The current members of the ANA Board would like to apologize to the
former Board members regarding the statement in the Allandale Fundraiser
flyer that was recently distributed which makes reference to "a newly
invigorated Executive Committee." The implication of that
statement
regarding the involvement of the former board members is misleading and
inaccurate. The intent was to indicate our stepped up efforts to address the neighborhood’s concerns regarding the Northcross redevelopment that includes a 226,000 sq ft Wal-Mart. We understand how it could have been interpreted otherwise. We
strongly appreciate the time, effort and interest each of those individuals
put into the neighborhood association as volunteers.
In addition, I
personally would like to apologize to Gretchen and Paul for this remark. As
with us all, they have full time jobs and family to tend to but have
continued to work with us closely to make sure the transition to a new Board
is a smooth one. I can’t thank them enough.
Tom Linehan
VP, Allandale
Neighborhood Association
People who have lived here longer than I can correct me if I’m wrong – for many years there weren’t enough volunteers to be found to even have competitive ANA board elections. I recall hearing that the purpose of the Nominations Committee at one point had degenerated to shanghai-ing people to volunteer.
Soon after our family bought our house in 2005, we had need for a neighborhood organization to represent our interests and we found an active organization. Gretchen, Paul, Kay, Susan, Frank and others were actively engaged and they helped us out. From what I can tell, Gretchen led the ANA during a period of expansion. Consistency of effort had a big role to play in this. The core of committed volunteers made it easier for people like myself to get involved, to be willing to give up a lot of our time in the expectation that the organization had meaning, significance, staying power. Until Northcross, there was no explosive crisis to fire up neighborhood activism. The board members were like marathon runners, in for the long haul.
The new board is a determined force, shaped by a single event. It views Northcross and the threat of incursions by heavy-handed developers as the one issue that matters, and is prepared to be heavy-handed in turn to answer this threat. I happen to agree with the threat assessment. I just disagree that development is the *only* thing that matters. Tom, I think you’ve shown leadership by publicly addressing a perceived slight to those who came before you. If the ANA is to have the long-term credibility that comes with representing all its residents well, you and the other board members will need to keep that up.