Letter to Editor: Past performance is the best predictor of future performance
Dear Editor,
The Yountville Commons project was under development for roughly two years before being presented publicly in February of this year. During that time, one Town Council (TC) member was notable for raising questions and concerns about the project’s scope, scale and development timeline: Councilmember Hillery Trippe. The referendum launched in March ultimately halted the Commons project as envisioned by the current TC and validated many of the concerns raised by Councilmember Trippe and members of the community.
This November’s ballot will include two incumbent council members, and the mayor, who will stand for election. The newly elected TC will be tasked with reimagining the Commons project, a process that will challenge the TC, town staff, residents and business interests to address two important imperatives: the town’s property-use requirements under Measure S and the state-mandated affordable housing requirements. Establishing a clear vision shared by the town and its stakeholders, working within the constraints of cost and ensuring that the necessary resources and infrastructure are available to support and sustain development, will be among the new council’s most important responsibilities.
“Past performance is the best predictor of future performance” is a common maxim, and it has particular relevance as the town embarks on a project that will have an impact for generations to come. Councilmember Trippe’s prescience during her first term on the TC, along with her willingness to publicly raise questions and concerns, demonstrates the kind of leadership and independent voice that mark her as a leader in town governance and a voice worthy of support for reelection to the Town Council.
But to be clear, achieving a successful outcome will require considerably more than any one councilmember’s contribution. It will require the entire council to reevaluate the decisions made by the current sitting council and approach the Commons reimagining with honesty, respect, transparency, meaningful stakeholder engagement and a commitment to the best interests of the town. This is the task that Councilmember Trippe and those newly elected to the TC must lead.
Stephen Becker
Yountville
Stephen Becker is a member of the Hillery Trippe campaign committee.
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