SCHOOLS AND A RIVER EASEMENT

Over the past few weeks I have read Letters to the Editor in support of Ms. Girvan’s run for Mayor. While I applaud public participation in the democratic process some of the claims made in these letters require clarification. More importantly statements made in these letters fail to recognize the hard work of others.

Several letters assert that Ms. Girvan is responsible for the construction of the City’s two new schools. These opinions are based on the efforts of Ms. Girvan and Mrs. Laura Bradshaw in their circulation of petitions in 2003 which were in support of the constructions of the schools. On May 23, 2003, the Free Lance Star ran a story on the petition effort. The petitions were subsequently submitted to Council on June 24, 2003.

However, voters should be aware that the construction of two new schools was already a topic of conversation on the council in 2002. Discussions with the School Board had already progressed to the point such that in a March 12, 2003 OpEd piece the then Mayor Beck proposed to begin construction of a new Upper Elementary School in 2005 and to begin a renovated or new high school by 2007.

By mid June 2003, Council had adopted, as recommended by staff, the Public-Private Education Act procedures, which provided the financial/construction mechanism for the schools. Council went on to work with the School Board to pick the site for the high school, and subsequently set a tax rate which would support the debt service for the schools.

While Ms. Girvan’s and Mrs. Bradshaw’s efforts, along with all those who assisted them, helped reinforce the effort to move forward, the majority of the credit for the schools' construction rests with the respective School Board and Council staffs who spent countless hours putting the financing, the process and the final construction agreement together. The point being made is that construction of new schools was in place and was supported by a council majority before Ms. Girvan's involvement.

Another inaccurate statement being made is that Ms. Girvan improved the River Easement. Throughout the discussions on the River Easement, Ms. Girvan made clear her opposition to third party easement holders and to making the agreement in perpetuity. In numerous discussions with Friends of the Rappahannock and Nature Conservancy representatives Ms. Girvan stated she could not support the easement in its "present form".

At Ms. Girvan’s request, Council did agree to have a review of the river easement done by an outside law firm. This review was carried out by Mr. John Lane of McQuire Woods who reported to Council on March 28, 2006 that the document, “Met the goals of the city and would protect the river.” He did not recommend any significant changes to the document.

The river easement passed without changes. The only affect Ms. Girvan's involvement had was to delay the vote at least a month. In making the easement a reality, the list for those responsible is long and at the top of the list credit should go to the leaders and members of The Friends of the Rappahannock, not to any single individual.

The theme of these Letters to the Editor has been leadership. However, taking sole credit for outcomes is not leadership; taking sole credit is unfair to the countless individuals and groups who truly deserve the credit; and finally, taking sole credit does not build community. Leadership is building consensus on an issue or issues. Leadership is being able to work with other Council members, city staff, and the public in a positive, productive manner. Leadership is recognizing your role in making Fredericksburg a better place to live. A true leader says "we" and not "I".