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 ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
