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110) <br /> ev,„ <br /> T he Emily Program o�g11 <br /> 20�0 <br /> Personalized treatment for eating disorders. C/7'),CFORONO <br /> March 19, 2010 <br /> Dear Mayor White and members of the Orono City Council, <br /> The Emily Program is formally withdrawing its application fqr a Conditional Use Permit for the Hill School <br /> property in Orono.We have stopped efforts to purchase th: site. <br /> From the start, our vision was not only to create a haven w ere people could heal from the devastating <br /> effects of eating disorders, but to be a good neighbor in yo r community, i.e., preserving and enhancing <br /> a historic property, putting it back on the tax rolls, creating obs,etc. <br /> Based on the lack of support for our CUP application,we m st conclude that we either failed to <br /> communicate our vision, or you, as city leaders, believe this vision to be incompatible with your <br /> community values. <br /> These past weeks of delays and uncertainty, coupled with a climate of fear and misinformation, have <br /> convinced us that, despite Orono's unique beauty, it is not place where we would be comfortable <br /> bringing our staff and clients. <br /> That said,we walk away from this experience with gratitud and lessons learned. <br /> We continue to receive an outpouring of messages of support(and now,apologies)from many Orono <br /> residents.These positive messages far outweigh the dialoge from those who opposed our efforts.This <br /> is what we will remember from our interactions with the citizens of your area. <br /> We also will remember the hard work and dedication of Pla fining and Zoning Coordinator Melanie <br /> Curtis, and others at the city office,who were kind, courteous and unfailingly helpful throughout the <br /> past few months.We recognize our CUP application was a new experience for many involved.All of us <br /> were learning along the way. <br /> Perhaps the biggest lesson for The Emily Program is that th re is much education and advocacy yet to be <br /> done to quiet the culture of fear and misinformation that st II surrounds eating disorders and other <br /> behavioral health issues. <br /> Our commitment to speak up is stronger than ever. <br /> GY-44444.41• <br /> Lindsay Brown <br /> Director of Business Development <br /> Main Phone (651)645 5323 www.emilyprogram.com <br /> J <br />