Dec 15, 2007
DARIEN EDITORIAL
Anywhere but here
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"Not in my back yard!” Will that self-interested instinct become the dominant principle of all public discourse? The attitude characterized by the pejorative acronym “Nimby” — standing for “not in my back yard” — is one which seems to underlie far too many of today’s public debates. These protests are making it increasingly difficult to accomplish projects for the general benefit of the public.
Recently in Darien, neighborhood opposition has helped stall plans for lights at the high school football field, it has led to an absurd petition against the Darien Fire Department’s horn, and seems to be the motivating factor in the fight against airplanes flying over our town.
Of course, everyone has the right to raise concerns. No one should be denied their opportunity to protest and point out flaws in a project. Public officials, however well intentioned, however visionary their project, should never misuse their authority to jam something down people’s throats. (The Federal Aviation Administration used its authority to sneak its airspace redesign plan not down our throats but behind our backs.)
But with rights come responsibilities, and people have to accept that their neighborhood, too, may be asked to accommodate some public amenities — and necessities. Some neighborhoods have schools, stores and sidewalks where people come to stroll and jog. Others have highways and ball fields. There are commercial zones and condominium projects. Some folks put up with noise from trains rolling by, or long lines of commuter traffic backed up by their doors.
This week, the Board of Ed unveiled a compromise idea that could lead to lights being erected at the high school football field. Many neighbors are against the plan because they feel it would interfere with their quality of life and possibly reduce their property values. The athletic teams in town want a chance to play under the lights and many think that holding Friday night football games would be a great way to bring the community together — and provide a safe activity for kids.
The Board of Ed is obviously trying to reach a compromise that would appease the neighbors and still give the kids the thrill of playing under lights — and just more time to play.
The compromise plan, which will go before the public before it is voted on next year (and is not official yet), has some strict guidelines, many of which seem reasonable, such as setting limits on how late the lights can be on. However, two things stick out: At least one team must be from Darien to use the field at night; this would prohibit the town from hosting conference or state playoff games, which are generally held on neutral sites. The other ridiculous idea is that a visiting team cannot bring its school band. These two guidelines send a bad message. It comes across as that old Darien motto: If you’re not from here, we don’t want you here.
Darien High School has one of the premier athletic programs in the state (the Blue Wave won eight state championships in 2007). That means Darien played a lot of games at neutral sites in other towns across the state. Making this a rule, would tell the rest of the state: We’ll play where you live, but you’re not welcome here.
Neighbors may have very legitimate concerns. They should always have a forum to raise them.
But folks also ought to maintain a little perspective. Most of the time, it’s not the end of the world — or even a real problem. It’s just change.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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