Benne on Politics and Heaven on Earth

Thought I would post another good quote I found in Chapter 4 of the book, Good and Bad Ways to Think about Religion and Politics by Dr. Robert D. Benne. Chapter 4 of Benne's book is "Critical Engagement: Moving From Core to Public Policy."

From page 54...

What can be expected then from government is not heaven on earth, but a gradual progression of small steps toward a better society. The realism of the Christian faith rejoices in those small steps even as it doubts political promises of wholesale transformation toward utopia.

Not sure if I've mentioned this before, but click here to read Francis J. Beckwith's review of Good and Bad Ways to Think about Religion and Politics.

Troy Trail and Pathway Project - October 2015 Meeting

The photo below is one I took at the second public engagement session on the proposed City of Troy Trail and Pathway route. It was held Monday, October 5th at the Troy Community Center.

This time, City staff proposed 3 alternative routes rather than just one. Click here to view the proposed routes and also public comment received on each of them. My preference is "Option C." I believe it will be up to the Troy City Council to make the final decision.

I've embedded below a couple of Twitter posts from the 10/5/15 session.

Our Troy Trails & Pathways public engagement is underway at the community center in rooms 304/305 until 9pm! pic.twitter.com/gAuRDYX0pa

— City of Troy (@CityTroyMI) October 5, 2015

Attending @CityTroyMI Trails and Pathways public engagement session. #troymi https://t.co/2xuLm7Gh2l pic.twitter.com/vLrQNuMaVX

— Dave Lambert (@DLambertsOnline) October 5, 2015

Troy Zoning Board of Appeals - September 2015 Meeting Recap

City staff has posted the video recording of the 9/15/15 Troy Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting to YouTube. At the bottom of this post is the video. (The meeting actually starts shortly after the 1:35 minute mark of the video.)

Click here to download the entire Agenda Packet from the September 15th meeting.

There were three items on the agenda:

1. A variance for 2106 Rochester (in order to build two new homes). The ZBA approved the variance. I voted "yes" to approve the variance.
2. A variance for 2060 Rochester (to legitimize a recently built home). The ZBA approved the variance. I voted "yes" to approve the variance.
3. A variance for 2040 Rochester (to legitimize a recently built home). The ZBA approved the variance. I voted "yes" to approve the variance.