Just wanted to mention that the town meeting about Bill 629 held
day-before-yesterday at Calvary Church was a big success for the University
City area:
More than 60 people attended and many more people wrote that they were
unable to attend because of schedule conflicts. EVERY Univ City
neighborhood group -- and many "special interest groups" -- had board
members there, as well as a broad cross-section of residents from all over.
The debate was to-the-point, civil, and overall I believe very well
informed. Audience comments were excellent.
I think that Carl Primavera (a lawyer who sometimes represents
businesses, sometime represents community groups), who spoke in favor of the
bill, deserves a great deal of credit for showing up for this forum. While
he faced a room full of almost total opposition, he kept his cool and good
humor throughout. Curiously -- because of Carl's great familiarity with the
situation, and his experience in public speaking -- I believe that his
presence at this event helped to give the forum greater credibility.
For the anti-bill position, Judith Eden (from Center City Proprietors)
was just excellent, showing a real knack for addressing the issues at hand
and not making general speeches. She was extremely persuasive. Mary Tracy
also added a few very relevant comments when called upon.
The audience was unanimous in their opposition to the bill (perhaps one
or two abstentions).
Jannie Blackwell attended and heard most of the debate. She is in a
politically difficult situation on this bill, but she surely knows now that
she has a very legitimate reason to vote against the bill.
For my part, as President of Cedar Park Neighbors, I now have a stronger
case (in opposition to this bill) to present to wavering councilmembers, and
I will be faxing some of them in the next few days.
THANKS to everyone
Roger Harman
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