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<br />Fw: for the record <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />Here is what was said by me, let me explain the circumstances of the conversation as well. <br /> <br />I guess it was Monday night, my neighbor Julie Rieman came to my house, fuming that the city was going to "rip <br />out her fence and cut down her tree," which happen to be in the street right of way. I wasn't home, I was at <br />work, so my wife got an earful. Tuesday after work and before the work shop, I spoke with Julie, my <br />first opportunity. After calming her down, she told me that YOU told her the city intended to force the removal <br />of her fence and tree, because she too opposed the road and that as we were going after you "as punishment <br />for opposing the road project..........." <br /> <br />I explained that the city had no intention of "punishing" anyone for anything, nor to my knowledge, were we <br />going to do anything about her fence or tree. To be honest, I didn't realize until THIS blow up that the rock <br />that public works recommended be removed even involved your property, it was just an address. That being <br />said, as a combat decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I don't just talk the talk, I walked the <br />walk. I put myself in harm's way when I was a younger man and I am STIll willing to fight and die if necessary, <br />to defend YOUR ability to exercise YOUR rights. That doesn't mean I have to agree with you or even consider <br />your comments, but I fully support your right to express your views without "punishment" from any form of <br />government. To say I resent the implication that a Council on which I serve would enforce an ordinance on you <br />as punishment for exercising your rights is a not only a gross understatement, I am sickened by it. <br /> <br />Julie also stated she signed the petition opposing the street project, primarily because she was told that the city <br />was going to put a trail in our other neighbor's yard (Brian Way) which she thought was an incredibly bad idea. <br />While that path did appear in the initial scope of the project, she wasn't alone in her opinion. The trail was one <br />of the first things removed from the proposal. Julie also stated that she agreed the road needed work, <br />suggesting that maybe it could just be patched. <br /> <br />I told Julie, that I was certain some of the other names on that petition are there for "bogus" reasons as well. I <br />explained that I myself was approached to sign the petition, I listened to what was said, then identified myself <br />and corrected just about every piece of misinformation that was stated to get people to sign. If I didn't know <br />better, I'd have signed the petition myself. To be fair, you were not the person that I spent over an hour with <br />explaining the REAL facts, I don't recall her name but she was at last nights meeting, seated against the east <br />wall. <br /> <br />I also stated that I have spoke to other residents directly, that told me that they signed the petition only because <br />of misinformation or feeling pressured to sign, not wanting to be continually confronted by angry supporters. <br />Though most of them said they didn't like the idea of being accessed, most agreed the road needed some type <br />of improvement. The result for ME was to view the petition as not completely valid. That doesn't mean that I <br />believe if people were told the whole truth, they wouldn't be opposed to the project, they'd have only been able <br />to fairly access it. <br /> <br />All of what I said was completely true and more importantly...FAIR. The only apology I'd offer would be to <br />Julie, who may have misunderstood any comments I made. <br /> <br />I also expressed my opinion that it seems you and some of the other "major players" are not only be willing to <br />create animosity to further your cause, but tend to use that tactic as your primary tool. That is something I find <br />very distasteful. <br /> <br />I have attended each and every meeting, including those we were not required to hold, in a good faith attempt <br />to work TOGETHER at finding the best solution to a common problem. It is clear to me that the good faith was <br />generally one sided. <br /> <br />In the future, if there is something you believe I did or said that you've a problem with, perhaps you could send <br />me an email, I'd be happy to discuss it, perhaps saving everyone a little agrivation. <br /> <br />2of2 <br /> <br />8/13/20082:16 PM <br />