For those of you who care or are following this issue as it relates to the proposed Eden Seminary master plan, its implications for the separate Webster University master plan and whether Webster U crosses Lockwood and, importantly, the impact on our Webster Groves community.... 

Who will step up, take charge and lead this 3 month, prolonged debate to a successful resolution? 

Personally, I feel we residents have had plenty of opportunity to say all we have to say on the issue in three public hearings, plus any other emails and letters to the editor we may have also written.  Despite this, there is still no resolution. 

As such, to me, the only way this matter is going to get settled is the old-fashioned yet proven effective way: by having the leadership of the three entities - Eden Seminary, Webster University and the City of Webster Groves - sit down together at one, common table and have a honest, serious and constructive dialog and work toward and reach a creative compromise and mutually-beneficial win-win-win collaborative solution everyone can unconditionally support. 

To be successful, such a "summit" takes leadership, vision and the values that make up the true character of our Webster Groves community: trust; compassion; empathy; generosity; acceptance; collaboration; partnership; and unselfishness.  And it is hoped that every participant follows their own conscience, judgment, heart and voice and not be influenced by  residents both for and against. 

It is now 4 weeks away from the next City Council on August 21.  Can such a summit be held beforehand?  My bet is that Mayor Gerry Welch, Webster University President Beth Stroble, and Eden President David Greenhaw, all outstanding people and leaders of their respective institutions, urgently want such a meeting to happen and may be working toward it.  But the resident grapevine says it is not yet set up.  So back to my original question: 

Who will step up, take charge and lead this 3 month, prolonged debate to a successful resolution? Mayor Welch?  President Stroble?  President Greenhaw?  All three?  Best of luck to all involved in finding the win-win-win solution that finally resolves this important issue. 

Dave Buck

Webster Groves