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Mr. Neige
Blanc, chair of the Bid Committee calls the special meeting of the 12 person
group to order to discuss how BREATH’s proposal to ban traffic in the downtown
area will impact Ramford’s Olympic hopes.
Aviola
Branchiole presents the plan, which proposes to exclude cars and trucks (except
for deliveries) from the entire downtown area between the hours of 7:00 AM and
4:00 PM and completely from the historic district which would be turned into a
“walking mall”. She cites the
air quality data, school children’s health issues, and the citizens groups
that support this idea.
A very
lively discussion erupts at the conclusion of the presentation.
Mr. Cole
Hardcash representing the merchants association states that this plan will not
only kill Ramford’s Olympic hopes – it will kill downtown business all
together!
Ms.
Ampere Wattage the president of PROFIT states that the members of the group she
represents will not support this idea. She
expresses concern for the health issues but points out that the businesses and
industries in this area will be negatively impacted to the point of laying off
the parents of the children in these schools.
Ms. Betsy
Ross-Hamilton, president of the Ramford Historical Society speaks strongly in
favor of the plan because of the health issues and the benefits to the
historical buildings. She suggests
that an environmentally friendly downtown with good air quality will help
Ramford’s bid for the Olympics.
Mr. Blanc
states that the committee is moving toward antagonistic positions that could
lead to its inability to put together a viable proposal, which will benefit all.
He explains that a successful bid necessitates weaving together support
from the members of the community as well as business owners and operators.
Mr. Blanc
suggests that perhaps there could be a compromise position that the committee
could support. However, after one
more hour of discussion the committee is no closer to agreeing on a single
issue. The meeting breaks up with
strong words exchanged between several members.
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