[RP TownTalk] A view from the Ravenswood nest

Mon Apr 13 15:00:02 UTC 2009

Dear friends and neighbors,

After reading and considering Don's message I have been reminded that I have
broken one of my central personal maxims--don't assume that people know me
and know what I mean/intend, I have to tell them.

I confess I have assumed that everyone in town who cares about the town
knows how to register their opinion, how to gain information about issues
pertinent to them, and how to "get involved." Clearly some in town don't
know how to find out what is happening, what is coming up, and how to make a
positive difference.  Thank you Don for bring to our attention that my
assumption was wrong and I will try harder to change that.

Sarah Wayland's information about town meetings, government processes and
the list serve are correct and address much about how residents and
representatives interact and I won't repeat what she said.  There are though
a couple of other items I would like to mention.

Our town newsletter, *The Town Crier* also has reports from myself and the
ward representatives.  A casual look back at a few past issues show that
such reports frequently call for input from residents on specific issues.
Also, the email address and a phone number are listed in this publication
for each of the council members and myself.  Yes folks, if an issue is
bothering you, you can just pick up the phone and talk to me or your
representatives about it.

Don, you mention items specifically that you feel that the council is out of
touch with at least some segment of the public so I'd like to address them
briefly.

1) Regarding a 4 story building being approved for town center, that is
simply and completely false. Any building over 2 stories requires a special
exception. The only attempt to get that so far came from the owners of
Dumm's Corner and surrounding properties and they withdrew their bid prior
to action by the council.  I can say there were a vast array of discussions
and meetings that took place during the portion of the process that did
occur.

2) The Town's position on the purple line evolved over more than a year of
interaction that included well publicized presentations from the MTA,
reports in the Town Crier, requests for public input to us in town
government and to the regional authority (I myself specifically asked
members on this list serve to weigh in at the regional hearing in College
Park when it seemed that there was public apathy about the project).  Yes
the town took a position just prior to the deadline set by MTA and I'm sorry
to anyone that now has an opinion that came out too late to be a part of the
process that unfolded. However, the Purple Line is far from being a complete
and set in stone project so if you have concerns you are correct to make
them known so that your representatives can weigh them as the process
(hopefully) moves forward.

3) Regarding the mural for the underpass at Lafayette, the proposal was
brought to the town council and presented/discussed at 3 separate public
meetings.  I specifically put them early on the agenda to maximize
exposure.  Council agreed to support the students so that they have some
chance of getting approval from State Highway (who actually owns the spot)
and get funding from other sources.  I can't speak about the motivation of
others on this, but for me I back it because I think it is important to
encourage artistic expression and greater participation of teens and young
adults in our community.  Just as the town has helped to encourage the arts
through the Arts Council, Holiday Market, opening our town spaces to
artistic groups, and leaning on property owners to open their
unused space for artistic/community use, the Town Council is encouraging the
arts through school groups too.

I certainly understand that some will not like or approve of the mural that
goes up, but that is always the case of art. I hope that the Town Council
tries to steer away from making itself the arbiter of taste and does not
give in to any pressure by any small group who desires to set themselves up
as the arbiters of taste.

Before closing I wish to point out one major item that is coming up that
will have a major impact on the coming year--the town budget process.  I
will submit my (mayor's) proposed budget to the council and public on about
May 1.  The council will then hold hearings and discussions of the budget in
May and June which must then be passed no later than June 30.  There is no
more important public policy document than the budget, so any who are
interested in the direction of this town, you should definitely set aside
some time to come, listen and comment.--you will get the updated meeting
schedules through Town Announce http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo

Best wishes to all and I will do my best in the future to reemphasize the
means residents have to participate in making our town a better place.

Vern

On Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 11:59 PM, Don Lynch <dlynch at garretroomstudios.com>wrote:

> Gone are days.
>
> Riverdale Park is one of the country's oldest railroad communities,
> established in 1887. It was incorporated in 1920. Dr. S. M. McMillan was
> elected as the first Mayor, his house is across from Mable Munch Park.
>
> There was a time when council members were elected by the various wards
> within this community with the intent to represent the collective opinion of
> the people from their respective wards.
>
> When issues concerning the town came up, the council members would inform
> and discuss these issues with the people within their wards and then report
> to the town council the findings of these discussions.
>
> That was then and where are we today?
>
> >From issues such as the Purple Line, art murals to 4+ story apartment
> buildings being approved within the historic district of Riverdale Park, are
> being discussed amongst the council members without any discussion amongst
> the wards in this town.
>
> No local ward meetings, discussions, comments or opinions requested.
>
> Just six individuals and a Mayor, making it seven individuals, acting
> independently of the rest of the town, making decisions and reporting the
> results weeks later in a Town Crier, with little additional information to
> go along with the decision making process.
>
> Is this the status quo for Riverdale Park?
>
> Will any council member begin to take stock in what it means to represent
> the people of their ward by keeping them informed with issues that directly
> affect them?
>
> Will the mayor make sure that the council members communicate the important
> issues to the wards and demand a collective opinion from each ward?
>
> Will we ever get back to a town where everyone feels their interests have
> been heard and weighed against the majority?
>
> If not, as I say, gone are the days.
>
>
> Don
>
>
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-- 
Vernon Archer, Mayor
Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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