There has been 3 or 4 stories printed in the Antigo Journal in recent weeks about the the new playground being built at the corner of Field St. and Sixth Ave. The park, according to the Journal, is being funded only by volunteers, and the land is/was city-owned. The project is being worked on and volunteers are needed. You can see the recent Journal articles about the park here:
Tools Still Needed for Playground (4/18/08)
Cheers for the Crew Building Playground
Playground Project Needs Volunteers (4/24/08)
We would like to hear your opinions & comments about the project.
Above photos taken 04/30/2008
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Tags: antigo playground being built, antigo wi new park, Antigo wi playground, antigo wi volunteers for park
[...] You can read more about the new playground/park HERE. [...]
I think a commnity-funded project is great, but another playground? I guess I would understand if they put it in a better location, but now our 3 major parks (Lake Park, City Park, and now the new park) are all on the East side of 45, making it a long (and even dangerous) trip for kids living on the west side of 45.
If kids go without their parents, they’ll have the danger of crossing the busiest road in town. Once they get there, Spring Brook is only 100 feet away from the playground, and it’s about a 6-8 foot drop from the ground to the 1-3 inches of water. It’s only a matter of time before a child falls and either gets seriously hurt or killed. It would’ve been a better idea to put the new park on the west side of 45 with no hazards around it.
I think the park is going to be fenced in, so the worry of kids falling in the creek shouldn’t be an issue. I don’t think they will drown in a foot of water, but the drop might hurt a little. Children that are young enough to be stupid and jump over the ledge will probably be with their parents. The drop has been there for many years and nobody has been seriously hurt, so I doubt the playgroudn being there will really make any difference-I hope.
Scientific fact: An ADULT human can drown in as little as an inch of water.
The fact that no one has been injured there before might have something to do with the fact that the property was previously occupied by an implement dealership where kids were not and should not be playing.
Simply put, why did we need another park/playground?? Could that money not have been better spent updating and/or expanding one of the many currently existing?
Good point Alexis. Originally, I just thought this was going to be a new jungle gym or whatever you’d like to call it at either Lake Park or City Park. But a whole new park was kind of an odd decision. Like I said, I think it’s great that the community itself raised the money and is doing all the building itself, but it could’ve went towards something else. We do have plenty of parks for younger kids, but once they grow up, they have little to do. If the mayor and the community decide to do something like this again in the future, it would be nice to see it put towards something like the proposed roller skating rink or something else that teens would enjoy.
There are playgrounds at every school and basically all over Antigo. I have a young child and still DO NOT understand why we need another playground! I think it’s just another ridiculous waste of money from a city that continually makes BAD decisions. Again, I agree with DF2Y. Give our teens something to do! There is nothing for them!
The park funded only by volunteers was ruined for me when I witnessed a team of city employees and equipment moving dirt/bark around the site. Who volunteered my tax money? I would not vote to use tax money to build this park, and certainly would not vote to have the park and rec. department maintain it. This is a huge waste in a failing neighborhood.
Wow, funny how people can find reasons to complain about the most positive event I can remember to bring the community together. Have any of you actaully SEEN the new playground? Does anything else compare in our city? Ask any kid and you will get an accurate answer. This project was much more than a playground, it was an event to bring people together. It’s too bad that some of you negative voices couldn’t bring yourself to jump in for an hour or two over a five day period. But, it’s not surprising.
John Jameson – Yes! I thought this was “volunteer” only!?!
Voice of Reason: If you want an event to bring people together, please don’t volunteer my tax dollars to maintain it(your event). It’s not a matter of my family not volunteering our time(we did by the way), it’s just a poorly planned location for yet another tax burden. Our property taxes are rediculous for the services we receive, and now there is another park on the east side of town for us to maintain. Yes, the park is amazing, but why wasn’t it built at either City or Lake Parks?
It was originally going to be built at Lake Park, but with the expansion of Merit Gear they decided to change locations. I think there was plenty of room just to move it and keep it at Lake Park. Wouldn’t, as others have pointed out, it be too close to water if they built it at Lake Park. Wow, so many kids have drowned there already. It probably was a good idea not to build it there. Its called parental supervision, something this town needs to teach their kids. I’m sure if someone drowns at any of the parks, it will be the City’s fault and not the neglectful parent that wasn’t watching their kid.
