Say 'No' to naysayers

Issue 1 isn't what you think it is. Franklin I need not list off the innumerable achievements our great city has witnessed throughout the past decade or so. You all see them every day, when you are walking your dog or driving to work or biking with your kids. However, these achievements we see in our neighborhoods and downtown are not the defining moment of our community's ability to thrive. Sandusky's success story is not rooted in any one building or pier or park; Sandusky's success story is rooted in you. The progress our community has made would never have been possible without the grit, hard work and dedicated support of its backbone — you. No one company or committee or commissioner is responsible for our comeback community. It is the collective spirit of strength within the residents of Sandusky that has led it to this point. So when I heard a group had formed with the sole purpose of falsely persuading residents that the city we built was fraught with disaster and dismay, I had no other option than to be furious. They attack the city officials, corporate partners and community leaders who are often mistaken for being the foundation of our community's great revitalization. But my fellow citizens, they're really attacking you: the mothers and fathers hoping to raise their children in the best environment; the hard-working taxpayer who finally is reaping the benefits of their dollars; the young people, finally being offered the most recreation opportunities and public park space in a generation; the small business owners, who finally have a fighting chance; the elders, who finally get to see their hometown winning again. You have created Sandusky's renaissance, yet they see it as our ruin. And how bold of them to label themselves as "Sanduskians for Sandusky," when they spend their days shaming the tenacious spirit of their fellow Sanduskians. This is not the first time I'm addressing this kind of group, though. When I was 15, I was chosen to serve on the Jackson Street Pier steering committee as a youth representative. I vocalized my hopes and dreams for the waterfront pier but was met with fierce opposition from a number of these parallel actors. They called me all kinds of names on Facebook, like I am sure they will after this, and tried to intimidate me into silence as a sophomore in high school. It was not until then that I realized how far people will go to stop progress. Issue 1 is entrenched with fear, divisiveness and dissolution from a small minority who want more power for themselves while sacrificing the progress you have sparked. They are doing the same thing to all of you that they did not me; trying to intimidate you into silence. But just like I did with the Jackson Street Pier, we have to stand up with our heads held high unafraid to be proud of what we as a community have collectively accomplished. Issue 1 is not about parks or public land, because if it was the organizers would spend more time out in them than on Facebook. It is about attacking every bit of energy and enthusiasm you have sacrificed for the betterment of Sandusky. If you are thinking of voting "Yes," ponder how that may really just be a vote against you. You are the reason Sandusky is a success story. Believe in yourself. Believe in your community. Vote "no" on Issue 1. Tyler P. FranklinSandusky