I agree that hoop-jumping can add costs, but so often, what's going on here is the developers are trading the "certainty" of the zoning code (which may stop their dream) for the "uncertainty" of pushing deviations (in some cases, dramatic ones).

In the case of Linden Corners, the code pretty clearly allows the project as it is newly constituted (3 stories, a couple of lots). The only variance needed is for some balconies, and my prediction is this sucker gets through. But originally,...

Roll Call, which broke the story, had an arrest report, so that's one difference, the other is that Craig, unlike Gauthier, was arrested.

Jim, all I can say about the year-ago piece is that there WAS powerful evidence - the Arbitron ratings. (The Current rose from a 1.5 percent share to 4.5 percent.)

As I wrote at the time, the Arbitron people-meter system has critics, who think a few panelists can skew things unreasonably. A year later, I'd say those critics have more ammo. That's why I included more on the caveats higher up.

All that said, this is still the best evidence we have beyond opinions, so I'll keep...

Working on getting you an update now. PS I think MyTalk overall is basically flat since the fired Colleen Kruse.