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| Image: I wonder what this represents? Hmmmm... where to begin. I'm feeling a little surly this morning. I have this strange desire to emit massive amounts of CO2. I don't really want to go over the logic behind some of the councilors arguments against disc golf last night. Most of it seemed strained to fit a predetermined decision. There were also a lot of straw men running about. It's probably best to just layout what really happened. A majority of councilors were beholden to their campaign supporters. And because of that they supported the restoration option, which will cost $600,000, over recreation, which would have cost them the same amount. The fix was probably in long before the meeting started. This morning I don't believe that anything the public said would have changed the outcome. Scott Gruendl, Larry Wahl, and Steve Bertagna were voices of reason. Hats off to you gents. People in the room that use the park were justifiably upset by the decision. People in the room that think about the park in a dreamy, fanciful way, and daydream of Annie Bidwell running through fields of wildflowers, were justifiably happy. For me there were some upsides to the meeting. 1. A lot of young people had their first experience with local government. It wasn't a good experience. That's likely to introduce a healthy dose of mistrust in our glorious leaders. That can't be too bad. 2. I've met a lot of people over the last 5 years while trying to keep disc golf in the park. I've met a lot of them through this blog. Many of those people showed up last night to support disc golf. Many of my friends and co-workers made it there. There were so many people there supporting disc golf that I had never met before. That was great to see. We probably outnumbered opponents 3:1. 3. I was pretty sure that if disc golf was approved I would have to spearhead the effort to raise the $20K-$60K to build the course(s). I would also have had to formalize an organization capable of handling the maintenance duties. I'm now free of any obligation in those areas. That's a bit liberating. 4. My 8 year old son, who has been attending park meetings for 4 years, wanted to speak last night. With the help of his mom he wrote a short statement, and read it to the City Council. I know he was nervous, and I also know that he did it to support me. I'm very proud of him. I hope that experience empowers him later on in life. He'll be disappointed this morning to find out disc golf was removed. 5. As a soon to be disc golf-criminal I have some decisions to make. I could be one of many henchmen sneaking into the park to play disc golf. Or I could be a criminal mastermind, organizing an underground mob of players. As a henchman I would go by a name like Lefty or Scar. As a mastermind it would be something like Mr. Green, or The Don. If you'd like to join the mob let me know. You can pick your own name. Another issue is that I really don't have any camouflage clothing. And all my discs are brightly colored. That equipment just won't work if I'm to go undergound. I'm going to need a deer hunting outfit and new discs to keep playing. Perhaps some ninja pajamas would work. 6. I'm off the hook on providing a locale for the keg party I mentioned in the last post's comments. And Jim's off the hook for the keg. |
| What's Next: Councilors said they would look for alternative sites for disc golf. I'll believe it when I see it. I will bet $100 that a year from today no formal alternative disc golf site will have been located in Bidwell's lower or middle park, or any CARD property. Any takers? Anyone on the City Council willing to take that bet? How about if I donate to your campaign? There is talk of holding a civil disobedience round after the tone poles are removed from upper park. I kind of like that idea. I think we might want to go a little bigger, and actually have a tournament. But my role in that would have to be derived from the mastermind vs. henchmen decision. Bad public policy tends to create bad results. A City Council majority, with a quill of governance in one hand and their campaign disclosure forms in the other, enacted truly bad policy last night. They turned a mass of outdoor recreation lovers into criminals. How do they expect people that have played for a decade to react to this? They can't stop me from playing disc golf. And now they won't know where I'm playing. The new disc golf in Chico |
Payback
54 Comments
Lon
About Me: Fasten your seatbelts for an exhilarating trip through Chico's public policy; I guarantee it's marginally better than public access TV.
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Gee Lon, continue to spew lies and misinformation. Do your "friends" know that you torpedoed the attempt by the Park Dept., Friends of Bidwell Park, and others to identify alternate locations for a disc golf course in a more accessible, eco-friendly location in town? Don't know why you would do that then whine that you don't think that another location would be found, when it would have been done a few years ago if you hadn't stopped the process with your vindictive rants about the process. So why don't you raise the money to repair all the damage you and others have done up there and show us exactly what kind of community spirit you really have?