If they built it at City Park they would have to cut down a bunch of trees (added expense). Maybe it isn’t the prettiest place to put a park, and maybe their is already a jungle gym across the street, but you have to start somewhere with making an area prettier. I like the idea of tearing down all the junk buildings that were there and building something positive for the community. I was expecting something a little bigger for the money, but I guess that goes to show how much lumber is selling for. It looks nice, but I doubt that for as small as it is that it will bring people to the community to see it. It is nice, but not overly impressive.
Why does everyone have to whine about where donated money is going? The people have decided to put their money towards the playground. So what? They are not going to donate it to a private entity such as the roller rink (no offense to them), so someone else can make a profit. What about the pool? That is a place for teens to go. People donated the money for it to be built (no need to go into tax dollars being used to maintain it). The town I came from was smaller than Antigo. We had no pool, no roller rink, no video games, nothing to do that was provided by anyone else. We had a baseball diamond and a tennis court. What good was that? Well, it provided an oppurtunity for us to be creative and hang out together, make our own fun. Teens lack that originality today and constantly feel the need for outside stimulus. They blame others for getting into trouble and say their is “nothing to do.”
Kudos to all those that donated money and time. Let’s not taint their efforts by pissing and moaning about why it doesn’t fit into our world and ideals.
I am equally angry about the sh*t-hole pool and the corruption behind its maintenance costs. There was plenty of land at the lake park location. The west ball diamond sits unused since Kretz park was built. . Why not put the park there? If this new park is so much nicer than what we had, then the city should sell off the city and lake park properties and use the money to maintain the great, new park, or build a park on the west side of highway 45. Maybe you are onto something about cutting down trees at city park. If they log the park it might lower some of the tax burden of the new wasteland(park).
Ignorant- I do agree that us teens lack the creativity I’m sure you had as a kid. I can usually make my own fun (when I’m not working or involved with sports), but every now and then it’s nice to have something else to do. The outdoor pool is a waste. I would love to see it repaired and opened again instead of just sitting there rotting away. The aquatic center is BEAUTIFUL, but who in their right mind wants to go swimming inside on a 90 degree summer day? Yes there are lakes, but unless you want to swim in Antigo Lake or Remington’s Lake (no thanks), you have at least a 10 mile trip out of town. With the outdoor pool, when we were kids we just rode our bikes.
In no way am I cutting down the efforts of the volunteers and benefactors, but another playgrond just wasn’t the answer. Like you said Ignorant, it’s not something that is going to make people say “Let’s go to Antigo!” I really hope the community can do this again (without hidden tax dollars) on a project that would really benefit the community.
Ah Mr. Jameson,you are just a bitter man. You are probably one of those loons that thinks we are a heavily taxed city. Have you seen property taxes elsewhere? You and your ilk will find anything and everything to b*tch and moan about and do nothing to help out. You remind me of the ‘frowning four’ on the city council. Everytime I watch on channel 3, I see them voting no to everything. However, whenever there is something going on in the community, SpringBrook cleanup, the candlelight vigil for Avail (10 minutes after they sat in a council meeting), the Boomtown speaker, and the playground, they are nowhere to be found. I applaud you for being out there if indeed you and your family were there. I wish I could have been out there more than the two days I was.
I guess this is just a matter of outlook. You seem to subscribe to the thought that there is a conspiracy and corruption everywhere in this city. Every post I read from you is angry about something. You ask many questions, such as why did the city move the location of the playground, but must have not watched the council meetings on tv or read the paper. IGNORANT PEOPLE SUCK hit it right on the head. Merit Gear is expanding 30 something million dollars which will increase the tax base much more than your foolish idea of logging City Park. It will also bring in many jobs which is great for the community. Also, the area of town that the playground was built is scheduled for a complete overhaul, something you probably are against as well.
Here is all that I ask. If you wish to disagree with decisions, feel free. I can’t ever blame someone for their point of view. But to assume that all alternatives weren’t considered or that those in charge are incompetent is just plain wrong. Your insinuations that everyone is out to rip off the city and taxpayers are ludicrous. Why not challenge ideas rather than people’s integrity or motives? I am sure no one in power is actively plotting out how to waste the taxpayers money and screw over the little guy.
Case and Point, the playground was a fantastic project. If city employees were there working here and there (are you sure they weren’t volunteering at the time?), all the better. All I know is while I was there, I heard nothing negative. People were working side by side and completely positive despite the bad weather on Saturday when I was there. I would much rather my tax money going there than the almost $2000 spent on recounts from the last election. Everytime I drive by or bring my kids to the playground, I will be proud that I and my city were behind it.
