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r <br />What is your view of the role of the Commission? <br />Webster provides five definitions for 'he word "park", most of which assume that the <br />land is privately owned and/or utilized for some commercial purpose. However, there is <br />one definition which I believe should guide the decisions and actions of the Parks <br />Commission: <br />"an area maintained in it's natural state as public property". <br />(Webster's New College Dictionary/. <br />My belief is that the Parks Commission must acknowledge and balance the concepts of <br />demand, preservation, access, vision aiid accountability in carrying out it’s mission. <br />♦ Demand: The incredible growth of Orono and the western suburbs has put increasing <br />demand and pressure on existing parks resources. This must be acknowledged, <br />especially as it relates to future parks planning. <br />♦ Preservation: The need to preserve and protect the unique open space feeling and <br />resources which attracted all of us to Orono in the first place. <br />♦ Access: The recognition that Parks resource must provide access to all Orono <br />residents who fund the parks Commission ’s efforts through their tax dollars. <br />♦ Vision: A vision for the future of Orono and a mandate to anticipate, rather than react <br />to, future parks needs and opportunities. <br />♦ Accountability: A recognition that the commission must be fiscally accountable for <br />it's actions. <br />1