Residents, you'll have to read the two articles added on Wednesday, May 31, to understand the importance of this documented article. Board member Anderson had gone on attack to residents, and the blog, when pictures were displayed of conditions at East Bay Park. The importance? It is time to recognize that the board will attack, stand in the face of facts, when they want you to believe what they say. Board, this is why the residents write the blog, and don't want their names used. Retaliation like Anderson's will follow if the resident doesn't stand in a worship line, and agree with them.
Article
from South Strand News 2013
Yes,
2017, East Bay is being "re-purposed," but the journey took 4
years. You read, you decide.
County responds to City’s concerns about East Bay Park
May 14,
2013 (0)
Georgetown
City Council has until the end of October to decide whether to allow
Georgetown County to continue to manage East Bay Park or to terminate the
lease that expires January 1.
As previously reported, most city council members say they are not happy with what
they consider to be the lack of attention East Bay Park is receiving while
multi-million-dollar parks are being built elsewhere in the county.
Because
the city does not have a recreation department, an agreement was reached
years ago to lease the 23-acre East Bay Park to the county for recreational
purposes.
During
an April 30 workshop, some council members said they do not want to renew the
contract when it expires. They continued the discussion at a workshop last
week.
Councilman
Brendon Barber said he feels the county has been giving the city “the
run-around like a used car salesman” when it comes to maintaining and
improving the park.
“We need
to pick up the tab,” Barber said.
Councilman
Rudolph Bradley said he has no problem continuing dialogue with the county
about the park but feels the county will “continue to Jethro Bodine East Bay
Park,” referring to the Beverly Hillbillies character.
Barber
said if the contract with the county is renewed, he wants the city to erect a
sign stating “this park is managed by the County of Georgetown.”
County
responds
Georgetown
County Administrator Sel Hemingway — in a letter to the editor to be
published in its entirety in Friday’s Georgetown Times — says he was
surprised when he read what some city council members were saying about East
Bay Park because he feels the city and county have a good working
relationship.
“The
county has been completely willing to allow the city to guide the direction
of development and activities at the park, which is demonstrated by the
projects currently planned for the park in the county’s Capital Improvement
Plan,” Hemingway wrote. “Those projects were dictated several years ago by
city officials, who wanted the park to be reserved for passive recreational
activities and open space. Additionally, the county has demonstrated a
willingness to alter plans for the park as opinions shifted over the years.”
Hemingway
said the city and county started talking about the future of East Bay Park in
the summer of 2007 when the Capital Improvements Plan was in the creative
stages.
At that
time the city was working with a consultant, Ken Simmons, and a task force to
put together a master plan for Morgan Park.
Ernie
Nance was chairman of the task force, while Brendon Barber was a member of
the task force.
Hemingway
said before the Capital Improvements Plan was approved by County Council,
talks were held with former Mayor Lynn Wood Wilson and former City
Administrator Steve Thomas.
“We
wanted to do whatever the city wanted to do, but we needed to figure out
where we were going to place the components for our regional parks. I was
told in no uncertain terms that the focus for the East Bay area was to be on
Morgan Park. City officials wanted East Bay to be a passive recreation
destination for walking, fishing and those types of activities,” Hemingway
wrote. “We had no problem with that and were happy to participate in
providing the “passive element,” so off we went.”
Hemingway
said the only requests for the park that have been made by the city are for a
dog park, more shade around the playground areas, new tennis courts and
making the road around the park one-way for traffic.
The
courts are currently scheduled to be constructed in 2017.
“The
county has always been clear in its position that it is willing to provide recreational
opportunities at East Bay Park for residents of the city and all areas of the
county, and that it is willing to allow the city to guide the direction of
those opportunities. That has not changed,” Hemingway wrote, adding the
county has never expressed a desire to end the lease agreement.
“Additionally,
it should be noted that East Bay Park receives a considerable level of use in
its current state,” stated Hemingway. “The County’s current Capital
Improvement Plan contains projects totaling more than $22 million to serve
the residents of the City of Georgetown and the surrounding areas.”
Hemingway
said the county will continue to provide recreational opportunities to City
residents regardless of what happens with the lease agreement for East Bay
Park.
By Scott
Harper
|
