A respectful group showed up to speak about Kauffman Park. (photo jim o'bryan)
Jim asked that I write a short piece about tonight's council meeting. Specifically, this is about Kauffman Park, which wasn't actually on the docket.
I didn't plan to cover the event, so I didn't have a notebook....I am writing from memory.
Others in attendance should feel free to add/refute anything here.
Turnout was pretty good for a council meeting...about double the usual.
The meeting went pretty quickly....the regular business took less than 40 minutes.
Kauffman was never mentioned during the normal meeting.
Five citizens signed up for the public comment, all regarding Lakewood basketball.
The first fellow simply said that he wanted to know what was up with Kauffman.
He then sat down....Chairperson Madigan pointed out that it wasn't actually a comment. The gentleman declined to speak further.
Then I got up and asked for the courts to be re-opened, and expressed my support for additional hoops at Wagar Park, which is in my ward.
I couched the discussion in terms of my lengthy history with City Hall, and reminded our officials not to focus on the complaints of a few over the needs of the many.
I also pointed out that noisy minorities are usually not viewed positively by history....I cited the Dog Park and "Gay Flagpole" kerfluffles of yesteryear as examples.
Ward 3 Councilman Shawn Juris, left and Cindy Marx Council at Large listen to residents speak.
Roger Sikes addressed the room, expressing his personal history of playing hoops in Lakewood as a kid. He explained how basketball had a positive influence on his life, and echoed my comment that the courts should be re-opened.
Sean Wheeler, a longtime Lakewood resident and teacher, expressed his disappointment at seeing the courts closed when he walked by last week. He mentioned how much he enjoys seeing his students and former students playing at courts in Lakewood. He also told a great story about serving as batboy for his grandpa's softball games at Harding, then going over to play night basketball at the Harding hoops.
Art Gold also spoke in favor of opening the courts. He mentioned the importance of basketball to our youth.
One of the speakers (either Sean or Art) recalled the fact that the LHS basketball teams were recently recognized at a Council Meeting, and that many of those players have played at our outdoor hoops.
After the public comments, Mayor Summers addressed the issue.
He said that he closed the courts on May 21 due to public safety concerns (I don't remember the exact phrasing he used), and he said that the situation still exists today.
He offered no details on the threat, citing privacy issues.
He expressed his support for outdoor basketball, recalling how he supported the efforts at Lakewood Park.
He laid out four key points, which I don't exactly remember. Perhaps Stephanie or Pete could elaborate on this.
Tom Bullock expressed his personal respect for all of the evening's public commenters, and his support for Lakewood hoops.
Ward 2 Councilman Sam O'Leary speaks eloquently while Councilman-At-Large Tom Bullock dreams of his youth.
Sam O'Leary was supportive of the speakers, and said he looked forward to adding additional hoops in the future.
Cindy Marx thanked the commenters, and encouraged them to continue attending council meetings and communicating with council members. She wants council to know what the public thinks on the issue going forward.
Everyone involved (mayor, council, public) was extremely polite and respectful of each other's comments. Everyone also expressed willingness to work together not only on Kauffman, but on additional hoops going forward.
