You are my North Star

Dear Howard,

Thank you to the many residents who took the time to send emails, messages, share comments, and stand in opposition to the recent proposal to expand True North.   Your level of engagement has been inspiring, and showed just how deeply you care about our community.

After the hearing, I was asked why I am so opposed to this proposal. The answer is simple:

I represent you — not outside special interests. My responsibility is to listen to the people who live here and advocate for what’s best for our community.Your message has been clear and consistent:  Over the years, I have canvassed Pinecrest three times, knocking on just about every door — many more than once. Each of those conversations has shaped my understanding of what residents want and expect. Residents are frustrated with traffic and the impact of cut-through congestion in our municipality.This expansion invites even more traffic into an already congested area — an area packed with five schools within a .29 square mile radius that already hosts 4,800 students daily. Simply put, this will only make a bad situation worse.The residents will always be my North Star. Your concerns guide my decisions, and I will continue to stand firm in putting our community’s needs first.I remain committed to preserving and improving the character of Pinecrest. Our community’s charm, safety, and quality of life are worth fighting for, and I will never waver in that commitment.The mitigation plan raises serious concerns. Claims that traffic can be limited to a 10% increase appear unrealistic given the scale of the expansion. Equally troubling is the lack of clarity on how any traffic limits would be enforced.

This time, the vote didn't go our way.  It was close: 3 to 2, and I thank Councilman Greenberg for standing with me.  While I believe my fellow Councilmembers are well-intended, we disagree on this issue.  It is not easy to navigate these waters, and we must always strive to do it with civility. 

Pinecrest has faced tough challenges before, and we have come out stronger.   Together, we will continue to work toward solutions that protect the values we share and the community we love.  May it always be that way in Pinecrest.
Thank you for your trust and your continued support.
 
Committed to our Community,
Shannon Del Prado