I don’t think Mr Jameson is talking about the area you are talking about by Merit Gear, I believe he is talking about the playground area by all of the baseball diamonds. The equipment there is outdated and rarely used. It’s to late for this now, but it would have been great if they would have put it there, the kids would have had some where nice to play while their parent’s/siblings played ball.
I also find it hard to believe that the city employee’s were volunteering there time during the middle of a work week. That said if they were why were city vehicles being used. There is no arguing this point since there is pictures above with city vehicles in the picture.
This being said yes I am happy that we have a new playground, I do plan on bringing my children there. I just hope that this park is maintained better than the current ones.
Ignorant people,
When did anyone drown at the Lake Park? I have lived here my entire life and don’t remember hearing about kids drowning? And the river is running right next to the new park doesn’t that have the same risks?
Regardless of what area Mr. Jameson was talking about, my point is that the group in charge seemed like they were very well planned and organized. I talked to a few of them and they seemed to have an idea of what they were doing. It would be presumptuous to assume that they did not investigate all viable locations and the pros and cons of each. I understand that the location isn’t ideal for all, but to question them when they raised the money, organized the people, etc. seems pretty simplistic and shortsighted. Again, I think they should be applauded rather than be questioned.
I definitely agree with the “frowning four” sour pusses that sit on the City Council…I can’t imagine even having to sit beside one of them even if it’s just once a month! Morse…Kapusta…Eder…Cahak. And the people complaining at the meetings are always as negative as they are and seem to be on THEIR sides, too…do ya think they were invited by the “frowning four” to make it look like the general public feels the same way they do??? What a waste of human space to be so negative and gloomy all of the time. Support our city…support our mayor…support our way of life here in Antigo!
why do u want to support things that really have no bring forth to this town. and its good to mention the mayor. hes the one who want to spend our city money so foolishly, we need money for your streets and why not our teens as well as the little ones. our mayor is a joke, a has been. and if they wanted u in the meetings why is the mayor trying to change the way councils are held, voting, and spending. get something to help boost downtown, its dying, yet the repairs aren’t being made. yes support our city and way of life but not the mayor.
Now there is an intelligent comment. Another uninformed soul who can’t spell, can’t reason, and obviously hasn’t seen the plans to revitalize the downtown area to boost the entire city economy. But, then again, even if he/she has seen the plans, they probably oppose them like they do everything else. Maybe it will work, maybe it won’t. All I know is since this mayor took office, we have had new businesses, new jobs, a new playground and a new attitude….POSITIVITY, which is much nicer than the drunken tirades of the past. I had my doubts about him at first, but I like his outlook.
VoiceofReason: Good intentions to build the park are one thing, but the taxpayers still end up footing the bill to maintain it. The logical approach would have been to eliminate one of the unused parks instead of creating another property for the Parks and Recreation Dept. to maintain. The city crew that I spoke were on the clock despite the mayor and ADJ’s claims that this park was being built without city funding. I also work in an industry that allows me to know the general costs of upkeep on a facility like the aquatic center, and the revenue generated by the facility is not enough to cover its upkeep. The big stink made about the Aquatic Center’s loan being paid off means nothing when you consider the price of the staff, upkeep, janitorial staff, and liability insurance that will now be footed by taxpayers.
Moving on…
What jobs has the new mayor created? I know that Vulcan Brunswick has closed and Kretz Lumber has laid off many of the long time staff, but I am sure that his new businesses and that positive attitude are taking care of all of those faimlys now. I am speaking from the position of a working family-man who is afraid of the future to come. Please don’t volunteer my money to support and maintain poorly planned projects.
hmmm, Kretz Lumber…the Mayor really has a lot to do with that. It a little out of his control as it is not in the City. The property values surrounding the park will go as a result of the park being built. Ask any good real estate agent and they’ll tell you that. Much more needs to be done in that area to make it really worth while, which it sounds like the City is doing. The old Rew Motors building will temporarily be used by Rusch Equipment until the can build a new building. These buildings are then scheduled to be razed. It sounds like the business across from the Street Department is expanding and they have been looking into the Vulcan buildings.
