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by the town toward a new comprehensive plan that will hopefully serve to preserve and protect what is special and unique about Washington in the face of the inevitable challenges the future holds for us.
The commitment of the council to this planning process, manifested in its support of the “Future Committee” during our tenure and by engaging the professional services of town planner Milton Herd in the face of vocal and at times volatile opposition to doing any planning at all, is a worthy example of representative government working for the people, providing leadership rather than conceding to the demands for decision-making by referendum.
Dr. Young in his letter indicated that I will continue to serve as chairman of the new Steering Committee that will work with Mr. Herd in the coming months. While I -would like to have completed what was started in June of 1995, I concluded some time ago that as is too often true in the politics of our town this issue had become personalized. When that happens rational discussion is overtaken by allegations of ulterior motives and hidden agendas and what is in the best interests of the town becomes the, loser. To hopefully restore the focus to the Town’s best interests, I did not volunteer to serve on the Steering Committee.
I believe the planning process for the future of the town is in good hands with Mr. Herd and the Steering Committee to be appointed to work with him. What kind of town we want and more importantly what kind of town we will have 10 or 20 years from now will depend upon whether all the rest of us are willing to give the time and effort in the coming months to be constructive participants in an contributors to that process.
RAY GOOCH
Washington
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