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Post by title1parent on Jun 6, 2008 6:44:17 GMT -5
Most Metea neighbors happy to welcome school
By Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald Staff Published: 6/5/2008 5:01 PM | Updated: 6/5/2008 9:06 PM
For several years, many residents on Bennett Place in Aurora's Cambridge Chase subdivision have enjoyed the relative peace and quiet of the farm abutting their backyards.
They even looked forward to the St. John AME Church that was scheduled to open there.
Never, however, did they guess that their yards would overlook the new 3,000-student Metea Valley High School along nearby Eola Road.
But they will, within two years. And for the most part, neighbors appear fine with it, thanks to the cooperation they say they've received from Indian Prairie Unit District 204 officials.
Pradeep Pavuluri, president of the Cambridge Chase Home Owners Association, said neighbors briefly erupted several weeks ago when the first site plans were released.
"We saw construction routes running parallel with our yards, buses potentially idling within feet of our bedroom windows, and a parking lot and stadium full of lights," said Pavuluri, who lives along Bennett Place. "But we quickly had a very productive meeting with (Aurora) Alderman Lynda Elmore and school officials and they addressed every one of our concerns.
"Now, just about everyone here is very, very happy that the high school is going ahead."
With the help of Elmore, Pavuluri said homeowners were able to meet twice with district officials to get their concerns heard.
Most, he said, are satisfied with the district's promises to install a berm and six-foot privacy fence along the property boundary, to limit buses from idling for more than five minutes and to keep parking lot and security lighting aimed away from their homes.
District project manager Todd DePaul said all of the requests are being honored in the final plans being submitted to Aurora in coming weeks.
"They were all reasonable requests and things we could easily accommodate," DePaul said Thursday. "We've pledged to be good neighbors, so that's what we're working on."
Elmore said any correspondence she has received from her constituents has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Everyone is thrilled where it's being positioned in my ward," she said. "For them, this is a convenience that they're looking forward to enjoying."
Dale Cox, who also lives along Bennett Place, said she knew the farmland wouldn't be there forever so she has no problem with the school.
"We're really easy-going people so we're just thankful for the peace and quiet we've enjoyed for the last six years," she said. "But some school-generated noise isn't going to affect our quality of life."
At Tuesday's Metea groundbreaking ceremony, Superintendent Stephen Daeschner thanked Cambridge Chase residents for their patience and willingness to work with the district.
"They've all been really great and understanding as the project has gotten under way so I suspect we'll have a great relationship," he said.
Elmore was equally complimentary to the district.
"The school has been absolutely delightful to work with," she said. "They've addressed every issue that we raised. If that's an indication of things to come, I don't see how we can't be top-notch neighbors to each other."
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Post by warriorpride on Jun 6, 2008 7:08:34 GMT -5
It's very nice to hear about the cooperative efforts of Aurora and the School District to address people's issues and concerns. The SB/Admin don't seems to get much public acknowledgement for the good that they do (especially recently).
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Post by Arch on Jun 6, 2008 7:44:49 GMT -5
"Everyone is thrilled where it's being positioned in my ward," she said. "For them, this is a convenience that they're looking forward to enjoying." ------
Unfortunately, it's also very inconvenient for certain attendance areas.
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Post by warriorpride on Jun 6, 2008 7:52:43 GMT -5
"Everyone is thrilled where it's being positioned in my ward," she said. "For them, this is a convenience that they're looking forward to enjoying." ------ Unfortunately, it's also very inconvenient for certain attendance areas. Arch, honestly, it really can be drag to hear a negative spin on practically every 204 topic. Part of the healing includes not being so negative all the time. We understand & acknowledge your's and other's unhappiness - but I don't think we need to hear about it 24x7x365 here.
