Cont.: Action of the Parks and Waterways 2/27 naming a city park

I had meant to add this to my previous email:

I did attend the above meeting last night to encourage the city to consider
options to naming this
new, small park after yet another "founding father", this one in Eau Claire
for only three years, a banker, developer who ended up an influential banker
in Texas.

The concept by David Duax to name it Seley Park is very well researched and
comes replete with this spring's plan to erect an elaborate marker: 4-5 feet
tall, three approximately 24 inch sides; a very conventional, mundane reference
to this forefather who already is credited with naming many streets in Eau
Claire, including the one I live on.

We found out last night that Parks has a policy of making a proposal for a name
and following it with a 60-day response time before a final recommendation can
be made

If a different name was to be offered by this committee it too would have to be
followed, according to an "informal" policy, by a 60-day response time..

In this instance the meeting, with one nay, voted to offer the name Seley to
the community and open itself to response/alternatives from residents.

In reality, in order to expedite a late spring "done deal" of "Seley Park", the
committee will probably review responses made at their March 28th monthly
meeting. Without significant alternatives, they will move to authorize the
ground work and their okay of the marker idea so it can proceed toward
completion. Then, at their April 24th meeting, after waiting 54 days from the
original vote (close enough to 60), they can formally approve the Seley Park
concept so it can be sent to the City Council for action on May 14.

So, the community has one month to offer significant input to the Parks and
Waterways Committee. This is a "done deal" unless there is a strong option.

Parks Department noted last night that most
of the city's parks are named for people who have donated significant land or
money for a particular site.

I will encourage the Leader-Telegram and Volume One to make this timeline and
opportunity known.

Phil Fieber at Parks and Rec has detailed maps of the proposed park and the
proposed marker.

We should say where this parkland is. It is the small thin strip west of the
Chippewa river, east of 1st Ave, north of Lake St, and South of Grand Ave -
across the Courthouse complex. It is currently unnamed.

I would encourage anyone interested in this to contact the Park Dept and also
speak to Waterways and Parks the fourth Wednesday of March or April. I'm sure
the former would be better, but either way it is not a "done deal".

It is true the Commission will decide in the March meeting to consider the
question of a monument on that strip and also whether to recommend going ahead
with allowing a small piece of ground in this strip to be prepared for a modest
monument, e.g. a concrete base. (This is to save money while we have a
contractor already doing work in that area.) So, do come to the March meeting
especially if you are interested in whether some kind of monument should be
there at all. That decision does not preclude the Commission from saying no to
the naming of the park at the April meeting.

But again, I encourage others to come to the Commission's meetings and give
both positive or negative feedback, as well as other proposals.

I hope to come with friends to the March meeting to present an alternative
which, I believe, makes better sense than the name proposed. There are rules I
need to check on first before making this commitment. I think we should thank
Mark Ruddy for knowing his history and caring about it and helping the rest of
us see that we should take the time to consider other ideas.
Jackie

Why not name it "Stokes Park" after the family which had a funeral home there
for a number of generations?

I am going to propose Little Grand Park after the theater on Grand and in honor
of the person responsible for it and for starting the CVTG about 30 years ago
and for so much since then. I believe the little outdoor theater that is
planned for that little park should be named after him.

Jackie: Interesting suggestion. If you are on Facebook or other social media
perhaps post your idea and others on that to get some feedback. I think Andrew
Werthmann would be interested too. Thanks. Hope you can make it to the next
meeting.

Richard, I talked to Andrew about the idea Thursday night, and he said I should
check the rules, which he thought would be on the city web site, but I can't
find anything. Do you know of any rules for naming parks or things in them?
If so, let me know where I can find them. I have mentioned this on my Facebook
page, and got positive comments from people who know him. I am not yet
mentioning the person's name anywhere else because I do not want to embarrass
him, but will say more when I know about the rules. He knows nothing of this,
as far as I know. Everyone I have talked to so far likes the idea, and I'm
sure I will have no trouble getting people to come to the meeting with me to
show support for it.

Joe Knight did a nice piece in today's City/Region section on this issue and
covered very well Mark Ruddy's remarks, with which I agree. I am in the Clear
Vision diversity group we call Building Bridges that Mark leads so well so am
also concerned about that aspect. My proposal covers those concerns as well as
other good reasons. Today I sent the following e-mail to Phil Fieber of the
Parks and Waterways Commission, as the article directs readers with comments to
do. I will use this letter as my proposal at Wednesday night's meeting. I
hope those of you who agree that this is a worthy idea will come and stand with
me when I present this proposal to show that it has backing:

March 23, 2013

Phil Fieber
Eau Claire Parks, Recreation and Forestry Dept.

Dear Mr. Fieber:

Although I am also a member of Building Bridges, the Clear Vision diversity
group, I have a somewhat different reason for proposing a name for the little
park between Grand Ave. and Lake St. Bridges.