Gee Tom, you're not terribly informed. Which is no surprise. Do your friends know you failed to show up for a vote that would have moved disc golf to lower park back in 1998?
When we met with Dennis and CARD in 2004 (or 2005) the response was that CARD did not have any property for disc golf and the Park Dept. said that the only location in Bidwell Park for disc golf was that specified by the project level EIR they were working on. You weren't there.
After a well attended CAC public meeting where people supported the existing disc golf site, John Merz wanted to look for other locations. Dennis had already said that that was not possible.
When Merz asked to meet with CARD in 2007, I went to the meeting. When they said again that they didn't have property I suggested a kids course at Hooker Oak. We raised money and built it.
As far as the cost of restoration I assumed it would be very expensive based on other projects. But last night Ann Schwab said a plan was available and the restoration would cost nothing. So do you want a check or money order for the $0 project?
Let me know.
One other thing. Didn't you vote to allow disc golf to continue at the highway 32 site back in 1998? That would be back before I even knew it existed. Maybe you should pay.
Lon
FYI: Tom Barrett is a Chico Park Commissioner, one of the reasonable officials that decides who is allowed to experience nature and in what manner.
Grey Davis was also overconfident after being reelected, look how that turned out. The petition to recall him was started 1 month after he was sworn in for his second term. Can't you disk golf folks organize a referendum to over turn this decision?
If they will not let the public overturn this bad decision then the alternative, though difficult, seems clear.
Not many voters knew that they were voting to remove people from our park. I doubt that a voting majority of Chicoans would approve of this type of action. What's next dogs?
Bob,
I'm not completely familiar with the referendum process. I assume the council decision could be overturned with a referendum.
This morning I don't have a lot of interest in looking into that. I think the council made their decision. Disc golf was supported by local papers, a lot of citizens, the Park Commission, and the environmental report that we spent so much money on. The 4 councilers decided that some other constituency was more important to them.
I think they can live with the consequences if any arise.
Lon
Tom,
It's disappointing to hear you, a public official, take such a truly inappropriate tone in your post on this blog. Haven't you been reprimanded for such behavior before? But, after the last election, you probably aren't afraid of any consequences, including losing your appointment, and therefore you're less than professional demeanor continues. It's kind of pathetic, is akin to a child chanting "neener, neener, neener", and it ultimatley stops reasonable people from listening to you.
Lon,
At least the animals, who couldn't be at the meeting last night, will finally have some protection. There is always a silver lining.
P.S. Mini-Lon was stellar last night. So proud!!!
Lon,
It was rather shocking to see the blatent disregard for any sort of compassion and or compromise on the part of the councilors who voted against disc golf. I am one who believes that the process has to include dialogue and respect even in the midst of total disagreement.
In fact, i even got in the face of a disc golf supporter last night who got into a verbal tussel after the meeting with an elderly member of the FOBP. That is just not appropriate.
Just as it was not appropriate in my opinion that the councilors obviously had made their choice and showed with their faces, body language, and words that they don't support restoration and Annie's vision as much as they just seem to not want disc golf.
As a councilor it is my opinion that you are to make an informed descision based on research and public input. I was a bit disheartened by the manner in which some of the councilors seemed to almost gloat in their crushing of those dirty hippy disc golfers...
I will now head to work on my bike commute through the park. As a matter of protest I will place a disc golf in my bag and carry it through the sacred land. Maybe i will even stop and throw it at a few of the heritage trees that CALTRANS is about to cut down for the freeway expansion....
Brian
http://reverendbone.blogspot.com/2008/11/free-our-discs.html
lon,
i am so sorry for you! i saw the news this morning and my thoughts went to you and your fellow disc golfers!
it breaks my heart that people feel they have the right to determine how the chico community gets to experience the wonderful park we have at our disposal!!!
my vote is for you as the mastermind - i think you would better serve the disc golf community in that position. and kudos to your son!!
meagan
Lon,
I found it rather disturbing that our elected officials were regurgitating the lies and misinformation spewed by the enviro-obstructos. Further, I didn't realize we had so many fiscal conservatives on our council. Definitely a bizarre scene. Who woulda thunk that Gruendl would end up being the voice of reason.
