To the editor:
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As I told the writer in our prior phone interview, in the two hours (not entire “weekend”) that I spent working at the North Center (not “North Town”)/Lincoln Square Neighborhood Association festival booth, one woman (not “a lot of unhappy neighbors”) expressed discontent over the noise level of the festival.
I did not say, “But the school hasn’t shown interest in preserving what was unique about the neighborhood before they moved in, the things that fostered a sense of community, the diversity.” What I said instead was that Old Town School of Folk Music has been perceived as a catalyst of change in our neighborhood, along with a thriving economy and the gentrification that has been creeping up the north side. I did say that the school should realize the effect it has on a neighborhood and work with the community, especially in light of the fact that as a school of folk music they believe in preserving traditions. I did say that they had already offered, during the community’s campaign to save the Davis theater, to have a benefit performance to fund the theater. I also expressed my desire to speak to Gail Tyler, acting executive director of OTS, regarding the school’s involvement with the neighborhood. She and I have since spoken, and she is very enthused about meeting with our association and getting our input on next year’s fest.
President
