From this week's Observer, Chirstopher Bindel's article. "Councilman Shawn Juris (Ward III) asked if Councilman O’Leary had any ideas about what solutions he might be looking for. He continued saying that many of the issues mentioned in the statement already have ordinances on the books to deal with them and if there are issues they need to be reported so they can be enforced."
To everyone at City Hall, as a resident, and an Observer...
Before we move into talks of Recreation, Who runs Recreation, How big the Rec Center will be, or even how soon can it be built in the "Downtown" footprint, because if you are going to build something to lose money, might as well do it on valuable property...
How about, you do something to open Madison and Kauffman Park back to full hours, and who knows maybe more hours. As I look back over the records, I do not see where any of our parks were a "crime problem" and why Ward 3 Councilman would brand them as such?
It gets to a very basic question that you are asking all of us to deal with.
How can we ever believe you can handle the parks or rec department, when you admittedly can't keep two parks, clean safe and open? (Not my words)
I could care who runs the recreation department, but I would like to see they can do it, not just talk about it.
Keep the hamsters(Kauffman and Madison Park) fed and alive, then we can talk about letting you have a dog (recreation).
Give us our park hours back.
.
Re: City Hall, Please Try To Keep The Hamster Alive
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 8:34 am
by marklingm
Jim,
I don’t believe that Michael P. Summers has been a true fan of our Lakewood City Schools ever since the day our residents tossed him off the school board.
The fact that Michael P. Summers was defeated in his last, contested, city-wide election must eat away at Mike.
And elections do have consequences.
Our consequence of tossing Michael P. Summers off the school board might just be a bitter mayor.
While Michael P. Summers and City Council have endorsed past school levies and bond issues, those were politically savvy moves to make.
Our Lakewood City Schools is the best thing going in Lakewood.
Young families move to Lakewood for our great schools … not because of closed city parks … and certainly not for City Hall’s mismanagement of our open city parks.
Great schools make for a great community.
Let’s be honest.
Michael P. Summers and City Hall don’t really care about recreation.
It’s a pure power grab.
Michael P. Summers and City Hall can’t even name one city that has a recreation program that is better than the recreation program run by our Lakewood City Schools.
Oh, and Michael P. Summers and City Hall have told the residents that they fully intend to sneak a property tax increase by the voters to pay for their water slides to nowhere, right?
Hey, Michael P. Summers and City Hall, will you please go and leave our schools alone now!
Re: City Hall, Please Try To Keep The Hamster Alive
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:30 am
by Peter Grossetti
Matthew John Markling wrote:Michael P. Summers and City Hall don’t really care about recreation.
It’s a pure power grab.
Matt - you forgot to mention that there are a few former City Hall folks that are part of the power grab crew.
Re: City Hall, Please Try To Keep The Hamster Alive
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 2:23 pm
by marklingm
Peter Grossetti wrote:
Matthew John Markling wrote:Michael P. Summers and City Hall don’t really care about recreation.
It’s a pure power grab.
Matt - you forgot to mention that there are a few former City Hall folks that are part of the power grab crew.
Thanks for the reminder, Peter.
That is true.
But, in fairness, the former City Hall gang ... including their spouses and friends ... are busy preparing for the 2015 Hamster Games at the "Michael P. Summers Recreation Center & Natatorium" ... tweets and posts coming soon.
Matt
Re: City Hall, Please Try To Keep The Hamster Alive
Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 2:06 pm
by marklingm
Well, Jim, it looks like Mike Summers and his gang may have declared, "No outdoor basketball for you, Kauffman Park and LOBC!"
Is this retribution for folks like you daring to ask:
Jim O'Bryan wrote:How about, you do something to open Madison and Kauffman Park back to full hours, and who knows maybe more hours. As I look back over the records, I do not see where any of our parks were a "crime problem" and why Ward 3 Councilman would brand them as such?
It gets to a very basic question that you are asking all of us to deal with.