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Post by Arch on Jun 6, 2008 7:57:59 GMT -5
"Everyone is thrilled where it's being positioned in my ward," she said. "For them, this is a convenience that they're looking forward to enjoying." ------ Unfortunately, it's also very inconvenient for certain attendance areas. Arch, honestly, it really can be drag to hear a negative spin on practically every 204 topic. Part of the healing includes not being so negative all the time. We understand & acknowledge your's and other's unhappiness - but I don't think we need to hear about it 24x7x365 here. Sorry you don't like to hear the truth. Sweeping things under the rug or just turning up the volume on the YeeHaw! parts doesn't make it any better either.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Jun 6, 2008 8:11:24 GMT -5
I think this is a great step toward healing the district and I am glad it was written. Granted, those in the "affected" areas that are not happy will not see this as helping them any. But it is a good step. People were concerned and voiced that concern in a constructive way and it was addressed. Why some people are frowning on this is beyond me. Is it because it doesn't affect them personally? Maybe with some patience, communication and cooperation can be restored throughout the district.
Sometimes I wonder why the SB should even bother trying to extend an olive branch when there is an entire board out there with negative comments about them at every turn. My goodness, people take an innocent 8th grade graduation ceremony and blame the SB for the fact it was boring!
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Post by gatormom on Jun 6, 2008 8:11:39 GMT -5
At the groundbreaking, working with the neighbors was brought up. I think it was Dr. D. who mentioned the flood over there.
I am glad to hear about the privacy fence. The HS I attended had a terrible issue of students wandering over to neighbors homes and sitting in their yards after school.
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Post by warriorpride on Jun 6, 2008 8:14:25 GMT -5
Arch, honestly, it really can be drag to hear a negative spin on practically every 204 topic. Part of the healing includes not being so negative all the time. We understand & acknowledge your's and other's unhappiness - but I don't think we need to hear about it 24x7x365 here. Sorry you don't like to hear the truth. Sweeping things under the rug or just turning up the volume on the YeeHaw! parts doesn't make it any better either. It's not a matter of not wanting to hear "the truth" - how many people here have to tell you that we ackonwledge your's and other's unhappiness? I doubt many people are 100% happy about everything in 204. But we've managed to move on. I refuse to be a part of a forum that just spews negativity all day long. So, either: 1) clean up your act & stop with being so negative about everything 2) take a break from the boards 3) I will ban you - I might get in trouble, but I don't care 4) I will go start my own forum Yesterday, you said what you wanted, in order to mend things, was MW going to WV - I don't think that we can help you with that. If you won't be happy until that happens, then it looks like you're going to be unhappy for a long time. And I'm not interested in hearing about it every day for the next 6-7 years. This has nothing to do with me or anyone else being insensitive to people that are majorly unhappy. We'd like to help - but the manner in which you're posting insn't very conducive to people wanting to help. And until you can come up with more realistic things that would make you happy, you're stuck. This might open old wounds, but I actually stood up for MW - I sent boundary feedback when it was being solicited for Eola & I suggested that MW go to WV - I think that others here did, too. It didn't turn out that way. I'm sorry. Nobody on this forum was part of making the final decision. Why are you angry at us? And maybe you'll say that you're not angry at us, but your posts are angry and I don't think there's any way that we can help you with that.
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Post by Arch on Jun 6, 2008 8:41:59 GMT -5
WP, I appreciate everyone's acknowledgment about the situation. You do, however, make it sound like you only want to read what you wish to read on here and anyone posting to the contrary of the 'happy feeling' might get banned?!?!?!
Moving on involves future plans to make things better. Sorry if the squeaky wheel makes it obvious from the get-go where things can be made better in that future.
I fail to see where you think I am angry at you for the situation. You're not on the SB nor part of the administration so I really don't understand why you'd personally take that feeling upon yourself.
Out of curiosity, if your area got assigned to NV instead of MV a stone's throw away would you be donning the smile and shutting up about it? Would you be singing the happy tune of how great it is for the district that you have that assignment? I won't even bring up my continued concern I have about my kids being in an area with my favorite pieces of metal. Those risks being mitigated further would help take the edge off my uneasiness w/ being assigned there. I just have the feeling in the back of my mind that some years down the road this decision will be looked back upon as a "what the he** were they thinking?" and I hope to God I'm wrong about that.
