Minutes - 1993/10/11 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS PAGE 7 SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 still living; two are 88 years old and the other two are in their 70's. Councilmember Blanchard stated that if the issue could be delayed a few more years, there would not be a problem in making the name change. Mayor Wells stated his opinion that these individuals should not be forgotten. Councilmember Blanchard indicated that she does not intend to let anyone forget them adding that she is "adamant" about this issue. Councilmember Blanchard pointed out that the founders did all of the clearing of the park themselves and manually dredged the lake with railroad ties to make a swimming beach. Councilmember Blanchard stated her belief that these people deserve to be remembered as they did not hire the work to be done, but did it themselves. Councilmember Blanchard added that she would not "argue too strongly against" the change to Lakeside Lions Park but remains adamantly opposed to Lions Park. Councilmember Trude asked if the Lions are actually doing any work at the park or just donating their pull-tab money. Councilmember Mathiowetz stated that when the park was founded, it was in cooperation with both cities and it remains that type of i situation today. Councilmember Mathiowetz stated that this cooperation must continue in order for the park to remain in existence due to the clause in the deed providing for the property to revert back to its original owners should it cease to be a park. In reference to pull-tab monies, Councilmember Mathiowetz stated that the Lions did use pull-tab money but also did a lot of hard work at the park planting trees, general up-keep, etc. In reference to the comment regarding just hiring someone to do the work, Councilmember Mathiowetz pointed out that both cities would not have allowed the beach house to be built with volunteer labor. Councilmember Mathiowetz also pointed out that the old building had to be raised, plans and specifications prepared and approved and bids sought prior to construction of the new building. Councilmember Mathiowetz stated that if they had wanted to, the Lions would not have been allowed to do this work on their own. Councilmember Mathiowetz noted that when the request for a name change was denied several years ago, the Lions did not abandon the park, but continued their support with both gambling money and labor. Councilmember Mathiowetz stated that this issue is not being resurrected at the behest of the Lions, but because the Spring Lake Park City Council believes they deserve recognition for all that they have done at Lakeside Park and feels that this can be done by renaming it Lakeside Lions Park. •