380 replies to this topic

[camay2327]

Another thing, the original estimated cost to tear down the building (The Fire Station) was initially given as $150,000, including the cost to dispose of the "rock".  I heard that a local demolition contractor said that the building could be removed for $100,000. That wasn't brought up either!!!!!

[dave]

Is that for the main station or the newer one on Blue Ravine and Prairie City that is coming down?

[tessieca]

I'd be really surprised if soccer dads are out mowing either city or school district fields. The city and school district would probably be troubled by that, and it creates a huge labor-relations issue. Adopt-A-Facility is a program that uses money from the recreation group fees to help to keep fields in repair. But, on Farley field, Dave's probably right. There are some fields that cannot be repaired without substantially being rebuilt, which thus far has proven too expensive for both city or district.

Waterbaby, you missed Dave's first three paragraphs and focused on the P.S. part. Listening (reading) might help you to understand others' points of view.

[camay2327]

It is the fire station on Natomas that they were going to build the library at.

[Soccermom]

Soccer dads and moms ARE out working on the fields do you know that we had 2800 kids in our soccer program last year and expect 3000 this year. Do you think the city has the means to staff landscapers to mow the fields when they need it for these kids NO! This is not a city program as with little league. Dads and moms stripe all the fields and mow if needed when the city has been there already and water and fill in potholes so our kids do not get injured playing on the fields that are in such bad shape. The city cannot even get the fields watered properly the soccer club has to call and let them know when this school or that school is overwatered or underwatered. Not to mention that these clubs donate money to the city to help build or maintain these fields and also donate to FAA Folsom Athletic assoc money goes to all the parks and fields that need work or help or whatever. It is not all from the city. The majority of the youth sports clubs in town have nothing to do with the city and are run purely by volunteer parents! Trust me I have striped and mowed and filled in holes on many fields in town! And other towns that we have to play in as well! There is a need for all of these services in our community and they all need involvement by residents whether it is a library or a ball field! This city is growing at an alarming rate we need to make sure that we have the means to provide all the services that our residents desire whether it be sports fields or libraries and not take away one without making sure to replace the other.

[Steve Heard]

Waterboy

You said to Dave, "and u need to investigate your facts on this"

Then went on to say, " or maybe it is because Mr.Mikolos made some sort of profit off those sites already - interesting that a man that is a mortgage broker does not have an interest with the developers"

That is very seriouis accusation. Perhaps it is you who should investigate your facts.

I've worked for/with Steve Miklos for about 1 year and a half. I find him to have the utmost integrity. Steve does not use his position as mayor to gain business. In fact, when I first started there, I was admonished for mentioning, in a letter to potential clients, that Bentley Mortgage was owned by Folsom's mayor. I thought it might add credibility or a point of reference, because our company generally does not advertise, do telemarketing, and does little direct mail. My office manager told me that even so, the mayor keeps his business and city business separate at all times. I understood and complied.

Think about it. I am sure you receive solicitations from mortgage companies in the mail. How many have you received from Bentley? Have you ever seen or heard any advertisement linking Bentley to the mayor's office?

We've grown our business through our reputation as an outstanding group people who genuinely help people finance their homes, not because Steve Miklos is the mayor.

I wouldn't work for anyone who didn't have the utmost integrity, and Steve Miklos proves his intregrity, dedication and value to the community every day.

We do not profit from developers. We only make money when we finance homes, and the developers generally do everything in their power to get the homebuyers to finance through them. Some have their own mortgage companies, and others have contracts with preferred brokers. They offer incentives and pressure to get buyers to finance through their companies, not through Mr. Miklos’s.

In fact, I have personal relationships with people who would have otherwise financed their homes with me, but fell for those tactics.

The developers are not trying to put money into our pockets. They are trying to put it in theirs.

For you to make such a suggestion is at best unfair, and possibly slanderous.

Are you also suggesting that the aquatic center, bike trails, parks and all of the public facilities in this town built under his watch were done so he could make a profit? I'm sure developers would have loved to have the land where the aquatic center sits.

And all of this because you are mad at him because of the library site.

That's shameful.

[dave]

Steve: As usual, good thinking.

Soccer mom: Where to begin? The little league IS independent of the city just like the soccer club.

The city mows CITY playing fields twice a week when not raining. The city fiels are not in bad shape, unless you expect Olympic perfection.

You keep confusing city fields and school parks. Don't call the city about school parks, it won't help. Call Don Butler at the district. He may be able to work out an arrangement for parents to make school field more playable.

Folsom Lake College fields are a different arrangement. The city does maintainance but is on a once a week schedule, per the college requirements, I think.

