Not in my backyard! [41]

My dream run on this issue seems to have come to an end. We had a meeting where I had a personality clash with X&Y's next door neighbour. Now I have received this email:

"You have done a fantastic job in building community among us over the last couple of months.

We don’t really understand what happened the other night but need to acknowledge it and figure out whether/how we can keep working together. Can we make a time to talk about what happened at the meeting on Tuesday night.  Maybe we could meet at [a cafe we both like] after work tomorrow.
X&Y"

I have been impatient to get an association formed, and have become sick by taking on too much. The neighbour was supposed to be coming in to help us get the numbers to form an incorporated association. Instead he began to quibble and drag out a minor point in our constitution, talking over the top of everyone. I walked out of the meeting after expressing some anger. I have had difficulty a year ago trying to work with a committee with him on another issue. He seems to effortlessly hijack the agenda and dominate with a voice that cannot be ignored. 

I am proposing that he and I meet alone to address our difficulties, and that I agree to meet with X&Y separately. 

Not in my backyard! [40]

I was greatly heartened after meeting with the minister and his staffer. I was surprised to find that he had allocated as much as 45 minutes, and even more pleased that he stayed for 75 minutes. I felt that we had touched on every issue that was important to me. I decided he was a very likable and approachable man. I also felt encouraged to believe that the decision about the nightclub would go the way I wanted it to. 

We discussed the possibility of community involvement in future planning decisions, and I was very much encouraged to believe that it would be welcome. 

In contrast last night's meeting with the core group was frustrating and conflictual. Half an hour before the meeting with the minister I discovered I would be going alone. I hope I can get back to a more collaborative working arrangement as soon as possible. 

Not in my backyard! [39]

I spent the weekend on other business, and on recovering from my cold. It seems to be very slowly improving. I have decided not not to see Jack today. We always sit outside and it would not help my cold. I will stay inside and work on the community newsletter I do every month. 

I was very pleased to be contacted by the office of the local Minister for Planning last week. I will go to see him on Wednesday with two of my colleagues. 

[later...] My conscience about not seeing Jack was relieved when I phoned him. He told me he could not come today. He sounded weak and was still in bed at 9:30 am. The weather today is cold and gloomy.

Not in my backyard! [38]

I have just sent out a press release to two local papers and a progress report to the 118 people on my email list. My cold is not getting worse or better. I want to relax this afternoon with some hot soup before I go out to another meeting this evening on another issue. 

I am pleased to see I have now had 600 visits to my blog. Yesterday I got my first visit from Mexico, from an Institute of Technology in Valle De Santiago. Now that I have broadband, I used Google maps to see where that was. A few days earlier I had a visit from Canada, but not the first. 

Not in my backyard! [37]

Three of us met last night - two were away - to discuss forming an incorporated association. I need to write the minutes today. I must write an email for our supporters, explaining why the reports in the local papers about no nightclub being planned should not be given much credence. 

Car sharing with my friend Patience [2]

I am up early because I have slept 3.5 hours and that's how it seems to be with me now. I had the alarm set for 3:30 am because I am picking up Patience from a Greyhound bus terminal at 4 am.

I dropped her off at the terminal on Sunday night at midnight. She went to Melbourne overnight, which took eight hours, and spent the next three days with her family. I had the use of her car for three days as part of the deal, but I was able to do everything on my bicycle.

We both do this for the environment. Soon we will begin to feel the effects of Peak Oil and those who learn to adapt ahead of the crisis will fare best. Patience was visiting one of her two grandchildren.