We need you.
Tonight is very VERY important. Tonight all of us must fight to keep CrossFit Somerville, here, in Union Square.
What we have worked so hard for, is in jeopardy. All of the information can be found on the blog, which has been at the top of the page all week long. We need your help. The future of this establishment rests in the hands of the Aldermen of Somerville. And we need every single person possible to be there to voice their reasons for us to stay. This is absolutely serious, guys. I refuse to have this place torn down through the decision of a few people with zero frame of reference for what we do and what we hope to accomplish.
Please, if you are around, make your way to Somerville City Hall and help us fight this battle.
Strength
Power Clean 1-1-1-1-1-1
WOD
AMRAP 8
6 Thrusters (95/65)
8 Chest to bar Pull Ups
To be clear: Yosh is angry. (I think Ben is angry, too, but that may be unrelated.) I am not angry. I personally understand that Somerville wants to improve Union Square, and I think CrossFit Somerville is a HUGE part of doing exactly that!
We just need to help the city understand just how important CFSV is to Union Square.
Tonight, even if you’re not a resident of Somerville, come on down. We’re meeting at City Hall at 5:45pm on the second floor. The meeting starts at 6pm. Get there when you can.
Even if you’re not a Resident, you can tell the Aldermen just how often you come to Union Square as a result of CFSV, and how much money you spend in the nearby businesses when you’re there! CFSV is good for Union Square, and good for all of us. Let the Aldermen know!
I’ll be there! My Mom was a trustee on her town board for a long time and has done a lot of work to make sure that there is responsible development in the town. She had lots of thoughts but one thing she reiterated is that anger/hostility is NOT the way to go in these hearings. These people have run for and been elected to office because (presumably – we hope) they care about the city and its future – they might not understand CFSV’s role in that but a group of well-spoken, respectful citizens is certainly a good way to educate them.
I’m Alicia’s mother, and as Alicia said, I have had years of experience, both as a resident and as a Village official, working to ensure that our Village character (that includes business diversity, housing, aesthetics,and quality of life) remains even as we move forward.
When participating in a meeting such as tonight’s, don’t forget that you are all ambassadors for CFSV. Look professional, be respectful, be concise as developers are both slick and smooth and, yes, they are your competition! Try to distribute the presentation of reasons for keeping CFSV at the current location amongst a number of you. A bunch of people saying the same thing makes the board get bored. You want to keep their minds engaged in your argument. Of course, there are only so many things to say so some might be redundant, but with a little more detail or a personal view, the conversation keeps going and important points keep being driven home.
And the most important thing to incorporate in your whole defense is that CFSV is a vital part of Somerville 2012. I was in that area (Union Square) for the first time about 3 years ago, and I would not have considered returning, even for a visit, had it not been for seeing signs of revitalization in the form of a great looking yoga studio. Amidst an atmosphere that appeared more downtrodden than not, there were signs of hope and renewal that were obviously driven by people who believed in making a difference in the area. By taking the property over and razing the building, the city will effectively snuff out the spirit of entrepreneurship that makes a community.
Unless an area already has interesting or historic architecture, people don’t go there just for commercial buildings. Perhaps the developers are talking about a bigger tax revenue to the city of Somerville. You need to know if that’s part of the revitalization plan and, if so, what sort of tax incentives are the government officials offering. Sometimes it’s a wash.
I wish you all well in this, and if there’s anything more substantive I can do to help CFSV please let me know.
I couldn’t agree more with every piece of this.
Coaching point: tell your story. Tell how CFSV is unique and important to you and to Union Square. Help them understand the extraordinary love and connection that this community generates!
Thank you for this information. Letting them know we shop and play in Union because of CFSV is so important. Thanks again
and let’s remember that the plan says nothing about CFSV – it refers to an auto repair facility. As of this moment, nothing documented (that I know of…) shows any interest on the part of the aldermen to close down CFSV – nonetheless, the argument needs to be made vigorously that they should choose not to when the question is put before them.
I am planning on being there tonight as well. We will amrap the shit out of this city. I will personally burpee all over each and everyone of their faces regardless of the outcome just because we love to do burpees. No one even knows what that means, but its provocative.
I’m going to emphasize JT’s point and say that going in angry and demanding the city change their plans or else is going to be counterproductive: like it or not, they have all the power in this situation short of legal action, so the best approach is to play the political game, as distasteful as it is to me to have to beg anyone in a situation that should be governed by straightforward property rights.
Let’s get this resolved quickly and amicably so we can get back to forging powerful athletes. Just my $0.02.
“that should be governed by straightforward property rights.”
yup.
pc: 205#
wod: 5 rds even
definitely angry.
PC: 115#…found my plateau. i can hit this, just not consistently.
WOD: 3+13 Rx. One pull up shy of 4…grr. C2B pull ups are not my friend.
PC: 100# solid, 105# wobbbbbly.
WOD: 5x + 8. @65# and green band.
http://amrapjokes.tumblr.com/post/28072769625/what-people-think-when-i-say-thruster
nice jorb josh for newly band-less PU = Rx!
BAHAHAHAH
Is anyone else competing in the Spartan Beast in Killington, VT this Saturday? If so, I will see you there!!
PC = 85# PR but efforts to duplicate were met with craptastic failure
WOD = 55#, green band 6rds + 6
Power Clean: 205# PR felt really good! felt I still could add more weight. Just need to widen my stance.
WOD: 4rds + 6