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<body class='hmmessage'>Vernon,<BR>
I will definitely take you up on your offer and will take the lead on this effort if no one else has yet! I can think of many people in town that would support this effort and will gladly help get the ball rolling. <BR>
<BR>
Since Riversdale has been fenced in, it has played the all too assuming role of dog park and the need for a designated place to exercise and socialize our canine citizens is quite apparent. The benefits of a dog park in communities are very well known too: allows dogs to exercise and socialize safely, promotes responsible dog ownership, provides an outlet for dog owners to socialize, and makes for a better community by promoting public health and safety.<BR>
<BR>
If anyone is interested in joining me in this effort, please email me offline at <A href="mailto:adgealleg@hotmail.com">adgealleg@hotmail.com</A>. If we can get an organized effort of at least half a dozen folks, I believe we can easily get this off the ground.<BR>
<BR>
~ Adrienne<BR>
301-221-1831<BR>
<BR>> >><BR>> >><BR>> >> -----Original Message-----<BR>> >> From: Vernon Archer<BR>> >> Sent: Jun 27, 2008 8:11 AM<BR>> >> To: TownTalk<BR>> >> Subject: [RP TownTalk] Dogs, access and Riversdale Mansion<BR>> >><BR>> >> Friends and neighbors,<BR>> >><BR>> >> I have recently received a complaint from Ed Day, director of Riversdale<BR>> >> Mansion, about people allowing their dogs to run free on the house grounds.<BR>> >> Every entrance is clearly posted that dogs need to be leashed and to not<BR>> >> leave their droppings behind. Ed informs me that more than one person who<BR>> >> he recognizes as town residents routinely ignore this posting.<BR>> >><BR>> >> Such actions are not only a violation of the grounds rules at Riversdale,<BR>> >> but are also a patent violation of our town code and therefore a concern for<BR>> >> our police and code enforcement officials. I hope a word to the wise will<BR>> >> suffice, if not the law will be enforced.<BR>> >><BR>> >> Unfortunately this issue comes on the heels of problems last summer with<BR>> >> vandalism on the grounds and to the structures. We seem to have this problem<BR>> >> under control now, but please report any suspicious activity you might see<BR>> >> to the police immediately.<BR>> >><BR>> >> Ed has shown me a number of correspondences from those higher up in Park<BR>> >> and Planning and involved in historic preservation that the grounds should<BR>> >> not only be "protected" against dogs visiting under any<BR>> >> circumstances--except as assistants for the blind--but that as a national<BR>> >> historic site the grounds should be locked during all hours that the mansion<BR>> >> is not staffed.<BR>> >><BR>> >> Now, both Ed and I are in agreement that we do not want to see things go<BR>> >> there, but we the residents of Riverdale Park have a significant role to<BR>> >> play in protecting this site. If you see someone on the grounds with their<BR>> >> dogs off a leash, politely direct their attention to the signs requiring a<BR>> >> leash. If you see anyone damaging or threatening the facility please call<BR>> >> the police immediately!<BR>> >><BR>> >> I believe that by acting together as a community we can all continue to<BR>> >> have easy and ready access to this facility, which I believe you will agree<BR>> >> with me is a true treasure for our community, our state and our nation.<BR>> >><BR>> >> Before concluding, I would like to state in writing what I've previously<BR>> >> only said orally for our town's many dog owners. I will gladly support and<BR>> >> use the prestige of my office to facilitate the creation of a dog park in<BR>> >> Riverdale Park. If a group of dog owners will organize themselves and<BR>> >> contact me on this matter I will assist you in such a venture. There is<BR>> >> substantial Park and Planning area in the town, and I am convinced that<BR>> >> agency will work with us if an organized effort from dog owners is mounted.<BR>> >><BR>> >> Best wishes,<BR>> >><BR>> >> Vern<BR>> >><BR>> >> --<BR>> >> Vernon Archer, Mayor<BR>> >> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland<BR><br /><hr />Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live Messenger. <a href='http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_video_072008' target='_new'>Get started.</a></body>
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