I can't remember which of the restoros, maybe it was Andy, who expressed disappointment that that the BPPC hadn't done their job and found an appropriate location for DG. Well actually the BPPC did their job, the process was followed, i's were dotted twice, t's crossed twice and then our fair city council turned the whole thing upside-down.
I think the young people in the crowd got a rude awakening last night. One young fellow expressed to me that he thought approval was a lock. Not so fast Sparky. I hope all those college students remember who took DG away from them when Nickell and Flynn come up for re-election in two years.
I would be more than glad to aid a referendum or recall in any way necessary even though I don't consider myself a golfer.
Where to start. . .
1. Lon -- thanks for your leadership on this. Your son last night rocked -- your raising a leader which is what we need. I've already talked to some shell shocked friends and it seems like we fought the good fight, had the community on our side, had logic on our side, and still lost. I hope that the community remembers this decision next time elections come up for our "progressive" town council. . . I know I will (not that I voted for these guys in the 1st place).
2. I'll throw in another $100 on the bet that we WILL NOT see disc golf in Chico for another two more years, at the least. Tom Nickell -- are you serious that we can put a disc golf course next to the Bidwell "ball" course??? We just tried to get a course built in a location a quarter mile away and it cost the city in $650,000 in EIR studies and we got NOTHING!!!! You should have "researched" this issue more (nice prop of blue stapled papers by the way though).
3. Ann Schwab and Mary Flynn -- What que of projects for the park are you thinking of?? We started this process SIX YEARS AGO!!!! Has disc golf waited its turn -- uhhh yeah I think so. And by the way we were not asking for money, just the opprotunity. Thanks for slamming the door in our faces.
4. As for civil disobendence round. . . .lets put it this way . . . the government can take my disc from my cold dead fingers.
5. Well Lon, if you ever need some "strongly discounted" beer you know the source. . . .you deserve it and so does everyone else who has to explain to their children how the Grinch really did steal disc golf from the community.
Totally disenfranchised,
Jim
This morning I also find myself frustrated with the logic of the councilors... The main argument seemed to be that we can not afford the construction and ongoing maintenance costs....
Then they cited the Horseshoe Lake restoration as an example of city spending gone wild...
But then turned around and voted for the restoration option because it has no associated costs...
Oh and then we will also tack on a magically free parking lot and trailhead...
Can anyone who supports those councilors please explain this logic?
B
Brian,
I think one thing that seems to be going on is that the people that don't want disc golf have their very own lore about local history. For example Tom's rant about me stopping the gentle Friends from finding us a new home.
These historical revisions get passed around at the various election parties making everyone mad. I'm also sure that many of my comments on this blog have been sent piecemeal to various decision makers as examples of how disc golfers are bad.
But probably the most damning thing that happened last night was that the great unwashed and uninitiated mass of park users showed up. Many of these people were students who are perfectly capable of knowing which councilor to vote for, after being told by their teachers. But their opinion on how to use our park system is not worthy of consideration. I feel sorry for the young people in this community.
BTW: Can I use the photo you have on your blog? The one you link to. It's funny.
Lon
Man am I glad that's over. And I like your attitude (1-5), although, I think #6 is a cop-out.
that name again is Mrs. Disc.
Is there some organized effort to remove the tone polls, or does Gregg need time to himself right now?
Personally, I am not going to bathe, shave or dress for a week. Oh yeah, I never bathe or shave, and dressing is in the eye of the beholder around here.
My husband says we just need to come up with a new name for it - they've banned "disc golf."
Anyway, that meeting was about the most fun I had at a meeting since the early days of Rancho Arroyo. The first meeting I ever went to, Steve was mayor, and it was a regular riot. He was really tough on speakers - wouldn't allow people to digress, made one lady cry. At an Internal Affairs meeting, Steve called me a liar, and I mean, the chairs almost hit the air, but Dan Herbert apologized and smoothed it over. Since then I have come to love Old Steve Baby, at least we got some kind of rapport, whether we agree or not. Last night we sent Steve out in style, good for us. It's been a good 12 or whatever years. I will try to make it as "interesting" for Holcombe as I have made it for Bertagna all these years.