The City did eliminate some of its park. Merit Gear is now building on a portion of what was Lake Park and the City vacated to accomodate their expansion. So, now by building the park at a somewhere other than an existing park the City has improved a blighted area, raised property values in that area, shrunk the size of an existing park (thus addressing one of Mr Jameson’s concerns about using existing park space), raised the property value substantially by allowing the expansion, and created new jobs that go along with the expansion.
If the old pool would have been kept open, wouldn’t it still need staff, upkeep, janitorial staff and liability insurance? There were also repairs for the problems it was having. I believe the hospital has purchased this area and is currently using it. Hopefully they will be demolishing the pool soon as well.
To ask what new jobs the Mayor has created is not a fair question. How much is he really responsible for in the creation or disolving of jobs? He does not directly hire people. He can only work with industries and businesses to try and get them to come to town or expand. His taking credit for the creation of jobs is not exactly fair for the same reason.
I haven’t seen anything poorly planned about the playground. I may not agree with the location either, but I wouldn’t chalk that up to poor planning.
To quote the Voiceofreason, “All I know is since this mayor took office, we have had new businesses, new jobs, a new playground and a new attitude….POSITIVITY. ” I was aking them to explain all of these new jobs. As far as I can see the job prospects are the poorest they have been in years. The small chunk of land that the city gave to Merit Gear was a good thing. The city should encourage growth of industry and new jobs. If the city would have utilized the existing bathroom structures of City or Lake parks and saved aother bathroom facility from being built and then maintained by tax dollars I wouldn’t be as bothered. In the end the city is still maintaing Lake Park. Don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes.
Of course they are, but I’m sure they are not maintaining the area Merit Gear is on. As I said “the City is eliminating some of its park…”
What unused parks are you talking about? The only park that I have not seen used is the one on South Clermont Street. The City tried to sell that to Duffek’s years ago but the locals expressed their dislike for the idea and the City kept the park. I’ve seen people at all the other parks. Someone made a comment about the west baseball diamond at Lake Park never being used since Kretz Field was built. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The High School softball teams use it, I’ve played on it a few times in the last few years, I would think the local leagues still use it.
Kim, sorry for not getting back to your question. I don’t believe anyone has ever drowned at Lake Park. That was my point (sarcastically put) about the location of the new park being so close to the water. We don’t have any problems now, why should it be a concern if the park is built next to water. If parents, babysitters, etc are giving the proper attention to the children there shouldn’t be a problem.
That’s why I asked the question, I couldn’t tell if there was sarcasm or not. Sometimes it’s hard to tell through typing. Thanks for clarifying.
I guess I should have said, “I have never seen all three ball diamonds used at the same tiem, ever!” That is only in reference to the three ball diamonds at Lake Park. Looking at the other ball parks in town(at least 5 ), I am sure you could not find a day in the past decade where all 5 parks were in use at the same time.
I have to agree with you John. But back in the 90s and early 2000′s when bar league softball was the big thing, it was the exact opposite. With women’s, over 30 men’s, over 45 (i think it’s 45?) and jack and jill teams, there was always something going on. But then something happened, and now the women’s league that had 12 teams in it in the 90s had 4 teams last year.
The biggest waste of a park in our community? JC Park. Besides middle school athletics/ PE classes, summer soccer, and Dave Brandt football, it sits empty the rest of the time. As soon as the new tennis courts were built, they let the ones at JC go to crap. Last summer I went down there just to see how they looked now, and there were weeds over 2 feet high in some spots on the court. The track has been a joke for the past few years with faded lines and even bumps in parts of it. I know the facilities at the high school are much better, but I still think it’s a shame that a place like that just sits there now.
I do agree with DF2Y on letting old buildings/lots go to pot while building new ones is a waste of money and space. Case in point: a new Holiday Inn when the old Cutlass sits rotting away south of town (?). Why not restore some of these old structures instead of always having to build bigger and better? Wish I had the money to restore the Cutlass, County Market, Antigo Yamaha, Super America, the Edison Club or any of the empty downtown storefronts…what grand places they could once again become with a little TLC!
In some cases it probably costs more, or not much less, to re-model vs. building new. The constant state of repair of older buildings offsets the costs for building a new one. I have had real estate agents tell me that once a house or building sits vacant for 3 years you might as well tear them down or expect a major re-modeling job. The Holiday Inn is a chain and they have to meet certain design requirements. Thus, taking over the Cutlass was never a consideration for them. I actually looked at the Cutlass and I figure it will take at least a million to even make it decent. The clean up and pool alone is a large expense. There was some potential there, and maybe there still is as the city needs a decent middle-budget hotel. Now we will have three 3-star hotels on the north side and two 1-stars on the south side. The Old Antigo Yamaha building is in bad shape (ask our roller skaters about that). I vote for leveling all of them and giving the oppurtunity for new businesses to come in with fresh designs and buildings.
