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Sale of park a bad idea

To the editor:

A few weeks ago, members of City Council floated the idea of selling or leasing Jim Wood Park to Steubenville City Schools. I am adamantly opposed to this idea, as are many other city residents I have spoken to.

Sixth Ward Councilman Bob Villamagna stated there would be public discussions before the decision was made. Then, a week later, 3rd Ward Councilman Eric Timmons said he thought selling the park was a good idea.

I think the residents should get a chance to vote on this. Jim Wood Park is the nicest recreation facility in the city. Last s-pring, I went to every Little League field within 70 miles of Steubenville. Our Belleview Park fields were the worst — they were, in fact, embarrassing.

There are members of council who have been pushing to close the city’s tot lots and who are opposed to the development of the marina, opposed to the repair of Beatty Park, want to give North End Field and park away to an outside developer and now want to sell Jim Wood Park.

From my point of view, council already has made the deal without any input from the taxpayers who finance the facilities. Council obviously has authorized the surveying of Jim Wood Park, this week and last, which, to me, is a waste of our tax dollars — unless they already have a deal in place.

Jim Wood Park is used by hundreds every year — I know because I am there every single day of the year — and to put it in the hands and control of someone else would be a travesty.

City Council, don’t do it. If you feel that you must, at least give the residents a chance to vote on it. We pay the bills, and we deserve a say, and letting this park go is a bad decision.

It’s your job to find a way to make these recreational facilities work — do your job instead of taking the easy way out and just getting rid of the issue. Where does the money come from, you ask? Well, you wanted the job — now do it.

Dan Wood

Steubenville

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