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Post by gatormom on Jun 6, 2008 8:44:38 GMT -5
WP, I appreciate everyone's acknowledgment about the situation. You do, however, make it sound like you only want to read what you wish to read on here and anyone posting to the contrary of the 'happy feeling' might get banned?!?!?! Moving on involves future plans to make things better. Sorry if the squeaky wheel makes it obvious from the get-go where things can be made better in that future. I fail to see where you think I am angry at you for the situation. You're not on the SB nor part of the administration so I really don't understand why you'd personally take that feeling upon yourself. Out of curiosity, if your area got assigned to NV instead of MV a stone's throw away would you be donning the smile and shutting up about it? Would you be singing the happy tune of how great it is for the district that you have that assignment? I won't even bring up my continued concern I have about my kids being in an area with my favorite pieces of metal. Those risks being mitigated further would help take the edge off my uneasiness w/ being assigned there. I just have the feeling in the back of my mind that some years down the road this decision will be looked back upon as a "what the he** were they thinking?" and I hope to God I'm wrong about that. So start a thread on mitigating that stuff. I am sure that as a community, you would have wide spread support. If you want to change something as important to you as that, I am sure others will join you.
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Post by specialneedsmom on Jun 6, 2008 8:45:33 GMT -5
I don't think from what I read that Arch is mad at anyone on the boards. I think there is entirely too much time spent on everyone trying to convince everyone else that their way is the right way. We all have our own spin on things based on our experiences. If you plan on banning anyone for their opinions then I think that is censoring that is inappropriate. The best way to censor opinions you don't agree with is to ignore them and move on.
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Post by warriorpride on Jun 6, 2008 8:58:11 GMT -5
WP, I appreciate everyone's acknowledgment about the situation. You do, however, make it sound like you only want to read what you wish to read on here and anyone posting to the contrary of the 'happy feeling' might get banned?!?!?! Moving on involves future plans to make things better. Sorry if the squeaky wheel makes it obvious from the get-go where things can be made better in that future. I fail to see where you think I am angry at you for the situation. You're not on the SB nor part of the administration so I really don't understand why you'd personally take that feeling upon yourself. Out of curiosity, if your area got assigned to NV instead of MV a stone's throw away would you be donning the smile and shutting up about it? Would you be singing the happy tune of how great it is for the district that you have that assignment? I won't even bring up my continued concern I have about my kids being in an area with my favorite pieces of metal. Those risks being mitigated further would help take the edge off my uneasiness w/ being assigned there. I just have the feeling in the back of my mind that some years down the road this decision will be looked back upon as a "what the he** were they thinking?" and I hope to God I'm wrong about that. This forum is for sharing ideas and opinions. "I'm unhappy" while technically an opinion, doesn't really add much value to the conversion if it's interjected in every conversation, IMO. I'm not going to answer what-if scenarios that would never happen. If you recall (you can probably find my post on the old board if you want), I did state that with some of the possible BB boundaries, my area would have gone to MV and it would have added, I think, 2 miles to our HS commute - I think that's comparable to the MW situation and I was Ok with that. Regarding site safety - have you contacted the SB? I've contacted them (well, one member) about the p ipelines & options for increasing the safety measures already in place - haven't heard back - I'll post any repsonse I get.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Jun 6, 2008 8:59:05 GMT -5
If people are unhappy with the district, then by all means, like GM said, start a thread that is constructive. arch, I am sure your energy and doc's energy can be redirected toward organizing something for the good of the district. Send us a link where we can write letters to KinderMorgan. Put a thread in about how we can make suggestions for improving communications w/in our very large district. I know you guys are doers and not just ones that sit around on your butts and complain. And if you feel the district is ignoring you, then enlist the help of some of us who don't normally send 25 emails a day to each board member. Maybe as a group, we can brainstorm about the best way to address things in order to get them done.
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Post by warriorpride on Jun 6, 2008 8:59:47 GMT -5
... The best way to censor opinions you don't agree with is to ignore them and move on. ok - not bad - I may try that, too
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Post by Arch on Jun 6, 2008 9:34:25 GMT -5
Regarding site safety - have you contacted the SB? I've contacted them (well, one member) about the p ipelines & options for increasing the safety measures already in place - haven't heard back - I'll post any repsonse I get. Correspondence had already been sent to the entire board and administration that spelled out the concern and also sent to ISBE officials. To date, only AT replied with the expected "Thank you for your concerns" standard reply.
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