City Hall To Take Rec Department From Schools?
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:01 am
http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/media/docs_1387205074.pdf
The letter and resolution.
Last week I got an innocent enough note. "Lakewood Recreation Task Force Resolution"
which seems like no big deal. In the City of Lakewood, the Schools have always shared
taking care of the rec fields and duties with Lakewood Schools, with Lakewood PUBLIC
schools managing the sports fields and areas. Would it make sense to have one or the
other run it? It has been pointed out in many cities the Rec Department is run by the city, why not here?
WELL FOR ONE REASON...
The city cannot even take care of the parks they have now. Choosing to shut them down
early, making it illegal for law abiding citizens to even walk through them after dusk. While
it would be easy to say if they don't trust us, why should we trust them. The fact is the city
cannot be trusted with decision concerning residents, nearly every decision since Mayor
FitzGerald has taken something from residents giving it instead to business. Why should
we think a larger say in the Rec Department would be any different?
The schools just passed two levies and one Bond Issue based on how well they do
managing property, and students activities. A clear show of support, that must surely
extend to the way they run the Rec Department. Meanwhile the has only cut, cut, cut, cut,
cut, make us carry trash, cut, make us park elsewhere, cut, cut, make parks at dusk
illegal, cut cut...
Then there is the "Outside Influence Factor" that very few seem to even see or understand
and that is the "Private Schools" like St. Eds and LCA, need access to our fields, as they
have created their schools without space for baseball and recreation. While I agree they
need access to our parks, they should pay something for that access. To give them for free
erodes the value of the Public School System.
Then there is the 800lb Gorilla in the room. The Lakewood Soccer Association, which has
been trying to get our fields for free for years. They were offered to become part of the
Lakewood Rec Department, but have instead turned to lobbying, getting people elected
or appointed to public office, and doing anything to not come under the heading Lakewood
Rec Department, when all they would have to do is open their books to Lakewood Rec.
Again, should they get our fields, YES. For FREE, NO!
I would hope council realizes that they are overstepping their concerns, and should work
FIRST to keep our parks open before trying to take over the Rec Department. Show us for
a couple years how well you can run what you have, before looking for MORE!
Today is a vote for the City Council Task force, and in the message they use terms that
make it seem like The School Board President, Vice President and Superintendent are
in favor of this power grab. I do not believe that to be true after talking with them.
Let's get the parks open, the streets clean and safe, and maybe doing a couple smaller
things for residents before going crazy and wanting to run everything!
.
The letter and resolution.
Last week I got an innocent enough note. "Lakewood Recreation Task Force Resolution"
which seems like no big deal. In the City of Lakewood, the Schools have always shared
taking care of the rec fields and duties with Lakewood Schools, with Lakewood PUBLIC
schools managing the sports fields and areas. Would it make sense to have one or the
other run it? It has been pointed out in many cities the Rec Department is run by the city, why not here?
WELL FOR ONE REASON...
The city cannot even take care of the parks they have now. Choosing to shut them down
early, making it illegal for law abiding citizens to even walk through them after dusk. While
it would be easy to say if they don't trust us, why should we trust them. The fact is the city
cannot be trusted with decision concerning residents, nearly every decision since Mayor
FitzGerald has taken something from residents giving it instead to business. Why should
we think a larger say in the Rec Department would be any different?
The schools just passed two levies and one Bond Issue based on how well they do
managing property, and students activities. A clear show of support, that must surely
extend to the way they run the Rec Department. Meanwhile the has only cut, cut, cut, cut,
cut, make us carry trash, cut, make us park elsewhere, cut, cut, make parks at dusk
illegal, cut cut...
Then there is the "Outside Influence Factor" that very few seem to even see or understand
and that is the "Private Schools" like St. Eds and LCA, need access to our fields, as they
have created their schools without space for baseball and recreation. While I agree they
need access to our parks, they should pay something for that access. To give them for free
erodes the value of the Public School System.
Then there is the 800lb Gorilla in the room. The Lakewood Soccer Association, which has
been trying to get our fields for free for years. They were offered to become part of the
Lakewood Rec Department, but have instead turned to lobbying, getting people elected
or appointed to public office, and doing anything to not come under the heading Lakewood
Rec Department, when all they would have to do is open their books to Lakewood Rec.
Again, should they get our fields, YES. For FREE, NO!
I would hope council realizes that they are overstepping their concerns, and should work
FIRST to keep our parks open before trying to take over the Rec Department. Show us for
a couple years how well you can run what you have, before looking for MORE!
Today is a vote for the City Council Task force, and in the message they use terms that
make it seem like The School Board President, Vice President and Superintendent are
in favor of this power grab. I do not believe that to be true after talking with them.
Let's get the parks open, the streets clean and safe, and maybe doing a couple smaller
things for residents before going crazy and wanting to run everything!
.