I actually don't think it is about cynicism, I think it is
about believing in something and someone other than oneself.
There are great people in this city that have done many
wonderful things.
For instance, I think Brighton Development has done many
good things in our city. (To be fully disclosed, I've worked
with them on numerous projects.) Do I think they've gotten
too cozy with our administration and that other developers
have become, perhaps, unintentionally shut out? Yes. But
that doesn't negate the fact that they have done good
things. The responsibility here lies in city leadership. I
think R.T. will open up the process and let more people in
than create an atmosphere of closure. I've already seen him
do this with his campaign.
Do I think SRF is a quality company that does great planning
work? (Again to disclose, I have a relative who is an
employee of SRF.) Absolutely, but perhaps they are stuck
like other consultants in a city that lacks vision and
planning direction - or perhaps neighborhood cohesion. I
believe R.T. will bring together a new vision to the city
uniting the Planning-MCDA-NRP function into a greater
visioning group that can help broaden the criteria that can
help all our consultants do the job we really want them to
do.
These are just two examples where I think the answer comes
from a change in leadership and direction. I know that Tim
has expressed before on this list that he believes he should
run for mayor - perhaps he should. What I do know, is that
if we go around believing in nothing and no one, we get
nowhere. And even if we make mistakes, as I believe I did
in supporting our current administration in the last
election, we learn something and go forward to create
something even better. Sooner or later you have to reach
out and believe in more than oneself and ultimately help
others plant the tree seedlings that we will never see leaf
to maturity.
Russell W. Peterson
former Standishite
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