Mr. Brock is right.
I suggest that the city and citizens select
a facilitator for the meeting. A neutral party. From the Mediation
Center of Western North Carolina. Feelings run deep and angry. We need
a facilitator who can get to the roots of the distrust and anger...and
then focus parties on a solution.
I would also highly recommend
that this dog park proposal be separated out from any effort to
organize the Valley. We need a positive, open, and diverse group of
people interested in representing the Valley and its needs to the city.
i always fear organization of something that important from the seeds
of anger and distrust. The conflict that needs addressed with a neutral
party should not poison our efforts to do Beaverdam proud....and believe
me...this will do that. Those who are watching this fight...are they
going to want to join an effort to organize Beaverdam?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I am going to be up front and honest as some of the things that I have
read and proposed...and said and proposed are noted above and repeated
elsewhere. I want to be clear about something. I was the person who
first suggested and noted the idea of a "people park". I was critical
of the proposal of a dog park as soon as I noticed it...that was months
and months ago...and I would like to say publicly that I did so far
sooner than many of you. I don't want to come across as arrogant...I
mean no harm. I love my neighborhood so very much. I walk it...I run
it. I enjoy the trees, the sounds, and now even those horses on Gibson
across the creek. I am not at all excited by a dog park and like many
of you, I think it was planned without our input. Input only occurred
after many of us hear about it and objected. No wonder so many are
angry. I feel you.
I dont want a dog park on that land. I
want the Killian House preserved. And I advocated for that in emails to
the council and city manager...many many months ago. In fact, the
meeting that was held at Ira B. Jones was suggested after I communicated
this to council and our city manager. Maybe Ill dig them up.
Even
though I do not support the dog park...Yes. I have proposed...me...one
person...a compromise solution that might attract more support. I did
this because I see an enormous amount of development in our beautiful
valley coming and, frankly, I have huge concerns about what Beaverdam is
going to look like 10-20 years from now. The former Thoms estate is the
tip of the iceberg. Have you hiked up into the hills off of Crabapple
or Carter cove and seen the marked trees donating what might one day be
houses? Do any of you believe that the land there wont be developed or
that the land owned across from the graveyard won't one day be developed
also?
My interest is in a park/greenway that might preserve some
of this land before its gone...a real park. I think the city owes this
valley more. Especially as it is being subdivided for development and
members of council rely on development to fill voids in property tax
revenue base.
My interests are clear. I will oppose a dog park
unless it preserves the house and it incorporates a design that respects
the environment, includes the beginning of a greenway, and is multiuse
so our children and our entire valley can enjoy a park..and a
greenway...as the rest of Beaverdam becomes suburban developments and
one day little is left to preserve.
Last, lets all consider
something else. The developer owns that land. What is your
BATNA..."best alternative to a negotiated agreement"? If this land does
not go to the city it remains owned by the developer. What will happen
to that house then? What will happen to the family? What will happen
to the land? Will it be sold? Built upon anyway in places where they
are able? They have already raised the Thoms mansion and torn down the
most beautiful historic silo that I have ever seen. I know that land
well. And I'd much rather see something wonderful and positive than
what it will be if it stays in the hands of the developer.
This
is one person's opinion. I respect so much those who are angered by the
lack of consultation with our neighorhood. You are dead on right. I
will own up to be one person who believes that we might be able to work
something wonderful out...if we can mediate this ...with a neutral
mediator...and work together.
Best to you all.
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