I feel compelled as the list moderator to enter the conversation here - primarily by way of clarification, and also to encourage people to speak freely while also speaking kindly, keeping in mind, as several have said, that we are and shall remain neighbors, friends, compatriots.<div>
<br></div><div><Brief preface> We all know, and it has been recently stated, that the issues surrounding the Cafritz development are emotional - almost everyone who is abreast of the issues has strong feelings about it. <OK, to the current thread></div>
<div><br></div><div>Andrew, earlier today, used what sounds like strong words in a response to Sue's post, when he wrote "<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-size:13.333333969116211px;font-family:tahoma,'new york',times,serif">I find your remarks deeply offensive." He most specifically did not write "I find *you* offensive." So while his words were strong, they were topical, specific, and not ad hominem. In the context of the situation, and other posts that had been made, I felt (as list moderator) that they were acceptable. (NOTE: that doesn't mean I agree, or that I particularly like the tone, but my job as list moderator is really only to see that that which is posted falls within the guidelines of the list (which are always available using the link that is at the bottom of every post to Town Talk, </span>
<a href="http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk" target="_blank">http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk</a> ). </div><div><br></div><div>Sue, in her follow up post writes that people who differ with the prevailing opinion are brandished as "disagreeble, offensive, an old poot" (etc.), which may be taken to mean (though she did not specifically state it) that she feels she has been accused by Andrew of being "offensive". It is clear to me that that wasn't Andrew's intent - he was, after all, the one
who recently stated why he opposes the development. But he was responding, I believe, to the insinuation that all of the people who play roles as politicians in this process are indifferent, unapproachable, inaccessible - in short, useless in their roles as representatives. Given that these politicians (our town councilpersons come to mind) are neighbors to all of us, accountable to all of us, and friends to (I trust) many of us, this did seem to me too to be a pretty harsh sentiment to express. I wouldn't have used the words that Andrew did, but I think he explained himself pretty clearly, and I don't believe it was a personal attack.</div>
<div><br></div><div>Given especially that this is an emotional (but important topic) I would plead with everyone to consider your words carefully - say what you want and need to say (while refraining from personal attacks or insinuations) but in a way that is conducive to open communications. </div>
<div><br></div><div>Thank you.</div><div><br></div><div>Dwight Holmes</div><div>TownTalk List Moderator</div><div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 12:33 PM, Sue Collins <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:wheadle@yahoo.com" target="_blank">wheadle@yahoo.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
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<div><div style="font-size:12pt;font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif"><div><span>Thanks for the (one!) vote of confidence. As I'd said many times, I'm NOT against change, regardless what some people might think. I've noticed any time one dares to disagree with the "popular" opinions, all of a sudden, that person is disagreeable, offensive, an old poot, whatever. Each persons'has the right to think what THEY think of me or whoever and as a person with a longstanding reputation of saying "the emperor has no clothes," I'm used to it. That being said - whether they're popular views or not, at least I (along with a few other brave souls) post my opinions here in public, I don't send private, nasty emails to people who disagree with me. And let me tell you, I've gotten some ugly ones! However, I'm a
big girl and can deal with it and believe that the nasty e-mails say more about the sender than about me or my opinions. Well, hopefully everyone will have fun with their new development, and it'll be interesting to hear what people have to say a few years down the road.</span></div>
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<div><span>Thanks again!<var></var> </span></div>
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</div><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">From:</span></b> Melissa Avery <<a href="mailto:m.avery@rocketmail.com" target="_blank">m.avery@rocketmail.com</a>><br><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">To:</span></b> Sue Collins <<a href="mailto:wheadle@yahoo.com" target="_blank">wheadle@yahoo.com</a>>; "<a href="mailto:jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" target="_blank">jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com</a>" <<a href="mailto:jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" target="_blank">jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com</a>>; "<a href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank">towntalk@riverdale-park.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank">towntalk@riverdale-park.org</a>> <br>
<b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, July 10, 2012 12:10 PM<div><br><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [RP TownTalk] Cafritz Vote<br></div></font></div><br>
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<div><span>Bravo Sue for speaking your mind and not letting the bashers intimidate you</span></div>
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</div><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">From:</span></b> Sue Collins <<a href="mailto:wheadle@yahoo.com" target="_blank">wheadle@yahoo.com</a>><br><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">To:</span></b> "<a href="mailto:jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" target="_blank">jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com</a>" <<a href="mailto:jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" target="_blank">jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com</a>>; "<a href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank">towntalk@riverdale-park.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank">towntalk@riverdale-park.org</a>> <br>
<b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, July 10, 2012 10:21 AM<br><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [RP TownTalk] Cafritz Vote<br></font></div><br>
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<div><span>As far as I am concerned, "We" have no say in this matter at all and no matter what "We" say, between the politicans, the developers, etc., I'd pretty much imagine it's a done deal and any public meetings, etc., will be merely touchy-feely public relations ploys. Gonna be another wonderful piece of development and progress just like University Town Center. As I've noted before, I've lived in the area for most of my 60 years and have seen lots of change - I have never been against responsible change, but this project will not, in the long run, benefit anyone but those with the money and the power ('twas ever thus). And anyone who thinks that we'll be able to keep our neighborhoods intact, that this project won't impact adversely on the homes, small businesses, etc., in the area, well, they're just kidding themselves. <var></var></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr"><font face="Arial"><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">From:</span></b> Jonathan W. Ebbeler <<a href="mailto:jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" target="_blank">jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com</a>><br><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">To:</span></b> <a href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank">towntalk@riverdale-park.org</a> <br>
<b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, July 10, 2012 8:35 AM<br><b><span style="FONT-WEIGHT:bold">Subject:</span></b> [RP TownTalk] Cafritz Vote<br></font></div><br>
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<div>Friends/Neighbors –</div>
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<div>For those that have not heard, the District Council voted yesterday 7-2 in support of the Cafritz rezoning. </div>
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<div>This is a game changer for the Town of Riverdale Park and it is up to each of us to ensure that the developer’s feet are held to the fire and that they impact our community in positive ways. Yesterday’s vote was one step in a very long process that will require our town to work with our neighboring municipalities to enforce the conditions that were negotiated with the land. Regardless of what side of the question each of you were on, we need everyone to stay focused and engaged on this project.</div>
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<div>We now have a unique opportunity to get movement from Douglas Development on the direction they want to go with our Town Center as well as spur additional economic development on our section of the Route 1 Corridor. This, and other situations like Jey’s Auto will be part of the discussion to be had at this month’s Economic Development Committee meeting. As always, if anyone has any questions please reach out to me directly.</div>
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<div>Jonathan</div>
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<div><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY:sans-serif;COLOR:rgb(0,0,64);FONT-SIZE:8pt">Jonathan W. Ebbeler | </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY:sans-serif;COLOR:rgb(31,73,125);FONT-SIZE:8pt">Councilmember – Ward One</span></b></div>
<div><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY:sans-serif;COLOR:rgb(31,73,125);FONT-SIZE:8pt">Town of Riverdale Park</span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY:sans-serif;COLOR:rgb(0,0,64);FONT-SIZE:8pt"><br><a href="mailto:jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="COLOR:blue">jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov</span></a><br>
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</span><span style="COLOR:#000040">Riverdale Park, MD 20737</span><span style="COLOR:#000040;TEXT-DECORATION:none"><br></span></a>Office: <a title="Click to call. Cheap rates & no headset required!" href="http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?lang=en&src=jj_signature&To=888%2D861%2D8881&Email=jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="COLOR:#000040">301-927-6381</span></a> </span></div>
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