Ransom Note and Why We Keep Paying
ByThere appears to be more movement on Wilmington as Windermere Real Estate appears to be moving into the space nestled between DuPont Chiropractic and DuPont Vision.
What is interesting is the way that Windermere has chosen to announce itself.
The ransom-esque signage arrived the same week that the city of DuPont held a Town Hall meeting to discuss revisions to the sign code. Note, that is revision and not enforcement. Whatever is wrong with DuPont’s sign code has to be fixed before it can be enforced by Masko and company.
Furthering the coincidence is that the Town Hall meeting was held in large part because of the realtors whining that they wanted their voice heard (meaning they wanted some relief) when addressing the sign code. When I asked Ms Masko why the realtors could not work through the DuPont Business Association no answer was given. Remember, the original plan was to have the DBA be a point man in the overall discussion, along with the churches and the citizens.
Perhaps the realtors do not feel that the DBA has what it takes to represent effectively into city hall. After all, those REET dollars have always had some sway over our city council.
The timing is odd to complain that the sign code is too restrictive for our real estate professionals and then to slap up a shabby temporary sign pieced together like a ransom note made of computer paper. Is this the respect for our code we can come to expect from the six-percenters in town?
Windermere has no need to worry themselves, of course. The city of DuPont will end up chasing its own tail before collapsing from exhaustion. The mayor never put code enforcement into the budget; the previous code enforcement activities were a one (and done) weekend exhibition before Bill Kingman lost interest and moved on to other things. And, our council members are too busy grooming their pet projects, that coincidentally also go nowhere, just like legitimate city business.
Nothing will change, Windermere, John L Scott, and ReMax. Just hold tight and play along until the city gets distracted by the next shiny object or military related event. I give them six months from the ratification of the new sign code before it is business as usual.
Planned communities require planned services. Welcome to DuPont, guess what services the city offers? Keep guessing. Follow the rules if you can find them.
Is anyone really surprised that the city did not follow through with sign code enforcement? It followed the script we see time in and time out. The city pretends to hear citizens and reacts for a short time (just to shut them up) and then goes back to doing whatever they feel like. Mayor Jenkins was made to look like an idiot by directing her staff only to have her direction ignored two weeks later. It is time for a new mayor.
Did anyone see the new stop sign at the 118 excit going South. I guess I’ve gone through it a couple of times before I even knew it was there. The sign is set so far back from the turn that nobody notices it. Watch out DuPont cops will be there with their ticket books in hand.
Finally something related to a sign that we can’t blame on the city.
If you look up in the windows above DuPont Cleaners, you’ll see DNA Computer’s banner sign hung in a window up there. Wonder how long it will be before the liquor store goes in?
It is about time we get something useful in this town. Think of the bright side, if either I-1100 or I-1105 pass this November then we will have two more vacancies on Wilmington.
I am happy that there won’t be a vacany on Wilmington in this spot. Windermere will have a stake in keeping the community tidy for their own marketing purposes. On the other hand, this new tenant isn’t exactly part of the shopping/dining utopia we thought it was going to be when we purchased in DuPont.
Until the City funds the Community Development Director’s position again, and hires someone with a vision and plan, we aren’t going to see any changes around here.
The citizens of DuPont are absolutely correct. The sign in the window of the new Windermere office is a violation of the city sign ordinance, and it was done in poor taste as well. Our apologies to the community. We were ill advised to introduce ourselves to DuPont in such a manner and will take the sign down immediately.
We intend to be good communtiy citizens and commit to responsible business practices in the future. We apologize for any distress we may have caused.
Dick Beeson Broker/Owner Windermere Commencement Assoc.
Dave Sinding Owner Windermere Commencement Assoc.
Thanks for stepping up. It is in both of our interests to maintain DuPont as a destination community in the South Sound.
DuPont is no longer a destination community. DuPont is the staging ground to get new military families staying at a hotel in DuPont on house hunting orders. Then take them to Lacey to sell them a home in a community that is a destination community that attracts Business, supports the citizens, honors the military. (Real Estate company between two hotels that serve JBLM. Good Business plan.)
Rough assessment but that about sums it up. It might be time to spend another $30,000 on a branding scheme and then do nothing with other a slogan.
DuPont: Premier Rental Community
Welcome Windermere! Do you offer rental management services?