Date: February 19th, 2010

Dear Somerville Dog Owners and Friends of Somerville Dogs,

Please support off-leash recreation in West Somerville and come to the meeting of the BOA Special Committee on Parks and Open Space, Monday, February 22, at 7pm at City Hall on the second floor.

The BOA (Board of Aldermen) received a total of ten letters in support of off-leash recreation in West Somerville! Great work everyone in writing letters to the BOA! The Board directed our letters to the Special Committee on Parks and Open Space.

BOA Committee meetings, like BOA meetings, are open to the general public. At Committee Meetings, as at BOA meetings, the public does not have an opportunity to speak. Nonetheless, these meetings are important opportunities for us to demonstrate to our elected representatives our commitment to this issue. The Aldermen will know why we are there--especailly if we are all wearing som|dog buttions (which I will provide)--and our presence does make a difference!

On Monday evening the Committee (comprising Rebekah Gewirtz, Ward 6, Chair; Maryann Heuston, Ward 2; and Sean O'Donovan, Ward 5) will discuss the issue and get input from city employees who work on parks and open space. The Committee will then make a report on their discussion, perhaps a recommendation on the issue, to the whole Board, possibly at the next BOA meeting (Thursday, February 25, at 7:00), which we also would need attend.

In addition to wearing som|dog buttons at the meeting, we will all be wearing smiles. This is not a contentious meeting: The members of the Parks and Open Space Committee have received overwhelming support for off-leash recreation in West Somerville, and we have every reason to expect that their discussion on Monday evening will be a sincere effort to find a solution that addresses the many and diverse recreational needs of people who live in West Somerville. The magnitude of the effort the Committee makes will depend on the number of dog owners who come to hear the discussion! Please do come to this important meeting!

If you haven't already seen it, check out the piece in the Boston Globe about all the letters!
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/02/18/somerville_considers_dog_park/

Cheers,
Michele
with Strummer (standard poodle)

P.S. Please make other arrangements for your canine companions; Dogs are not allowed in City Hall.

Michele Biscoe
Chairperson
Somerville Dog Owners Group (som|dog)
www.somdog.org

The Somerville Dog Owners Group promotes responsible dog ownership, safe and legal options for off-leash recreation, and open space for all in Somerville, MA