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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007>There was a lot of
discussion about Core to Shore on the OSN listserve over the weekend. For
those of you who were following it, I have copied my response
below.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=497000215-16072007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=497000215-16072007>-----------------------------------</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007>I regret that I was
away from email over the weekend and am only now catching up on the many Core to
Shore emails. As president of Sustainable OKC, I'd like to comment on the
conversation.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007>I was once told that
effective social movements have three components: the system, which includes
government, business, law, and others with resources; the protesters, who make
the issue visible; and the bridge, which is the moderate voice that generally
identifies with the protestor but can speak the language of the
system. This idea is applicable here in the Core to Shore
conversation. Sustainable OKC is working very hard to be the
bridge.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=497000215-16072007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007>To be
clear, Sustainable OKC in no way advocates for the destruction of Union
Station or its rail yard. On the contrary! The best thing for the
sustainability of the city would not include building another massive highway,
particularly at the expense of rail. But taking an all-or-nothing
stance means that we miss out on some opportunities. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=497000215-16072007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007>Sustainable OKC is
not directly involved in Core to Shore, but there is some overlap in
people. I personally have become involved for a couple of reasons.
When I look out and see people being bullish, confrontational, and negative, I
feel sorry for the state of affairs in Oklahoma City. I want to
create a place for people who seek more cooperative alternatives to get
involved. I also believe we have the opportunity to make some wonderful
gains in sustainability by working with the city on this project. The Core
to Shore process now has a Sustainability Task Force, which is making
recommendations about land use, affordable housing, storm water runoff, green
building, and other strategies. This is an opportunity that we would
have missed if we had responded confrontationally, as others want us to.
With a more positive approach, we have opened up dialog and encouraged the
discussion of sustainability with city government, and this is a positive
development.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=497000215-16072007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007>I think the
underlying context of this conversation is about world view.
Sustainability is a big movement that encompasses a lot of interests, topics,
and tactics. The flip-side of having such a big tent is that people inside
will disagree; that is to be expected. The world view of this discussion
has placed Core to Shore in the context of good and evil, with good guys and bad
guys shooting it out, and plenty of conspiracy theories to boot. I don't
see it that way, though, and it contradicts my experience. It's not
an issue of good and evil - it's an issue of different people with different
interests trying to plan for the future. Granted, some interests are
seeking money, but some are trying to make the city a better place, and others
are involved to advocate for sustainability, quality of life, and concern for
the poor. A good guy / bad guy approach glosses over the complexities of
the situation.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=497000215-16072007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=497000215-16072007>The presentation on
Wednesday night (<A
href="http://www.sustainableokc.org/calendar/">www.sustainableokc.org/calendar/</A>)
will provide an opportunity for people to learn more about the Core to Shore
planning process. The presenters, Russell Claus and Hans Butzer, are great
partners in sustainability and will have a lot of information to share about
this project. </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=497000215-16072007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV></FONT>
<DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jennifer
Gooden</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=497000215-16072007>Sustainable OKC President</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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