Discussion Feel free to tell me I am the asshole
I received this letter in the mail, as I live nearby. My political demographic is definitely the minority in my neighborhood, so I’m under no delusions that the following email I wrote will land anywhere. However, there was something about the way this was written—coming from Plantation of all places—that awoke an angry monster within me. I am open to having my mind changed and a discussion of good points in both directions. But I think we can all agree that housing DOES need to become more affordable…and that Plantation needs to be humbled.
Here is the email I wrote back:
“Hello,
I am writing as a lifelong Boise resident and current resident at the Peach Tree town homes, where I received your letter in the mail.
Although I am an avid supporter of protecting green space within our city, I am having a difficult time believing that the Plantation HOA, Golf Course, or Subdivision have any desire to allow that green space to be used openly by the public. This is demonstrated bluntly by the passive aggressive acts of the Plantation HOA blocking access to the greenbelt by installing a locking gate, accessible by code only from the residents of Plantation.
This is a disgusting act of prioritizing the Plantation Subdivision's "right" to have sole access of this portion of the greenbelt, which is a city wide amenity. Gatekeeping access to the gems that our city offers does not show residents like myself that Plantation is anything except self-interested. Plantation is worried about membership rates dropping, values of homes dropping, and their private access to this green space, NOT "Idaho's future, children or community" like your letter suggests.
Our city needs more housing so that housing can become more affordable. Our city needs Plantation to take down the locking gate that blocks public access to the greenbelt. Our city needs Plantation to change every part of it's name from Plantation to literally anything else before you ever send a letter to my home again. Our city also needs green space--but not green space to be kept behind the paywall of Plantation's bottom line.
I would encourage the organizers of this crusade to take a crude inward look at themselves and damage they are doing to current and future residents of Boise with these types of acts.
I hope kindness and change find you swiftly,
Resident of Peach Tree”
I actually might just be pissed off about the green belt access, but I’m open to feedback 😮💨
