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CITY PARK UPDATE: “GAME ON!!”
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
By superadmin :: 91 Views
So what does the phrase “Game On” refer to? The
game I refer to is the on-going (never ending) contest
between citizens and park staff with regard to park
conditions previously listed. The game goes like this:
First, problems arise in the park causing an unsightly
blight; then the response by park officials is to not solve
the problem (and/or occasionally ignore or neglect the
problem). Then, citizens complain about the problem:
This is when the game gets entertaining. Park adminis-
tration “Special Teams” spring into action to offer any
number of reasons (citizens call these “reasons” by their
real name: excuses) why staff is incapable of solving the
problem. Some standard defensive strategies include:
“We’re working on it,” “There’s nothing we can do about
it;” “We don’t have the resources;” “The big project
caused the problem;” “That’s not our job, so call some-
one else;” and “Be patient--nature works in mysterious
(and very slow) ways.” Recently, park administrators in-
troduced a new tactic originally created by Condoleeza
Rice: When asked about the algae on the lake, park of-
ficials said, “I don’t think anyone could have anticipated
this happening... Citizens, now desperate for victory, go
on offense by “going deep”... we call our Councilwoman.
Unfortunately, the “Hail Mary play” rarely works, as the
Councilwoman responds with tried and true responses
such as: “Call 3-1-1,” “Be patient,” or my personal favor-
ite - “Maybe things will be better next year.” The game
ends when the citizens (poor losers that we are) give
up, and drive south to enjoy a beautiful, magical fantasy
land. No…not Disneyland… Wash Park..
Sometimes though, the game goes into overtime.
Like when citizens such as our own Hank Wotli keep
after the powers that be until progress is made. Hurrah
Hank!! Hank called park administrators, City Coun-
cil, Excel Energy, and the Mayor’s Office to seek action
(truly worthy of “All Pro” Citizen status). Hank’s action
further inspires SCPNA leaders to confront the City
Park Alliance to urge them to get in the game, and to
rally other neighborhood organizations to join with us,
the “good guys.” And who knows, we may even go to
our never-fail secret play: “9 Wants to Know.”
Stay tuned sports fans...this game ain’t over ‘til it’s
over.
And - if you think this is fun, TENT CITY is com-
ing… GAME ON!
--Submitted by Roger Lawson, Assistant Head
Coach, “The Fightin’ Citizens” |
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