People say to me, we can’t propose anything on Comeau, it will just open a
Can of worms – I looked the phrase up on the internet and on some sites it is attributed to a mid 20th century saying that likened a situation that had many challenging twists and turns to being like the tangled mess of worms one used to find in cans sold by fishing stores.
I’m here tonight to support the idea of looking at the terms of the draft Comeau easement with a fresh set of eyes, eyes that are focused on the infrastructure needs of our town well into the 21st century.
Thank you, Supervisor Jeff Moran for articulating in a recent news paper interview the concept many Woodstockers struggle with, how to protect the 77 acre Comeau property and at the same time utilize small portions of the land to satisfy the needs of the town government and recreational groups. I support his idea that the details of the draft easement need to be looked at with members of the WLC, from the perspective of how the towns infrastructure needs have evolved since 2003. Thank you to the members of the WLC who wish to “make sure that any eventual easement reflects the Town’s current and future activities, uses and conservation goals for the Comeau property
I hope that out of tonight’s meeting will emerge community leaders who aren’t afraid to open a can of worms.
We know that we must provide our police, court and justice employees with a safe secure place to work. We know that town offices at the Comeau need TLC – to bring them up to 21st century work standards.
For at least 20 years town leaders have been trying to resolve these problems.
It seems to me that we always come back to Comeau.
The Comeau property is a stunningly beautiful peace of property. I don’t know of anyone who is speaking about “developing” Comeau. If I let my mind wander a little throughout all the hamlets of Woodstock, there are hundreds and hundreds of acres of our 70 some square miles that are preserved from development because they are already held by the WLC, the DEP and other land preservation groups.
I am interested in supporting community leaders who can work with the Friends of Comeau who seem to always be in a state of hyper vigilance whenever the use of Comeau is mentioned and guide them to the discussion table with those of us who want sufficient amounts of land reserved for upgrading our Town offices.
There is another definition of the phrase can of worms. It is said that it might be a modern version the ancient term “ Pandoras Box” Of course we all know that once Pandoras box was opened, all kinds of terrible plaques were set upon the earth. What I had forgotten is that at the bottom of the box, was HOPE.
And I hope that both sides in this issue, how to use Comeau, can meet in the middle and
agree that it’s ok to consider and perhaps agree that a few more acres are needed to resolve our town infrastructure and space needs at long last.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Standing on the Steps outside the community center
I went to the Community center last night, that little building on Rock City Road where John and I were married 35 years ago. I planned to be part of the public be heard comment section of the Woodstock Land Conservancy Presentation. The parking lot was full to capacity, as expected and the meeting room was standing room only.
I was late, 8 PM, and wasn't sure what the process was, so I asked Deputy Town Clerk Lynn what the format was. Written questions to be handed in on cards, no public comment. Hummm, says I to myself. I sat a few minutes and decided, why not go home and listen on the web. I can balance my check book and do a few other things while I listen to the presentation. I don't have any questions about the easement. I don't like that we have it, but I have accepted that it is part of my Woodstock taxpayer life now.
As I walked out into the cool summer air, I encountered Joan Swartzburg, who told me she was steaming. She was mad at the town board because they wouldn't let her speak in the 10 minute public be heard session before the presentation.
Why? I'll listen to what you have to say. In the process of telling me what happened, I didn't get the gist of her comments. ( Sorry Joan)
Then, town board candidate Ken Panza came out, and he was of the same opinion, might as well go home and watch on TV. I guess we were part of the community that wants to still have input and debate the use of the Comeau. ( and we were on opposite sides of the issue)
I think the Comeau use and the Comeau easement will be made into the hot topic for the democratic primary this September. To bad, cause boy do we have a whole lot of
other issues facing the town.
I was late, 8 PM, and wasn't sure what the process was, so I asked Deputy Town Clerk Lynn what the format was. Written questions to be handed in on cards, no public comment. Hummm, says I to myself. I sat a few minutes and decided, why not go home and listen on the web. I can balance my check book and do a few other things while I listen to the presentation. I don't have any questions about the easement. I don't like that we have it, but I have accepted that it is part of my Woodstock taxpayer life now.
As I walked out into the cool summer air, I encountered Joan Swartzburg, who told me she was steaming. She was mad at the town board because they wouldn't let her speak in the 10 minute public be heard session before the presentation.
Why? I'll listen to what you have to say. In the process of telling me what happened, I didn't get the gist of her comments. ( Sorry Joan)
Then, town board candidate Ken Panza came out, and he was of the same opinion, might as well go home and watch on TV. I guess we were part of the community that wants to still have input and debate the use of the Comeau. ( and we were on opposite sides of the issue)
I think the Comeau use and the Comeau easement will be made into the hot topic for the democratic primary this September. To bad, cause boy do we have a whole lot of
other issues facing the town.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Line Drawn in the Comeau Fields
July 7, 2009
To the Editor,
It recently became apparent to us that we have finally reached the status of
“Old timer” in the town that we grew up in. We gained that insight when we found ourselves wondering, how on earth did we get to the point in our community where we find townspeople pitted against each other over the use, or non use of 77 acres of town owned land?
Kudos to Supervisor Jeff Moran for articulating the concept many Woodstockers struggle with, how to protect the Comeau property and at the same time utilize small portions of the land to satisfy the needs of the town government and recreational groups. We support his comments made recently indicating his opinion that the details of the draft easement need to be looked at with members of the WLC, from the perspective of the evolution of the towns needs in 2009. We were also pleased to read that the WLC wishes to “make sure that any eventual easement reflects the Town’s current and future activities, uses and conservation goals for the Comeau property.”
