We Would Appreciate Mahan's Future Participation · Saturday November 4, 2006
Look what I found on The Google! Minutes from a 1998 city council meeting at which I spoke in opposition of a skateboarding ban in the downtown core and in favor of a permanent skatepark facility. Note: It is now November 2006 and the City of Milwaukie still doesn’t have a skatepark. Haven’t they heard? A decade later, skateboarding is more popular than baseball.
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CITY OF MILWAUKIE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 6, 1998
Alex Mahan, Milwaukie
He wanted to discuss current issues and options as a taxpayer and voter and from the perspective of a skateboarder. He congratulated the City of Milwaukie for the temporary skate park. It was a step forward in City/skateboarder relations. The problem is that the facility was temporary. Skateboarding is safer than most people perceive, and it is less dangerous than organized sports such as football, basketball, and soccer. He urged the City Council not to ban skateboarding before a permanent facility is found for that activity. He understood it would cost a lot to improve the Safeway facility, and he proposed an outdoor park that would be more efficient in the long run.
Councilor Kappa said some of the business people are concerned with the liability of someone being hurt in front of their businesses. This proposed ordinance has to do with banning skating in the business district, not the entire City. The City has not gotten into the process of looking at what type of skatepark or youth center is appropriate for the City. He looked forward to hearing Mahan’s comments when it came time for the City Council to makes its decision on a permanent facility.
Councilor King thanked Mahan for his participation. Skateboarding is being banned only in selected areas, not the entire City.
Councilor Lancaster commended Mahan for speaking with the City Council. The temporary youth center showed a dramatic need for that kind of facility, and the City Council wants to find a permanent location. He would appreciate Mahan’s future participation.
Council President Marshall thanked Alex and hoped others in Mahan’s age group would participate.
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Download the PDF of the minutes, if that sort of thing piques your interest.
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