My wish is to honor the person who was the main founder of the Chippewa Valley
Theater Guild, served many times on the Board of Directors and as an officer,
worked on fundraising to buy and remodel the State Theater after directing
plays in the old Central High School (now the Eau Claire School District Admin.
Bldg.), directed dozens of plays and musicals over the years, served as teacher
and mentor to hundreds of students in summer theater and arts programs which he
initiated and developed, as well as through various outreach activities,
arranged the funding for and named the Little Grand Theater (now called just
The Grand), worked on remodeling that building for use by the CVTG, and still
is very active in projects at The Grand. His name is Robert J. Carr. Because
Carr Park may be confused with a parking lot, I do not propose using his name
for the park, but instead, for the amphitheater which the Guild plans to build
there. I would also like that monument base that Mr. Duax wants built to be
used to hold a plaque to honor Robert J. Carr and other founding members of the
Chippewa Valley Theater Guild. Then to honor Bob's first choice in naming the
main theater on Grand, I would like the park to be named Little Grand Park for
his sake and because of the close proximity to "his" theater, as well as the
fact that the park will be so small.

Because Bob has a rich history of working, teaching, and developing programs,
not just in drama but also other arts; I would like to see this park used for
all kinds of arts purposes, including at least one of the downtown sculptures
that depict the arts.

Other helpful information about Bob Carr:
Taught English and Drama at Fall Creek High School from 1970 to (I think) 2002,
including some years as Gifted and Talented Program Director, where he built an
outstanding drama program and also engaged the community and lower grades into
his musicals, working with another outstanding artist, Gregg Harpke, the
school's music director.
Wrote some original versions of plays, incorporating local names and places,
and directed them.
Served as a Director of Wisconsin's Art World Program for gifted and talented
Wisconsin youth,
Was a teacher and Assistant Director for UWEC's Arts Summer Institute for High
Potential Students.
Taught and directed at Schools for Students Gifted in the Arts in Georgia and
North Carolina.
Directed "A Christmas Carol" for ECRAC, Winona Commmunity Theatre, UWEC, Mount
Senario College, Milton College, as well as CVTG.
Recipient of many awards, including EC Chamber Outstanding Teacher Award, ECRAC
Outstanding Teacher/Mentor Award, and Eau Claire's Legacy Award.
I commend Dave Duax for his excellent research of Mr. Seley, as well as his
appreciation of this early businessman in Eau Claire. I do not believe,
however, that that wealthy man's contributions of three years begin to compare
to the over 35 years that Bob Carr has contributed, in so many ways, to
developing the arts in Eau Claire County and beyond. Besides adding diversity
to our community, naming the park to honor Robert J. Carr honors the rich
culture of the arts for which Eau Claire has come to be known. I therefore
propose Little Grand Park as the name with the little amphitheater named the
Robert J. Carr Amphitheater, with a plaque in the park to honor the founding
members of the CVTG.

Sincerely,

Jacquelyn B. Christner
3125 Alf Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715)514-0928
<email obscured>

cc: Joe Knight

P.S. I plan to post this letter on Facebook and the Eau Claire Forum page of
e-democracy to get feedback and, hopefully, a few people who may come with me
when I present this idea at your next meeting on Wednesday, March 27.

Rest of post

I'm wondering how people would feel about naming the park after Joe Bee Xiong.
He was a scout for US Forces during the Vietnam war from the age of 12. He was
one of the earliest Hmong immigrants to arrive in Eau Claire. He was a liaison
for the Hmong community to the Police Department, and he was the first member
of the Hmong community to be elected to the City Council

To my knowledge the only thing in Eau Claire named after him is a bench by
the library. Kathie
Katherine Schneider, Ph.D.
Senior Psychologist, Emerita
Counseling Service
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
<email obscured>
Author of To the Left of Inspiration: Adventures in Living with Disabilities
and a children's book Your Treasure Hunt: Disabilities and Finding Your Gold
Blog: http://kathiecomments.wordpress.com

