Andy Rodriguez has used the work of a serious committee to carry out a personal vendetta (Oct. 13, "What does small town charm mean to Jebian?"). In so doing, he mischaracterized the tone and the outcome of these meetings.
The goals of the Oro de Amador committee included developing two or three plans for the park, as well as exploring funding and development possibilities. This was a large task, and the committee took it seriously. The three community workshops produced over 40 ideas that were used as a starting point to develop two lists of active and passive activities. Some of these included active playing fields, walking trails, picnic grounds, a community garden and a new library site.
The committee also had one meeting with Mark Montgomery of Carleton Engineering devoted to the challenges presented by the toxic remains on the site. We also tried to work out plans that considered the challenges presented by the variety of topography and the lack of large level areas. Committee members were passionate about the project and we also realized the need to work together.
Elaborate sports facilities have nothing to do with "small town values." I grew up riding my bike on dirt roads, ice skating on frozen ponds and playing softball in the school yard of a one-room country school in Michigan. Of course we want to provide better than that for our children, but we need to be sensitive to the recreational needs of all our citizens as well as the challenges and opportunities of this wonderful resource in the heart of Jackson.