Once again, Trancas Park was on the agenda of Monday night’s City Council meeting. The chambers were filled with families with children, balloons, popcorn, lollipops and signs supporting the park as well as the usual screaming irrational park protesters. Although the City Council voted to “save the ridge,” they also voted to hold another “Park” workshop, causing further delay. Park supporters are feeling very let down. Despite their hard, long, drawn-out efforts, numerous families and dog lovers seem to be little match for the park opponents who just recently got involved in the last year. Incessantly yelling, using scare tactics and personal agendas, they are derailing the park. The park has been approved and now the ridge has been saved, yet the park is still not happening simply because the opposition is more aggressive than the peaceful people, kids and dogs who want the park. Ten years and 29 meetings/workshops later, the pro-park people are tired and worn out. They are saying, “When will it end?” “It was a done deal.” “What happened? I thought we got the park?”
The NIMBYs, who have a much easier time getting down to the council meetings (no baby-sitters required), are loud and rude enough to scare the families and children away. Monday night all 37 families with children in attendance left the council chambers early. Fortunately, they made their point, as the vote was 4-1, Pam Conley Ulich being the only council member who voted not to save the ridge.
Justine Kingman