OpINion

Life on the northshore is often controversial. We should know—IN frequently receives calls and letters from readers who wish to express their views on local issues relating to politics, post-Katrina recovery, education and community planning and zoning, to name just a few. And while we print readers’ responses and reactions to stories and information presented within the magazine (Inside Input, at right), we now offer this space strictly for your honest opinions on hot topics.

If you’d like to respond to an OpINion, or write one of your own, please limit your submission to 500 words and e-mail it to editor@insidenorthside.com. Because of space and other editorial considerations, submissions that are accepted for publication may be edited, and not all submissions can be published.

Pelican Park Renewal

I would like to encourage the residents of Recreation District #1/Pelican Park to go to the polls on Saturday, November 17 and support the renewal of the operation and maintenance millage that will allow Pelican Park to continue operations and services to the public at our present level. This is NOT an increase in property tax, but a renewal of the initial three mills that was first approved in 1987 when Recreation District #1 was created.

More than 20 years ago, a group of dedicated volunteers dreamed of a place for children to play. Before Pelican Park, this group of volunteers donated hundreds of hours providing youth sports for the children in the community, using fields and gyms throughout Mandeville. With the increase in population, these volunteers knew that they would soon need fields of their own. In 1985, a group led by Sue McGuire found a large tract of unused state-owned property just west of the state hospital. The volunteers convinced state officials to lease 50 acres to the 4th Ward Recreation Association for a park. The volunteers held fundraisers and sought corporate donations to fund a construction project, but soon realized that it was a huge task for a non-profit group. They discovered, however, that years earlier, local government officials had divided the parish into recreation districts, which had taxing authority. In 1986, the volunteers requested that the parish reactivate Recreation District #1, the district serving the greater Mandeville area.

Since that time, Recreation District #1/Pelican Park has grown beyond our wildest imaginations. Today, the park consists of 23 athletic fields, a three-court gym, a two-court gym, the 46,000-square-foot Castine Center and parking for more than 900 vehicles. In October, the park opened Phase 3 that includes three baseball/softball game fields, two football/soccer game fields, and a skate park. In early 2008, an additional complex with six practice fields for baseball/softball and football/soccer will open. Over 20,000 people visit the park on an average weekly basis, and it has been the site of major tournaments, clinics and special events for many years.

The park has more than 30 full-time employees, but our volunteers are still the heart of the park. Without the volunteers who serve as commissioners, advisory board members, age-group directors and coaches, we would not be able to provide the sports and programs for children.

The RENEWAL of the initial three mills is part of a funding source that provides for 80 percent of the district’s operating and maintenance budget. The other 20 percent is self-generated through rental fees for the Castine Center, fields, gyms, etc. The district’s operating and maintenance budget pays for all costs incurred by the district, which includes staffing, insurances, field care, electricity, major and minor park repairs, building upkeep, equipment, vehicles and office costs.

For 20 years, Kathy Foley, Pelican Park’s director, along with her dedicated staff of professionals and the Board of Commissioners, has efficiently and effectively managed the taxpayers’ money while building a park and developing a recreation district that we can all be proud of.

PLEASE vote on Saturday, November 17 for the RENEWAL of the initial three mills for Recreation District #1/Pelican Park that will allow the district to continue operations and service to the public at the present level.

EVERY VOTE COUNTS. Thank you for your continued support of the district and Pelican Park.
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Sincerely,
Rick S. Danielson

Thanks for our military

I received an e-mail from a very dear friend of mine whose son is a sailor with the 3rd Marine Division fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a medic for both sailors and marines. He graduated from Fontainebleau High School. A great kid and soldier. He has seen it all. I’m sure growing up he never dreamed he would be saving people’s lives and seeing all of the trauma and death of guys he has come to call brothers.

One year ago, my friend called to let me know how touched she was when she went to pick up her son at the airport from his first deployment to Afghanistan. Almost every person in the airport shook her son’s hand, thanking him for fighting for our freedom. People clapped, cheered, cried and were extremely supportive of his service. Knowing her son was appreciated by so many relieved some of her heartache. Of course, she couldn’t hold back the tears.

Now, a year later, she again cried when she picked him up at the airport. In his dress blues, he looked just as good as a son could look, and NO ONE thanked him, cheered, clapped or cried. It was as if he were the enemy. People looked the other way. What has happened in our world? Not even our world—our city?

When I read my friend’s e-mail, I cried and thought of my dad. He always told me, “Nancy, you never want to go to war!” My dad went to war in World War II for 2 1/2 years fighting for our freedom. Can you even believe being away from our world for 2 1/2 years? That means no Starbucks or PJ’s coffee every day, no going to the theatre whenever you have the urge, no calling everyone you know every time you think of something you want to share with someone. Oh, the list goes on. When my dad was alive, I use to thank him over and over for fighting for my freedom and my children’s freedom. He and I would both sit there and cry. Imagine seeing your dad cry just talking about war.

We can’t even imagine what the parents and today’s soldiers are going through. My friend mentioned that the last time her son was in, he talked more about what he had seen in Iraq. He is a little jumpy at loud noises and never stops “looking” when they are in a crowd of people. His time is about up. During his last visit, I asked, “What will you do now?”

His quick response was, “Probably re-enlist.” I couldn’t thank him enough.

My wish is that people who read this will find it in their heart to call a soldier or a mother/father of a soldier today and say, “THANK YOU.”

A heartbroken American,
Nancy Lee