Thanks to everyone for the great turn out at the Oct 26 meeting of the West Chester Regional Planning Commission to discuss a proposed road through the Gordon Natural Area (GNA). The meeting started with an hour and a half presentation by two consultants: McMahon Associates (traffic study, road design) and Brandywine Conservancy (ecological and cultural impacts). They were supposed to be presenting the results of a draft report that came out in Sept. 2004 recommending a single-lane road through the GNA (on the existing road bed) as a viable alternative to making intersection improvements along Rosedale Ave. However, their presentation made it clear that they were leaning away from the GNA road as a viable alternative. During the question/answer period, the consultants finally agreed that they would put the GNA road in the category of "eliminate from further consideration." I think it helped that more than 60 of the 125 attendees were GNA supporters wearing "NO ROAD" badges. So it now appears that the Planning Commission will not be supporting any type of public road through the GNA.

However, near the end of the meeting Dr. White (West Goshen Township Supervisor) said he didn't care what the commission recommended, he was going to continue to try to build the road. So we still have our work cut out for us. We are now starting initiatives to win support for the GNA from West Goshen residents. We are also scheduling a meeting with Dr. Adler for late November to discuss the possibility of the upper administration of WCU giving some additional formal protection to the GNA.

I'm asking everyone in SSN north to please keep the "NO ROAD" signs in their windows if it is not too inconvenient. We need to continue to build support for the GNA on campus. Other signs referring specifically to the Oct 26 meeting are being taken down. Thanks again for all your support, it was great to see so many BIO faculty, students, and alumni turn out for the meeting.