Response To Supreme Court Decision?
From Bas Stevens. While passing by Jubilee Park at about 1245 hrs. today, I noticed City vehicles parked and a crew erecting wooden barricades on the south end of the park beside the parking lot.
I asked one of the crew members what was going on and why were the barriers being put in place. The response was, “This is a playground and cars park in the park”. My reply was, “the city loses a court case and now they are going to extremes”. There was no reply.
This is nothing more than paranoia and very small-mindedness on the part of certain people in City Hall. I think that they are afraid that the homeless may occupy the park once more and that by putting up these barricades they will act as deterrents to a 2nd occupation of the park.
The only time that I recall seeing vehicles parked beyond where these new barricades have been placed is during the Jam in Jubilee.
This is nothing more than overkill and, in my opinion, needs to be brought to the attention of all.
City workers erected a barrier between Jubilee Park and the adjacent parking lot Wednesday morning. Bas Stevens photo.
City workers erected a barrier between Jubilee Park and the adjacent parking lot Wednesday morning. Bas Stevens photo.
City workers erected a barrier between Jubilee Park and the adjacent parking lot Wednesday morning. Bas Stevens photo.
City workers erected a barrier between Jubilee Park and the adjacent parking lot Wednesday morning. Bas Stevens photo.
City workers erected a barrier between Jubilee Park and the adjacent parking lot Wednesday morning. Bas Stevens photo.
Bas, seems like you might be over-reacting. First of all, you’re guessing at the motives behind this. I personally look at it and I see a plan that makes sense. The city put in a nice playground, now they’re ensuring vehicles can’t access the playground or park. Seems a safety matter with a precedent seen in many other parks in the city. The new fence looks like a continuation of a preexisting barrier. I don’t see how the new fence could stop people from setting up and accessing tents or temporary structures. I could be wrong, am I missing something?
Kagey1, it is a matter of appearance and timing.
How long has it been since the new playground equipment has been installed? Quite some time, I would say.
It has only been a couple of days since the City lost a major court case leaving Tuesday to set the wheels in motion and Wednesday to do the installation.
Bruce Banman is a very desperate individual right now. He will do anything to “save his hide”. He has used chicken manure; he has used the police; he has attempted to use the courts and now he has reverted to erecting barriers.
As I said at the beginning, it is all about timing and appearance. If there was such a concern about the playground, why were the barriers not installed in conjunction with, or shortly following, the installation of the new equipment. Why did the City wait until 2 days following a huge loss in court?
Desperate people do desperate things!
Bas, with respect I think you are making an issue where there isn’t one. This “Barrier” does not keep anyone from doing what they want in the park but it does keep vehicles out. Contrary to your statement, there are vehicles in the park all the time. I help with the dinners along with 5&2 and have supported the homeless in all of this, but even when we do this we have had the vehicles in the park. I disagree with Banman in almost all of his decisions regarding the homeless. However this is about safety, if my kids are in the park playing I do not want vehicles to be driven in the park. Almost all other parks have these safety barriers why should this one be different. Let’s fight the real battles, we loose credibility when we ignore common sense and blame one for everything just because we don’t agree or like the person.