Dear Editor:
Thank you to my peers for taking time to listen to public comment regarding Hagman Road yesterday. While not everyone stood up to share their opinions, me being one of them, I would like to extend my thoughts to the council in retrospect.
I think the consensus from the “pro†closing side was the everyone needs to be “open to change†and view this an experiment. While some made valid points, including the one women who once lived in Germany—stating an huge analysis of the situation to be done—which I would like to know whom is collecting the data of this traffic study as well as who will be writing the report? I would hope this would be from a third-party view (not the traffic committee whom at this point has made a clear in their stance in closing the road). I can appreciate and respect the view that SERIOUS data needs to be collected and everything, all activity should be documented. As John V., also said last night the need to jump around in the master plan all the way to phase 3 before we even have this “developed†center occurs has left me confused. I think the closing of a major road out of the center is a contentious idea and to make changes they should be in phases, from small to large; for example the beautification and expansion of the green space we currently have—French square. I whole heartedly believe the businesses would feel much more secure and open to change if we lost the 3-4 parking spots next to Samuels versus closing a major road way and taking away upwards of 25 spots. I think this whole situation has to be about compromise and what’s best for everyone—no one gets everything they want in a compromise.
I am a 23 year old environmental science major, I LOVE green space. I am your target market of this whole development. I also am starting a local business and looking to be based right in my home town. As a person who has lived in Winthrop for 23 years, who’s family has lived her for almost 100 years and whose family has owned a business for almost 30 years I feel that the people last night, and some members of the council don’t see the huge concern for this project. It may be an experiment, It may be a pilot and it may or may not work. If it works great. Everyone can succeed and we have another park in the center but if it does not work then whom does it affect? Does it affect you? Does it affect many of you who are no longer running for reelection? Does it affect your family-owned business in the center? Does it affect your employees ( if you have any)? Does it affect their financial well-being? Does it affect your children’s wellbeing? We are a COMMUNITY first. If this project does not work, then the council, excluding a member who does actually own a business whose voice should be the loudest because he understands more than anyone on that council. These businesses voice should be taken with so much respect and held to such a higher level of concern because they will be affected. Many of the commentators last night whom were pro closure do not own any business thus their life would be minimal affected it closure takes place. Everyone else will go home and call it a day. Everyone else will say well I guess that park would have been nice or wow I really wish I could walk down the center of Hagman road. Their job security, their employees, their ability to take care of their family financially IS NOT AFFECTED. These people have worked hard and long with many of the businesses averaging longevity of 10 years in the center. The center may need a face lift but make no mistake these people who have CHOOSEN to stay here, who live here, who pay taxes, who support of community are not disposable. They are not to be disregarded. They a concerned over their financial security. Their future, because they’re not just salons or nail spas or liquors store fronts, they are PEOPLE. In my opinion, a coffee on a bench for 4 months out of the year doesn’t come close to guilt everyone should feel if this causes distress these business owners and their families. Financial gain over peoples livelihoods should never ever be the compromise.
Thank you for listening and taking my comments into consideration.
If I could find out, as requested above, whom will be collecting this data/who will be doing the analysis that would be greatly appreciated.
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Thank you
James Murray
86 Sagamore ave.