Meagan,
Thanks. It is sad. It's a sad day for recreation in general.
Lon
Sean,
Thanks for coming down last night. I received an email from Andy Holcombe this morning, and I'm not quite sure how to respond to it. And I'm not going to publish it here. All I can think of is what a huge waste of time and money.
One point I would make is that some of the councilors suggested that it would have been better if someone compromised. They seem to have missed the point that that was their job. Instead they defaulted to the side that wrote them checks and attends their election parties.
Sad.
Lon
PS. There are two kinds of people. Those who are disc golfers and those who will be disc golfers.
Oh, I guess there's a third kind of person, those who are disc golfers, but have no place to play disc golf.
Tom Barrett.....You are a Putz! Why don't you grow up and actually act like a mature city representative. It's so disappointing to see you, a city official behave in such a poor, immature manner. Haven't you been reprimanded for this kind of behavior before? Shame on you!
And yet, on a motion from Wahl, we can stay there until they find another site.
So, we can stay forever!
Lon,
I also want to offer you condolences. I have been on the losing end of a political decision before and it sucks. I suggest Sierra Nevada IPA in these situations.
I also suggest you stay away from the bitters, both in ale and rhetoric. I think you should take Andy up on his offer. I am sorry you choose not to post his email. It has sparked quite a discussion on the Esplanade list. Here it is:
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Gentlemen,
I hope it is not too early for healing to begin. What came down to an all or nothing posture did not benefit either "side".
I'm forwarding this reply to the first e-mail critique I received today as very cursory summary of how I got to my vote, and more so as an affirmation of where I hope to get to from there.
I have my ideas re alternate sites. You must have yours. When the dust settles a bit, after Thanksgiving perhaps, lets explore possibilities. Specifically, I'd like to get your opinion on the pros and cons of whatever you consider to be alternate, or other sites.
Andy Holcombe
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I think you should take Andy up on his offer, and to that end, I want to take you up on your bet (but let's make it for something we can afford to pay, say a case of Pale Ale).
I bet you that Chico has another disc golf within two years. Want to help me win the bet?
Mark
Tom Barrett:
As usual, you are an embarrassment. A few highlights...
1) Sending profanity-filled, logically-challenged emails to people who disagree with you.
2) Comparing disc golf on Hwy 32 to building a 'Sam's Club' in the same location.
3) Trying to delay the BPPC vote on disc golf a few months back.
Stated Reason 1: You were tired.
Stated Reason 2: You didn't "understand" the EIR. (D. Beardsley: "That's unfortunate...")
Actual Reason: The vote was not going to go your way.
4) Questioning Lon's community spirit, when you know for a fact he was deeply involved in both the Sherwood Forest disc golf course and the Nico project at Caper Acres.
Regardless of disc golf, Chico deserves park commissioners with critical thinking skills and a thoughtful demeanor. (i.e. Jim Walker) With you, we get an arrogant, gloating, partisan hack, with the temperament of a Chihuahua. We're so lucky...
If any city councilors are reading this: please replace this guy with someone serious.
-Frank Rossini
Mark S.
I was going to respond to Andy's email before I made any mention of its specifics. Did Andy send it to Esplanade League?
I'm a little confused as to why he would send an email addressed to Gregg, Matt, and I to a political action committee.
Lon
Wondering,
Larry's friendly amendment failed. Ann Schwab wouldn't allow it, so disc golf will be removed from Upper Bidwell Park within a few weeks. It will take them longer to pass new code that makes throwing golf discs in the park illegal, but they'll have to do that to stop people from playing.
Lon
Mrs. Disc,
I heard you got sent to the Big House last night. I'm glad you made it out. Maybe #6 is back on.
Lon
To-ga! To-ga! To-ga!
I've never played disc golf, I've only played regular golf once and I'm no good at that either. I have no stake in the decision.
But, when park users are kicked out of the park, even when they should have had a "grandfather clause", that troubles me greatly. IMHO restoring that small patch of land won't make any difference in the park ecosystem whatsoever.
