Skate Park Rift
Johnson quits Parks and Rec; Vows to work for parkBy DEAN WELLS dwells@timesobserver.com
A member of City's Park and Recreation Commission tendered her resignation last Friday, claiming she could get more done to build a skate park in Warren as a private citizen than as a member of the commission.
Kathy Johnson of the Lacy Foundation confirmed on Monday that she resigned from Parks and Rec, saying that she found it "impossible" to work with City Manager Jim Nelles on the construction of a skate park at Beaty Field.
"Jim Nelles has not been cooperative," Johnson said. "He does not have our kids' best interests at heart when it comes to this park. I can be far more effective if I don't have to work with him (as a member of the commission). I find him to be impossible to work with. If you can't work with me, you can't work with anyone. I'm a cupcake. It takes a lot to push my buttons."
The City's administration did not respond to a request for a reaction regarding Johnson's statement.
"I can be more effective not being on the commission," Johnson said. "My hands won't be tied. It's best to work in partnership with the commission and not be a member."
Johnson said the Lacy Foundation maintains 501c3 non-profit status and all monies donated toward construction of the skate park will remain under her direction, including a recent $125,000 donation made by an out-of-town benefactor with family ties to the area, along with a $50,000 donation from the Warren Foundation.
Approximately $210,000 has been raised to build the park. Johnson assured those people and organizations who made donations that the funds will go toward building the park at Beaty Field.
"Those who donated don't have to worry about the funds being misappropriated," Johnson said. "We promised the community a quality facility for our kids, and that's what we are going to deliver."
Johnson said she would not use the money as leverage to force the city into any action, such as giving up naming rights to the new park. "There is only one proper thing to with this money and that is build the park," she said.
Johnson said she was put off by city council's lack of participation during recent Parks and Rec meetings when presentations were given to provide information on skate park progress.
"It's a little frustrating to be on the commission and work as hard as we were working and not having our recommendations heeded by the city," Johnson said. "We need city council members to be present when information is presented. We've only had two council members during our last two presentations."
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maggiesmom
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03-10-10 7:33 PM
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Congrats needvwparts...That is the way it is done. Isn't that better than..."asking people all over town" and more productive.
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Clark
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03-10-10 12:25 PM
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After thinking about this some more and reading past articles about this, I think it all boils down to the fact that "Cupcake" probably hasn't been getting her way on the direction of the skate park. So what happens when you don't get your way? You either support what the majority has decided, or you try to get your own way by making accusations and circumventing the process through whatever means neccessary. Like I said before, the Mayor and Council are ultimately responsible for this project. Name calling against the City Manager just proves how childish some people can be.
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needvwparts
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03-10-10 8:20 AM
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I left a message for the City Manager yesterday morning and he returned my call in the afternoon. The skate park is a go despite what we read in the papers. I am planning on attending the next meeting and will offer to help any way I can. Perhaps all of us can make a point to attend. I will continue to think positive thoughts and hope Warren can complete this project this summer.
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TheOtherVoice
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03-10-10 7:37 AM
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Okay, MM, let's break this down, since you seem to be such a big supporter of Mr Nelles. Now I to have never met the man, but only know of him through his reputation. Why is it, there are so many negative comments on here, as well as when I ask people about him out in town, if he is doing such a fine job? Maybe like him, your Mayor, who is busy with a business of his own, and the City Council really don't care. Don't want to deal with the problem because they don't know how to deal with it. Maybe they should see if the WAHS will lend them that PR person when they finally get one to help smooth things over.
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maggiesmom
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03-10-10 1:50 AM
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Well, by looking at the posts, I can see Ms. Johnson got what she wanted. Mr. Nelles was bashed again and there was nothing in the article to warrant it. No where did it say, he wanted the construction stopped. She has been looking for controversy and once again, she got it. He has been slammed over and over in this blog and like Clark said, he has a council and a mayor that he answers to. You have a problem, call any or all of them and complain instead of hiding here. I don't know the man personally, but it isn't an easy job and people who complain about everything don't make it any easier. Ms. Johnson, if you try to form a partnership instead of always looking for attention, the skatepark might be looked at in a more favorable light and it would truly be for the kids. Grow up, "cupcake"
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shrinkwarren
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03-09-10 9:55 PM
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ugal62, So what is so wrong with the concrete pad? Why is it not done to specs? The contractor that did this work does most of the concrete work in warren and I have seen it have you? I think it looks fine. If you want to talk about poor concrete work take a walk downtown and see what Cummins has done. Now that is some of the worst concrete finishing I have seen. The sidewalks look like junk. But thats what ya get for just over 3 million dollars.
