The council seemed to be lacking its usual enthusiasm at their workshop of the proposed development of the High Rock parking lot. Back in 2008, when the proposals were first submitted, and the council held its first workshop, the five members of the council seemed to relish the exciting new proposal, and the opportunity presented to do something real, and something that all five agreed on.

Now, after hearing months of complaints about the mere possibility of paid parking, the five men seemed to have dialed down their enthusiasm. They're still talking, as evidenced by tonight's workshop, but talk now is either coming from Commissioner Franck about creating another panel (can you say "stall tactic") or Commissioner Kim, once bullish on building a new police station, talking about selecting a contractor and using the ensuing contract negotiation as a means to define financing.

While Kim's suggestion clearly still offers more momentum than Franck's, it is couched in the need to further study and discuss, not the "bond it now, build it now" enthusiasm we became used to from Kim throughout 2008.

It's an election year, and it's beginning to show.