I am writing to encourage individual community members to re-consider plans to picket the Capital Playhouse tonight. It is my personal belief that this will only accomplish creating deeper divisions between various groups within our community.
While I understand that the intention is raise awareness of the opposition to the newly enacted Sidewalk Usage Ordinance, I do believe that this demonstration will further polarize our community.

I would like to invite community members to engage in dialogue aimed at bringing various perpectives out into the light of day and find creative solutions that take into account the various concerns and lived experiences.

A friend of mine who is an Appreciate Inquiry Facilitator, attended the Town Hall meeting in September. Following the meeting, she shared with me her observations that it seemed the community members were talking AT each other and not WITH each other. She has since offered to train a Steering Committee made up of community members and leaders in the appreciate inquiry process with our wider community aimed at opening up channels of dialogue, getting to know one another's perspectives, wants and needs in life and begin to find creative solutions to complex community issues. I have mentioned this offer to the City Council and will continue to follow up with individual council members about utilizing her knowledge and training. I mention this, because it is my belief that this form of communication may be much more effective in bringing our community together to meet the needs of both those on the streets and those who are housed. What do you think?

Another opprotunity to get involved is the Community Forum on Homelessness scheduled for next wednesday (7-9 p.m. at the Olympia Center). Food will be provided by Food Not Bombs. the intention of the forum is to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of homelessness. Please join us.