Dear Editor:
I want to commend Gail Jones for her letter of concern regarding the school district's proposed purchase of property on Marshall and Roland streets. For the last 25 years, I have lived across the street on the portion of Marshall Street in question.
I don't think you could canvas anyone who lives on Franklin, Jackson, Marshall or Roland streets who would not agree with Ms. Jones on the speeding/trash issues. In fact, several years ago a young girl was hit by a car right in front of my house by a young man who had lost control of his vehicle. This problem will only escalate if the land in question becomes a parking lot and the number of cars using these streets increases. A whole different set of problems will arise if the property in question becomes an alternative school for long-term suspensions.
Like Ms. Jones, I too am unhappy that I had to read about this in the newspaper. I called the board office about the possibility of attending the Long-Range Planning Committee meeting so that I could learn of the committee's plans for the property. I was encouraged to instead attend the board meeting on Oct. 10.
After this phone call, I was invited by Superintendent Larry Linthacum to meet with him and I did so to express my concern for the future of the property and, most importantly, to let him know that I was not pleased about not being informed of this purchase. He did set a date for a neighborhood meeting which will occur on the morning of the October board meeting. I know that Ms. Jones and I have informed our neighbors about this meeting although some may see this as after-the-fact.
The landowner has every right to sell his property and no one is faulting that right. However, I agree with Ms. Jones that the board should be looking at some of the discarded property surrounding schools before disturbing established, thriving neighborhoods.
I understand neighbors' concerns for possible declining property values. If board members have not driven through the Roland neighborhood to see the properties that will be affected, I encourage them to do so. They will find a lovely neighborhood cared for by people who take pride in their homes and their families. Get out of your car and go meet these people. These folks should have been extended the courtesy of timely communication from the JCPS long before it became public news.
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