Letter to the Editor – ‘I’m on Team Yountville’ — a plea for civility in heated debate
Dear Editor,
“Which side are you on?” a friend recently asked me, with a twinkle in her eye. She was referring, of course, to the now-delayed Yountville Commons project.
I paused before answering. “I’m on Team Yountville,” I said. “I want what’s best for the town.”
It was not the answer she was looking for, but it was the most honest one I could give.
The fact that we are now talking about “sides” saddens me. This is not a soccer match. I believe that nearly everyone involved, whatever their position on the project, wants what is best for Yountville. At least I hope so.
For the record, I am glad the project has been paused. From the beginning, I have had concerns about parking and cost, and once more information came out, unit size joined that list as well.
But I am even more concerned about something less tangible and potentially more damaging: the tone in town.
People are angry. That anger is now showing itself in ways that should concern all of us. For me, the tipping point came near the end of the public comment period at the March 17 Town Council meeting.
A woman from Burbank Housing stood up to speak after a long and animated series of comments. There had already been charges and countercharges, with applause breaking out for speakers the crowd agreed with, as though we were watching a sporting event rather than neighbors and citizens trying to wrestle with an important issue.
Her name was Jocelyn Lin. I do not know her, but I came away feeling as though I should apologize to her on behalf of my town.
Lin said Burbank supports the project and believes it would provide much-needed workforce housing. She also said the proposed financing and phased approach were thoughtfully structured and consistent with how affordable housing projects are often funded. “If you understand how affordable housing works, you understand bonding capacity, you understand how you can apply for low-income housing tax credits, and those are the sources that will fund housing developments.” I found that interesting and wanted to learn more.
At that point, the room erupted in laughter. Some people shook their heads. Yet Lin, whose organization has decades of experience building and managing affordable housing, remained calm and continued explaining how affordable housing financing works.
Whether one agreed with her or not is beside the point.
The question is this: Is this who we want to be?
You may watch that exchange here and decide for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/live/RoHjpAImBE4?t=2271s
I worry that we will lose something essential about Yountville long before a shovel ever hits the ground. Yes, many residents are disappointed and frustrated. Yes, perhaps the town needs to consider a course correction on this project and/or provide better communication on next steps. However, if we lose the ability to disagree respectfully, the damage will extend far beyond any one development proposal.
We should be able to debate an issue passionately and still sit down together afterward at Pancha’s and share a beer. We should be able to state our views before the council, in front of cameras and neighbors, without being mocked or shouted down. We should extend the same respect we would hope to receive.
Let us correct the process, improve the project if possible, and have the debate Yountville deserves. But let us also bring back the civility that has long been part of this town’s character.
Let’s keep Yountville the heart of Napa Valley not only because of where we live, but because of who we are.
Sincerely,
Rob Wiley
Yountville
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