How can we ever believe you can handle the parks or rec department, when you admittedly can't keep two parks, clean safe and open? (Not my words)
When members of City Council asked about the parks, Mayor Mike Summers jumped in to admonish anyone who would suggest the parks aren't perfect and can be improved:
Christopher Bindel wrote:The first item of new business was a communication from Councilman Sam O’Leary (Ward II) on park safety, climate, and user conduct. In his communication Councilman O’Leary said that he knows that several of the points he raises have been ongoing conversations in Council and that he submitted his statement in the hopes of rekindling those conversations with renewed vigor. He said with the weather improving people will start flocking to the parks in greater numbers for many various activities. The challenge comes in making sure that one's uses of the park for their activity does not negatively impact the activities of others or the local residents. With countless uses for the parks, there are many areas of potential conflicts, however Councilman O’Leary states he has heard specific concerns about the skate park, outdoor basketball courts, offensive behaviors near Kid’s Cove, and the hours of operation of the facilities.
He said, "Our goal should be to enable family-friendly use of our busy parks by continuing to employ proactive, community-oriented strategies that facilitate adult presence in the parks and engage residents and stake holders."
Councilman Shawn Juris (Ward III) asked if Councilman O’Leary had any ideas about what solutions he might be looking for. He continued saying that many of the issues mentioned in the statement already have ordinances on the books to deal with them and if there are issues they need to be reported so they can be enforced.
Councilman O’Leary said that he did not have any specific legislation in mind, but rather wanted to start a conversation to review the current legislation to make sure it is accomplishing what it is meant to. Also he would like to involve some of the community partners as well as law enforcement and park security in the conversation so they can more fully deal with the spectrum of behaviors and issues being faced. He said that in his experience, and those of his constituents, it does not seem to be any one particular group of people or park that has issues, but that they arise from many varied uses at different times and at all the parks.
Mayor Summers said he was kind of confused by Councilman O’Leary’s letter. He said it made some pretty sharp specific points and that he thinks they deserve some serious scrutiny. He asked Councilman O’Leary to think about a series of questions for the discussion in the Public Safety Committee to help clarify his intent. The questions he asked were as follows: What issues do you believe have not been followed through regarding the City’s facilities? What groups are you referring to when you say one group’s use comes at the expense of another’s? Can you be more specific regarding the offensive behavior at the skate park and basketball courts? What offensive behavior did you reference in regards to Kid’s Cove?
Councilman O’Leary said he would be glad to clear those up in Committee.
After a few more points made by Councilman Juris and Councilman Tom Bullock (At-Large) Council referred the communication to the Public Safety Committee for discussion.
So, Mike, if the parks are perfect, what's with that dead hamster at the foul line?
Matt
Re: City Hall, Please Try To Keep The Hamster Alive
Posted: Tue May 27, 2014 6:40 am
by Jim O'Bryan
Matthew John Markling wrote:So, Mike, if the parks are perfect, what's with that dead hamster at the foul line?
Matt
HAMSTER DEAD!
Let's stop and be honest with ourselves for a moment. Why is the city wasting $23,500 on a study about Recreation? To listen to the city is is to get a new feel for what the 35% millennials will need to move here and have kids. The voices in the back room claim it is being driven by Lakewood Soccer and LCA to get free fields.
NO MATTER
NO DOG IN FOR CITY HALL
In a park they shut down because of 6 pieces of graffiti, and a Public Works director who claimed "we cannot afford to keep it clean, so it should be closed at dusk." Followed by Councilman's Juris now pitiful speech about "Nothing good happens in a park after dusk." They close not only Kauffman Park, but Madison Park for security and lack of funds.
Then the city spends money like a drunken sailor while telling park people, no not yet, nope, and now we have to lock it up all day!
Let's save $23,000 use it to open two new FULL Basketball Courts and call it even.
Seems reminiscent of...
.
Re: City Hall, Please Try To Keep The Hamster Alive
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 11:18 am
by marklingm
... a timely bump ...
Re: City Hall, Please Try To Keep The Hamster Alive
