Someone noted in a comment this morning that an opponent to the Heritage Designation is a friend of mine.
It's absolutely true. Our friendship extends back forty years. Since before they bought their property.
Before we had a planning department.
When she came to see me in the Mayor's office to find out if their intention for the property would be acceptable to the town.
It certainly was.
More than one generation of pre-schoolers received warm nurturing care ,including two of my grandchildren , while parents worked to provide.
More than one single parent received desperately needed support, during the worst time of their lives.
when it could be accessed nowhere else.
I saw two old, shabby, idle,useless buildings lovingly restored and brought back to use to add
substantially to the town's assessment base.
They asked for nothing.
Invested everything.
Enriched the community by their efforts. And were good neighbors into the bargain.
Yes indeed , I am proud to call them friend.
As are all property-owners who invest of themselves in the community and make the greater contribution to the well-being of the community.
They make no demands .
They expect nothing but to be allowed to get on with their business without interference or certainly in the case of Heritage Designation , actually being deprived of their property rights.
If they ask I will advise . If they seek answers, I will provide them.
If they need my support against an uninvested bureaucracy, they shall have it.
I do not run for office to surrender my rights and become subservient.
I run to protect my rights and serve the rights of others.
If that means head on collision with the entitlement class, I will do that with gusto.
If it means persuading people to their best interest ,I will take that on as well.
It's a job worth doing and worth doing well.
Oh, would that be one of those comments that you choose to not share with the group?
ReplyDeleteI think we are all finding that we have friends among the opponents of this project. I recognized someone in the crowd whose Dad worked for us when we first came to Aurora. He was about the same age as our kids. Now he has grown up, has a family and owns property the value of which is being threatened. I will not be asked for my opinion as we are in a different district. Nor will I intrude on their group. But they have my support right up to and including at the polls.
ReplyDeleteThe question should have been how could you not have friends opposing the designation ? It appears to be broadly based and growing.
ReplyDeleteI apologize if this question has already been asked ...but how much did this SE Heritage Designation Plan cost taxpayers?
ReplyDelete17:40
ReplyDelete- Including the years of meetings & staff time blown on a blasted " vision " for a select few ?