July 6, 2016
Dear Ms. Weimer:
First, we would
like to thank you for the opportunity for the public to receive more
information on the Indiana Dunes State Park project on July 16, 2015.
We received your
email on July 6 stating that the format for the meeting is still being
finalized.
Since there have
been several differing news reports about the format, and the meeting is
fast approaching, we would appreciate receiving the ground rules as soon as
possible.
We would also like
to request that you eliminate the requirement that questions be
pre--submitted via email.
We believe this
requirement sends a negative message and may not provide a balanced
discussion. If questions must be submitted in advance, we think that equal
time should also be given to questions from the floor during the meeting. In
addition, the public should have the opportunity to rebut answers and/or
provide follow--up comments.
While we appreciate
your providing a public forum, we do not think that Pavilion Partners has
lacked the opportunity to be heard.
Pavilion Partners
held an open house at the Tourism offices on April 6, but chose not to
address the public at the April 15 meeting.
They have a
generous press interview available on video at The Times Online, and it
appears they may have been given time to present before other groups.
Most of all,
Pavilion Partners has a public relations specialist at their disposal, a
spokesperson who has access to all the facts about this project, and who has
been quoted in the press.
The format used at
the April 15 meeting with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources was
effective and well--received. That format allowed each audience member 2
minutes, both for asking their question and presenting comments. We
respectfully urge you to follow this format in order to allow the maximum
public participation.
We are sympathetic
to your need to keep decorum in the meeting and to make it informative. We
also hope you understand there is a deep need to make this meeting as
inclusive and as open as possible.
Sincerely, Desi
Robertson, Dunes Action!
cc: Mitch Peters,
President, PCCRVC
Porter County
Council Members
Porter County
Commissioners