Playground Petition by "Lobbyists" Null and Void

In the course of the last week 770+ Nashuans signed a petition in support of building Legacy Playground at Greeley Park, and it was not enough. What we signed on in support of was not just accepting the gift of a new playground, to replace the old one at Greeley, but to also make the park accessible to people of all abilities. 

770 people signed the petition over this past week, 770. You can still sign the petition here.

There will be a public meeting tonight at 7pm in the 3rd Floor Auditorium at City Hall, with a full proposal about Legacy Playground.

Never before has the Board of Alderman seen such a display of broad support from the public of this city as they did last night. Over the course of the past week I was in contact with a good many people who wanted to come and speak in support of this. I advised them that Aldermen were upset with the length of public comment at the last meeting, and surely with a petition of this size they would hear our message loud and clear. Even still, a half dozen of those folks came out of solidarity with other petition signers to last night's meeting. They watched from the gallery as the meeting unfolded, feeling confident that they need not prolong the discourse with what has already been said, many times, many ways; the people of Nashua support moving forward.

What we want to see is a playground and park that would welcome a grandparent in a wheelchair, to enjoy time with their grandkids, and not just from the sidelines. What we want to see is a place where a child with sensory challenges might feel more welcomed to play with their peers, in the setting of tranquil Greeley park. What we want to see is the "crown jewel" of our park system be a place that welcomes and engages people of all abilities, not just in the fine art of rest and respite, but also in play and true, full, inclusive, community.

Last night the Board of Aldermen considered legislation proposed by opponents of any changes at Greeley Park. The legislation commissions a $5,000 study of site alternatives (including Greeley Park) throughout the city for the gift of this accessible playground. $2,500 of that study will be paid for by an unofficial group of residents calling themselves "Friends of Greeley Park" - which is comprised primarily of abutters to the park, who have spoken out time and time again against this gift being placed in their neighborhood.

Together, we did the leg work. Together we signed this petition. Together we shared it, hundreds of times over, with our friends, family, and neighbors here in Nashua to send a message that should have been loud and clear. We sent the message that there are hundreds of Nashuans who were impassioned enough to stand up for something. What was heard, instead, was the same group of folks who have showed up time and time again to say "No" to a Greeley Park that is accessible to all, and to the a gift of a playground that would help accomplish that goal.

Last night the Board of Aldermen was provided with a petition from 770 Nashua residents who supported moving forward with this great project, instead of possibly delaying it for several months to a year with an additional contracted study.  

Last night the Board of Aldermen inked up their proverbial rubber stamp and, in an 8:7 vote, put a "VOID" mark on the petitions that they were provided with.

Our Aldermen cannot say that this petition was not a valid representation of public sentiment on the matter. I took the time to merge the petition with the 2011 voter list, and fill in the blanks with the white pages, to ensure that it was signed by verifiable Nashuans - and not petition signing robots, friends of the cause from across the country, or the lawyers of a late Nigerian prince who are looking for your bank account info so they can deposit your incredible inheritance.

The petition was signed by 770 Nashuans.

Instead of demonstrating an openness to the strong unified message of this petition, what was clear was that some Aldermen were more interested in casting a strong shadow of doubt on its merits and meaning - and repeating time and time again the word, "Lobbyist."

We were pegged as "lobbyists," as if we were attempting to strip Greeley Park of rich mineral resources, as if we were trying to advocate for pumping chemicals into the ground of our beloved park, and pumping out natural gas and shale oil at the expense of it's natural beauty, and the health and safety of our community. We were pegged as "lobbyists," as if we were trying to convince the public and politicians that the science was wrong, and there are no risks to smoking. We were painted as lobbyists, as if what we had to say was somehow wrong.

770 rotten, low down, no good "lobbyists."

I was taken aback when I heard this in public comment, and I avoided responding rhetorically - as I was sure our Aldermen would see through this assertion. I presented the facts of the petition, thinking they would speak for themselves. I broke it down, and shared that there was support from all over our city - with the greatest level of support in the ward where Greeley itself sits. What I was not expecting to hear, was our Aldermen referring to the public who supported this playground as "lobbyists," lumping us in with the "me first" crowd in DC that comes to mind for many when that word is used.

It was not just the petition presenter, the petition signers, and the group of folks who have been volunteering for two years to put this project together who were cast with this aspersion. There are a good many professionals in the medical community, and human services, in counseling, professionals in our public works department, in our park and recreation department, whom have spoken to the merits of this project, the need in our community, and in favor of Greeley park the very best location for a universally accessible Legacy Playground. All of these admirable folks who have taken the time and lent their professional opinion to this discussion, they too were lumped in with what some Aldermen seem to believe is extensive interference from "lobbyists," all in the discussion in defense of the paid study.

Apparently the views of countless professionals form many sectors of our community is not enough. It was asserted that the input from these people was biased. If sharing in the belief of 20+ local professionals, and hundreds of people who call Nashua home, that Greeley Park is the very best location for this gift makes us biased, unobjective, and furthermore, creators of "disunity" - then I guess they can discount what I have to say too.

The lesson has been taught. Why bother trying to have your voice heard in this city, when it will be chalked up as a sinister attempt by "lobbyists" to sway the feelings of our elected officials?

So here we are. Now, we've got to ask, what is the silver lining to all of this? Is there one?

I would say, the answer is yes... I hope.

Tonight, in the third floor auditorium of City Hall at 7 PM, (click here, invite fellow Nashuans) the Committee on Infrastructure will hold the first hearing of final plans for Legacy Playground at Greeley Park from the Leadership Greater Nashua Class of 2012. It remain uncertain as to whether this study will become a hindrance in the process, but what we do know, at least - is that there is still a hearing scheduled for this evening.

Before the proposal can be brought before the full board for a final vote, a second public hearing of the plan will have to also be scheduled, with the content provided to the public 7 days in advance - per the requirements of a city ordinance relative to any improvements at Greeley Park.

What can we do moving forward? I would strongly encourage anyone and everyone to attend tonight's meeting. Whether you object to Greeley as location for Legacy Playground, are waiting for more information before drawing your own conclusions, or are among the 770 Nashuans who have already taken a stand and attempted to add your voice to those who are calling for no more delay in the quest for an accessible Greely Park.

I would encourage all to speak their mind, if they are compelled to do so. Then, keep your fingers crossed and your ears opened for the scheduling of a second hearing, and attend that as well.

I wish I could tell you today that the Board of Aldermen heard the hundreds of petition signers call, tabled the study pending the public hearing process for Legacy Playground at Greeley Park, and are all looking forward to supporting this great project.

I do not enjoy that confidence, nor should you.

I want you to know that we tried, and I want you to know that perhaps attending these coming meetings will be the only way that our voices are truly heard.

I want you to know that your input on this is, or at least should be, welcome. You should not feel bad about speaking your mind and standing up for what you believe is right - no matter what that might be, and no matter what others might say.