It is well known in Wilmington, and by many in surrounding communities, that the pergola controversy is alive and well with opposing views. Three hundred signers of the petition to relocate the pergola outside the Historic Design Control District is a significant portion of our town’s citizens, as was the room of supporters voicing their support for the pergola.
Comments ranged from “total waste of time… we need a new school, town garage” to “do something positive,” “a step into the future,” “you had your chance,” or “some petitioners have hidden agendas.” Emotional statements, yes. Fair statements? It depends on who you ask.
What we do know is that there is a sense, by many, that it (the pergola in the park) doesn’t fit the town and is a significant departure from the historical nature our town chose to protect years ago. We also know that people, overwhelmingly, like the basic design of the park. It is only the pergola structure that is at issue of the petition of 300.
Others have brought up the ADA (wheelchair access/American Disability Act) requirements and a design that turns out is not compliant and needs to be brought into compliance. The cost and responsibility is a running debate. This is separate from the petition and shouldn’t be confused with the petition’s objectives or interests.
It has been pointed out that, “The design was in the paper … you had your chance to comment.” A picture was in the paper (showing square straight support posts) and we did have opportunities to comment—but not later at the critical moment of deviation. The picture was not of the design eventually built. This change (from the picture that was published to an arbitrary choice for sturdy tree limbs and curvy tree trunks) was deemed not a significant change by our zoning administrator, one person, and, therefore, did not need to go back to the public forum (Design Review Board) for approval, leaving no opportunity to challenge what many (at least 300) thought was a very significant deviation from the original concept.
This presented a problem with little choice. The petition was the only avenue to protest deviation. Many people are becoming more and more entrenched. There is nothing wrong with firm conviction, but we need to join forces, not opinion.
We have an opportunity for a mature approach to resolution.
Together we can provide a vote through Australian ballot where all people, elderly and people with time constraints, have an opportunity to weigh in regarding the appropriate nature of the pergola within the Historic Design Control District.
Think back: Petitions stolen, vindictiveness, angry words, process challenges--unfairly and fairly, sharp editorials, misinformation. We have been torn apart and pushed apart. But we can responsibly meet in the middle.
Choose inclusion of people not exclusion. Healing means accepting a majority vote, an all-embracing approach to resolution.
Points have been repeatedly made, plus two newspapers’ extensive coverage.
Help your community speak through an Australian ballot vote, to truly move on.
Kelly Kahler
Wilmington
Telling you? No. I'm actually begging you to go to www.wilmingtonvermont.us and read the "rules" so you can see for yourself. And then read the Development Review Board decision so you can see how they applied the "rules."
Then you won't have to argue from a position of absolute ignorance.
Enough already -- just because your opinion did not win out is not an excuse to harass and accuse those in town government who followed the processes. And, if any of those representatives failed to execute their duties to your satisfaction, then hold them responsible the next time there are elections.
However, no matter what you do or say, the old saying that "you can't argue about taste" still holds. There will be some who will dislike whatever is done. Personally, I dislike Tommie's Pizzeria, and I am sure there are over 300 others who would agree. So, next time aesthetic decisions are to be made, realize that it won't always come out the way you would prefer.
As to "oriental" influence in design - it has been going on for centuries. Just because this may be the first hint of such an influence in Wilmington, does not mean it is a design offense.