Hello to our old buddy (yes, that’s sarcasm) who should have a long time ago been referred to as “ex-council member” Jason Nguyen. Yeah, I’m putting you in the news again after calling for your resignation or, if the new council had any backbone, removal from your position on Grand Junction City Council.

For my readers who’ve forgotten – and for your supporters who don’t care what you say – permit me to remind exactly what you said that should have sent you packing, “I think a list of businesses that came out strongly against this project is warranted. I’d suggest anyone who cares about safety not spend money at these places.”

Put into even more context in just how inappropriate and vindictive this statement was, consider it came after the new council had voted to cancel the “project” you and your progressive buddies had implemented, which was already putting these same folks you didn’t desire to be in your Utopian version of your Ultra-chic downtown experience for the chosen few in a difficult position.

Little harsh Craig?

Well, no. As someone who worked for his fair share of privately-owned small businesses in downtown settings, I know targeted, anti-business, government when I see it. Heck, I experience it every day as a small business at the paper. And yes, I’ve got quotes from those folks in my records. But like the good folks fighting the good fight downtown, I just keep plugging away against the left and its anti-business machinations; even through the emails from “readers” hoping my kids don’t ever catch something “life-threatening” or worse, living their lives outside my conservative ways.

That’s because small businesses like us want nothing to do with the government. Something busybodies in government have a hard time with, especially when they think it’s for our own good.

Back to Jason and his wanting downtown to be rid of certain business. We really need to drill down on it. What makes his comment additionally reprehensible is that on the surface he’d be fine with these businesses as part of the new downtown Grand Bougie Junction – except for the fact they didn’t share in his cabal’s Xanadu-as-we-tell- you for our downtown vision.

That’s a mortal sin to the left. Hence, the order going out to hasten these businesses demise via boycotts since Jason’s Jolly Jesters’ justifications for cutting off access via paint and plastic pylons got permanently punted.

Yeah, I’m having a little (un)poetic license, but this whole things ticks me off.

The fact is: Part of the plan on the traffic test HAD to understand it would be the demise of many businesses. The resulting drop in consumer traffic flow (which was immediate and certified in this paper and via city council surveys) had to negatively affect business downtown. So much for experts who came up with the plan, because even an expert who graduated last in their class would know this inevitable result.

And even after all the damage being done by the project was obvious to most of the people of Grand Junction and Mesa County, Just Jason basically told his pals something to the tune of: It’s just not enough; these enemies must be punished. And he got away with it after offering not even an apology or statement saying he was wrong and we need to support these businesses, just the old political excuse saying it was a statement meant to be private.

And here’s the other point: The poison of your project and pontification still permeates Main Street. I say this because my paper route takes me the length of Main Street from First to Seventh Streets and this time I can add there was no traffic and plenty of room to park on every block. That’s the first time in memory I can make that statement. So, I took advantage of the space to stop and talk to a few folks. Wanna know what I heard, Jason?

I bet you don’t. Then again, you might just smile when you do. Just another reason you should have been kicked to the curb from council.

Those businesses you despise are struggling. A few of them told me they are down upwards of 40 percent this fall season. They could have a record weekend after Thanksgiving and it still won’t salve the possibly fatal wound you and your council buddies inflicted on them.

The damage is done, Jason. Downtown is perceived as a not consumer-friendly destination. Too many in our community still think it’s a hassle to get there, and your minions, who would boycott a hospital when sick if you told them to, are all too eager, as always, to strike their perceived “enemy.”

And that’s on you, Jason. Because in my experience, conservatives don’t boycott. Then again, they do despise making their way through messes the government puts in their way. Congrats councilman, you hit downtown businesses coming and going.

So I’ll say what Jason should have. Hey folks, let’s get downtown and patronize the folks who survived the insanity of the plans of our previous council. After all, these good folks are in business to serve the community, unlike those previous (and current) pilot project council members whose special interest appears to be special interests.

Even if it’s to give Just Jason his Just Desserts. I can’t think of a better reason.

In Truth and freedom.

Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com