Of Raisins, Noses and Civic Spite

Most of the people who work in the Lakewood City Hall seem to be nice folks. In fact, you might say the Lakewood city government projects the image of a well-behaved little boy who doesn’t stick raisins up his nose or snore in church. But even nice little boys can sometimes be spiteful.

Recently I received, as I have for the past 30 years, a billing for our Lakewood city business license. But this year our license fee was almost double the amount we have paid in the past. When I phoned City Hall and inquired about the fee increase I was told: “We have changed your license classification because it has been brought to our attention that you run a full-time business, and quite a sizable one at that.”

Well, that is true, I do. However, my previous license classification was not restricted to a part-time business, and the City of Lakewood has known for many years that I run a full-time business. Of course, I did run for the Lakewood City Council during the last special election, and I have been known to chide the Lakewood city government from time to time.

The extra license fee is not going to cause me or my business any financial hardship, but perhaps it would be a good idea for someone to check a few of the City Hall noses for raisins.

--R.C. (BOB) TRIMBLE

Lakewood