I suppose you could always just take up the emotional tactics of the left that they tend to employ when they don't get their way. Occupy the site, and scream at the top of your lungs "HELL NO, WE WON'T GO"!
Or file a lawsuit, put Schwab's name right at the top. I'd do that before a referendum because even if one passes, a lawsuit will likely be filed to circumvent the will of the people as we've seen so many times in California.
What a sad day for this town. I'm sorry.
Lon,
here is some advise from a seasoned loser.
the winner in this battle is Disc Golf. Everyone....Council and the whole community have come out in favor of disk golf. What you choose to do with this force for the future of disk golf is the big question.
Consider Leveraging the loss of location and the win of disk golf into something better and within reach of our urban dwellers.
The pissing match is over if you want it to be. Its time to put something bigger into play.
Mike
You can use my images any time Lon...
B
I received Mini Steve from Tom and the rest of the Council last night. After what must have been weeks trapped at Tom's house, Mini Steve is talking! He even has pictures too!
You sure can learn a lot from a dummy (mini steve that is)!
Sad day indeed!
Stevie B
Lon,
Andy forwarded me the e-mail in response to one I sent out to the Esplanade list, responding to another e-mail about the vote last night. Andy also noted in a separate e-mail to the list that he had reached out to the disc golf supporters.
There is a desire to bridge the division that has appeared in our community. I hope all concerned will come together so we can move forward.
Mark
If Mrs. Disc is the one that caused the city council to "go into unexpected recess" last night then whatever beer she wants is on me. That was AWESOME to watch on channel 11 last night.
Swap e-mails Lon.
As for mayor Holcombe, if he wants to work on making things better for the disc golf community I say lets move on. Although I am highly skeptical he has a sight that does not need (yet another) EIR. . . .
Lon and other disc golfers,
My condolences on the vote last night. Unfortunate. I think there's something to Holcombe's offer there, per Mark above.
Lon I'm swinging by your office to return that hard drive soon after this post. Hope you're there; I'll put in my 2 pence (probably worth only 1 cent on this issue; being a mountain biker).
Lon,
Do you think that the council will go so far as to pass a new muni code section that specifically outlaws the throwing of discs in that area? I can't imagine what the language will be. I also can't imagine that it could realistically be enforced. Who's going to police it? I would imagine that some group of anti-disc golf vigilantes will stake the place out in the hopes of catching some people using the site anyway. When they see that enforcement isn't a viable option, will they pressure council to mandate directed enforcment from Parks and Police? What a waste. I think Juanita had a point at the end there. "What are you going to do, Mayor, arrest me?" That would be rich.
A lot of the folks that were against disc golf weren't involved with the process and EIR and were there with only alarmist emails, propaganda, political alliance, etc to go by. I'm sure most of them really felt they were doing what's right. Some of them are my friends and I have no hard feelings toward them.
The council was really the surprise to me. Especially the pre-written rationalizations. I won how many of them read the EIR and staff report. No management, no compromise, no alternatives, no disc golf at all. Completely astounding.
There's still no law against playing in any park or any other public place though. There's always "Option F".
Gimmee an F!
Yes people, Juanita has sunk to a new low - I can't even get arrested in this town. You should have seen the look on Officer Rucker's face when I asked him if he'd arrest me - like, somebody was trying to hand him a pile of doo-doo! He looked like a man who suddenly remembered he'd left the stove on. He shook my hand though - I think I will like our new assistant city manager, we'll see.
I believe Country Joe and the Fish are still living in the Bay Area and available for parties. They played Orland High just a few years ago at the request of a teacher there - he wanted to teach his history class about the 60's, so he e-mailed C-Joe and that was that.
We could ask him to play the D-I-S-C Cheer.
Speaking of Cheer, I am on a break from a non-stop laundry day. That Kuyper kid on the news says it is going to rain - of course, I haven't trusted anybody since Anthony quit (hi Anthony), but the skies are looking ominous. Nothing brings rain like laundry on the line, unless it's an outdoor wedding. Oh, maybe a disc tournament. Back to work.
Stevie B.
Thanks so much for your support last night, and your service on the council for the last 12 years.
It's too bad to see you leave the council, but I don't blame you.
