Petition Letter to Members of the
Mecklenburg County Commission

March 10, 2006

At Large:
Parks Helms 704-372-4884 PHelms@helmshenderson.com
Wilhelmenia Rembert 704-336-2641 wirembert04@bellsouth.net
Jennifer Roberts 704-336-2574 Roberjw@co.mecklenburg.nc.us

Districts:
1 - Jim Puckett 704-363-1379 jhpucket@bellsouth.net
2 - Norman A. Mitchell, Sr. 704-399-3061 normanam@aol.com
3 - Valerie Woodard 704-537-8958 2woodard@bellsouth.net
4 - Dumont Clarke 704-331-1051 dumontclarke@mvalaw.com
5 - Dan Bishop 704-716-1202 dan@votedanbishop.com
6 - Bill James 704-336-2573 wjames@carolina.rr.com

Dear County Commissioner,
Approximately 150 households have already signed petitions to oppose the sale of corporate naming rights or "sponsorships" in Freedom Park.

A growing number of patrons adamantly oppose the introduction of advertisements, corporate logos, identity campaigns, marketing, and sales into Freedom Park. Articles have appeared in the Charlotte Observer about selling marketing rights in Freedom Park to Scott Clark Toyota and the Observer has editorialized against the plan.

I urge you to review the petition and comments submitted by many of the petitioners. http://www.enjoylifenow.com/PetitionComments2.7.06.html

Many of us feel your decision on this matter will determine the future of Freedom Park. If it is allowed in Freedom Park, the Scott Clark Toyota marketing plan is the first of others to come.

As in other Freedom Park preservation campaigns, such as to save the older cherry trees or to prevent the installation of a national tourist attraction (Freedom Bell), we are once again seeing fundamental values and concerns overshadowed by short-term financial or administrative ones. Once again, some park officials may be missing the main issue.

The plan to cut down the cherry trees forgot or ignored that the cherry trees are park icons with tradition, history and meaning. The Freedom Bell was to serve tourism, but ignored the needs and wants of local park patrons, neighbors and taxpayers.

Now, patrons are asking that Freedom Park be protected from commercial influence. The term "oasis" is often referenced. As commercialism grows and intensifies in every other area of city life, the park's non-commercial value to the community increases. Yet, the Scott Clark Toyota proposal ignores this fundamental value or even seeks to eliminate it. It treats the park merely as a commercial marketing venue and a new funding source for government. The core issue of the value that local patrons place on Freedom Park as a non-commercial and public space is missing. As the obvious reason for rejecting the car dealership's proposal one petitioner stated simply. "Because it's a PARK!"

Others have used the term "sell out" to describe the plan of park officials to raise money by selling marketing rights in the park. There are obvious benefits to Scott Clark Toyota and there may be benefits to park managers who must meet budgets. But, these benefits are at the expense of park patrons and the park itself. Please don't sell out the park patrons -- the ones for whom the park operates. Please don't sell out the veterans of World War II, the people and their memory to whom the park is dedicated. Please don't sell out Freedom Park. It is public, not private. It belongs to all the people.

I will be happy to discuss this with you. I have spoken and corresponded with many people about this. I am a native of Charlotte and my family has lived near the park for nearly 60 years.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Robert L. FitzPatrick

Friends of Freedom Park
C/O Robert L. FitzPatrick and Terry Thirion
1522 Lilac Rd. , Charlotte, NC 28209
704-334-2047, Fax 704-334-0220
fitz3034@bellsouth.net