Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

I am writing in regard to the recent closed meeting held by the CommUNITY First group. (a group who?’s membership and intentions I respect) My hope is to convince you to re-examine your approach, and the perception it?’s created.

I understand that you have the near impossible task of attempting to impact the actions of those who are willing (anxious) to work in secret...through backroom deals and legal posturing. I understand how tempting it must be to ''respond in kind''. I also know it's easier to gain initial consensus without the distraction of public access.

With that said, you can't expect those who have been the victims of Council's policies to trust that you are acting any more in their best interest than Council has. I am sure by now you've seen the ''bad press'' in the editorial section of the Pickerington paper. By conducting this meeting in private, you've opened yourself to criticism, even earned yourselves the nickname...''shadow government''. All of this appearing in the same paper with an article titled ''Council is taking a look at options to help slow city's residential growth''. To someone not closely following these issues (most people) it wouldn't be hard to get the perception that Council has seen the light, and that you all are trying to circumvent public input on these issues.

Given what I know about this cause, and the outstanding citizens who are pursuing it with great energy and sacrifice, it's unconscionable to open the door to that perception...regardless of your reasons for doing so.

I trust you all, but why, at this critical juncture, would you risk losing public trust by holding closed meetings? It's a bad idea, and it shouldn't take much of a politician to see that. I strongly encourage you to end this practice immediately, and to acknowledge that it was an error to keep the public out of the first meeting.

NOT A community

CURRENTLY A DEVELOPERS PARADISE

Mr. Johnson, you bring up good points, but forget the basic reality. That being that the affairs of the Pickerington Area have for years been driven, not by the citizens but by the ?“elected?’s?” locally. I use the term ?“elected?’s?” for good reason. In Pickerington?’s case they really aren?’t elected, rather appointed (then anointed) through the financial support of the developers that really run the show here. So from a standpoint today these individuals that are meeting as and with community 1st are fighting an uphill battle to rests citizens voices being heard in the future above the din of the developers?’ wishes (and their dupes in office).
It is with little wonder that they begin this process away from the eyes, ears, and voices of the developer interests that have made a sham of all previous attempts to regain citizen voices to the levels they should be heard.
Mr. Krumlauf is entitled to HIS opinions in HIS paper. Last time I checked it was HIS paper who endorsed ALL the previous Councilman (Maxey, Parker, Wright, and Monebrake) who have ramped up this growth to a perilous level. I believe that HIS paper even wrote editorials against the growth controlling measures (Issue 17 & 18) that the citizens passed in large numbers over HIS paper?’s (and then Mayor Hughes?’s) wishes. Do you want to bet HIS paper will endorse the school levy mentioned on the first page even though HIS paper knows that the developers who advertise in HIS paper will be the ones that get the biggest return once another levy passes and they continue to advertise OUR schools?

From what I read the members of commUNITY 1st do intend to hold public meetings. I bet they just want to attempt to catch up with the headstart of those pulling all the strings. Then give all those that participate a chance to succeed against what has been insurmountable odds.


By Achieve?’er

Response

First, I appreciate the response, and agree that some of your points are valid, particularly in terms of the way things have been done in Pickerington, and the ''slant'' of the particular paper referenced.

That however, does not change the fact excluding the public from these meetings damages this organizations credibility with those who's interests they claim (and I beleive) they are seeking to protect. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who agreed with you more than I do, and it damaged their credibilty with me. (I've also rarely gotten any e-mail feedback from any posting here, and I've gotten a half dozen of them since posting this only a few hours ago all saying the same)

Our council, and those who support them are not only willing to act in secret, they are also willing be political. Clearly, that's what they are doing now. Lou Postage doesn't really want to work with the community to slow growth...council doesn't really want to hear what we have to say. But they are politically smart enough to make a show of half hearted attemtps that they believe will change the communities perception of them.

Anything that this organization does that gives council an opportunity to portray those who disagree with them negatively damages not only those who are members of this group, but all of the well meaning people who understand and oppose their actions. There are always going to be people and organizations that oppose this effort...why give them something to use to distract the public from the need for real action. Put differently, if you think the referenced newspaper slanted this, wait until Council speaks up.

Finally, given the list of people who did attend, it's unreasonable to think that members of council weren't fully briefed on each and every issue that was discussed.

I'll bet a dollar that there's an article in the next similar paper quoting the mayor and council regarding how hard it is for them to start doing what the voters asked of them with a ''shadow government'' that is subverting their efforts. Nothing could be further from the truth, but that door has been opened for them. I'm sorry to see that.

CommUNITY 1st

I will answer briefly what I believe are some of your concerns & share some of mine.

I don't believe what has been printed in the Times Sun has presented an accurate picture of what is going on with CommUNITY 1st, but it is editorial in nature, at least this week it's on the right page (editorial).

I think you should form your own opinion & would look forward to hearing it on March 2nd after the public meeting.

Our goal is to give the public a forum for Community Concerns as well as hopes for the future. That being said - the question that hasn't been answered - even when I asked the Times Sun last week - is how do you organize a group of 100-200 people - give them all time to talk - have a meeting that isn't a marathon or a screaming match & hopefully find a group of citizens that want to work together & make our Community better. Not just at one meeting, but are willing to come back, roll up their sleeves & help make Pickerington the place we all want to live. And can it be done in two hours ?

Our Task Force has not set or dictated the agenda - we started with a blank sheet of paper & a group of Civic leaders. The ideas that went up were from the Community not the Task Force. That will be balanced with another different set of Community Leaders. Both are organizational meetings in nature to help us set the stage - for the public meeting. Every issue that is being discussed will be visable & open for discussion at the meeting on March 2nd but we want a starting point that represented a cross section of the Community - we want a large public meeting to be productive - I believe we are setting the stage for that.

Not everyone will agree with approach. Although to date I haven't had any suggestions that would improve what we are doing.

There will be room for additional discussion & the addition of new ideas. We needed a starting point for what will be a terrific meeting - I hope to see you there.

I have no problem with the information discussed going back to the City Council, the Township or the School Board. It's in the residents best interests for their elected officials to understand what they need. One of two things could happen - things could improve now, elected officials will initiate the change being discussed. They understand the citizens are becoming a force to be reckoned with & will listen or new candidates will step forward to run & replace those who don't want to listen.

What the Community wants will be clear & we'll find the leaders to get us there. Either way, I hope, will be a win for the Community.