Hey Mister, What is that rag for?, it makes the ball do funny things.
While attending a special meeting of the Wildomar City Council, one of two citizens present, I had the opportunity to ask our Mayor what happened to the basketball nets that were order at the last regular City Council meeting held on February 11, 2015.
The answer was they are at home, there hasn’t been time to install them as it is a most difficult task, they do not just hook on.
The question that begs to be answered is
1. Why is it necessary for the Mayor to purchase new basketball nets.
2. Why is it necessary for the Mayor to install the new basketball nets.
3. Why is it necessary to have to attach a u-tube video explaining how to change out a net in this technically savvy age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD3jIULO8wo
Many different free videos are available along with step instructions at E-how.com and other such sites.
With the city employing what has been referred to as a part time parks employee one has to wonder how it is with so little work to performed,
as the job does not appear to require a full time employee,
no time can be found to purchase an additional 4 basketball nets, as only 4 fancy ones were ordered, and install them in the 3 parks. Hopefully the city employee has acquired a step ladder since opening day 314 days ago.
As much as I’m the official resident city suck up and all, and I do appreciate the efforts that the council members put forth, that are clearly outside of their stated duties, I don’t really get why so many things seem to fall on them. I know we have a small staff, and I’m glad to see their involvement (hands on work at the recent Green Waste cleanup for example) but at the same time I don’t get it.
One would think that if we had a parks commission, that volunteers could be lined up for many duties, including ordering and installing basketball nets. Something that I think would need replacement at least every two years. Which to me, would mean that we would order a couple of dozen nets, get them at a bulk price, and simply store them for future use.
Good Afternoon Joseph – While it is commendable that council members volunteer their time at numerous events routine items like replacing basketball nets is what Measure Z was supposed to pay for. The fact that the citizens have to wait for a volunteer to do these things shows a lack of leadership.
Even with a parks commission, whose job it would be to engage the public in using and improving our parks, trails and “programs” the daily task of maintenance should still be the responsibility of city staff using Measure Z funds wisely at the direction of city council. Broken gates, holes in fences, graffiti, missing signs, trash strewn about, the lack of a doggie bag dispenser at one park for over a year, come on this is not the wise spending of $300,000 in the first year alone. This type of performance will continue until a plan of action is developed thru proper leadership.
A parks commission would help immensely in focusing on the many areas that the city council just doesn’t have the time for at little or no cost to the city, while engaging the public to drive the direction of recreation in Wildomar.
I remember being told last Summer, by our City Manager, that we’d have a commission up after the election. Then it went from a Commission to possibly a Foundation. Still, I see no forward movement on it and we’re in month 3 of the new year.
I’m willing to “believe” what I’m told until what I’ve been told no longer pans out. Then I have to remember that the next time I hear other things from that same source.
At some point, being a Cub’s Fan has to get old, and Wildomar seems to be destined to being second tier for as far as the eye can see.
I agree with Kenny regarding the poor planning and lack of oversight with regard to the use of Measure Z revenues. At this point there is no acceptable excuse for our parks to be inadequately maintained. If the revenue from Measure Z was being spent wisely, the parks should not just be open, but in sparkling condition and ready to support a robust list of activities for residents of all ages. And, those activities should go way beyond “events” that smack of political grandstanding and opportunities for council members to make political hay in advance of upcoming elections.
You have to ask yourselves if it is laudable or praiseworthy for council members to “volunteer” for events and tasks which are outside of their responsibilities when they are obviously neglecting some of their most serious accountabilities. For instance, it is so apparent that our council members often come to the dais without having read the materials before them – let alone having done enough independent research to ensure they have the in-depth information necessary to vote intelligently on agenda items.
You don’t have to look very hard to find examples to support this concern. Just look at the things that are not getting done at the parks or the terrible bungle associated in our recent road work. Things that Kenny Mayes has painstakingly pointed out and documented for us on these pages. Running an incorporated city is not like running a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization. Our council and city staff need to vastly improve their oversight, and leave stuff like ordering and installing basketball nets to an employee who will inspect them and other park conditions on a regular basis.
Yes Martha, I agree with this: “For instance, it is so apparent that our council members often come to the dais without having read the materials before them – let alone having done enough independent research to ensure they have the in-depth information necessary to vote intelligently on agenda items.”
Having been to each and every meeting over the last 18 months I’ve seen one member of the council that applies to. His name is Bob Cashman, and it’s obvious that he often hasn’t done more than skimmed the materials.