HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-18 John Buckner1
Chris Johnson
From:Robert Simison
Sent:Monday, July 19, 2021 9:23 AM
To:John Buckner; Liz Strader; Joe Borton; Brad Hoaglun; Treg Bernt; Jessica Perreault; Luke
Cavener
Cc:Chris Johnson
Subject:RE: The Oasis - Reject
Mr. Buckner,
Thank you submitting your comments.
As the appeal for this application is to be heard, City Council and I are not able to comment outside of the public
process. I have copied our City Clerk so this email can be included in the public record for this issue.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert Simison
City of Meridian
All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law,
in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law.
From: John Buckner <john.buckner7@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2021 11:19 PM
To: Robert Simison <rsimison@meridiancity.org>; Liz Strader <lstrader@meridiancity.org>; Joe Borton
<jborton@meridiancity.org>; Brad Hoaglun <bhoaglun@meridiancity.org>; Treg Bernt <tbernt@meridiancity.org>;
Jessica Perreault <jperreault@meridiancity.org>; Luke Cavener <lcavener@meridiancity.org>
Subject: The Oasis - Reject
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Members of the Council,
As a resident of Meridian and member of the community you represent, I strongly implore you to reject The Oasis
development at the corner of Eagle and Ustick. There are myriad reasons to reject this development, some of which you
have probably already heard, so I will try to address one particular issue with some original and personal nuance.
According to the Oasis's website, "Our primary music focus during lounge and nightclub hours is within the EDM genre".
EDM happens to be a style of music I enjoy. But I have no desire to attend this kind of venue, nor would I want my son
1000 miles within range. I know a dear friend who's life was nearly ruined for involvement with the elements associated
with EDM venues, which I discuss below, but who, by God's sheer grace, was spared and has gone on to lead a
productive and happy life. Countless others have not been as fortunate.
According to the Huffington Post, “If you’re intent to truly capture [EDM] culture, leaving out the prevalence of drug use
is a willful omission". This is because EDM venues have a reputation for drug trafficking, and for good reason. EDM
ranked the most popular venue in terms of the use of the drugs MDMA (“Ecstasy”), hallucinogens, and cocaine,
according to drugeabuse.com. It goes without saying that such an atmosphere does not define a high quality of life,
potentially resulting in drug overdose, violence, or as in the case of my friend, federal conviction.
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EDM also ranks highest in terms of alcohol or drug intoxication according drugabuse.com. The applicant has suggested
that the employee handbook will mitigate this risk. But such claims are idealistic at best and disingenuous at worst.
What company enforces its handbook perfectly, especially when it is against the economic interests of the employer to
do so? Certainly, it’s not realistic to expect the City Council to ensure each business is upholding its own standards.
Consider a testimony already brought to the City by a retired officer of the Fullerton, CA PD: “It would be naive to not
realize drug abuse also occurs in or around these types of businesses along with other subsequent illicit behavior. If they
are to capacity, fire occupancy codes are typically ignored as they won’t turn away money.” I know and have been to the
exact location to which this officer refers, but not in the evening with my son.
Meridian is a beautiful, charming, and safe city, offering various dining and entertainment options that appeal to adults
and children. According to Wallethub’s “2020’s Fastest-Growing Cities in America” Meridian, ID ranked No. 3, and that is
without The Oasis. Meridian does not need any nightclubs. Nightclubs will not enhance but rather detract from the
quality of life for all of Meridian, for adults and especially our children.
Prevent the problem today rather than managing it tomorrow and reject The Oasis development.
Respectfully,
John Buckner