A letter to the membership and supporters of the Hanover Historical Society from your president… Dear members and supporters, With regard to recent events concerning the ball field renovation project and anticipated destruction of the historic bur oak trees in Settler’s Park, I offer the following: Several of you have taken up the cause and were heavily involved almost a year ago when City Council voted last March to go forward with this project without the benefit of a public hearing. Members of our organization and citizens opposed to the project attended both the City Council and Park Board meetings in a valiant effort to persuade city leaders that destroying the historic trees for the sake of a large ball field, was something none of us could not support. As for myself, I have been figuratively, “slugging it out in the trenches” on this issue since July of last year. I have been publicly berated, belittled, yelled at, taunted, and labeled an obstructionist by the proponents of this project. I have spent countless hours doing research in an effort to understand why it’s so important to the “powers-that-be” to go forward with this, and why they won’t seek a compromise that does not result in the destruction of the trees. I have requested meetings with both the leadership of Hanover Youth Ball and the Athletic Association in order to seek a compromise and yet my requests have been ignored. I offer none of this as an excuse for my recent actions, but merely as a testament to my personal commitment to this worthy cause. We have been fighting an uphill battle since this was introduced. I sincerely believe neither organization had a reason to meet with our organization because they’ve held the proverbial high ground for so long. They have continued to devise strategies to move forward in spite of significant setbacks and public outcry. All of that changed at the February 7th, 2017, City Council meeting when 2 council members courageously voted to not accept the donation for the project. Rather than accept the results of that vote knowing it would financially doom the project, the proponents of the project demanded that council take action. In turn, they received a “do over” vote that will take place this evening. Did I go too far by calling out the President of Hanover Youth Ball? Perhaps. There are casualties in battle and one casualty in this case was good judgment. For that, I do apologize. In retrospect, I should have consulted our board members for guidance when I discovered conflicting statements while researching previous City Council meeting minutes. Publishing a tabloid-like exposé was not my finest moment. I truly believe all of our efforts have kept the trees alive thus far, and in spite of my recent indiscretion, ask that you stand united in our continued effort to save the historic bur oak trees in Settler’s Park. I hope you’ll be there this evening for the City Council meeting. Humbly Yours, Michael Kehn President Hanover Historical Society