Skateboard Park

[John Florida]

How many kids are into it that this would sevice.point being if it's a small number it's not worth the investment.

John,

Sounds like you are talking about a business plan.   The Chapel Hill/Pittsboro Bus is proof our current elected officials don't believe in them.

 Maybe! But to me it sounds like a politician building a monument to himself.The kids are a biproduct.

[Charles39]

It is not a monument, it is Voller being Voller.

Somebody went up to Voller and told them a skatepark plan.  Voller told them he would fight for them, because he cares for the children or some other BS.  The town board will be the decision maker.  If they say yes, Voller wins one for the little guy.  If they say no, Voller says I tried and blames the town board.  The fact that Voller does not mind spending other people's money to get more votes escapes many supporters.

[chathambooks]

Tony I think you are misreading this. I don't hear anger towards skateboarding at all.

Do you know that the community of Silk Hope is about to have a huge open house for their brand new community center - for the ENTIRE community? The citizens of that community worked together to raise the funds to build and operate that center. Harper's Crossroads has the same thing. Ball fields, community center - ENTIRELY funded by the good people of HXR. And it's for the use of the ENTIRE community, not a select group with a narrow interest.

This is what ruffles some folk's tailfeathers. Relying on government to get your entertainment is going to cost essential services elsewhere. Do you know that if the Pittsboro Police loose even ONE police car to an accident, they do not have the money to replace it?

If you have fundraisers and events I hope that you are wildly successful. Private ventures and entrepreneurship drive this country and we need to support this in this county.

But once again I will say that your venture has ZERO business in my children's schools. That is MY CHILD's education time. To take any of our teacher's precious time for a venture that should be private and benefit a select few is not appropriate either. My younger son's principal tells me this will not take place in her school.

Don't take this as I hate your idea, your project or any of that! I am just saying there is a time and a place and I don't agree with your tack to this point. Just my opinion - take it at that.

[whatsup]

Do you know that the community of Silk Hope is about to have a huge open house for their brand new community center - for the ENTIRE community? The citizens of that community worked together to raise the funds to build and operate that center. Harper's Crossroads has the same thing. Ball fields, community center - ENTIRELY funded by the good people of HXR. And it's for the use of the ENTIRE community, not a select group with a narrow interest.

I love the Silk Hope community. Looking forward to the Old Fashioned farmers Days this weekend. My kids love the homemade ice cream.

[djkelly]

I agree with the others that a privately built skateboard park is a great idea.  We need more privately funded activities in the county.  Relying on government is not the answer.

What may seem like anger is a backlash to a series of government initiatives over the last few years that benefit very few people at taxpayer expense.

That's one of the major problems with the county's reliance on advisory boards.  They gather a group of people that all support a particular idea and rely on them to help develop county policy.  Unfortunately there's no one on those boards to speak for the county taxpayer that is footing the bill.  The requirements to serve on these boards is becoming more specific all the time. 

There are many worthwhile projects out there but only so much money to go around.  People are tired of hearing about these new special projects when they're having to do without so many things at home.

The people in this county are extremely generous and if there really are as many people involved in skateboarding in the area as you think I'm sure you'll be successful in raising the money.

[Tony]

I thought we were told that people would come from miles around and this would generate revenue for the town.  Now I hear there is one in Asheboro that no one really goes too.

Asheboro made two mistakes.  First they had prefabricated ramps installed by a contractor that doesn't skate.  I'm sorry but its like asking a non golfer to build a golf course.  It doesnt work.  Second public pay parks don't work. Laws are in place so cities and municipalities do not have to staff the park.  All they have to do is post a sign stating they are not liable for any injuries, etc.  We do not ask our citizens to pay a fee every time they use the basketball, tennis courts or soccer fields.  A well designed concrete park by skaters will get used and does not require nearly the mnt that fields do to maintain.

[Tony]

Thank you to those who support the skate park and do see the kids skating in Pittsboro regularly.  With help from some others we are raising as much private money as possible.  We shall see where it leads.  As a tax paying citizen I as well get frustrated with gov't spending from the local level all the way to DC.  Since I am a sports and outdoor enthusiast I support public parks; whether its
basketball, baseball, multi-use, state parks, national parks and in this case a skate park.  I've used them all will continue to do so.

[chathamtalbott]

I think there is a big difference between a public park in which people of all ages and activity interest can enjoy. A skate board park seems to me to have a pretty narrow interest.  Even if the general public could "hang out" in such a park, who would want to unless they are skateboarders? ... similar to those who love to fish being surrounded by jet-skiers.  This does sound to me like a good business venture... raising your own capital, and even charging admission to the park... let the users pay for use (and the liability insurance premiums which will be significant).

[whatsup]

From http://pittsboroskatepark.com/?page_id=42

Kathie Russell says:
November 11, 2010 at 8:22 am

Toby Turnbull may have mentioned me to you. I would be happy to assist in any legal work that you need with the skate park pro bono. My kids are skaters. I think you have been to our house, with the ramp in the outbuilding. Also, a few years ago I looked into forming a non profit entity that could build the skate park, get grants, and partner with the county or town. This is probably going to be a lot more difficult with the recent elections, but if you ever want to discuss it I’d love to.

[chathambooks]

LOL that is priceless. In other words, folks - the fru fru dust is gonna stop here. No more pet projects. How about restoration of the core functions of government so that we can get through a very difficult economic period without burdening the taxpayers any more that we have to.

[sshookup]

Wow, I actually agree on this one. I think my tax bill is in my right pocket and has me listing that way.

[Sam-I-Am]

I checked out the site at http://pittsboroskatepark.com/ and they seem to be going about raising money to create this state park. Looks like a good effort.

BTW, is it try that Lyle Estill and Randy Voller are millionaires?

I know who the mayor is, but who is Lyle Estill?

[Tony]

Why so much negativity.  If we can raise the money ourselves through grants, fundraisers, and donations why shouldn't we build a skatepark.  If you do not see kids street skating in Pittsboro you are not paying attention or just look the other way.  If you do not support it, by all means please do not contribute, but please understand that there are public skateparks all over the state and country that are built with a variety of funds.  Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Wilmington, Ashesville, Charlotte, to name a few NC parks that were built with donations and public funding.  Furthermore we need more recreational outlets for our youth besides video games, computers and texting.  I would much rather see my child actually skateboarding or shooting hoops than playing tony hawk pro skater or NCAA bball video game.  For all of you that live vicariously through chat rooms please come to the Christmas parade and see skaters and parents marching this year.  You may be surprised about how many people actually support this idea.  

[Bill Crawford]

Tony, I wish you the best of luck, and I would be happy to help you find and fund a skateboard park- privately.

There clearly is a population of boarders out there that could use it. Their presence in the church parking lot near the circle caused the church to stop lending their parking in off time to Beggars & Choosers, and was supposed to be one of the factors in deciding to shut down as much as she has.

They do need a place. But there are a thousand higher priorities for precious tax money in these hard times. Please do not take that as a lack of support or enthusiasm for your project.

One of the other factors is that any town or county sponsored park would have the added burden of adult supervision, as skateboarding is much more of an insurance nightmare than basketball or baseball.

I'm sorry that the Mayor led you on like he did. He has a habit of writing checks with his mouth that are cashed with other people's money.

[chathambooks]

Toby - once again please don't think that my comments mean that I'm down on your state park. But Ms Russell's comment is what I am addressing. Since you are raising private funds, why would the election make building your skate park more difficult?

I look forward to seeing ya'll at the parade! That's pretty cool.

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