To the editor:

It’s refreshing to see Mick Palmer’s “Your Turn” in the Journal-World (Dec. 28), regarding the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association and plans for the Ninth Street Arts Corridor project. I am also an East Lawrence resident and I attend monthly ELNA meetings. I’m not a board member but I speak up on various issues.

Palmer mentioned the meeting at New York School on Dec. 1, organized by city staff and ELNA, where 100 residents and city staff spent one and a half hours discussing the project. This meeting was very cordial, and consensus was reached to proceed with input from all parties concerned. Regrettably, one of our main detractors, Commissioner Jeremy Farmer, was absent.

Unfortunately, the Journal-World didn’t send a reporter/photographer to this meeting. Coverage of this event might have mitigated some criticisms of ELNA

It’s disingenuous to criticize East Lawrence for wanting to have a say in what happens in our neighborhood. Would anyone stand by while other people make plans for them?

Another problem is that a real estate developer has been involved in attempting to buy properties along East Ninth Street. This developer is also on the board of directors at the Lawrence Arts Center. Isn’t this a conflict of interest?

ELNA meetings are open to the public. You are welcome to observe our monthly meetings, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the first Monday of each month, at the New York School library. Our next meeting is this Monday, Jan. 5. Please come.