Alpacas at the Council Monday Night
Would this picture look better with a road cutting across the middle?
I'm sure this is an oversimplification, but when Jack and I visited the Glen Ridge Farm on Frank Coelho Drive this afternoon, all I could think about was how beautiful this spot is, how perfect for alpaca (given the steep, uneven terrain) and how absolutely stupid it would be to bisect one of Portsmouth's working farms with a road.
There's an agenda item at the Town Council tomorrow where the owners will be asking the Council to schedule a hearing to consider abandoning the "paper road" which would essentially destroy their farm.
Obvious caveat: I haven't put a lot of study into this (I told you. This is National Novel Writing Month. I'm otherwise occupied.) I'm sure there will be more facts at the Council meeting, and at a hearing, if one is held.
But my first impression: Nice spot for alpaca.
Full disclosure: I'm a long-time friend of Preserve Portsmouth, and I like farms.
Comments
Wernerlll
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 8:27pm
Permalink
What is Wrong with Our TC?
I know, I would not want the job of TC membership, however, how is it that these topics reach the TC hearing chambers? Can no one just say "No"? consider the facts, the environment, the logic, the tradition of Portsmouth citizens supporting the quality of life issues in order to preserve our virtual Paradise?
I cannot believe the TC is as weak as to having to bring EVERYTING to a public hearing, and seemingly, if not enough people show up willing to criticize, oh well, then it must be okay. That is a non-starter!
Pardon my take on these topics, but who is managing the agenda for the TC? Does just about any topic qualify to the level of a TC hearing?
Where are our wise men and women of yesterday with the courage to stand up against special interests, even when it comes to individual rights issues? Adjudicate, and take the heat, members of the TC!
And thank you for your service!
Cheers,
Wernerlll
John McDaid
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 5:41am
Permalink
Credit where due
Hi, Werner...
I know it can sometimes seem like the Council chamber ends up a place where competing interests are slugging it out in public, but I have to say that personally, I prefer this to having them do what they *think* the people want. We're still a small enough town -- with enough active citizen participation -- that significant issues will bring voices to the table to give Councilors the right picture.
Is it possible to game the system and, say, use the politics of fear to pack a room with sign-carrying shouters? Yes, on occasion. But I genuinely feel that this is the exception rather than the rule. Most of the time, the Council seeks and receives solid, thoughtful input from the people most affected by potential decisions.
I'm certainly not shy about criticizing the Council, but I do give them credit for their openness to public discussion and deliberation.
Cheers.
-j