Lisa -On Oct 5, 2007, at 11:36 AM, Lisa wrote:-To respond privately, use the "Reply" command.To post to the list "Forward" to [at] -
Sebastian and neighbors -
I suppose that this morning, about half of us are relieved, and half of us are disappointed. We're hearing mostly from the disappointed ones on this list, but don't forget that over half the NA voted to deny this variance. Remember, there are a lot more people who live in this neighborhood who don't participate in the list serv.
It's disappointing to hear such pessimism about the future of this property. Before Endeavor came along, nobody was saying "Oh crap, the Howard's Nursery is for sale, it's going to be a bunch of fast food restaurants!" The developers managed to scare a lot of us with one of the oldest developer tactics in the book--"it's either us or something horrible will go in there."
Actually, Clay, MANY of us did say that...only we said it 7 years ago when we were looking towards the future of our neighborhood and envisioning what the next 50 years would look like for the area.As part of the planning process.
MANY of us spent countless hours (and the planning team continues this work today) thinking about what we wanted and didn't want in all the corridors in the neighborhood and on our boundaries.
We did say we didn't want strip malls and feared fast food and more auto sales lots. We thought ahead to "what if this property was eventually developed beyond its current use" and tried to envision what would improve the neighborhood.It really has very little to do with "what the developer said"...more, it has to do with an abundance of experience and knowledge of folks in our community who have been active in neighborhood issues for years.
You assume that many of us have reacted the way you have, and that's not necessarily the case.Many of us have spent countless hours this year and for years before this considering (AND WORKING FOR) what is best for our neighborhood.
It's easy to show up at the 11th hour and act like you know what's best. And assume you know something about what has gone on before you came along.
I think many of us feel like you tend to be incredibly patronizing and dismissive.As if noone has worked hard on these issues until you and your cohorts came along.As if noone in the neighborhood cares about communicating with our neighbors.
Most people active in neighborhood politics welcome (in fact, actively seek) new energy and enthusiasm and efforts.If you had approached your neighbors with a more respectful, cooperative attitude from the beginning, maybe things would be different today. Instead of just inciting a war that has become detrimental for everyone.
--Lisa------------------------------------------------------------------------Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in messages are solely that of the authorand not of the list administrators nor Druma Inc (sponsor 14gram.com).------------------------------------------------------------------------Unsubscribe & "howto" info, send a blank email to [at] -
