Dear Council,
I attended two presentations on the Sebastopol Commons. They seemed mainly sales pitches by people who had vested interests in this project going forward. It didn't seem like the counsel members were really very interested in what the longtime residents thought. So little of the time was devoted to what residents thought.
I am wondering how the "volunteers" were selected for this venture? Some of the most strident ones didn't even live in town but were allowed to spend a lot of time lecturing us.
I have found when people are so convinced they have the "magic solution" they have a hard timelisteningtootherpeopleaboutflawsin theirproposal. That building is nearly 30 years old. That steep roof is about at the end of its lifespan and will be expensive to replace. The three stories of metal stairs present a trip and fall hazard making the building more expensive to insure. Walking around the building, it was clear the screens on the many windows were fraying, some were even bent or missing. The siding seemed to show signs of pulling apart.
I think the town should devote their limited resources to getting the library repaired and reopened, do what thegrand jury said to fix the water and sewermoney diversions, repair the streets and the parks and not waste any more money on this grandiose plan! Many of the long time residents, enjoy walking to the services in the current central location! It is a mistake to move it to the edge of town! Suggesting that we all just take the 24 bus instead is insulting to people enjoy walking to this central location. It might be a good idea to ask the city, library, and senior center employees to park in the more far away parking lots & walk. That would free up parking for people who shop and patronize our Main Street restaurants and shops that provide sales tax to keep the City in good repair. If they didn't care to walk, they could always take the 24 bus! Sincerely, Carol Mitchel