Save Davidson’s Official Statement Following July 11 Vote
The vote by the Davidson Board of Commissioners on July 11 regarding the Beaty Street Property did not go as numerous citizens had hoped. Despite large citizen opposition the board voted 3 to 2 to move forward with negotiations with a private developer.
This major decision hurt on many fronts and was made despite the fact that nearly 250 people participated in the peaceful protest and 30 people took the time to speak eloquently and passionately during the public comment period, many citing facts, figures, relevant research, and the contract and other documents indicating the land was intended as a park.
The three commissioners who voted to proceed with the development were Stacey Anderson, Rodney Graham and Brian Jenest. Beth Cashion and Jim Fuller opposed the development project.
Over the past several months, the Save Davidson Facebook page has helped ignite and coalesce a large group of citizens across Davidson who are opposed to this issue and concerned about how Town business is conducted. We now have more than 1,400 followers with additions daily.
Save Davidson is a group of committed citizens who is quite aware that many people want to know, “What’s next?” when it comes to the Beaty issue. First is to know that there are many steps left in this process and at each one the project can be canceled. The most important action for each one of us is to continue to reach-out to our elected officials and express your concerns. Your attendance at the August 8th vote will be the most important yet.
To help you better understand a timeline that we are now dealing with, we are including “The Beaty Park Property Sale Timeline.” This was developed with information provided by Town staff. It provides critical information to us as we explore various options.
It is important to note that, according to the Town of Davidson, this is subject to change. From Dawn A. Blobaum, Assistant Town Manager: “I can’t put exact dates on any of the milestones, because the process often takes longer than we anticipate, and we need to schedule votes to align with the board of commissioners’ meetings.”
Rest assured, we will remain engaged and vigilant and invite you to continue to join with us as we all work toward correcting what many citizens have expressed concern about: disregard of contract, betrayal of public trust, flawed process, lack of transparency, failure to include and acknowledge citizen input on publicly owned land, and increased traffic, loss of tree canopy and open space and adverse effects to water and air quality. Toward that end, here are ways you can continue to be engaged:
Attend Save Davidson’s “What’s Next?” sessions.
7/24/17 6:30pm The Egg, Davidson
7/26/17 6:30pm Davidson Beverage Company, Davidson
7/28/17 6:30pm The Brickhouse Tavern, Davidson
Join our e-mail list and encourage your friends to as well: savedavidson@gmail.com
Become a neighborhood point person to share updates
Connect via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Attend upcoming Town Board Meetings to demonstrate continued engagement;
August 1 (at Davidson Public Library)
August 8 (4 p.m. work session; 6 p.m. regular meeting)
August 22 (4 p.m. work session; 6 p.m. regular meeting)
Visit our online store for magnets, yard signs, frisbees and t-shirts with proceeds going to help pay for expenses to push our efforts forward. www.savedavidson.org/store
Continue to express your concerns: beatyrfp@townofdavidson.org & board@townofdavidson.org
Donate to support Save Davidson:
www.savedavidson.org/store Donations in your choice of denomination
By check payable to ‘Save Davidson’; Address: Save Davidson, P.O. Box 16, Davidson, NC 28036.
Thanks for joining with us to fight for what is right for the citizens of Davidson. Watch for updates on social media and via our e-newsletter. We’re still working hard and take heart in this quote from anthropologist Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Let’s keep working together to Save Davidson!