The city is NOT merely eliminating a field. The Kemp Park fields ARE the replacement for it.

[Soccermom]

I am not confused about city versus school fields they are both used by by most of the clubs. They take what they can get. Consider 7 games a day played on one field they do require more maintenance then twice a week mowing. Holes need to be filled etc. I know the difference between the city and school fields the schools are in the worst shape. I know who the contacts are for field issues not my point! I am curious if Kemp is the replacement, which is what I have wondered the whole time, why are we still playing on Farley? That is the big question. Not who is responsible for maintenance on which type of field. Like I said I am for the library but wonder why is it that, we have for years and continue to use this field when there are other new ones? The demand keeps growing for fields every year that is why. More and more kids sign up for sports every year. I don't know who said it but there was a concern about not much open space left. That is my worry if they take away one field to make the library are we going to be able to handle to growth and continue to add the fields as needed? My main point is, which some keep incorrectly stating, that Farley is used quite heavily.

[waterbaby149]

Hear hear Soccermom

That space is an open space that should remain that way

There has been no satisfactory reason why this location has been chosen

and which halo is the city council wearing when they won't address the concern of the tax payers

[Soccermom]

Another point, our dear city has a spectacular adult sports program. So when a new city field is added our adult sports programs are expanded. A new field usually is booked to full usuage capacity before it is even completed. It isn't only the youth sports programs who need the fields. Adult sports most often take priority over the youth sports programs that are volunteer run. Fields are in high demand for all!

[dave]

Soccermom, Waterbaby, others: What is our common ground?

I think that we can agree that:

Farley Field is both usable and used.

City Park is desirable open space for the community.

There are different quality levels of playing fields and the players tend to prefer the newer, higher quality fields.

We have limited tax dollars and that there are many competing interests for those tax dollars.

We still have more playing fields to build in new areas for which new development will pay.

Parks and Rec says that our greatest need is indoor space for classes and other events.

There is tremendous desire for a new library in Folsom.


Things on which we may not agree:

We will have enough playing fields without Farley Field. (Parks and Rec say so)

Having the library near City Hall and saving the old firehouse for other indoor uses next to City Hall will be efficient in many ways. (Parks and Rec says so)

The new veterans memorial will be an improvement over a rock plaque.


I am seeing that the unhappiness lies not in the memorial change, but in the loss of local park open space. Also, in nostalgia for old Folsom and some level of resentment over the newer developments sort of taking over the city.

But here is the bright side for you. There are many new fields in town that are yours to use as you please. And new development paid for their construction entirely. The older parts of town paid nothing. You're welcome. Perhaps the price the older parts of town pay is in the obsolescence and change in what you are nostalgic for.

In a world of limited resources there are choices that sometimes are made that don't always leave everyone happy. But in the end the hope is that the total public and taxpayer satisfaction is at the highest level.

[john]

Well put, Dave. I might add we have a softball field right by my home (Catlin Park) that is not regularly used. The only thing I have ever seen on a regular basis is the occasional game of cricket (yes, Cricket!) by a local club. Softball is not played regularly there. You can't say there is a shortage of usable fields in Folsom - there is a shining example of one not in use very frequently.

[waterbaby149]

Dave and John how blind are you - Park and Rec says it is ok - so let's jump off the bridge

It is a memorial to veterans - giving them there little flags is not enough - but a nice token
I want a library
Not on Farley Field or on the park at all
because you can justify taking one thing, then another and then another and then there is no standing on principal
and that is it the principal of the thing
let alone the breaking of State and Federal Legistlative Law

You all may think you are going to get the library there - but you won't without a fight - and believe it or not the recall is well on its way!

[john]

Okay, time to take my "webmaster hat" off.

Admit it, it has nothing to do with a friggin' softball field.

There is nothing wrong with being opposed to the project out of sheer principle. How is it breaking a state/federal law?

I'm just tired of this discussion being centered around a softball field. It has nothing to do with a softball field.

Fact is, it's not your park! It's the city's... we elected officials to make these decisions for us. This is not a new issue. If you don't like it, there is a general election in November, you can vote 2 of them out. That's the way this country works.

[dave]

Waterbaby: A hypothetical question for you.

Let's say there is a two lane road and a veteran/cop crashes and dies there. A small memorial is built there and the road is named after the guy. As the town grows into a city the road needs to be expanded into a four to six lane highway.

The choices are: Expand the road and build a better memorial nearby.

Or: Don't expand it and let the residents suffer, or build a more expensive road around it.

Which would you pick?