This marks the first in what will be a weekly column in which I examine a hit (something positive) and a miss (something negative) happening in our society. This column may look at individuals, teams or organizations, corporations, legislation—anything that can be critiqued as being a hit or a miss. They won’t always be local, but for this first week I wanted to start out with a local flavor.

So on with this week’s recipients:

It’s a hit!
The Downtown Christiansburg Grand Re-opening happened a couple weeks ago, but since this column just started this week, I think it still qualifies. I love downtowns. I don’t know why, exactly, maybe nostalgia or maybe just their practicality. So I was heartened to see Christiansburg finally get its act together and bring the very long period of downtown construction to a close—at least the first phase of it.

For months I had wondered, “When will this mess finally be cleaned up?” Well now it has been done, and I hope it brings a new era of prosperity to Christiansburg’s downtown. Yes, empty storefronts still exist and some more sprucing up can be done, but I love to walk downtown streets, exploring the shops and chatting with local business owners. The section from the town square to Phlegar Street has been equipped with new brick-bordered sidewalks and light poles with underground wiring and trees. The improvements will continue in phases in the future and will continue to make the downtown experience much more pleasant.

With Christiansburg’s downtown no longer an eyesore, maybe it will not only thrive but actually be an example to other downtown areas in the New River Valley. Radford, Pulaski, Pearisburg, and other locales can certainly aspire to have a fresh, vibrant downtown area.

Ouch, that’s a miss!
The Radford City Council this week voted to restrict yard sales. Now, that in and of itself is not a bad thing. But here’s how it works: Beginning July 23, the city will require permits for yard sales, will limit sales to no more than three days, and will limit residents to three yard sales per year.

In addition, the ordinance prohibits signs advertising yard sales except for one sign on the property during the sale. A permit allowing the yard sale must be displayed at the site during the sale.

Radford has nothing better for its police force to do but drive around on Saturdays looking for folks who decided to clear out some junk and hopefully make a hundred bucks in the process?

Yeah, I know the “why” behind this. A few folks have basically made “yard sales” a business, having them, seemingly, indefinitely. But is there no way to go after that small handful of those taking advantage of the situation? Maybe find some way to force those perpetual yard salers to have a business license instead of forcing Grandma to march down to the municipal building to get a permit before she cleans house and gets ready to move into the retirement home? The measure seems a bit draconian compared to the actual problems at hand.

Kudos, at least, to Councilman Bruce Brown who voted “no” on the ordinance and was quoted as saying, “I’m just worried that we tried to fix something, and we used a cannon to kill an ant.” Sums it up pretty well there, Bruce!

So, what if you think this ordinance is crazy and you decide to take your chances? A violation of the ordinance will be a Class 3 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $500. You better have a really successful sale to make up for that fine!

Tim W. Jackson is the Editor of the New River Voice.