I think Antigo needed another park like we need a hole in our heads. granted it is a nice park but everytime my son goes there he is bullied by the older teens. he has even come home with a bloody nose and was approached by teens to buy drugs. Is this what we want for our kids??????????????????? I know I don’t. My son is only 10
I agree that it would be nice to see some of the vacant buildings in town being used instead of new being built but the fact of the matter is that many of the buildings…County Market and K-mart can not be bought only leased and for an astronomical amount of money per square foot. The other fact is that after purchasing, to bring these other buildings up to code and renoviate, it’s cheaper to custom build new. Do you want a new building that’s just what you want or an old building with a laundry list or repairs for the same money?
It’s also hard to generate enough business in this town to make the payments on the original purchase, never mind the updates and renovations. It’s not financially sound.
I think we should give everyone in Antigo an IQ test. Anyone who is in the normal to high range should have to leave. Then all thats left will be you negative people that sit on your buts and talk about how people who do things, better themselves and the community. That way you can’t be jealious because everyone will be sitting on their buts, b#tching. Same thing with all the issues you guys have with the cops. If we do the test, they won’t be here along with anyone else who made something of themselves. That way you won’t have to worry about them bothering you with all those darn laws.
Those who disagree with the way things work in this town are far from stupid.
The stupid ones are those who sit back and do nothing more than watch as this town is destroyed by repeatedly bad decisions.
And if you missed the minutes of city council in the ADJ the other day, the city gave the park a $26,000 loan to be paid back by 2010. This was to pay off vendors who have not yet been paid. They say that continuing and future donations will pay this loan back.
Shouldn’t they have had ALL the money needed in place BEFORE starting this project???
And I have a hard time understanding how yet another park helps this community in any way. It does what exactly??? I know it’s yet another property to be maintained by the Parks & Rec department. It’s yet another piece of property taken off the tax roles. It’s yet another loan given out by the city. And yes, it’s all new and clean and nice but what is it going to look like in a few years?? Will it still be an improvement to the area then?
Here they go again! They were just waiting to find something to complain about the new playground, and now they have it. Alexis, you obviously are clueless. You ask how this helps the community? Well, if you had been out there, you would have seen and heard the enthusiasm of all those involved. You would have heard people that were excited to have a chance to work together and make an improvement to our community. Next, you would understand that the value of the surrounding property will go up. Unless, you think it was more valuable with the ‘Can Man’ stacking up garbage in the middle of a residential area. Should they have had all the money before they built? It would have been nice. However, as was explained in the council meeting, pledges and donations are never all in at one time in projects of this magnitude. I know that I will write another check now that I know the need is there. I am sure you won’t, as you would rather be on the sidelines complaining rather than jumping in and helping out.
As for the council meeting, I wanted to wait until it was on Channel 3 before I commented. I read the minutes, but I wanted to see for myself what i already expected. There were the ‘Frowning Four’ (well, Eder missed but I know that he is puppet of Morse, just like Capusta), ready to attack the project even though none of their tax dollars were spent, and certainly not a minute of their time was donated. Again, MORSE, CAPUSTA, CAHAK, and EDER have not been involved in ANY community events like Springbrook cleanup, the playground, and they couldn’t even stick around 10 minutes after one of their council meetings to show support to AVAIL in their candlelight vigil. It’s not like they have no time. CAPUSTA, EDER, and CAHAK are retired and MORSE hasn’t worked full time for a couple of years now since he was fired for attending County Board meetings on work time. For those clowns to say they are looking out for the citizens of Antigo is a joke. They do nothing but try to hold progress back. That is fine, their terms are up after this year and they will be able to enjoy even more free time after that, and Morse will again be fired from a job for all intents and purposes. It’s funny, I actually considered voting for him in the last mayoral election…until I did my homework.