Old timers will recall Val Cadden, a Woodstock Supervisor who had the keen ability to bring opposing groups together and build consensus. She managed, among other accomplishments, to convince Woodstockers to purchase 77 acres of land in the center of town for consolidation of municipal services, recreational services and protect the property from purchase by future land developers. As you may have guessed, we were among those many Woodstockers who voted yes, let’s buy the Comeau property, and looked forward to Val’s plans being implemented.
After Val left office, the town government and its townspeople entered into the process of developing two very important advancements in our town government, the municipal sewer system and the 1989 zoning law. There wasn’t much else the elected town boards could concentrate on adequately, therefore, many other important items including the infrastructure needs of our town were put on the sideline, due to lack of time and concentration.
During the following two decades, in our opinion, Woodstock changed. People who were instrumental in supporting Val’s effort, or voted to purchase the Comeau property have moved away, grown too old to care or died. We are a community of new citizens, who bring to the table different experiences, and many may have no first hand knowledge of how Woodstockers used to work together for the common good of all.
In 2002, Jeremy Wilber made a clever suggestion that we study the Comeau as a place to site the Highway garage. We joined 796 Woodstockers who voted against that proposal. We were part of the 838 Woodstockers who voted in 2003 against the proposal to create a conservation easement for the Comeau property. We voted no on this proposal because we were, and still are of the opinion that Woodstockers have the ability to be mindful of the need to preserve and protect the 77 acres at Comeau as well as utilize a small portion of the land to ease the over crowding at the town offices and the remedy the unsafe working conditions of the town court, police and dispatch departments.
Why do we continue to hold the belief that Woodstockers can use a common sense approach to utilizing a small portion of Comeau and also protect this wonderful natural resource? Because we are Woodstocker of the Val Cadden era.
Ok all you old timers out there, now is your chance to voice your opinion.
Yes, tell your elected officials that you want a review the details of the draft easement and you want a few more acres to be designated for town municipal services, an enlarged parking lot and additional soccer fields. Also, let the WLC know that you appreciate their support and understanding in this complicated arrangement.
Erase the line drawn in the fields of Comeau and work toward compromise to help solve the town needs the purchase of the Comeau land was intended to solve.
Sincerely,
Janine Fallon – Mower
John A. Mower
To the Editor,
It recently became apparent to us that we have finally reached the status of
“Old timer” in the town that we grew up in. We gained that insight when we found ourselves wondering, how on earth did we get to the point in our community where we find townspeople pitted against each other over the use, or non use of 77 acres of town owned land?
Kudos to Supervisor Jeff Moran for articulating the concept many Woodstockers struggle with, how to protect the Comeau property and at the same time utilize small portions of the land to satisfy the needs of the town government and recreational groups. We support his comments made recently indicating his opinion that the details of the draft easement need to be looked at with members of the WLC, from the perspective of the evolution of the towns needs in 2009. We were also pleased to read that the WLC wishes to “make sure that any eventual easement reflects the Town’s current and future activities, uses and conservation goals for the Comeau property.”
Old timers will recall Val Cadden, a Woodstock Supervisor who had the keen ability to bring opposing groups together and build consensus. She managed, among other accomplishments, to convince Woodstockers to purchase 77 acres of land in the center of town for consolidation of municipal services, recreational services and protect the property from purchase by future land developers. As you may have guessed, we were among those many Woodstockers who voted yes, let’s buy the Comeau property, and looked forward to Val’s plans being implemented.
After Val left office, the town government and its townspeople entered into the process of developing two very important advancements in our town government, the municipal sewer system and the 1989 zoning law. There wasn’t much else the elected town boards could concentrate on adequately, therefore, many other important items including the infrastructure needs of our town were put on the sideline, due to lack of time and concentration.
During the following two decades, in our opinion, Woodstock changed. People who were instrumental in supporting Val’s effort, or voted to purchase the Comeau property have moved away, grown too old to care or died. We are a community of new citizens, who bring to the table different experiences, and many may have no first hand knowledge of how Woodstockers used to work together for the common good of all.
In 2002, Jeremy Wilber made a clever suggestion that we study the Comeau as a place to site the Highway garage. We joined 796 Woodstockers who voted against that proposal. We were part of the 838 Woodstockers who voted in 2003 against the proposal to create a conservation easement for the Comeau property. We voted no on this proposal because we were, and still are of the opinion that Woodstockers have the ability to be mindful of the need to preserve and protect the 77 acres at Comeau as well as utilize a small portion of the land to ease the over crowding at the town offices and the remedy the unsafe working conditions of the town court, police and dispatch departments.
Why do we continue to hold the belief that Woodstockers can use a common sense approach to utilizing a small portion of Comeau and also protect this wonderful natural resource? Because we are Woodstocker of the Val Cadden era.
Ok all you old timers out there, now is your chance to voice your opinion.
Yes, tell your elected officials that you want a review the details of the draft easement and you want a few more acres to be designated for town municipal services, an enlarged parking lot and additional soccer fields. Also, let the WLC know that you appreciate their support and understanding in this complicated arrangement.
Erase the line drawn in the fields of Comeau and work toward compromise to help solve the town needs the purchase of the Comeau land was intended to solve.
Sincerely,
Janine Fallon – Mower
John A. Mower
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