Letter to the Editor

It’s not about dogs, it’s about community

It’s about the people, the friendships and the familiarity with others who all come together with a common interest – the love of outdoor recreation. We don’t want to play competitive sports, we don’t want to pack a picnic lunch, we don’t want to organize activities or commit to a schedule for events, we don’t need specialized equipment, and we don’t require special facilities.

Our recreational use of Fleet Peeples Park is not labor intensive, and it does not drain the resources of the city government or require a special entry on the annual budget. At the same time, we contribute to the economy of our community by fostering merchants who provide goods and services for our companions, which range from veterinary services to gift shops, boutiques to dog food supplies.

The people who come to Fleet Peeples Park are not activists, they are not advocates, they do not want or seek to have an organization, they have little or no interest in fundraising or commercial endeavors, they are not political and do not espouse any political views. These people are only known to this community because of a singular interest — the use of this park for their recreational enjoyment. The only reason the people of Winter Park have donated to Fleet Peeples Park is to preserve and enhance the availability and continued existence of their cherished outdoor recreation.

The constant and relentless assault on our citizen’s quest for quiet enjoyment of this publicly owned recreational park has been no less than unconscionable. Despite the fact that the people who frequent Fleet Peeples have no political agenda, there is no dispute that the dog issue has affected the outcome of our civic elections. The resolve and commitment of the dog owners should not be underestimated.

Continually being provoked to become politically motivated has only served to create disharmony in our community and distrust of our local government. It is not now or has it ever been the desire of the dog owners to form a political action committee or other civic entity to fight City Hall. We do not want to field political candidates to champion our cause. We only ask to be treated with civility, dignity and respect. We only ask that once a vote has been taken and an issue has been resolved, it be put to rest. We have no appreciation or respect for underhanded tactics and shenanigans that cause issues to be revisited on a monthly basis until the outcome of a vote can be changed by wearing down the prevailing sentiment of the community.

The people of Winter Park have generously contributed more than $45,000 in addition to the taxes they already have paid to a capital expenditure fund to guarantee the continued existence of this park. This money is intended to be gifted to the city so as to not create any additional tax burden to the community in these trying economic times. Rather than rewarding and applauding them for their accomplishments, you condemn their efforts and threaten to revoke their right to the enjoyment of park.

What is most egregious is the capital expenditures entailed for the park improvement are not intended for the benefit of the very people who are being asked to raise the money. This expenditure is being imposed upon the current patrons of the park to subdivide the park and create a separate facility with an unproven and undocumented purpose or need. It is time for our government leaders to stand back and take heed of the sentiment of a major constituency in the community and move on to more pressing issues facing our community and its government.

—Charles Namey

Winter Park