Concerned, I understand exactly what you are saying but you cannot blame the park for the problem. I sadly admit that there have been problems with not so nice kids claiming this park to their own (they are not so little either) and the problem is hopefully being addressed more and more. I know I have spoken with a couple parents who have had to address some of the bad kids and tell them to leave or they will call the cops. It is a sad commentary on our community that this has to occur but lets face it, it happens everywhere kids gather and get bored and they get bored fast in the teenage years. If your child is ten, he/she fits in the age rules of the park and he/she should have opportunity to play. I worked many hours on that park and donated generously for my income to allow there to be another place for kids to be able to play safely and learn to expand their imaginations. The problem with not so nice teenagers bullying kids there is being worked on but we need the community to stay involved so that it can be that way. Call the police and report anything that occurs which potentially harms a child, go there yourself and see what is going on try to stop it and if you can’t call the police and keep calling until the message gets through to the powers that be that this kind of conduct will not be accepted. And for those readers out there who are going to lambaste me for criticizing the teenagers, ready again because I am not talking about all. There were some great teens helping to build it and there are some who continue to hang out there and stand up to the bullies and protect the little people who are there to play but that is not the case for all and please don’t insult my intelligence and tell me it is. These not so nice teens think they should have something built for them and yet they cannot tell you what that is, help to build it, help to fund the building or anything. In addition, they cannot show you that they will take care of it because it is always someone else’s job to clean up what they mess up or fix what they broke. The skateboard park was another project I helped with because I thought we needed somewhere for the older kids to hang out and do their thing. I sadly say they bad kids have trashed it and not followed the rules and there will be no expansion of it like we could have done because they showed the powers that be exactly what they thought would happen, they trashed it REPEATEDLY, broke the ramps REPEATEDLY, broke the rules REPEATEDLY, and now there is sits with just the minimal of care because of this. The neighbors no longer want it there because of the noise and the cars parking there and shining their lights on the park (it closes at dark but the kids climb over the fence) and what are we who helped to fund and build it supposed to do but hang our heads and say “never again”. At least the little kids at Robin’s World like their park enough to put the garbage in the cans and when there is trouble there, they go home and tell their involved parents so they can go there and protect them or call the police. Yay for the little people of Antigo as they are the future!
Voice,
You go on and on how this park brought the community together and I think it’s great for people to come together for something they believe in but yet you don’t address any of the other points I made.
As far as I am concerned, something “good” for the community is something that not only fills a need but not at an additional cost to the taxpayers.
Did we NEED another park? Could we not have spent these “donations” of time and money to expand or upgrade an existing park?
The park was announced as being entirely created on private donations. So why do they have a loan from the city? Who’s donations are being used for maintance and upkeep? Who pays the taxes?? Oh, that’s right..there are no taxes on the property….and the City Parks Department is responsible for upkeep. How exactly is that entirely of private donations???
People here have a problem with something that was promised as a project that the private citizens wanted and that the private citizen would finance. Upon completion, that is not the case. That’s the problem.
And as far as the “Can Man” is concerned, he may have not been pretty but at least he provided a service and paid his taxes.
Oh Alexis, I did addess your points, you just didn’t like how I replied. First off, you said, how does this help the community in ‘any way’. I replied that it brought many people together to make a positive improvent. It also took an awful looking area and made it look nicer, which will probably raise the property vaule in the surrounding area, thus eventually increasing the tax rate. As for it being taken off the tax role, if I am not mistaken, this was city land, therefore not being taxed to begin with. I could be wrong on that, but if not, nothing was lost, it was city property. What else was going to move in there to tax, another junk yard in the middle of a residential area? How about this, move the “Can Man’ next door to you and see how you feel about it.
As for why the donations couldn’t go towards upgrading one of the different parks, who are you to tell people where their donations should go. Did you raise the money? Did you attract people to a different project? Are you willing chase down potential donors? No, you just second guess others that are out there busting their butts trying to make the community just a bit nicer. If you want something like that done, I invite you to get out there and do it. I will be right there to back you up but until you do, quit slamming those who are actually out there doing the work. Obviously many people did believe in this project because it’s done and from what i heard from those in charge, and in the council meeting, donations continue to come in.
As for the loan from the city, I will wait to pass judgement until it is determined if all of the money comes in through donations. Seeing as how far they have come in raising funds, I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that they will raise the remaining balance. I do applaud them in loaning the money to pay local businesses that contributed. Leaving them with unpaid bills is not an indicator to prospective businesses that might be considering Antigo. I rather like that our city governement is willing to help out businesses that invest in the community and think that would be attractive to others that are considering coming here. That loan showed that the city will not hang businesses out to dry.
