Subject: Beaverdam Valley Meeting
To: Marsha Stickford <mstickford@ashevillenc.gov> (Marsha Stickford is the City's Neighborhood Services Coordinator)
Dear Ms. Stickford,
There is currently a great deal of confusion in the
Beaverdam Valley and, as you know, confusion may lead to anger and
mistrust. We were told that a neighborhood association should be
self-organized and that city staff would be available to assist us in
our endeavor. We wonder why a meeting is being forced upon us at a time
chosen by a Councilman who doesn't live in the Beaverdam Valley. Why
aren't leaders of existing homeowners associations and interested
residents from other neighborhoods setting a time for this meeting? Is
there an agenda for the meeting or will it be "self-directed" by
residents and organizations who attend?
You should know that there has been a great deal of
positive discussion and exciting ideas exchanged over the last few days.
We are trying to recover from accusations of being associated with and
inciting criminal activity at the corner of Wild Cherry and Beaverdam
Roads so we are "thinking positive and hopeful thoughts." Many
residents would like to see the long-awaited greenway become reality and
to couple it with a garden for native plants where neighborhood
children could be educated in local ecology. As a former Children's
Garden Director at Rutgers University Display gardens in NJ, I feel this
is a real possibility. Several residents have expressed great interest
in forming a Beaverdam Valley garden club and working with UNCA, Elisha
Mitchell Audobon Society and others to make an educational garden
possible and $5000 has been offered to get started. You see, there are
many ideas spreading throughout the Beaverdam Valley. Some of these
ideas were recently shared with Ark Development.
Brad Brock has recently sent an e-mail to the mayor
and council suggesting that the proposed format for the upcoming meeting
is divisive and inappropriate. Dr. Roger Hartley, a Beaverdam Valley
resident and Professor of Political Science and Public Affairs at
Western Carolina University has suggested using a facilitator from the
Mediation Center of Western North Carolina for any future meetings.
We await you prompt and thoughtful reply. Thank you,
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