Reprinted with permission. If you haven't done so, share your thoughts with the City: AllCouncil@springsgov.com Copy these interested parties who should see it all: news@csindy.com, news@kktv.com, news@fox21news.com, news@koaa.com, krdonews@krdo.com, friendsofcheyennecanon@gmail.com, cory@medwheel.org, savecheyennemountain@gmail.com Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council Members, I am a long time resident of Cheyenne Canon and have owned a business in Colorado Springs since 1996. My neighbors and I are very concerned about the proposed land swap between the city and the Broadmoor. You will be doing a great and permanent disservice to our community if you indeed give up Strawberry Fields to a private organization. Regardless of your assurances as to the rules by which a private owner would have to adhere to regarding future development of this pristine piece of property, many homeowners and taxpayers in the surrounding neighborhoods are vehemently opposed to it's sale. Concerned citizens are keenly aware of the close relationship between city officials and the Broadmoor, as well as how easily zoning designations can be changed through an "administrative review". Additionally, deed restrictions usually have no enforcement authority and often expire once land is sold again - even with a perpetuity clause. It is ludicrous to ask Colorado Springs citizens to believe that with first right of refusal we could someday buy the property back from the Broadmoor if they were to sell it. It is highly unlikely that the Broadmoor would ever sell such a magnificent property, and if they did, the cost to the city would be prohibitive. A subsequent buyer (or shell corporation) could then own the property deed-free. One can only imagine what kind of high-end, gated and restricted development would eventually occupy this land, to which the city would most likely sign off on so as to acquire the significant tax revenue. In this day and age, it is unfortunate, but sadly true, that we the people will rightfully question the motivation and eventual ramifications of selling public land to a private party, regardless of the initial executed legal agreement. It is your duty and responsibility to serve the needs of and protect the citizens of Colorado Springs. If you are complicit in "swapping" one of our most beautiful and valuable pieces of public land, you will eventually be viewed as guilefully representing this "deal" and forever remembered as city officials who wrongfully took this land from the current and future generations of citizens you were elected to represent. Lisa Gerleman