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Clark
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03-09-10 8:46 PM
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I'm curious, why is the City Manager being tarred and feathered here anyway. The last I knew, we still had a Mayor and a City Council that oversees the operation of the City through the City Manager. If they don't like how the Manager is performing his duties, isn't it their job to call him on it? If you have a beef with the Manager, talk to his bosses. Unfortunately it's easier to sling mud anonymously.
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Clark
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03-09-10 8:36 PM
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There is no support for our young people? There are numerous programs in this City for kids to be a part of if they choose to participate. You are correct there are some awesome, God fearing teens out there and they are so unique to get to know. There are also many troublemakers that ruin it for the rest and they must be held accountable. Unfortunately these are the ones that the cops know on a first name basis. I know some cops and if they "harass" a kid, its because they have done something they shouldn't have done.
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ugal62
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03-09-10 8:14 PM
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I think the city should rip up the shoddy concrete job they put down. The contractor who did the work did not follow the specs. Mr. Nelles should quit being a nay sayer and they should build the park. What seems to be the constant hold up here? I know the youth have been saving money for decades for this park. Why is this town so full of negative people? This is ridiculous. Ms. Johnson hang in there and do not go elsewhere. We should build the best we can build skatepark in Warren. Game on!
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steelersfreak
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03-09-10 5:20 PM
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There is no support for our young people....being a former youth pastor, i have seen it first handed. I have seen how so many in our community look down at our kids and think they are all troublemakers. There are some awesome, God fearing teens out there and they are so unique to get to know. Yes some of them dress in black but look beneath the exterior clothing. And the way the cops harass these young people? Makes me sick. Yes there are troublemakers and they need to be accountable.
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TheOtherVoice
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03-09-10 3:33 PM
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I'm starting to wonder if this Mr Nelles is capable of doing anything that doesn't make most of the town mad!
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Clark
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03-09-10 2:25 PM
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With that being said, now that it looks like the skate park will be built, I hope it is a success. But City officials were wise to not completely fund the park. I'm sure skateboarding is a good thing for many kids, but it has historically been a fad that comes and goes. For the City to sink alot of money into a project that has the potential of little use in the future would have been a poor use of tax dollars. Let the people that want to use it help fund it.
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Sarruff
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03-09-10 2:12 PM
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To all, the city (Jim Nelles) hired a local company to put down the cement flat on the field for the skate park to be built on. It's been done. Go look for yourselves. Price tag was $150,000. Can you smell BBQ? So after $150,000 already spent on cement, why not finish it up? And go ask your local politicians, how in the world can they justify $150,000 to put down some cement(definitely not a $150,000 job)?
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Clark
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03-09-10 2:07 PM
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No support for our young people??? You gotta be kidding. The City has some of the nicest parks around and the summer recreation program is great. How many communities our size have a swimming pool? You said this will keep the kids out of trouble? For some that may be the case, but there are also and have been in the past a number of skateboarders that have no respect for others property and they will continue to damage others property whether there is a skate park or not. How did our parents or grandparents survive when they were growing up anyway? No skateparks, swimming pools, playgrounds and in most cases no television. How cruel that must have been for children. Think about it.
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ErnestPayne
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03-09-10 1:52 PM
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Thank you never for explaining that it was a skate board not a roller skate item. The only problem I could see would be insurance. Does anyone have any input as to the cost?
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steelersfreak
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03-09-10 12:47 PM
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nothing new for this community... a great idea like a skate park has been birthed in the minds of people to help keep kids out of trouble and give them something to do and what does a few individuals do? Think they rule the world and do everything they can to keep it out... this is what makes me sick and ashamed about living in warren.... no support for our young people...
