“I will not be IGNORED, Dan!”

(Movie quote:
Guess the movie, totally unrelated to this story.

The answer is somewhere below.)

Created from dust and breath, and to the earth we shall return. One can only hope. As of last

count, there were 8 billion people on planet earth and unless the asphalt jungles and urban sprawl

minimized, eternal resting spaces seem iffy.

A piece of paper plucked from the crevasse of my front door inflamed this concern of scarcity.

The flier described a proposed four-story performing arts center featuring 500 new parking

spaces on 50 acres of farmland only 100 yards from our front porch.

The mega project was news to me and the neighbors, who’ve always expected that farmland to

become a park -- a serene park for pickup games of various sports, afternoon picnics, and sunset

strolls. NOT a parking tower for a regional art center. The paper explained a public meeting to

share the details of the plan.

I, along with 200 residents, attended the meeting held outdoors in the public square. We faced off

with three members of the city council and city employees. Almost every resident spoke against

the towering theatre project. City officials appeared taken aback by the outraged residents and

were even more alarmed when documents circulated through the crowd exposing their blatant

disregard for the legal document, clearly outlining what the property was to be used for, which

was signed by the city and the property’s former owners many years ago.



I hadn’t intended to speak, but after seeing the land deed from 1999, I cried foul at the council’s

plan. Rising to my feet, I cited three performing art centers already in town, each with existing

buildings, land, parking, established infrastructure, and proximity to major freeways. The council

looked at me without comment. After the meeting adjourned, the city officials fled the crowd

with their eyes widened and lips shut.

City officials’ swift exit left a small group of residents on the public square to quickly form an

alliance to oppose the city’s grand illusion.

After the first public meeting, I was all in! I can’t save the whole earth, but I will join forces to

fight for the legacy of a family farm and the intent for which the land was purchased. Fifty acres

of green space were wiped off the blueprints for an event center that requires additional streets,

sewer and drainage systems, twice the traffic, sky-scraping metal lights and noise exceeding 120

decibels. I must get involved. When we take care of the earth, we take care of mankind, and

standing up for this space would honor indigenous ancestors and be an inheritance for the next

generation.

Every time the group of concerned citizens met, I learned where the real dirt was in this fight. I

learned of ethics violations, misappropriation of funds, false personal accusations, illegal

removal of council members, and verbal abuse between peers. One neighbor called it, “Politics

as usual.” Another resident told how he discovered the plans to expand roadways and sidewalks

the day a bulldozer drove through his front yard.

The concerned citizens’ committee attended every monthly council meeting asking questions and

presenting compelling evidence to pressure them into honoring the deed. We met in someone’s

home to share updates, compare intel, and discuss best strategies. The residents walked a fine

line because the land was purchased at a fair price and rightfully belonged to the city. It became a

matter of integrity to develop the park agreed upon in 1999. The more I learned of the

unscrupulous behavior of past and present councils; the more I doubted decisions would be in

favor of green space. What appeared to be a simple save the land initiative soon became taking

on city hall.

At several council meetings I approached the podium, spoke directly into the microphone,

nervously stated my name and address as protocol requires, and asked about the intentions for

the property. I was methodical, direct, and expected answers. What I didn’t expect was the

collective refusal to respond. Every time, each one completely ignored me.

I tossed and turned in bed many nights, calculating what I did wrong and wondered about a

better approach to get council to respect the deed. I dreamt of tactics used by one determined

woman in Fatal Attraction.*

I assumed standing on science and a legal document would produce a positive result. I shared the

science behind utilizing the land as a park. I included facts such as green space improving overall

health and wellbeing, the physical and mental impact of being in nature, and improved mood,

focus, and Vitamin D. I held up research about physical activity reducing anxiety, increasing pain

tolerance and improved sleep. I summarized a synergistic effect when physical activity is

combined with being in nature.

Yet, despite the sound data, my presentation was met with silence and pitiful stares from every

council member.



As time dragged on without results, threads began to unravel within the neighborhood

committee. Differing opinions surfaced on how best to move forward.

I reflected, this fight will require more money, resources, and energy. None of which I had much

of. And yet, standing up for green space requires digging deep within myself to find a way to

make it happen. Saving the environment is worth the unrelenting effort required.

Then, a minor miracle occurred. After three of our committee members met privately with city

employees, the city agreed to recognize the woman who sold them the land with a 100 th birthday

celebration. Declaring it “E. Gould Day,” council created a pocket park just off the main

sidewalk measuring approximately 30’ x 12’, with a sign designating “E. Gould Park.” There

was fanfare with city council members beaming proudly over the newly created park.

Newspapers covered the victory for the people, townsfolk showed up for the ribbon cutting, and

the city hosted a birthday cake reception at city hall.

And yet, there is still 49 ¾ acres of green space not being discussed in public, a fact I couldn’t

ignore.

TBD…

*answer to the movie quote quiz