Lon
Rainman,
They just voted to remove a thousand park users after voting that the EIR was adequate to mitigate environmental impacts (5-0 vote).
I wouldn't put anything past this council. The only way they could enforce removal of disc golf would be to create some code banning golf discs. It would be hard to enforce, and they would not be able to find me.
Rangers don't walk that far from their vehicle, and its a really big park. Safari Golf.
Its time to repost that Safari Golf video Lon. . . . .
Option F indeed!
Jim,
That's so funny. I just posted it before you commented. I think it's time to make another one.
Lon
Lon,
I am sure you don't have to be reminded, but I think it is important to remember that your son may have learned something from last nights meeting and from watching you before last night, but he is going to learn even more by watching your reaction to it.
I learned a lot more about myself and others by playing on the worst Pop Warner team in town than the kids that took home the trophies.
I still hate losing though.
TJ,
My son was already on a really bad soccer team, so that lesson's in the bag. He didn't need to be booted from Bidwell Park to learn what losing is about. But I get your point.
It's important for me to recognize and pronounce what happened last night and why it was wrong. But I'm trying not to go too far.
You'll recall that the City Council voted on whether or not to add $100,000 to the cost of the Master Plan a while back to answer the EIR comments of the Friends O' Park. If the council did not feel that the highway 32 site was appropriate for disc golf, they could have saved $100,000 and called it right there.
I think they wanted to wait until after the election to make an unpopular decision. I could be wrong, but it certainly feels that way.
I have a lot of problems with the comments and performance of our City Council last night. A lot of my problems are related to factual inaccuracies. I have refrained for the most part from laying them out here.
In contrast, I woke this morning to a gloating comment from Park Commissioner Tom Barrett. He represents the city as vindictive and mean-spirited. Maybe that's appropriate.
Lon
Lon,
Disc golf did not get "booted" from Bidwell Park. It got "booted" from the fragile ecosystem of the upper ridge.
Please, can someone identify another good site in Bidwell Park?
Mark
Mark,
You understand what I'm saying without parsing my words. Here's a more specific statement though.
My use of Bidwell Park at the BLM land was ended last night, pending some form of implementation strategy (which I'll be curious to see). At times, like last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I would bring my son to play there. That play will no longer be allowed because the EIR that the City Council deemed adequate and accurate on a 5-0 vote was deemed inadequate on a later 4-3 vote. At some later date, if I bring my son there and play disc golf, it is entirely possible that I will be cited for breaking a municipal code.
As far as the other questions, here are some areas.
1. 5 mile is a great site for disc golf.
2. Extending the Hooker Oak kids course across Lindo Channel is a great area.
3. Comanche Slough is a nice site for a short course with the understanding that the industrial area there requires access improvements to allow for growth of the business park.
4. CSU Chico could install 6-9 baskets in its fields. You could work on this.
5. Baroni Park needs 3 baskets
6. Community Park needs 6 baskets
Lon
Lon, Lon, Lon,
I've missed a few votes and meetings in my 12 years on the Park Commission, sorry you have a problem with that. Maybe you or Gregg can tell me when a Park Commission has ever been a 5-person commission. You're are the commission impossible guy and as long as I've ever been on the Commission there has been 7 people serving their community on it. So how does me missing a meeting and a 2-2 vote deciding something make sense? What was the vote? Who else was missing? Who voted yes? Who voted no? And why does it matter so much to you and Gregg. Just another lie that is supposed to what make me look bad? Go for it big guy?
Cute video.
Hey guess what? I did vote and lead the vote on allowing disc golf up on the Musty Buck Preserve if two conditions were met. Look it up. Condition 1: An adequate environmental review be conducted and Condition 2: permission from CalTrans to access the site. Condition 1 was not met. The environmental review was severely flawed. Condition 2 has never been met to my knowledge. CalTrans has never granted permission to use their right-of-way. So since neither condition was met disc golf should have never been allowed.
Make up some more stories they are pretty wild.
here is what I don't get:
Schwab and Nickell had to recuse themselves from the EIR vote becuase they live within 500 feet of the park.
