[MassHistPres] busy-body neighborhood-nazis and control freaks

[Sam Bird]

First, the tone of this is mild compared to some letters I've seen  
over the years. Some of those have been directed at me personally and  
inferred I was much worse than a mere "nazi".  In the past I bit my  
lip and remained silent of those occasions and in distant retrospect  
am glad I did. It's hard when it is fresh and the wound is open,  
however, a response will prompt another, resulting in an endless  
exchange breathing life into the controversy. No positions will be  
softened, no matter how reasonable and rational the rebuttal. It is  
best to let these things die a quiet death and move on with the work  
at hand, in my experience, although others may have equally well  
based, but differing, opinions.

Sam Bird, AIA
Concord

On Oct 17, 2009, at 3:28 PM, Jonathan Feist wrote:

> 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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