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Cityt Council hillarity
There was tension-aplenty at tonight's Council meeting. Thanks to Jeff Olsen, who is staunchly opposed to any development of the South Side Recreation Field, there were also some laughs. At least, I hope the letter he distributed tonight was intended to be somewhat satirical. He asked the council to vote on the following resolution:
"We, the 2008 City Council of Saratoga Springs, are sorry for the following losses we ahve caused by our actions:
1. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play baseball at South Side Park
2. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play football at South Side Park
3. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play lacrosse at South Side Park
4. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play tennis at South Side Park
5. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play volleyball at South Side Park
6. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play frisbee at South Side Park
7. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play soccer at South Side Park
8. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play outdoor basketball at South Side Park
9. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play in the snow, fly a kite, picnic with their families, sit in the shade, look at the stars, plant a community garden, or do much of anything else outdoors at South Side park. Those tiny kindergarten-sized fields we left behind really weren't big enough, and the rest of the Park got paved over by the building and the parking lot. We know that we said that there would be more than 50% green space, but it really didn't work out that way.
10. We are very sorry that we did not work together as a community to make a better Park at the former South Side Recreation field.
This resolution states that we did not listen to the people who told us in July, 2008 that playing outdoors in our City's parks was very important for the future of our City. People told us that was why the City had acquired this Park in the first place -- the deed to the property even said so. We're sorry that none of the kids in that part of town have a playing field that they can walk or ride their bikes to. We just didn't realize that the City would never be able to replace the only Park we had south of Union Avenue. There were other alternatives, but we didn't try hard enough to figure them out. We really believed that it was a great idea to trade free, year-round outdoor recreation that anybody could use whenever they wanted to for an indoor recreation building and a parking lot. We thought that this was the right thing to do at the time. We're sorry we didn't listen.
Adopted by Resolution of the City Council
Don't Pave South Side Park. Save South Side Park."
Needless to say, there was no vote on the resolution.
One item that is no laughing matter is the closing the Friendship Connection Social Club, on which I reported last week. Many people turned out to decry the closing of the agency that serves mentally ill adults, including those use its services, and those who work as advocates for that population. The center will close due to state budget cuts, and members of the public asked the council to find a way to keep the vital service operating. More on this to come.
"We, the 2008 City Council of Saratoga Springs, are sorry for the following losses we ahve caused by our actions:
1. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play baseball at South Side Park
2. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play football at South Side Park
3. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play lacrosse at South Side Park
4. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play tennis at South Side Park
5. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play volleyball at South Side Park
6. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play frisbee at South Side Park
7. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play soccer at South Side Park
8. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play outdoor basketball at South Side Park
9. We are sorry that we did not allow children to play in the snow, fly a kite, picnic with their families, sit in the shade, look at the stars, plant a community garden, or do much of anything else outdoors at South Side park. Those tiny kindergarten-sized fields we left behind really weren't big enough, and the rest of the Park got paved over by the building and the parking lot. We know that we said that there would be more than 50% green space, but it really didn't work out that way.
10. We are very sorry that we did not work together as a community to make a better Park at the former South Side Recreation field.
This resolution states that we did not listen to the people who told us in July, 2008 that playing outdoors in our City's parks was very important for the future of our City. People told us that was why the City had acquired this Park in the first place -- the deed to the property even said so. We're sorry that none of the kids in that part of town have a playing field that they can walk or ride their bikes to. We just didn't realize that the City would never be able to replace the only Park we had south of Union Avenue. There were other alternatives, but we didn't try hard enough to figure them out. We really believed that it was a great idea to trade free, year-round outdoor recreation that anybody could use whenever they wanted to for an indoor recreation building and a parking lot. We thought that this was the right thing to do at the time. We're sorry we didn't listen.
Adopted by Resolution of the City Council
Don't Pave South Side Park. Save South Side Park."
Needless to say, there was no vote on the resolution.
One item that is no laughing matter is the closing the Friendship Connection Social Club, on which I reported last week. Many people turned out to decry the closing of the agency that serves mentally ill adults, including those use its services, and those who work as advocates for that population. The center will close due to state budget cuts, and members of the public asked the council to find a way to keep the vital service operating. More on this to come.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
9:33 PM
6 Comments:
Somebody give Jeff Olsen directions to the East Side Rec. And tell him to bring the baseballs, soccer, footballs, etc. where there is plenty of space to play.
I try to stay abreast of the widespread workings of our great community... but I must confess to knowing nothing about the "Friendship Connection Social Club." We live here in one of the most compassionate, generous, diverse and caring places I've ever known. I applaud ex-Mayor Keehn for securing a 30-day "extension" or "delay" or whatever it was she was able to negotiate with landlord (I believe) Bruce Levinsky.
Certainly in a close-knit town such as ours, 30 days is more than enough time to reach the best possible solution to what is in financial terms, a pittance when compared with our most challenging and divisive issues.
If a small Army is needed, please count me among the Willing.
The City Council - for reasons only know to themselves - have not appropriately examined the issue of park land "alienation." Essentially, common law requires that any "alienation" of public park land (South Side Rec.) requires approval of the state legislature.
But what is "alienation."
Well, changing the "use" of park land is normally considered an "alienation." The mayor grossly errs if he does not seek advise from the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on this matter. It is the role of OPRHP in this process to provide advise and guidance to the municipality, concerned citizens, the Governor and the legislature. Like the so far failure to adhere to SEQR regulations, this inaction certainly creates an opportunity for judicial review of the Council's action. We have deep pockets when it come to defending law suites prompted by the arrogance of power. But could not such public money be used more productable?
Why not do these things right and reduce our liability and exposure.
Jeff's last name is spelled Olson, not Olsen!!!!!
10:38 -- Thanks for the correction!
Olsen or Olson, who cares! This guy is an idiot! He and the other 5 or 6 people that use that field for their dogs pooping palace! The dog park is up the street to the right! Anyone knows the youth of saratoga will get 10 times more use by having a REC Center!
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