From the ER story: "After Schwab and Nickell excused themselves from the plan discussion because they live within 500 feet of the park, the council approved 5-0 the adequacy of the EIR and accepted the master management plan."
Ok fine and dandy
Then why was it suddenly OK for them to vote on the disc golf restoration issue in the very same park?
from the ER story:
"On a motion by Ann Schwab and second by Tom Nickell, the council voted 4-3 to "restore" the site — that is, remove all remnants of the game."
Nothing makes sense about this vote...and I think this is where you have a wedge. A precedent was set with Schwab and Nickell recusing themselves. The question then is why is one vote by Schwab/Nickell on park land management a conflict and the other valid?
If the park is considered a whole entity to manage, it would seem the 500 foot zone appies all the way to the east end and anywhere within park boundaries.
Stevie B? any thoughts?
Am I missing something?
I stand by my earlier remarks characterizing the opponents of Disc Golf as Enviro-Nazis. Tom Barrett is a paradigm. Tom and his uncivil, angry ilk have carried the day by weaving a tapestry of falsehood out of a few facts (very few), half truths, misrepresentations, and outright lies.
I am truly saddened and disgusted. Disc golf opposition has been dedicated, powerful, arrogant, unreasonable, rude, and pretty much socially unacceptable, imho.
What a wonderful life it is.
Bidwell Park and Playground Commissioner Tom Barrett,
Be careful of those ethics rules. There's no need to poke people with sharp sticks when you're supposed to be representing the city as a Park Commissioner. It reflects poorly on the city and those that appointed you.
Lon
Anthony,
I just got off the phone with Tom Nickell and asked him about that. He stated that it was because the disc golf plan was located far enough away from his house that it wasn't a conflict.
I don't understand why the lawyer separated Nickell and Schwab. But they did sit in a room together, by themselves, and watch all of the testimony. Then they came out and Schwab made a motion that was seconded by Nickell.
There could have been discussions about the motion they were going to make, and there's no assurance that they actually heard any of the public testimony. This has an appearance of an ethics violation.
That being said, I don't think Nickell would do that. His vote wasn't a surprise and neither was Schwab's.
Lon
David,
You know how I feel about the "nazi" stuff.
What's sad is that some on the Council have decided to just represent the people that work and pay for their political campaigns.
There are contacts going on where some of the decision makers seem genuine in their desire to find a place for disc golf.
But how many times have we complained about the cost or the amount of time spent on disc golf. Now we just restarted the process. Some people want it in lower-middle Bidwell Park, the Friends still don't.
Pretty crappy night for park users. What's funny is that two college girls sitting in front of me were laughing at Schwab's concerns last night. They found her ridiculous. I'm sure if they voted at all, they probably voted for her.
Lon
Hi Tom. It's nice to see you in such a good mood. Here's the minutes of the meeting you asked about. It's always hard to remember those meetings when you're not there. I also remember asking you to get it back on the agenda for a vote with the full commission and you said "I'm sick of frisbee golf".
Just think, a free course close to town and part of the deal was abandonment of the Hwy. 32 site, way back in 1998. It's too bad you were so sick of it.
Gregg
BIDWELL PARK AND PLAYGROUND COMMISSION
JULY 27, 1998
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Present at Roll Call: Chair Russell Mills and Commissioners Maureen Kirk,
Chuck Sheley and Richard Cory. Absent: Commissioners Tom Barrett, Bryan Doerr and Bruce
Holderbein.
2. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF PROPOSAL TO ALLOW DISC GOLF IN
BIDWELL PARK
A temporary disc golf facility is proposed for Lower Bidwell Park east of Highway 99 and
north of North Park Drive. Park Director Beardsley reviewed the proposal to allow the
installation of 18 pins for one year with an initial six-month evaluation of effects, public
comments and report to the Commission. At the end of one year, a second evaluation and
report would be made to the Commission. At that time, the Commission could remove the
course, continue the trial period or consider a longer term commitment. Use of the course
would be free, have no promotional material and be for recreation only with no special events
scheduled. One 4' by 4' bulletin board would provide information about disc golf. Tees would
be marked by rocks and pins marked by camouflaged poles with a 24" wide path from each
tee to the pin. No plant materials would be cleared from the site. One trash can and one
bicycle rack to be provided, and no vehicle parking allowed under Highway 99.
