November 25 county Council Meeting

Dear Friends, Neighbors, Fellow Artists and Activists,

I am cautiously optimistic tonight.  We just got home from the 
Council Council meeting on the budget and I'm fried. I bet they are 
too!   I'll try to write up what happened as best I can.  I would 
call the situation "still in flux."  There is no Done Deal.  Many, 
many people came and spoke most eloquently and passionately.  I 
believe this made all the difference, especially when added to the 
outpouring of personal letters.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The meeting went on halfway to forever, and my initial information 
that said we'd be able to speak during the first 20 minutes turned 
out not to be accurate.  Originally it looked like we had won over 
enough council members that we could at least get a 5 month delaying 
action within which to plan and raise funds.  I thought they were 
going to explain this early on, and then we could all go home.  Boy, 
was I wrong!!!!  We were almost at the very end of the agenda.  So, I 
learned something.  If I had it to do again (and if we ever have to 
go back again)  I would have gotten up during that 20 minute public 
comment period and asked all the people who turned out to stand up 
and be counted (and look pleasant, please!) so that both we and the 
council could get a real picture of how many people showed up.  Most 
folks had to leave before our issue came up.  Live and learn.  I 
think also that, despite my bad eyesight, I need to sit back near the 
entry door where I can see the whole room.

Anyway,

County Executive Pete Kremen stepped forward after all the testimony 
and pledged that park offices will not move in immediately and that 
he will try to move them into the caretaker's cottage 
instead.  Meanwhile he will convene a citizens task force to work 
with the County to generate with real, long term solutions to 
revitalize both Home and program.  He asked if I would serve on that 
task force.  I think I'm willing to do that.  We don't have a firm 
commitment yet that they will keep John & Dana at least part time, 
but we get until January to work on that part.  Those of us who have 
been working to lead the rescue effort consider this to be really 
important.  Since both John & Dana are slated to be shifted within 
the department, it seems completely possible to keep them part-time 
at the Roeder Home and set up docents to work with them to help fill 
in the gaps.  Pete and the council both seemed to understand that 
moving offices into the Home will, in fact, destroy the arts program, 
and endanger a historical jewel, as will cutting all funding for 
staff.  We are prepared to work to create a volunteer organization 
which helps at the home and also does fundraising through this 
difficult time.  We will require the County Parks to meet us halfway 
in all sincerity to save both the Home and the activities that help 
give it its meaning.

Thank you one and all for your participation, support, trust, and 
passion.  Together, we can create and preserve the richness of our 
community.  It ain't over yet, but I'm feeling hopeful tonight, and 
ready for a warm bed!