380 replies to this topic

[Ahnold]

waterbaby:

All I can say to that is OH MY GOD! How utterly clue-less that makes you sound to quote that! Do you honestly believe that the construction of a library on a site of a ballfield named for an honored veteran is a malicious, insidious attempt to dishonor that man? Your credibility took a huge hit there my friend. You folks are way to close to this issue and reason and common sense seems to have left the building. Better run for the hills Candy, they're coming after you... it's the law apparently.

[waterbaby149]

Like I said - great have the library
but not there!!!!
the city council is not listening or even opening it for conversation
but some people must be worried because certain city council persons are making calls to certain Vets

[john]

I'd really like to know how replacing a rock with a more suitable memorial like a rose garden, statue or whatever is "malicious".

Farley's relatives are OK with it, let's get this thing going!

[waterbaby149]

interesting
what part of legistlative law do u not understand
or just refuse to understand because it does not suit u at the moment

[Ahnold]

to the city's discredit, they have made very little effort that I know of to offer an olive branch in this matter. Waterbaby's vague, ill-conceived legal threats aside, the only way to mitigate the park site is to honor Mr. Farley through the library. Why has no one offered up an official position on that? To the few advocates of the existing memorial, may I ask you this: if we were starting from a clean slate, what sort of memorial would you envision for Mr. Farley? Would it be a simple stone and ball field? Would it be a statue, honoring not just Mr. Farley, but all veterans? How about a permanent exhibit describing Mr. Farley's life and accomplishments, and the manner in which he gave his life for his country? It seems to me that we can reach a common ground here if the massive egos and special interests on both sides of this argument would just set aside the rhetoric and respect the mutual benefits of the proposed plan.

[Candy Apple]

Had waterbaby and others been at the CC meeting 2/24 he/they would have seen and heard the Vets Ad Hoc committee recommendations, ALL OF WHICH WERE PRAISED AND APPLAUDED BY THE AUDIENCE AND THE CITY COUNCIL

[Ahnold]

Candy, please share those comments with us! I hope we are reaching a consensus here.

[waterbaby149]

Candy should not presume that she was the only one at the meeting on 2/24

I recently found out that only 2 members from the VFW were on that committee and only because they did not sign the recall petition
Not to insult the vets that did serve on the committee - but what majority did they represent, and which one of them was young enough to have served in Vietnam

The VFW in Folsom is strong in membership of 2000.

[Candy Apple]

Ahnold----I can't remember all of the recommendations. One that is going to be put into place as soon as possible is a gold star on every street sign in Folsom named after a veteran.

Another, is a flag court in the plaza in the front of the main entrance to the library. The flags would consist of the Stars and Stripes, the CA state flag, a flag of every branch of the U. S. Military Service. Maybe others that I have forgotten. The flag poles would have "internal" cords for raising and lowering the flags so that the flags cannot be "removed".

A display of some sort of all the memorabelia of Folsom Vets.

There were quite a few more.

I'm sorry I can't be more accurate but if you call the city clerk's office you can probably request a copy of the Vet's Ad Hoc committee report. That # is 355-7270

[Nina Phillips]

It's good to see that there has been a lot of input on the Library issue. It's obvious from the responses, with opinions one side or the other, that the issue on the Library location is not settled by any stretch of the imagination. If the City would have let the community be more involved in the location of the Library before this point, we would all be spending this time doing other things. However, this is an important issue and it needs attention.

One thing that you people that simply "want a new library," keep forgetting is that, those of us that don't want the library built on Farley Field also think a library is nice. BUT NOT ON FARLEY FIELD!!!!!!!! Get it? It is going to cost that same amount of money no matter where that library is build. And, wouldn't it be nice if the library was built in a place that ALL of Folsom residents could enjoy it?

You people that don't care about that field don't care where it's built. You simply just say, "build it," and have no desire to question authority. Further, those of you who have been in Folsom for a short time, have not seen the City cram other issues down our throat.

It is nearly impossible to meaningfully participate in a City counsel meeting, with the filibustering to the extent that an issue doesn't get the exposure and comments it needs. I HAVE BEEN TO A FEW CITY COUNSEL MEETINGS, AND I WOULD RATHER PULL MY HAIR OUT OF MY HEAD. Thank you.

Those of us against the library in this spot have just started. We will continue to fight this issue. No amount of "Bones" the City throws us such as Veterans Ad Hoc Committees, flags, rocks or other token memorials will suffice.

[Steve Heard]

It is clear that many sites were looked at, this was the most cost effective, and that the opposition was given an opportunity to speak and did not, that the softball field is barely used, the current memorial is inconspicuous, with many residents not even aware that it existed, even those who have used the field, and that a better, more fitting tribute to Mr. Farley could be incorporated into the library.

