Chris Pelly: "Let's Get Organized!"

John,
Thank you to you and the others Beaverdam residents who reached out to me at the close of yesterday's Festival of Neighborhoods. Our conversation was certainly food for thought and I ask you share my message with the greater Beaverdam community.

 

Dear Neighbor,

In recent weeks and months your community has become embroiled in controversy over the proposed dog park. Although I am saddened the proposal has caused a rift in the Beaverdam community, this conflict also presents a growth opportunity.

Both sides present arguments worthy of merit that, taken together, outline a potential path to resolution.

 

Dog park advocates, the Friends of North Asheville Dog Park group, cite the fact the property owner is willing to make the land available at no cost and that they, the Friends group, is willing to raise $100k for design, build-out and maintenance of the facility. The Friends further say the park design will include amenities such as a greenway and picnic tables for use by all residents, not just dog owners.

 

Dog park opponents cite a fundamental problem with the proposal--mainly that no one asked if this was wanted by Beaverdam residents. Opponents believe the process has been flawed because the dog park idea was decided without adequate public input with no vote or other public process undertaken.

 

As a member of city council who is both a strong advocate for parks as well as neighborhoods, your situation has caused me to think about the best way forward.

On Sunday, October 27th UNC-Asheville hosted the inaugural Festival of Asheville Neighborhoods designed to celebrate our diverse community. One message repeated often at yesterday's event was the importance of community organization. We learned how successful neighborhood organizations have systems for communication with residents and how being organized can provide a platform for residents to articulate how they want to grow and evolve.

 

I say all this because at present the Beaverdam community, from my perspective, is essentially unorganized. There is not at present a system in place for disseminating vital information--such as the Friends dog park proposal, or any counter-proposal. There is not at present any democratically-elected community organization to help lead the discussion about how residents want Beaverdam to grow.

 

Without a process for addressing these important questions, I believe the Beaverdam community can expect more conflict. However, with an active community association, proposals can be vetted with and among neighbors in a way that ensures all voices have an opportunity to be heard. Building an organization, led by community leaders selected by their neighbors, opens opportunities not presently available. It allows the discussion to ask not only, "What are we against?" but also, "What are we for?" and "What do we need?" An active community association creates possibilities. It creates an opportunity to define how you want your community to grow.

 

I believe it is time for Beaverdam to get organized. It is time to come together to chart your future. Although the dog park proposal has created conflict, use this opportunity of heightened interest to build a cohesive community. Myself and the members of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee are prepared to assist in any way you find helpful.

Thank you,
Chris Pelly,
Asheville City Council
231-3704