Finally, yes, it will be added to the Parks Dept. to upkeep. Any improvement the City makes adds to upkeep. Should we not have anything new because it will cost more to upkeep? That is silly.
Now, I hope that I have addresses your points. I know you won’t agree, but I will challenge your pessimism with optimism. Many of us feel that the city is headed in the right direction, which was bolstered by the recent election. Every member of the Council in this past election won re-election, and every one of them were involved in the playground project. If the city is making such bad decisions, why did none of them lose their seats? Are the voters so ignorant that they can’t see the foolishness in their local government? I think you are in the minority here. You, along with the ‘Frowning Four’ MORSE, CAPUSTA, EDER, and CAHAK. I, for one, appreciate the outlook of the Mayor and Council and I can’t wait to see the ‘Frowning Four’ voted out in the next election.
I agree wholeheartedly. I can’t see how the “Frowning Four” – Morse, Kapusta, Eder & Cahak, could possibly get re-elected back onto that council after the way they’ve conducted themselves at meetings over the past few years. They look at everything brought before them with such pessimism, it’s a disgrace to have people like that representing our community.
Gee voice, you seem to like to bash me, considering you know nothing about me. You have no idea what I do or don’t contribute to and how I do it. And I am not “obviously the minority”, if you read many of the previous posts and talk to many in town.
And again, I will state that doing something good for our community does not start with another park. I think it’s great that people came together for something, but if you are going to label something as good for the community, maybe it could be a project for someone other than small children?? Our community has bigger and worse problems than adequate childrens play areas.
And don’t try to pass off something as free to the taxpayers due to private donations then once complete, expect the taxpayers to pay to keep it. I am not the only one who thought this seemed like a bait-and-switch.
In the overall view of things, this park was a bad idea. We don’t NEED pretty parks and riverwalks. We need business and industry and projects that make money..not spend it. When this community continues to dissolve due to lack of employment, high taxes and nothing to keep future generations from moving elsewhere, I’m sure your empty park will still be standing….that is if it’s not swept away in our next flood.
If you support the park, more power to you, but do not expect everyone to do the same.
Come on, do you REALLY believe that this was a good idea??
After looking at all the foreclosures, business closings, vacent buildings, homes and businesses for sale…all the people on unemployment and federal/state assistance…the number of high school grads that leave and never come back and your answer is ANOTHER PARK?????????????????
There are families here who are struggling to keep their homes, feed and cloth their families and your solution for a community project is a park???
Maybe some of these displaced families can use it for shelter.
Aw Alexis, don’t play the victim now. You are correct, I do not know you, or what you contribute to. I do, however, know that you are tearing down the efforts of people that want nothing more than to make our community better. You question their hard work and dedication and consistently look on the negative side of issues. Of course there are other voices opposed to the playground on here. This is where you can sound off and bellyache since your kind couldn’t get elected. It is similar to the naysayers that go to the council meetings and claim to represent the will of the people. I remember watching the Council meetings on tv just to see Zupon carry on about the flouride in the water, claiming that the citizens wanted it out. Then, when it came to a vote (which he pushed for), he found that he was not in the majority (and instead of accepting the will of the people, he continued his crusade…so much for the will of the people, he has no credibility). This is the same thing. Just because you hear a few loons spouting their negativity, that doesn’t mean you are not the minority. If the decisions in the city were so bad, why did all the aldermen get re-elected? Seems you forgot to address some of the points I raised. Are the voters too ignorant to see what is happening in Antigo? MORSE, one of the FROWNING FOUR got buried in his mayoral bid, couldn’t even win his own ward (or any ward for that matter). Dieck got beat, Stimac got beat (although I give them both Kudos for helping the playground project rather than tearing it down), and they are two that are always in meetings claiming to speak for the taxpayers.
There is a silent majority that supports the mayor and the Council. I am just tired of being silent. So, get used to hearing from me on here. I will challenge your negativity every time.
By the way, do you have any idea what businesses look for when deciding where to move? One BIG factor is quality of life for their workers. They would rather move somewhere that has nice things for their families, like riverwalks, playgrounds, and aquatic centers, or even the roller rink that is being talked about. They also look for educated, skilled workers, which are not in high supply in this area and one of the main reasons for families struggling (not the only one, but undeniably, this is a major factor). Do you really think that industry is going to come here if we do nothing? I am for industry too, so instead of tearing down what is being done, make a suggestion or two that would make it more attractive to industry or business. I have seen the city’s revitalization plan for the downtown area. It may or may not work, but at least they are attempting something that is a sound, business idea. What is yours? I do not expect everyone to agree on what to do. I just am tired of the constant negativity that you (and others, such as MORSE, CAPUSTA, EDER, and CAHAK) spew without offering up any alternatives.
