From: "Dave Cavanaugh"
To: "Rich Baier", "Lance Mallamo"
Sent: Friday, May 1, 2009 12:28:37 PM
Subject: Fort Ward
Appreciate you taking the time to listen to our frustrations regarding management of the park and the need for a community based plan for the Historic Fort Ward Park.
A diverse group of concerned individuals and groups have rallied together in response to insensitive management of a historic resource. I understand the budget issues and the need to "pick battles." My experience as a land management official is that you do the easy things first, those that are inexpensive, easy to implement and can make a susbstantive difference. This includes removing a metal ticket booth that is not being used, basically stored on site, and an unsightly structure at the walk entrance. This is an eaaasy management call.
The primary management goal is to protect the resource and provide a safe, enjoyable outdoor experience for those using the park.
Glenn, Tom and myself have worked at the management level for land managing agencies at the Federal level. We understand the importance of multiple use and involving the diverse groups in making sound land management decisions. To encourage public involvement, it is important the stakeholders have confidence and trust in an open public participation process.
The listening part is easy. Maintaining objectivity and taking actions that respond to public concerns is harder.
I am concerned that the public involvement process is being characterized as not being sufficiently representative of the community and that the comments represent a NIMBY effort. After three meetings and numerous thoughtful comments, this is a mistaken view of the citizen participation process. We don't need a "do over."
I believe if you and your staff look at the comments, you will find they are in general reasonable and reflect the current economic conditions. They are not radical and many of the suggestions can be implemented immediately or in a reasonable short term, e.g., two years.
I would like to see City staff consolidate the comments, develop and frame outstanding issues, and provide a workable strategy for resolving the issues identified. What was missing from the earlier "community listening meetings" was the City (RPCA/OHA) promised short term-long term actions in response to the comments.
Take care and I look foward to a more substantive response at the April 13, 2009 public meeting.
Dave Cavanaugh
(703) 869-8362
To: "Rich Baier"
Sent: Friday, May 1, 2009 12:28:37 PM
Subject: Fort Ward
Appreciate you taking the time to listen to our frustrations regarding management of the park and the need for a community based plan for the Historic Fort Ward Park.
A diverse group of concerned individuals and groups have rallied together in response to insensitive management of a historic resource. I understand the budget issues and the need to "pick battles." My experience as a land management official is that you do the easy things first, those that are inexpensive, easy to implement and can make a susbstantive difference. This includes removing a metal ticket booth that is not being used, basically stored on site, and an unsightly structure at the walk entrance. This is an eaaasy management call.
The primary management goal is to protect the resource and provide a safe, enjoyable outdoor experience for those using the park.
Glenn, Tom and myself have worked at the management level for land managing agencies at the Federal level. We understand the importance of multiple use and involving the diverse groups in making sound land management decisions. To encourage public involvement, it is important the stakeholders have confidence and trust in an open public participation process.
The listening part is easy. Maintaining objectivity and taking actions that respond to public concerns is harder.
I am concerned that the public involvement process is being characterized as not being sufficiently representative of the community and that the comments represent a NIMBY effort. After three meetings and numerous thoughtful comments, this is a mistaken view of the citizen participation process. We don't need a "do over."
I believe if you and your staff look at the comments, you will find they are in general reasonable and reflect the current economic conditions. They are not radical and many of the suggestions can be implemented immediately or in a reasonable short term, e.g., two years.
I would like to see City staff consolidate the comments, develop and frame outstanding issues, and provide a workable strategy for resolving the issues identified. What was missing from the earlier "community listening meetings" was the City (RPCA/OHA) promised short term-long term actions in response to the comments.
Take care and I look foward to a more substantive response at the April 13, 2009 public meeting.
Dave Cavanaugh
(703) 869-8362
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