Former Paradise Mayor, Ray Dalton, on local issues.
Community Park
I have noticed (as have many in the community) that the train depot that was to be renovated has been demolished and is now being rebuilt; one existing wall does not an original make! When I was on council and we first began work on designing the new community park we had offered the train depot to the museum to be moved to a location of their choice, a wonderful idea I thought. But little by little certain elements inside and outside of town hall became advocates for the depot to stay (against my wishes) and be incorporated into the park. This was not a direction I thought best for the community as a whole, but some times your just out voted.
What has become even more of a concern to me now is that all funding for the renovation was to come from the museum, not the Paradise taxpayer. I spoke with Assistant Town Manager Dennis Ivey who informed me the bill is being ‘footed’ by a combination of Parks and Recreation funds, Museum fund raising, and Redevelopment funds. Now Dennis didn’t have exact numbers for me on hand but he’s a straight up guy and I believe him, in fact I would like to see him become our next Manager when Chuck Rough leaves, but that’s another issue.
I am also deeply concerned that Redevelopment funds that were always earmarked for infrastructure and improvements in the Downtown and surrounding Redevelopment Area are being misused. As well, Joe Taxpayer was under the impression his Parks and Recreation tax dollars were to go to parks, not a train museum? Now no one is against museums, it is however a question I believe needs to be asked, and not only by me but by every taxpayer in this community including the business in the down town who have laid out their hard earned dollars and are still waiting for the sidewalks, parking, lighting etc. promised by council and town staff.
I wonder what this new crop of would-be council members have to say on this issue? I will be posting their responses later this week.
Kimball Shirey; "I don't believe the taxpayer should be paying for a museum, I also believe the town should have known the total extent of the disrepair of the building prior to starting construction."
Stan McEtchin; "I'm not quite as concerned about the park funds but the Redevelopement should not be spent on the museum."
Larry Aggers; "I have done a preliminary study on the issue but have not formed an oppinion yet."
Frankie Rutledge; "I wasn't aware council had approved funding from the RDA to the depot....I would first like to see that council did approve this and then ask for a full accounting of the funds. I believe a park is esential for a healthy community but I don't know that a train depot falls into that catagory."
Comments
My name is Barbara Ely, owner of Back at the Ranch, located in the Downtown Revitalization area of Paradise. The questions that ex-Mayor Ray Dalton is asking are very true and something that I have been wondering about myself.
What is going on with the Downtown Revitalization? I have not seen any emphasis on the Downtown for the last 2-3 years. A lot of promises and statements were made and not fullfilled. Some promises have been sidewalks, street lights, additional parking etc...
Where are all of these improvements? The big question is where are the funds for these project been shifted. What are we doing to slow down traffic on Skyway? (2 accidents occured yesterday in front of the Boys & Girls Club.)
I plan on attending the next Town Council Meeting on Tuesday (9-12-06) to ask these questions and many more. If you own a business or would like to show your support for local business come to the meeting.
I also need to remind citizens of Paradise that having business's in Paradise is a good thing! We need to support local business, as I say, give us a chance before heading down the hill or somewhere else. Our sales tax dollars (that come from local busines) help to support Paradise's infrastructure, fire and police dept and local government amongst other things. Where would Paradise be if our small local business's closed down?
Posted by: Barbara Ely | September 7, 2006 12:10 PM