Vision and Goals is Not a Plan

To the Editor:

The June 24 front-page PCN&R article titled "Dunn Resigns from Special Board" confuses the Vision and Goals statement issued by the Special Board with a Comprehensive Plan for the village. The Vision and Goals statement sets forth the key values upon which a 20-year plan will be built. It is not a plan or even a draft of a plan. To describe it as such is like confusing the visionary ideas of the Declaration of Independence with the governing plan of the Constitution.

Clarifying the Vision and Goals at this time is important because the Special Board is moving into a new phase: taking the extensive data assembled about the village and preparing a plan -- pinpointing issues, identifying options and recommending actions. The result will then be discussed in public sessions and presented to the Village Board.

The article also exaggerates how long the Special Board has been active, giving the impression that the process has been unnecessarily delayed. The all-volunteer working groups were convened two years ago, not three. Many dedicated people have gathered substantial information.

Disagreements over the Marathon and waterfront properties were also cited by the PCN&R. In fact, the differences were not between the Special Board and the Village Board, but reflected the views of a minority of Special Board members. The majority on the Special Board voted to respond favorably to the Village Board's request to assist it in addressing the immediate issues regarding those properties. We respect those who resigned, but firmly believe they are mistaken and that the Special Board made the right decision.
Michael Armstrong
Anne Impellizzeri
Acting Co-Chairs, Special
Board for a Comprehensive
Plan/LWRP