Follow up on "win"...

In a message dated 10/5/09 9:10:48 AM, tbalandra@apr.com writes:

If they ever try to "change" the zoning, we're now "on record" to receive a notice from the Planning Dept.
Since our "win", the Planning Dept has been discussing ways to change the "Public Outreach Process" - (Amazing! We've been asking for this for years!) They are looking at bringing the Community, Planning Dept & Developers together much earlier, so a Formal Protest (like ours), won't embarrass them again... we'll see what happens, but our "win" caused quite a stir...

Isn't it nice to have that "off our plates"? (Hurray!)

Thanks again for all your help ... It was an amazing "Case Study" in successful Political Activism that gives us all "Hope" that we CAN make a difference if we all stick together.

Best;
Terri Balandra

YES! Also, I thought it was interesting how the newspaper "interpreted" this as just a "Not In My neighborhood" stance. It was an easy "conclusion" for them to print. Shabby and disappointing. But bottom line, the city heard you all and had to listen.

Am a tad jaded, but know there are people in the planning department that actually try and have good relations with the public. Still, it's all about $$, and your combined efforts were a loud enough voice to curb the ridiculous proposal. xo! Cathleen

congratulations! I'm convinced that the city council members would have gotten some kind of special benefit (like increased chance of re-election)

if the measure had passed, and there was no chance that they were unbiased or completely objective about it.

And as I said, it wasn't going to be built in any of THEIR backyards, so they were all for it.

John