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Posted by: Anonymous (tee236@aol.com) on 3/23/1998@00:58hrs:
In Reply to: Re: Say No to Group Home posted by: Old Timer on 3/21/1998@21:56hrs:
First of all, after reading all of the responses I have had a change of heart, I thank everyone for enlightening me on the subject. I :-)
Change of Heart...
Please keep in mind this has nothing to do with the people with the disabilities....I seem to be getting bashed for that.
I am renting on this block and my concerns written in the letter ARE genuine! I'm concerned for my children and the well being of the community.
The organization that presented or should I say shoved this at us left us with little information ......they just told us how GREAT THEY ARE and that they are moving in!!!!
What is a normal first response when you feel you are being invaded upon by an unknown source ? DEFENCE . Our defence is aimed the organization not the cause or the need at hand. The source of defense comes from the lack of the organization's presentation and tactics.
Originally the organization told us they were only placing 5 adults then the number rose to a total of 8 people (three in a respit program). Then, they told us they are in contract to purchase this home. They tried to explain about their organization in a short period of time at a Community Board Meeting. They expected us to sit back and accept it.
I feel as do others on this block, if this organization came to us and explained more about there organization, and educated us more, prior to going to contract we would have accepted them with OPEN ARMS.
Ex. They could have approached us individually prior to the meeting explaining in detail about their organization. (They did this after we were on the defense)
They could have had employees from their organization come to us and explain their organization.
Then they could have offered tours of their current locations and surrounding areas. (they did offer this but, after the fact).
Our first Line was defense, this is for the well being of the community. In the interim, some residents of East Tenafly went to neighborhoods of existing group homes. This is where we found how some of our visions were blurred. The residents in the surrounding community we pleased with these homes.
After speaking with others and the responses on the web(I tried to ignore the hateful tones in the responses and weed though to the point) I have a change of heart, but I find it hard to trust the organization for failing to explain the correct number of people in the proposed facility, and forget there arrogance. But in time this will probably be forgotten. Then we can all move on with our lives and get along.
Maybe if this where presented to this community better, the circumstances would be POSITIVE. Please forgive my arrogance and lack of education on this subject.
I now feel this would be a positive factor for the well being of the community!
Change of heart.
Tom
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