AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 30
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Epstein: Let’s work together
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Growing up our front yard was the venue for a lot of neighborhood football and baseball games. It was big and flat, with few places to lose an errant ball.
Back then, in the absence of umpires and referees, we settled most disputes with a do-over. Let’s say a ball was hit down what passed for the first-base line. The batter always called it fair, the pitcher called it foul. The end the argument we’d agree to do-over — let the batter have another hack without penalty.
As we grew up we found that do-over’s became less frequent. In the big-people world there was no way to easily clean up a thoughtless comment to a friend, a regrettable one-night stand, selecting the wrong career path — those were part of our personal history forever.
But now our neighborhood and The Epstein School get a do-over. To recap the school wanted to expand its physical plant, add more students and make significant additions to its property. The neighborhood, and I live there, vehemently opposed the expansion plan. It was to have been decided this month by the city, but Epstein has withdrawn its application after discussions with fundraising consultants.
No doubt the school has not abandoned its plans. No doubt the neighborhood will be watching if Epstein re-applies in the future, ready to renew its protest. But here’s the cool part — this sets up both parties for a do-over.
I have no idea where the starting point is but now would be an ideal time for the two parties to sit down and see if and where compromise can be found. Indeed, the city recommended the two parties try and get together to seek some sort of solution before now.
The trick to making compromise work is willingness on both sides. Because while compromise gives all involved a portion of what they want, but it also takes desired things off the table. To get one has to be willing to give.
This has been a contentious period for both sides. Throughout the fall the idea of compromise seemed as likely as my dog Jake being invited to Obama’s cabinet. To date I have not heard anyone from the school, the neighborhood or the city step up with a plan that offers a real measure of common ground. The impasse remains even though the catalyst for it goes into limbo.
So how do the two break the ice? I’m not even sure that a compromise can be reached, but can we all agree that the attempt at a compromise is in order? We did it when we were kids and I always thought age was supposed to bring wisdom. Anybody up for a do-over?
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