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needvwparts
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03-09-10 11:04 AM
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con't from post below: for the children and I to enjoy. The sport of Skateboarding is a 5.2 Billion Dollar industry, not a fad. If you enjoyed Shawn White's Olympic GOLD medal win, you should see him ride a skateboard.
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needvwparts
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03-09-10 11:02 AM
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The City of Warren has a location for the skate park, a concrete pad and funding (many thanks to those who donated). My family and I are new to Warren, PA and we love it here. However, I do not understand what fuss is about. My family purchased our last house because it was close to a skate park. Sounds crazy, but I have been skateboarding since I was nine years old. I will soon be 42 years old now and still skate. My two (2) children will learn to skate. I believe exercise is good for everyone. All the cities I have lived in (before relocating to Warren) had skate parks and each was enjoyed by many. I have said it before and I will say it again, if the city does not build a skate park, the city becomes the skate park. Warren sidewalks are the worst I have ever seen, so a skateboarder cannot ride on them. There are 'No Skate Boarding' signs posted everywhere downtown (where the smoothest surfaces are), so they cannot skate there. Please work together to make something for
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TheOtherVoice
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03-09-10 9:38 AM
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Finally someone brings up "The Third Largest Ball Of String In The World" aka The Musarium. If this isn't putting the cart infront of the horse, I don't know what is? You know many years back a group on people made a suggestion of a Kinzua Resort, that was shot down. Probably would have been the best thing that ever happened to this area; and would make all these other "pet" projects seem legitimate instead of just those "privledged" few telling each other what a good job they've done; and how the community will benefit.
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guitbanger
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03-09-10 9:18 AM
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According to the article, $210,000. was raised by donations for a skate park. Maybe the city wants that money to go to the Musarium. The old people would like that. I would like to hear the manager's side of the story.
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TheOtherVoice
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03-09-10 9:06 AM
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You know....perhaps GRO-Warren could help with this. (God I can't get enough of these people), by suggesting some areas, within the downtown area where a skate park might be built. It might help draw people into the downtown. Come on Ms C. it's something to think about! Maybe get Mr Nelles involved. Help us to see his community spirit, and prove all those people wrong that think he's a bad man. GRO-Warren wants to better our downtown & the community; and I can't think of a better way for them to show the young people that they "care".
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Jakethebear
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03-09-10 8:54 AM
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Why do we need a skate park in the first place. I read an article a few years ago that said these are a waste of tax dollars since the little snots that want this crap dont use them. Lets put our efforts to better use like attracting business and keeping the ones we have. It a joke that something so stupid like a skate park is drawing so much controversy. I think agree with Jim Nelles. Lets put our work into something that benefits all residents
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TheOtherVoice
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03-09-10 8:54 AM
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LOL! watcher I LOVE IT! At least some members of the community would get to use the Big Blue Ugly and not just the select few employees of certain businesses. Maybe they might even partronize the GRO-Warren sidewalk cafe's. Like they would ever be allowed to do that. Now mind you I don't have a real opinion as to whether they should have a skate park or not. My issue is with the attitude of some of these "skaters". Thanks also for another opinion of Mr Nelles watcher.
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watcher
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03-09-10 8:23 AM
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As for Mr. Nelles, he has put himslef on my bad list. I have asked him his opinion and input on a few things and get no response from him, just from his secretary. Which amounts to nothing but a run around. I did my homework and came back with it and now I just get ignored. He has one more chance before I call him out in the paper or radio. Whichever venue I need to use. It is an issue that will benefit the citizens of warren. But he won't talk. As for skate park? build it. Give kids something to do and a place to go. If they just hang out they get busted for loitering. Kids Hang out with there friends. That is what they do. Nature of the beast. Too old for rollerrinks and too young for bars. They are awkward and feel out of sorts. Give them something to belong to. It really shouldn't be this hard of a decision. Just do it. Or let them have the "big blue ugly".
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OMGWARREN
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03-09-10 7:20 AM
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This is a bunch of crap. For a town to grow it needs change and Warren has to fight every last little thing. I moved away from there ten years ago because of this. We have skate parks were we live and they are great things. It causes the children to be active. This skate park idea has been going on for 15 or so years now. Let them build the darn thing.
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