This article adds further insult to injury by presenting such a slanted account of Monday night's Zoning Board hearing. Before painting an unflattering picture of Todd Roper and his motives, your reporter should have considered the fact that Mr. Roper was not permitted to tell his side of the story since the Zoning Board chose to deny his appeal. The issue of "timeliness," which provided the grounds for denial, was little more than a convenient way to make sure the details of this case were not brought to light.
Those of us in the Union Street neighborhood know better, but were not allowed a voice at the meeting. Through dozens of time-stamped photos we know precisely when work began that was visible to us at the back of the property, regardless of the date a building permit was issued. And we feel that there were a number of zoning issues crying out for a Zoning Board review. The very idea that anyone could put up a house of this size on a postage-stamp downtown lot without zoning variances or notice to abutters is shocking and could happen anywhere in Bristol.
Instead of being unfairly maligned in the local paper, Mr. Roper should be commended for his vigilance in making sure our town boards are applying the statutes evenly.
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