City Announces Plans for Veterans Park
— by Jeffrey Wisniewski — 3 November 2009 — 5 comments below »
The City has spent $120k this past year (approved in March and July) on the design of an art-piece tribute to veterans, but it was at last week’s City Council meeting that Councilmember Kris Valstad unveiled City plans to develop a Veterans Park on Hercules Point (which until now has not been made public) where the art-piece will be displayed…
It should be noted that the event Valstad says is open to the public is actually the opposite; the City has confirmed that the event is an invitation-only event for local veterans, but anyone interested may contact the City for an invitation.
This is crazy. When does the city ask what the public wants! I have never been asked anything from the city. A veterans park at the most prized location in all of Hercules. With ZERO input from the people. Just makes me sick.
I am all for veterans and the job they did, but have we even asked them if they want a park there?
it will also include Balico’s helipad. We need to work on the name though, something more prestigious that will raise property values……
I was aware some sort of park was being considered for that location but am surprised the planning has gone so far with no community input – AGAIN!
The Veterans Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee was created last November. They were given one year to explore the feasibility of developing a Veterans tribute and provide a recommendation on how to possibly deliver a tribute to all Veterans who have served in the United States military. The committee has presented reports to the City Council over the one year period on this matter. The meeting on November 11th is scheduled as the completion of the Ad-Hoc committee’s work.
The concept will be officially forwarded and presented to the City Council at an upcoming regular City Council meeting, with the recommendation to forward the concept/idea to the general public for their input and to the Planning Commission, and Community and Library Services Commission. The meeting on the 11th will also seek to have members of the community volunteer to undertake this project and follow the same format that concluded the construction of the Hercules Public Library.
By: City Manager Nelson Oliva
11/6/2009
Nelson, whatever. The tribute is a “tribute” to Sakamoto and his cohorts. I am confident you have particular artists in mind for such installations also. Who are the artists friends of? Hasn’t Sakamoto received enough already in bond fees, contracts with the City, retirement, maybe NEO money from the City? When will the paybacks to friends and family end? By the way, is Taylor getting fees on Hercules projects and how much are those, in addition to her salary through the “private” “enterprise,” NEO? (…while on vacation for a year out of the Country)