Thank You.
Several days have passed since the largest Town Meeting in the history of Lakeville and upon reflection, a few amazing things have happened here.
Over 1400 voters engaged in a process that, at its core, is the foundation of our democracy. Some of us take for granted the democratic process, and from time to time disconnect from it for a variety of reasons. On October 18th we had engagement. Although passage of the rezoning article required two-thirds approval, the vote (727 NO – 704 YES) was for all practical purposes split, the fact that such a number of residents were involved speaks volumes.
In the months leading up to this Town Meeting a small group of residents concerned about the detrimental effects to the town of this rezoning proposal, and the Sysco operation, started to meet and formed a group called "Lakeville Residents for Responsible Growth". They engaged with town officials and Sysco, were represented at every public meeting, asked lots of questions and did their homework.
Meeting one night a week in a garage, this group researched and provided information about this project to anyone and everyone who wanted to listen. They worked countless hours formulating strategy and executing that strategy in a constructive manner. They operated on a very small budget. With their talent, good old fashion Yankee ingenuity and diverse backgrounds they exemplify a cohesive group that was truly more than the sum of its parts. They had synergy. They were called scary, and they were.
Well, in the view of many, the town reacted properly to a proposed change that would have fundamentally weakened the fiber of our community and set us in a direction that most didn’t agree was a direction we wanted to go in. The town exhibited understanding, compassion and vision. The town understood and believed that we can do better.
So, now the challenge is to work to accomplish exactly that, something better.
The commitment this group has made is not to pack up and go home, because this is our home. The commitment is to engage. To engage in conversations and constructive involvement, with all parties, in an effort to guide the development of the hospital property and help produce something we will all be proud of. Our work is not over, just redirected.
Wish us luck!
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GOOD LUCK YOU ARE GOING TO NEED IT. This is a very hard time to launch any business....much less on a contaminated property.....where are you going to get the money?......where are you going to find someone to clean up that asbestos?....all the studies and permits?....NO WAY!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI guess some of us see challenges one way (NO WAY!!!!), and others see them differently, as opportunities. My glass is always half full, and I greatful the nabobs of negativity don't run my life.
ReplyDeleteYou might try it...it's amazing what you can accomplish when you get your mind right!
Anonymous #1 Come join us! Come with an open mind. It's amazing what people can accomplish when we work together:)
ReplyDeleteYou can look at it another way. In a bad economy, savvy business people see opportunity. If the economy holds true to past cycles, it will rise from the depths of despair and become strong again. Those opportunists who realize this will be sitting in a very good position somewhere down the line.
ReplyDeleteSpreading gloom and doom does nothing to improve a situation. Neither does hollow optimism. Working hard to find solutions is far more productive. I think this group has what it takes to, at the very least, get things moving in a positive direction. They did stop a $36 Billion dollar company in their tracks.
Thank you for all your hard work and reasoned discussion. You presented the facts and had the better argument.
ReplyDeleteNow, the question becomes, "How can we replace the current Lakeville Hospital with something that the community will accept and will be beneficial to the community?"
As far as the facility its self goes, this is not a Superfund site! No matter how bad Chairwoman Yeatts makes it sound. Asbestos removal is pretty common these days and is not rocket science. Undisturbed asbestos will not effect anyone's health. It's not "degrading" no matter what Chairwoman Yeatts says.
It seems that there are two big problems with developing the hospital site.
1) How will it be effected by the relocation of Route 79.
2) Where will the new development get water and septic.
Issue number 1 has just been addressed. Issue number 2 is a bit tougher with Middleboro not wanting to cooperate. Sysco's solution of turning Dewey's into a waste water treatment plant was not a good alternative.
Remember, according to one select(wo)man, it is a "diseased property", and the fact we didn't support Sysco will lead to "home invasions" as well as "classrooms with 50 students" each in them. Sadly misinformed, or just a fear-monger --- either way, not one who deserves my support or yours in the future. I will support your efforts, as I, too, believe crisis also breeds opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all that you have done, and will do.
How can I express the gratitude in my heart and in my husband's heart. I am so proud to have such quality neighbors you and the other 727 who saved this town. May God bless you for all the work that you put into this successfull outcome. Now we can stay as Bedford Falls and not become Pottersville.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see a Wegman's grocery store there as part of whatever development goes in. They are a high end chain that is planning on opening 2 stores in MA, would be great to have one here in Lakeville.
ReplyDeleteSysco will land in Lakevilles back yard and travel right through route 79 and you can't stop that!
ReplyDeleteThanks from a very happy citizen in Plympton Lakeville is the laughing stock off the State. Enjoy your hospital.......
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