Project Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Melanie Curtis From: Linda Cornelison [linda.cornelison@ihlc regiver.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 4:11 PM To: 'Linda Cornelison'; Melanie Curtis Subject: RE: Emily Program COUNCIL EXHIBIT B Public Comments / Information Hello, #13 In follow-up of my phone discussion with you today, please pass th s on to the appropriate individuals who are "against" the Emily Program coming into their Orono neighborhood or comrriunity in general. I have never contacted another community before but felt compelled to stand up this time. I do not live in your community, but have lived in Chaska/Chanhass n for 20 years. I been reading in many local papers in the last few days more and more details about what is happenin in Orono. Needless to say I am more disappointed and frankly outraged that in this day and age, a community like Or no would be so misguided, uneducated and non- supportive of, particularly young women and teens,with eating dis rders. Maybe there isn't anyone in Orono who has ever had or knows of anyone with an eating disorder? A well educated community like Orono should be more educated and empathetic versus hysterical, uneducated and unfeeling/caring to think that people with eating disorders, who may live in their neighborhood or community,would lower their property values or harm their children or result in polic calls more than "normal". The facts of the police calls to the Emily Program were very inflated. Believe it or not,you already have people living in your neighborhood with eating disorders,you just don't know it or people don't broadcast i ! In fact, it could be your wife,your daughter,your granddaughter,your employee, your co-worker,your neighbor an /or friend. Pretend it's your daughter or granddaughter; what message are your sending her? You're lowering my property value and the police may come to our house? "I don't want any chance of them harming my 15 month old baby" is quoted in the Lakeshore weekly news along with stating that the Target CEO who lives near the proposed location, Mr.Steinhafel, retaining a well known legal firm. I worked for a very large company and know what message that sends. Also noted in the local papers is that the Mayor, Mr.Jim White,was pressuring to have the permit withdrawn. I am glad I don't live in Orono,even though we considered moving there at one time and possibly in the future. I worked in Risk Management for a very large organization for many years and also have a master's in public health. I now own my own consulting business working in risk management. The risk to the public's safety and financial risk related to loss of your property values is just not there if you objectively analyze this with facts as it relates to a small group home for people with eating disorders. Guess what:your property values are more likely to be lowered from this bad press because it is a reflection of your communities values and,how the public servants lead and who has the influence in your community. It impacts Orono's reputation as we I as the citizens that live there. C I If this permit allows for the potential that a group home for sex off:nders or drug addicts/rehab. Facility can move in to the neighborhood or that location without further notification, ana ysis and approval then something should be done to allow for a separate analysis/approval. However, it is clearly,fro what many newspapers are quoting, not just this risk. The message that is clearly being sent to the surrounding corn unities is that Orono citizens and civic leaders "don't want this in your wealthy community/neighborhoods" and t at you believe you are immune from or blind to your wives, mothers, daughters,granddaughters, employees,co-worke s and citizens having an eating disorder. Maybe Orono should "send them to another community"for treatment. Hum: didn't this happen with Leprosy? It's 2010 Orono. 1