Winging it together

Published 1:03 am Friday, October 3, 2008

Have you heard the story about geese and why they fly south in the fall in a “V” formation?

By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

Basic truth No. 1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, the other geese honk, the goose suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone a quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the goose directly in front.

Basic truth No. 2: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going.

This story reminds me of our Friends of Tollgate Farm members. Our super-large and growing group (which includes citizens, school officials and personnel, clergy and the Snoqualmie Tribe) each move to the front of the “line” to carry out a task that will ensure Tollgate Farm will not be turned into an industrial “park” as big as Bellevue Square. It can remain a rural landscape, protected forever. Open space in general and Tollgate in particular were rated No. 1 in the recent North Bend poll, North Bend comprehensive plan and our vision study adopted by Ordinance No. 842.

Please call me at (425) 888-1824 if you would like your name added to the list of supporters.

For those who have not visited Tollgate Farm or experienced the breathtaking viewscape (and Ron Crouch’s cattle!), just walk or drive four blocks west of the downtown stoplight located on North Bend Way, or go three blocks west of the Tift Haus Restaurant.

We have a willing seller (the Miller family) and have the commitment of King County, Trust for Public Lands and, hopefully, Conservation Futures, so “the ball is in our court” to pass the necessary bond levy in September to pay our share.

North Bend will be defined not only by what we create but by what we refuse to destroy. The choice is ours.

JoAnn Klacsan

North Bend