Supports showed the Commission an example of a pin, a disc and a tee marker. Public
discussion included comments that the sport is inexpensive, healthy, safe, appropriate for all
ages, can be done by families, environmentally friendly, inconspicuous, promotes sportsmanship
in players, a positive activity for youngsters with no need to organize or provide uniforms.
Public comments about the location included concern that the area includes trails for horses,
bikers and walkers who could be threatened or harmed, is a quiet and natural meadow that
should not be disturbed, may be on an old toxic dump site, and other locations should be
considered. Inexperienced players could throw discs out of control and horses could be
spooked by the sound of the disc hitting a pin. Parking for players could be a problem and
such problem would get worse if popularity leads to scheduling large events. Many other towns
have such a course, the game is popular and acceptable.
Commissioner Sheley said he is impressed by the persistence and planning done over the
past two years, especially by the Equestrian Association who recommended this area. All
users must learn to co-exist as runners, horses and bikers have in the past. Freeway noises
would spook a horse more than noise from the course. The guidelines are strict and we need
good activities for youth.
Commissioner Kirk went to the Highway 32 course and found it to be clean, not intrusive, and
easy to reverse. Dogs off leash may be more of a threat to horses than a disc, which is hard to
throw far. Kids need more things to do. Verbena Park might be considered when that park is
being developed.
Commissioner Cory said he wants to play the game but has environmental concerns about the
proposed area. He would like to look again at the walnut orchard location, at making a better
design, improving parking and getting CARD involved.
Chair Mills would like a game course but is concerned about where to place it. The Master
Management Plan for Zone 12 recommended fewer trails for habitant continuity so the course
should be placed in a park but not at this location.
COMMISSIONER SHELEY MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF A TRIAL DISC GOLF COURSE
IN LOWER BIDWELL PARK FOR ONE YEAR WITH AN EVALUATION AT SIX MONTHS
AS PROPOSED. COMMISSIONER KIRK SECONDED THE MOTION. AYES:
COMMISSIONER SHELEY AND KIRK. NOES: COMMISSIONER CORY AND CHAIR
MILLS. THE MOTION DID NOT CARRY.
Gregg,
That was very nice of you. Bidwell Park and Playground Commissioner Tom Barrett seems to have a hard time representing the position of Park Commissioner well. But now that you've supplied him with his voting record he can work harder to do a great job. And I know he will.
Lon
Tom, it looks like you owe Lon an apology for calling him a liar.
Come on, go for it Big Guy!
Bidwell Park and Playground Commissioner Tom Barrett,
No apology necessary, really. As the Commission Impossible guy it really is my job to remind our hard working officials of things like votes that they take.
Lon
We should copy the actions of the "Friends" of the FOBP....
http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/1283831,tuna-greenpeace-france111708.article
Perhaps we could deliver 5 tons of lichen or soil to the homes of the councilors..?
B
Lon I think you ought to follow up on the conflict of interest law. The question is simply this:
In being too "close" is the "closeness" legally defined by the outside extent boundary of the entity, treating the entity as a whole, or is it based on where the work is performed?
The reverse argument here is that there is likley no EIR related work or management that would be performed within 500' of the places where Schwab and Nickell live so why did they have to be recused?
Don't take the city attorneys word for it, go outside the realm and do your world famous research. There may be a law misinterpretation or misapplication here.
- Anthony
On an unrelated note...
Lon, your first place Norcalblogs status may have had something to do with Dan NT's "Bullfight" going on "Hiatus" to the end of the year while he considers "whether to continue posting".
Your lack of reposting Youtube videos almost daily, combined with your not overusing the word "hilarious", and your regular thoughtful and in depth coverage of issues may have had something to do with that.
What will poor "Chuckles" do? He's an orphan now.
Lon,
Of course you are right. Using Nazi hyperbole also serves to lessen the degrading and abject horror of the atrocities and the outrage at the suffering of so many. It is something I know better than to do, but forgot (again) in my absolute disgust at this mess.
Sincerely,
David (Short Fuse) Walton