems to come out somewhere else. And the disgrunted simply speculate and imagine the worst while our leaders try to figure out how to get things done in spite of the people instead of with the people.