Wednesday, February 14, 2001

Tyrone run by neighbors

who do their best for residents

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