June 20, 2005
What does it take to be heard?
This is a letter to the Editor published in the Sunday Herald-Palladium. It voices the frustration that many of us feel over our inability to have any impact on the decision making process in the City.
Editor,
Well, the meeting is over, the vote is in, and height restrictions were waived for the 815 E. Wells project in South Haven. I feel I must make a comment regarding the petitions opposing the height and density of this project that were signed by approximately 600 people. Here is exactly what was atop each page of the petition:
"We, the undersigned citizens of South Haven, are concerned about the drastic increase in the building height and density being considered for the Schlack Condominium Development on the Black River and the former Bohn Building on Huron and Kalamazoo Street.
"We believe that the Planning Commission and City Council should not grant waivers or variances of height and density on such a large scale. Changes to the essential character of the city should not be made without careful study, citizen input, and, if appropriate, amendments to the zoning ordinance."
All commission members were given a copy of the signed petition, and it was noted in the council proceedings. I want to defend the integrity and intelligence of each person who both signed and/or circulated the petition. Although the heading of each petition was worded as above, and each person who signed could read the heading, some council members discounted its importance. In particular, Ms. Fahs, representing the 1st Ward, found it "confusing," "troubling," and "difficult." She implied that the person asking for the signature or circulating the petition didn't explain it correctly. Quoting Ms. Fahs: "I feel like it matters, if who was asking for the signature is making a presentation that kind of leads one way or the other, and that if someone else made a presentation we might get a different result." So where is the petition with 600 signatures that approves and promotes these heights?
I would like to think that we have a citizenry that is intelligent enough and literate enough to not just sign anything that someone presents. The petition was calling for careful study and citizen input. Is that extreme and hard to support?
The question is - how should we communicate with our elected city officials? What would they suggest? If you signed or circulated the petition, it might be helpful to write or call your council member, who did not take that signature into account, and state that you did know what you were signing, you did not cajole others into signing, and you would like to have a voice. How would they suggest you make yourself heard?
Pat Gaston
Posted by Elaine at June 20, 2005 08:34 AM