The Blue Ridge City Council held its regular meeting today, March 1st, which was actually a rescheduled meeting due to winter weather in February.  The meeting ran approximately 2 hours and close to the end, just before executive session, council member Angie Arp asked to say something.  Arp stated she had not planned to speak however after hearing citizens’ comments she was moved to make a statement.  She went on to say she wanted to apologize for prior behavior, saying, “for the way I’ve acted and the things I’ve done,”  and explained how she had talked with several people lately and had come to realize she may not have “handled things the right way.”

Although Ms. Arp’s apology may be heartfelt what does it really mean?  Since she has been on the City Council she has sent multiple emails to City Attorney Syfan, there’s been conflict, back-biting, drama, and a large amount of money spent on legal fees.  A pending lawsuit hangs in the balance.  Not to mention over fourteen thousand in legal fees racked up in the last few months to Jarrard & Davis, LLP for the investigation initially instigated by Arp.  Today’s meeting saw approval to pay the $10,060 of the latest invoice from the attorney firm in phase 2 of its investigation of the Mayor and City Council.

So while it may give her and some others a feel good moment let me tell you what it doesn’t do.  It doesn’t give the taxpayers of Blue Ridge a refund of the needless dollars wasted on the aforementioned legal fees.  It doesn’t restore the reputation of a dysfunctional city council who has become widely watched by not only Blue Ridge residents but neighboring counties.  How do you measure the loss of revenue from potential investors / incoming businesses who took their business elsewhere because the local officials do not conduct a professional cohesive face of local government.  What has it cost local businesses who wished to invest in the area only to be faced with dealing with the whims of the unpredictable council.

While we all can benefit from self evaluation and review it would seem there are certain times when sorry doesn’t erase consequences.  Arp should understand that elected officials take the oath of office and are held to a higher standard than the average citizen.  Perhaps her new found perspective on how her actions have impacted others should result in more than “I’m sorry.”  One would wonder, with as contentious as Arp has been for several months, what could have possibly prompted her acknowledgement of culpability in the recurring issues on the council.   It will be interesting to see what the phase 2 of the self initiated investigation reveals.  FYN plans to continue to follow the investigation and will update as new information becomes available with this aspect.  See the last invoice from investigating firm below: