Thomas Edison

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
---Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)

Neighborhood meeting last night. Although there were some other short committee reports, the main focus of the meeting was to present the plans for the park. About sixty households were represented, or about seventy people. Most households sent one person, with the other staying home to get children ready for bed. But some couples came, and if they are homeowners, they get two votes. Renters only get one vote. I did not make that rule; it's in the bylaws.

Only paid members can vote so there was quite a stampede to pay their dues. I am quite interested to hear how many ppl joined last night. We have a large membership drive coming up and this was a pretty effective, if unintentional, kickoff.

We knew she-who-must-not-be-named was going about, rabble-rousing. She voted, "Nay," and it wasn't until after the meeting that I found out that her vote is invalid as she is not a paid member. She did confront me in the meeting, challenging the proxy votes. I was only too glad to discount the proxies, due to the outstanding majority IN FAVOR of the park. Yea! With proxies, 59 Ayes, 4 Nays. Without proxies, 52 Ayes, 4 Nays.

Amazingly, our two most challenging people wound up voting Aye. The neighbor beside the park did not attend Saturday's meeting for those who live within 2 blocks of the park. He asked me last night how many of his trees we want to cut down. I replied that no trees on his perimeter would be cut -- only the brush on the park side of the line. He voted Aye. SWMNBN had said he was "vehemently against" the park.

A lady whose backyard borders the park seemed to be very much against it, as well. She told one of our board members she didn't have "no time for a f***ing meeting." She asked her questions -- we answered them -- and she also voted Aye.

I was amazed at the turnout. Even though we have about 420 households, a mere smattering of folks attends these meetings. Of course our strongest representation was 28-35 year-olds who have children in the home. They also represent most of the energy in our neighborhood. Yet, last night, I would say we had probably twenty households who have never attended before. Middle-aged people. Older people. And, of course, our 83-year-old board member, leaning heavily on her walking stick.

It was an amazing night. We're not through the tunnel yet. Next week, we present to the Parks Board and on 20.September, we present to City Council. Then, of course, we have to raise $28,000 -- and that's only for Phase I. We have not yet priced Phases II and III.

As I stated last night, depending on our fund-raising abilities, we will either be breaking ground at the Centennial Celebration next June, or cutting a ribbon on it. I'm shooting for the ribbon-cutting.