[MassHistPres] busy-body neighborhood-nazis and control freak s

[Michael Smith]

This may be what Barack Obama would call a teachable situation.  A large
percentage of us in this listserv could use advice on how to use diplomacy
including listening, learning and understanding the fears of others without
becoming defensive and being put off message.

 

The Belmont Historical Commission is soon to be facing certain opposition to
recommendations we will make in a Comprehensive Plan for enacting various
preservation measures - demo review, additional historic districts,
preservation of public buildings and open spaces, etc.

 

One educational tool we have recently created is a paper on the Economics of
Historic Preservation, attached.

 

We would be delighted to hear from others their experiences in campaigning
for preservation and the tools they have found to be most useful.

 

Mike

 

Michael Smith, Co-Chair

Belmont Historic District Commission                        

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Feist [mailto:jfeist at charter.net] 
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 3:29 PM
To: MHC MHC listserve
Subject: [MassHistPres] busy-body neighborhood-nazis and control freaks

 

Hi all,

 

Things are getting uglier here. A member of the aforementioned  

disruptive contingent has now called us "busy-body neighborhood-nazis  

and control freaks" in the local paper. Actually, he probably means  

everyone on this listserv, in that categorization, besides just Chris  

Skelly and I (and might I mention how honored I am to be so-grouped  

with Chris...).

 

The actual text of the letter is appended below. Pretty much all the  

facts are deeply twisted, beyond the offensive language used.

 

I'm getting some feedback from others on the HC that I shouldn't  

respond, personally, as it will appear as tit-for-tat, and sinking to  

his level. I'm not enough of a politician to know exactly what to do,  

in practical terms of what would yield the best result, though I  

already drafted a pretty lengthy response. Any thoughts?

 

I actually think that such rhetoric makes the writer seem like a  

crackpot, and I'm actually not particularly offended, personally. But  

I think it is exceptionally bad form, and it needs to be called out.

 

--Jonathan

 

 

=======

 

Letter to the Editor, Harvard Press, October 16, 2009

 

 

Residents against Still River historical district

 

On Oct. 6, a group of Still River residents attended a meeting of the  

Historical Commission. We had seen evidence that they had been  

discussing a historical district for Still River. Chairman Feist tried  

to poo-poo our concerns, saying that discussions were very preliminary  

and that nothing would happen without Still River input, even though  

he felt it would be good for us-e.g., promising to spare us from 40B  

development.

 

However, meeting minutes for 2008 and 2009 record discussions about a  

historical district, none involving input from Still River. In May,  

the minutes noted that "we are now in the initial phases of  

educational outreach," (Oh, really?). In February, the minutes  

summarized a meeting with Chris Skelly, director of local government  

programs at the Mass. Historical Commission. Skelly advised patience,  

plus partnering with the schools to increase understanding of Harvard  

history-in other words, plant the seeds in the children and wait for  

them to influence the parents.

 

Here is some actual input: Still River does not need, and as far as I  

can tell, does not want a collection of busy-body neighborhood-nazis  

[sic] and control freaks running our affairs. We live in our corner of  

Harvard because it is friendly, relaxed, and mutually trusting. We do  

not seek exploitation as a historical destination. Harvard's bogeyman,  

40B, is not deterred by a historical district. Do not try to scare us,  

to patronize us, or to pander to commercial preservationists in the  

name of Still River.

 

But do come by some day for some fresh produce, for a swing through  

our conservation land, or for some conversation in our quaint post  

office. Come to admire St. Benedict's Abbey with its view of Mt.  

Wachusett. Not everything you will see is as preciously pickled as in  

Williamsburg, but we love it anyway.

 

Fred Hinchliffe

Still River

 

=====

 

 

================================

Jonathan Feist

jfeist at charter.net * 978-772-4864

Blog: Delights and Processes http://blogs.townonline.com/delight/

Writing about Music http://jonathanfeist.berkleemusicblogs.com/

 

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