And Cushing Park is still a park. I'm told the City Council's Planning and Development Committee voted 2-1 against recommending to change the status of Cushing Park, which needs to be done if a senior center is going to be built there.
The council as a whole still needs to vote on this matter, but this can't bode well for the project. It's not clear as to whether eight or six councilors need to support the change.
No word on who the supporters/dissenters were. Ward 4 Councillor Ed Cameron has been supportive of the notion of building a senior center at that location, and he chairs that committee.
We're guessing he's the yes vote.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives and Barry Connell are the other two members. So perhaps they're the nos?
I'm guessing here folks. I'll take any facts.
UPDATE: Here's today's News account.
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5 comments:
Your hunch is correct, Tom. I was at last night's meeting.
Before listening to many residents voicing their support and opposition to the Cushing Park site, the three councilors spoke.
Ed Cameron echoed the passion of COA Director Roseann Robillard's prior statements that seniors need a center now, not later, and Cushing Park is the ideal site.
Barry Connell questioned whether a senior center would be needed in 2-3 years, which would be the soonest it could be constructed, not to mention whether baby boomers would need a senior center in 20 years.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives felt compassion toward the neighbors and didn't want to rush into any decision.
It should be noted the meeting was posted in advance as a City Council committee of the whole, and every councilor except Tom Jones, Tom O'Brien, and Larry McCavitt attended. Mayor Moak also attended, as did planning director Nancy Colbert and Robillard.
At next Monday's Council meeting, the P&D Committee will move to take the item out of committee and vote on it.
Thanks Ari, nice summary.
No prob, Tom. I'll be away Monday so you can tell me the real deal.
So if a senior center will not be going in there, is there any effort underway to improve Cushing Park? Make it useful?
I was one of the many neighbors who thought Cushing Park was the wrong site for the senior center. I wish the actual councilor for the Park, Mr. Shanley, had showed some public leadership on this one instead of handing it over to a rookie councilor. This is what my ward councilor was elected to do, council president or not.
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