As of now this Open House format is designed to diminish the sharing of the public's feelings and comments with the larger group. FBRF will update the public with information as we get it. Our goal, which is very difficult, is to make the DNR Amendment process transparent.
Comments from former DNR employee
"Sounds like this master plan amendment is to be pushed through and approved at light speed (for the DNR anyway). I’m sure orders are to get it done quickly before “statewide” public opposition can grow too large for them to ignore."
Comments on this DNR OPEN HOUSE format from James Rowen, of the Political
Environment Blogspot.
'Open house' format can smother golf course debate
[Updated from 8/13/17] A word of warning about the open house to which state officials are inviting the public to 'learn about' a proposal to redo the master plan for Kohler Andrae State Park and enable the construction of a privately-owned high-end golf course partially inside the park and on 247 adjoining, privately-owned acres.
"Open house."
Sounds great. Neighborly. Real informal. 'Stop by for cheese and crackers and a Leinie's or a glass of Cabernet, and let's just talk...'
I have been to many such public policy open house presentations, and they can put the sponsoring authorities in command of the room by spreading out poster boards and maps and staff members to answer the public's questions, and they direct people to disparate public comment stations where court reporters can take down or accept written comments - - but open houses do not provide an opportunity for people to address concerns or voice questions to the entire room so that everyone can hear the same answers and to spark follow-up inquiries.
And in the open house announcement I linked to, above, I see a lot of language that puts the public in a passive position vis-a-vis the powers that be:
The public will have an opportunity at an upcoming open house to learn about the scope and objectives of the proposed master plan amendment for Kohler-Andrae State Park related to a golf course proposed for property adjacent to the park. The public will also have an opportunity to identify pertinent issues to be evaluated in the planning amendment process.
Passive especially since the DNR has assigned staff to work closely with the developer for a couple of years to address pertinent issues behind closed doors.
I have actually posted about a couple of such events, and I'll add the links below, but unless the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board are going to allow amplified questions and answers, this is going to be a dog-and-pony show designed to let the state say they were transparent when the exact opposite is the intention.