Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few days (is that even possible?), you’re probably familiar with the recent controversy regarding the safety of Dickson Street. If not, you can learn all about it on our original editorial post, “What ‘darker side’ of Dickson Street?”
After posting said editorial late Monday night, things got pretty silly in Fayetteville. And by “silly” I mean “bompy”. And by “bompy” I mean “donk-a-donk doopy”. In other words, the stuff hit the fan. And by “stuff” I mean … nevermind.
KNWA news immediately jumped on the story and did a great job of interviewing Mayor Jordan, Police Chief Tabor and George’s Majestic Lounge owner Brian Crowne. All three disagreed with the notion that there is any sort of “unsafe” atmosphere on Dickson Street. A&P Chairman Pat Gazzola, however, stood by his original comments saying once again that the Walton Arts Center would be “a much safer place” if it were to move to a different area.
Fayetteville was not pleased. Nor should it have been. As A&P Chairman, Mr. Gazzola should be doing and saying anything and everything he can to promote a positive view of our city.
Tonight (Thursday), it appears as though Mr. Gazzola will be clarifying those comments. Sources tell us that a KNWA/KFTA van was seen leaving the parking lot of Catfish Hole (Mr. Gazzola is the owner of the restaurant) this afternoon and we just noticed a Tweet by KFTA (Fox 24) anchor Dana Sargent that reads as follows:
Tonight on Fox: We revisit the “Dickson Street Battle” — someone is clarifying a statement they made a few days ago. You gotta see it.
Here’s hoping for a much-deserved apology.
Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Catfish Pat has got to go
Gazzola must think we’re all idiots if he expects us to buy this pathetic attempt at back-pedaling.
Guess what buddy? When you choose “poor words” denigrating the very city you’re supposed to be promoting, then stand by those “poor words” after heated criticism, you don’t get to just pretend you never said those words in the first place after you decide you screwed up. Give me a break.
“If the commission wants me to step down; I will,” says Gazzola.
Great idea, Pat. I hope I won’t be the only one writing the members of the commission to get them to ask for your resignation.
Catfish Pat is done on the A&P.
What cracks me up is that at the same time everyone’s talking about how unsafe Dickson street is, the June edition of Family Circle will be running an article about how great Fayetteville is for families, and even mentions Dickson Street and its diversity. No joke (part of why Fayetteville rules for me is that it isn’t Russellville, which is so incredibly boring that I found myself flipping through Family Circle at my parents home)
Hold it right there, elco–
Russellville is a town of great finesse and subtlety. You should not blame the place just because one needs exquisite perception to discern that it is not boring, ugly, backward, wrongheaded and complacent.
Look to the fine people who live there. There are a few of them.
Yeah, like 4-5. Spend a couple years there and then leave, and you will wonder how you ever actually lived there.
I liked Russellville. If I’d had the sense not to come back from there to Fayetteville in 1995, my life would have been much, much better.
I grew up in Russellville, so I exceed the couple of years requirement. That is how I am able to critique the place so insightfully.
There were more than four or five fine people in Russellville while I lived there, but I will allow that at least three of them have died since I left town.
They still publish Family Circle?!?
Is little Billy editor now? Or the creepy dead grandpa?