It would be even more novel if the developer were as upfront and
honest in public as he wants people to think he is in one-on-one
conversation. If he were, we would all *know* about his plans already
and not have to guess. I could be wrong. Maybe *all* developers prefer
to meet everyone in the neighborhood separately over coffee instead of
making their plans more traditionally "public." I doubt it, though.
I don't know the developer and have only formed an opinion about him
from his behavior around this project which is far from stellar. If I
don't want an 11-story hotel 1/2 block from me it has nothing to do
with my personal feelings about a developer, trust me.
Frankus
Sleek. Edgy. Infinitely flexible.
On Nov 11, 2007, at 09:14 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
In a message dated 11/11/07 8:23:35 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
....Critics of this proposal must acquaint
themselves with these plans before they launch into the business of
finding fault with them.....
Oh, Tony, what a novel idea! Has this ever happened, in the history
of listserv crankiness?
For those who say they didn't have the opportunity to learn more,
look at what happened when Tom Lussenhop offered to explain his
plans to Karen Allen over a cup of coffee! She wrote: <<I told him
no, and to never write to me again. For the record, I don't drink
coffee, I don't like him, and I definitely don't discuss community
business in back rooms. >>
What will that response teach developers about the usefulness of
offering to give out the details of their plans?
And, what happens when people with one opinion try earnestly to
engage in a listserv conversation with people of a different
opinion? When Karen complained that no one was willing to respond
to the questions she'd raised, I offered to enter into a discussion,
cautioning that <<...if you truly want to hear another viewpoint,
I'll be happy to share mine. This isn't personal - it's only in
response to your request for other points of view.>>
In my reply to her points, writing about the community association
zoning process which Karen and I both understand pretty well since
we sit on a zoning committee, I wrote <<...community zoning
committees generally respect the wishes of the nearby neighbors when
taking positions on new development....At some point, to have the
local community association impose its will on a site, in absence of
complaint from the neighbors, would seem inappropriate. To have you
and me, as busybodies from the next neighborhood over, impose our
will on the project seems even more problematic.>>
Which Karen "spun," a few days later, to read <<... I knew I'd be
attacked for not living in Spruce Hill, like Melani Lamond's attack
in her recent email calling me a "busybody from the next
neighborhood over".>>
Listserv writers tend to have already formed their opinions when
they hear WHO is involved in a plan. As I wrote earlier, I don't
think their support or opposition has much to do with the merits of
the proposal; it has more to do with the identity of the players.
That's too bad. We'd work better for the good of the neighborhood
if we could work for the greater good, rather than fight because we
aren't the best of friends.
- Melani Lamond
Melani Lamond, Associate Broker
Urban & Bye, Realtor
3529 Lancaster Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
cell phone 215-356-7266
office phone 215-222-4800, ext. 113
office fax 215-222-1101
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