“This Earth is on fire” is how Greta Thunberg addressed the United Nations on Sept. 20 when discussing global warming. And her message resonated with nine-year-old Elbridge Gale Elementary School student Skyler Peterson, as reported by WPEC CBS Channel 12, who wants others to join him at the Wellington Village Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. and explain to the council why the approximate 32 acres of deeded preserve land (one deeded forever preserve) should not be rezoned.
You can see the first tract while traveling on Forest Hill. Here you can enjoy a nice relaxing tree canopy before you start to see Starbucks and the Vitamin Shoppe. The intended use, if re-zoned, is for another restaurant. And this makes you wonder why can’t the business establishment use the empty store buildings behind Starbucks. At least two building spaces are now unoccupied.
The other tract is across the street from the CMX theater at the mall. The intended use, if re-zoned, is for more housing. Already built there is Axis, as well as a nursing home and a rehab facility. Already, Wellington Bay, a luxury senior living housing development, is expected to have units available in summer 2021. So why not leave this preserve for the birds to habitat?
Skylar brought all 25 of the letters from his class to Councilman Tanya Siskind, who listened to his concerns. She said their opinions will be considered when the proposal comes to a vote on Monday, Oct. 7.
Come to think of it, it is going to take all voices of school children from elementary to college to affect change to be more environmental. So, we are having two contests on what school has the most turnout on Oct. 7. The first will be from 5 to 6 p.m. near the Starbucks/Vitamin Shoppe, and the second will be from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. at the eternal flame at Wellington’s Patriot Memorial. Here is your chance to use Facebook and other social media to make a difference. If we have more than 2,000 people — school children and Wellington residents — mail a letter, phone, protest and attend the meeting, then we will make that change.
Diane Rice, Wellington
Did Ms. Siskind charge each kid a dollar to voice their opinions to help pay off the debt she and her husband have accrued from their lavish lifestyle? How much has she been generating from her votes and the schemes of her husband?