What would you say about the beavers if you knew the mayor was listening? You might say when you first saw them, or what it means for your family to come down in the evening after dinner. You might say that your relatives came from out of town and surprised you by asking to see them because they saw about them on the news. Maybe you are one of the many landowners along the creek who tell me at the farmer’s market each week how they enjoy the contact with wildlife in their own backyards. Or maybe you are no friend of the beavers and want to say so. Hopefully while you’re waiting in line for your turn you’ll hear such great music and meet such nice people we’ll change your mind. But either way, you’re welcome to speak.
I met a familiar older gentleman at the market last sunday whose expression hardened when I told him about the festival. He has been on all sides of the beaver issue, and spoke for them at the November 7th meeting. He told me, “Its not like I don’t like the beavers exactly, but I don’t like that group of people”. Hmm. That’s a mighty big group of people, stretching from school teachers to waitresses to shell workers to librarians to the homeless. Of all that group, many neighborhoods and many towns even, surely there are a few you can like?
If you need to be reminded that the wide cross section of beaver support stretches across all kinds of people, look back in time at this video. Public comments starts at 48:00. If nothing else this should inspire you with lots to say during your moment on camera. This was uptown, downtown, out of town, and all the places in-between.
The Video Letter project will be at the North End of the park, marked by a large beaver photo. Our own wildlife photographer Cheryl Reynolds will record your thoughts, and I’ll put them together with footage from the day to send to the Mayor and City Council. I’ll make sure they’re posted where we can all see too.