I am just sick of hearing about MORSE, CAPUSTA, EDER, and CAHAK. Can you complain about them anymore? Run for city council if they are so horrible and you are so much better.
Well Kim, I am sick of hearing their negative voices. You will hear about them quite a bit until they are voted out next year. If I was in one of their wards, I would consider it.
I find it terribly interesting and ironic that one would raise concerns about people being on unemployment, stagnant wages, etc while in the same breath condemn economic development and community renewal.
Has it dawned on anyone that perhaps part of the reason you see crappy wages, crappy jobs and a deteriorating down town is because no investment to develop the local economy was addressed?
How many good paying jobs were turned away from this community because of the myopic vision of it’s leaders?
If you want to help the community in the long run, you don’t build shelters and soup lines. You build jobs. Good paying jobs and the only way to get good paying jobs in this community is by investing in it’s economic infrastructure.
And so what if a beautiful new park was built by those who didn’t get paid, with many materials being donated and people suffering through inclement weather to see the idea visualized.
It certainly adds a lot more to the community then sitting at a computer advocating the expansion of welfare services.
Hey voice, I never once questioned anyones “hard work and dedication”… I question why this project was soooo “good for the community”. As I have stated numerous times and yet you continue to ignore, I am all for something that brings the community together and bolsters feelings of goodwill but bringing the community together on a project is not all that needs to be done. The project itself should be one of merit, for the majority of the community.
I agree that factories do look into the quality of life in a community, but it’s not the top priority. Do you honestly think that this park will ever be the deciding factor??
And as for “This is where you can sound off and bellyache since your kind couldn’t get elected”, than I guess you should stop b*tching about MORSE, CAPUSTA, EDER, and CAHAK, because you yourself labeled them as my “kind”. It’s hard to take you seriously when you contradict yourself.
And to Newbie, don’t EVER think that I advacate the expansion of welfare services. As far as I am concerned, they can do away with all of it.
The point I continually try make is that this town has bigger problems than anyone seems to want to admit.
NO business is coming here just because we have ANOTHER park or a riverwalk. Business will come here or open here when we can offer them incentives. When we can give tax breaks and tax deferments on property. When we can offer water, sewer and garbage services at a reasonable rate. When we can offer programs that encourage owners to renovate a vacant building instead of building new. When the entire downtown area doesn’t look like it should be condemned and bulldozed to the ground. Business is about being able to make money, while providing a product or service. A new park doesn’t change that.
Voice of Reason,
Your in luck! You don’t have to run for city council anymore, since you are so great and marvelous (did I spell that right? guess what I don’t care if I did or not) you can now run for MAYOR! And since you have all of the answers I am sure you will win.
I have 2 small children and have went to the new park. While I was there, a kid was peeing all over the top while other kids were standing below. The boy was about 8 years old and I saw no parents there. Then there were a group of kids about 14 years old or so taking up all of the swings. I know teens have nothing to really do around here, but haven’t they heard of a bat and ball. Besides the fact that they were swearing and it wasn’t appropriate for other kids. I don’t care how these teens dress, but they were the “Gothic” type and with their actions, I could only help but wonder, “Will this playground become a night-time hide out to smoke pot in?”
It probably will until all parents start to take charge and give the kids misusing the playground the business. Say something. If not, call the police and have them come over and handle the situation. I know that’s not always easy, but there will always be uncontrollable kids and bad parents raising them to be that way. BBGIRL, i hear you and understand your frustrations, but it seems like you are blaming the playground for this problem. If we go that way, we can never have anything new for fear that people will misuse it. I bring my kids there often, and usually have to be the bad guy and tell kids to stop being foolish. I have even had to be sworn at by teenagers who think they can do whatever they want. Funny thing is, as they were swearing at me, they were leaving or stopping the behavior. Stand up to them, and use the police if you have to, but don’t knock the playground because of a few idiots. I figure you didn’t intend it that way, but it came across that way.
I think the park is already starting to become just an everyday thing…I drove by on my lunch break today at 12:30 and there was one car, and maybe 4 kids. And after work at 4? No cars, 2 kids.