An Open Letter to Council Member Pete Schwartz
Noblesville resident Angelle Hall forwarded us the email she wrote to her Noblesville Common Council Members, including her District 2 representative, Pete Schwartz about the gravel pit. We received her permission to share it publicly. If you also live in District 2 (west / southwestern Noblesville), you can reach Mr. Scwartz at pschwartz@noblesville.in.us
Pete Schwartz, Noblesville Common Council Member for District 2 | Photo courtesy of the City of Noblesville.
Dear Mr. Schwartz,
My name is Angelle Hall and I have lived in 7 states since 2004, and one thing I will say in the last 7 years of living in Noblesville, [is] I call this city my "home". Even as I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, no place has become more like home than Noblesville. The charm, communal feel, and the generosity of the neighbors of Hamilton County are just some of the glowing aspects of this city.
I have watched the city develop and grow over these last few years and while my husband and I live in one of the newest neighborhoods in the city, I can honestly say I am a big purveyor of bringing new businesses and jobs helping the city. Bringing jobs to the town and sustaining the livelihoods of employees and consumers to continue to bring food to their own tables is great, but I cannot in good conscience agree with this action of a gravel pit next to Potter’s Bridge Park.
As others have said, Potter's Bridge Park is iconic to Hamilton County. Many visitors, children, families, tourists, visit this park to connect with nature. I don't have to tell you that Potter's Bridge is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled parks in this county.
The impact on the neighborhoods surrounding the site are detrimental to the health and happiness of the community. As stated previously, the sights, sounds, and increased traffic will eventually want people to move away from Noblesville, thus losing local revenue for the city, and I don't envision it will be easy to bring new families into those homes surrounding the site.
I've done some research and found that it will take many years for this site to be a viable animal habitat. While the habitat is restored, it will take years for the natural flora and fauna to return, if ever.
We can't truly know the finalized impact of the gravel pit, given all the variables. I do believe that Chris Beaver has the best of intentions but doesn't appear to have done the best research in the impacted area.
I sincerely hope the Council will vote No on this action and deny any further consideration on this gravel pit.
Angelle Hall
District 2 Resident