You have the right to stay away from the city council meetings. As you said, you'd rather pull your hair out. If you don't bother to go, do you have the right to complain about the outcome? The proponents of the library site were there.

And what about the softball field? I know softball players in town who say that it is in relatively poor shape, and is rarely used, as there are better, newer facilities available. Is an all but abandoned softball field with a rock in a corner of it the best way to honor Mr. Farley and Folsom veterans?

For many people this issue isn't really about Mr. Farley's memorial softball field at all. It's about politcs. It's about change. It's about resentment of city council members. Most of the members, I may ad, have repeatedly been voted into office by the citizens of Folsom. Why is this so, if they are so terrible?

I've been here only a few years, but it seems to me that many long time residents are against any changes that come about in this little city.

Change is inevitable.

[waterbaby149]

In response to StevetheDad - the veterans have been at the meeting - and had the matter of the library pushed to the end of the docket - these men and women are elderly and others work - they can't stay up that late - sorry -
the vets and the lions club have made there feelings known - only to be told to go away we won't listen to u
The council members say that they contacted the VFW when this started and met with them - not true
The VFW and the Lions cannot trust the council members
and the council members track record on projects being shoved down everyones throats is long standing
Yes these people were elected - but they won't be again - at least not without a fight - and 2 of the council members are up or should I say that there spots are up for election in November or so - so anyone who wants to run for those 2 seats - please come forth
Again the recall meeting is Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. at the Folsom VFW on Forrest Avenue - if you have more questions about all of this or u are upset about the actions the council has taken - please come -
but keep in mind that we will not tolerate hostile confrontations - everyone is entitled to their opinion ........ so if u want more information, or want to help - we will see u Friday night at 7:00 p.m.

[Ahnold]

waterbaby, I finally found one of your statements that I can agree with. It did seem awfully insensitive of the council to push that item back to such a late hour. It wasn't fair to the vets.

I read a little more about the vets committee recommendations this morning, and it matches Candy's post - it all sounds like a good start, but more can and should be done to honor our vets as part of the library.

[Candy Apple]

I, personally, like the idea of the flag court but think it would be much better on the PARK SIDE plaza entrance where it could be seen from BOTH Natoma and Stafford streets, AND where more people could come to see and participate in any Memorial, Day, Labor Day, 4th of July, or any other memorial events.

The time just ran late at the CC meeting because of the awards being presented to SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ON A SCHOOL NIGHT. I think there were 57 or more kids there and it took some time to go through all the names.

Unfortunately, as Folsom has grown, there are more and more PUBLIC things on the agenda, all of which take time.

[grandpa babe]

[FONT=Times][SIZE=7]

Candy Apple. This is my first visit to this web site and it would appear that you are a very active and involved resident of Folsom. For that I applaud you in as much as you not only have opinions about the library but also about the dam, bridges, traffic issues, and just about every where else I have looked that involves issues of this city.

However, on the subject of the library you remind me of my days in the Pacific with "Tokyo Rose"--she had a lot of propaganda, but her facts were in most cases questionable, if they existed at all. In this case, I believe you and your colleagues simply do not understand that the proposed library location is our city park and it does not matter what contributions were made by the Lions or Mr. Farley. The opposition of the Lions and the veterans would be exactly the same simply because you propose to destroy a part of the city park (our heritage) that is considered sacred, open space, very much like Central Park is to New York City.

You indicate that putting the library here is better than waiting another ten years to find a different site. The comment tells me a world of information. If after ten years of site pursuit, the siting committee selects one of the most controversial sites in all of the greater Folsom area, it certainly calls into question the capabilities of the siting committee. Might I suggest that you employ the services of the Lions and the veterans to assist in resiting a location for the library. I assure you that between the two organizaitons, they have both the resources and the connections to find a more appropriate site in less than 30 days and at no additional land cost to the city.

Unfortuantely, your comments concerning the ad hoc veterans committee is also without much merit. Please know that the Lions Club is well organized and has served this community for over 65 years. The veterans organization also extends well beyond the time when Folsom became a city. We too are well organized and willing to advise our city representatives on any matters that deal with veterans or Lions' interests. The ad hoc committee for whom you brag of were appointed by the city council and serve at their pleasure. Please be assured none of the ad hoc committee speaks for anyone other than themselves and certainly do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the greater Folsom veterans organization. If the city council is interested in our opinion, we will gladly provide it. Unfortunately, they typically don't like what we have to say and that is why we are working to replace them.

I have considered answering several of your messages, but I believe the above comments state my collective thoughts. Simply know that we are proud of you for supporting the veterans and any city tribute that may be forthcoming through a new library. We simply hope that we can work with you to bring such tributes to reality and believe me the veterans and Lions have a long tradition of making things happen in this community. Again, we suport and will commit our time and effort and connections to the construction of a new community library, but not at the expense of our city park.