Wednesday, February 14, 2001

Mr. Bartlett, unless you've had a personal run-in with someone here that you're not telling us about, the tone and language about your neighbors is way out of line.

I, too, am a resident of Tyrone. Been here since 1984 after having lived many years in and around both small towns and big cities. Though no better or no worse, this is a nice place to live. Given what I've seen elsewhere, it almost goes without saying that it would indeed be nice to do and have more here. But the reality is our town has never been more than a quiet neighborhood that apparently most of our neighbors enjoy as is. Changes will come when the majority is ready. And you can count on the fact that it will come at some cost that our neighbors aren't ready yet to pay.

I can assure you that I am not politically naive. From Vietnam on, all us "Boomers" ought to know how things are done sometimes. In both small towns and big cities there are the perceptions and realities of trying to make changes. But often it's just a case of good people trying to reach an agreement and can't. Then, sadly, the "losing" side takes offense.

I wonder if that's not the case here. In light of the "Growth-Oriented" and "Big-Box" feuds we all seem to be engaged in lately and given what you've told us about your profession, is it not possible that you tried to accomplish some goal here, whether it was for the good of the community or not, and simply lost? And now your broad-brush name-calling is maybe a yuppie version of a temper tantrum?

As for the town leadership, you must first understand that they are just your neighbors volunteering to do the hard work nobody else is willing to do and, I have to hope, to do so on behalf of making the town work. These same people that you so easily ridicule are the same ones that came to my aid when I got involved in an issue on our street. Council members and/or members of the management staff helped me find the people and the information necessary for my project. They offered ways to strengthen my case from a legal standpoint. And in this research phase, they went so far as to take my calls during their dinner hours and allow me to come to their home for discussion. They even came to my street to see the issue for themselves.

When it came time to be in the public arena of the Council meetings, I stood before them and my neighbors to have my say. When I was finished, I was followed by some residents who were angry with me for infringing on their rights while still others expressed concern that my solutions were not right for Tyrone. The Council then did the only thing they could do - they voted unanimously against my proposals. Amazingly, though my pride was wounded, I still respected the feelings of my neighbors and I thanked the Council for the chance to participate in the democratic process. Maybe next time...

This town belongs to the both of us, Mr. Bartlett. It's only as good as the residents in it and their efforts towards it. Given the way you feel there are really only two ways to change your sentiment and one of those is obvious. The other is to stay here and keep trying. Sooner or later your time will come.

But whatever your reasons for anger, don't use ugliness to make your point.

William H. Leech, Jr.

Tyrone

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