Rest of post

Sounds like a great idea to me.Sara Bryan
> From: <email obscured>
> To: eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org
> Subject: Re: [EC] Cont.: Action of the Parks and Waterways 2/27 naming a city
park
> Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2013 09:54:08 -0500
>
> To my knowledge the only thing in Eau Claire named after him is a bench by
> the library. Kathie
> Katherine Schneider, Ph.D.
> Senior Psychologist, Emerita
> Counseling Service
> University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
> <email obscured>
> Author of To the Left of Inspiration: Adventures in Living with Disabilities
> and a children's book Your Treasure Hunt: Disabilities and Finding Your Gold
> Blog: http://kathiecomments.wordpress.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Eric Larsen" <<email obscured>>
> To: <eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org>
> Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2013 10:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [EC] Cont.: Action of the Parks and Waterways 2/27 naming a
> city park
>
>
> > I'm wondering how people would feel about naming the park after Joe Bee
> > Xiong. He was a scout for US Forces during the Vietnam war from the age of
> > 12. He was one of the earliest Hmong immigrants to arrive in Eau Claire.
> > He was a liaison for the Hmong community to the Police Department, and he
> > was the first member of the Hmong community to be elected to the City
> > Council
> >
> > Eric Larsen
> > Putnam Heights, Eau Claire
> > About/contact Eric Larsen:
> > http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/3YpCESc94XiI2fQGbcvAHn
> >
> > View full topic or share:
> > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7KRpTReXmo3eC5eHSAN7fr
> >
> > * April 11 - Join our Digital Engagement and Inclusion Happy Hour in
> > Minneapolis:
> > http://digitalmeatballs.eventbrite.com - During http://nten.org/ntc
> >
> > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > Post: eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org or "Reply-to-All" to comment.
> > Get digest or leave: Put "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in Subject (no
> > quotes)
> > Forum Home: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/eauclaire
> > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > Need help? http://e-democracy.org/support Hosting:
> > http://OnlineGroups.Net
> >
> > Invite Your Neighbors: http://e-democracy.org/eauclaire
> >
>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6226 - Release Date: 04/05/13
>
>
> Katherine Schneider
> 3rd ward, Eau Claire
> About/contact Katherine Schneider:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/7oMttd8fDFTKbZouF9QWlv
>
> View full topic or share:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/aqQlDY5EApDhjN4dCsCYz
>
> * April 11 - Join our Digital Engagement and Inclusion Happy Hour in
Minneapolis:
> http://digitalmeatballs.eventbrite.com - During http://nten.org/ntc
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Post: eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org or "Reply-to-All" to comment.
> Get digest or leave: Put "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in Subject (no
quotes)

Rest of post

I also think Joe Bee is worthy of such an honor.

Rest of post

So far, all parks are named after white men. Isn't there a single woman
important in the history of Eau Claire that would be deserving of such an
honor?

Joe Bee? No way... while he was a competent part of administration of jobs
in the city the bringing of this most active and growing immigrants to out
country has taken opportunities away from the local community- diversity seems
to just redistribute resources from one sector to another or one group to
another as well the right to affirmative action- a false stance of equal
opportunity.

I find the memorial by the library personally offensive because of my own
immigration here of my wife's home before this area became a state- that when
he worked in social services he did not help keep intact my family or said
rights to go to school or job training and so on... "Take the food stamps or
we will take your children away..."

That said, my own children and those of our Hmong neighbor's got along well-
good for them going to school or starting businesses. I voted for the Xiongs
in the last elections.

But I must say, an Olson is a terrible thing to waste...

Leonard

all in favor...
On 4/8/2013 2:13 PM, Joel Desprez wrote:
> I also think Joe Bee is worthy of such an honor.
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Sara Bryan <<email obscured>>
> To: eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org
> Sent: Monday, April 8, 2013 12:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [EC] Cont.: Action of the Parks and Waterways 2/27 naming a city
park
>
> Sounds like a great idea to me.Sara Bryan
>> From: <email obscured>
>> To: eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org
>> Subject: Re: [EC] Cont.: Action of the Parks and Waterways 2/27 naming a
city park
>> Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2013 09:54:08 -0500
>>
>> To my knowledge the only thing in Eau Claire named after him is a bench by
>> the library. Kathie
>> Katherine Schneider, Ph.D.
>> Senior Psychologist, Emerita
>> Counseling Service
>> University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
>> <email obscured>
>> Author of To the Left of Inspiration: Adventures in Living with Disabilities
>> and a children's book Your Treasure Hunt: Disabilities and Finding Your Gold
>> Blog: http://kathiecomments.wordpress.com
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Eric Larsen" <<email obscured>>
>> To: <eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2013 10:12 AM
>> Subject: Re: [EC] Cont.: Action of the Parks and Waterways 2/27 naming a
>> city park
>>
>>
>>> I'm wondering how people would feel about naming the park after Joe Bee
>>> Xiong. He was a scout for US Forces during the Vietnam war from the age of
>>> 12. He was one of the earliest Hmong immigrants to arrive in Eau Claire.
>>> He was a liaison for the Hmong community to the Police Department, and he
>>> was the first member of the Hmong community to be elected to the City
>>> Council
>>>
>>> Eric Larsen
>>> Putnam Heights, Eau Claire
>>> About/contact Eric Larsen:
>>> http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/3YpCESc94XiI2fQGbcvAHn
>>>
>>> View full topic or share:
>>> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7KRpTReXmo3eC5eHSAN7fr
>>>
>>> * April 11 - Join our Digital Engagement and Inclusion Happy Hour in
>>> Minneapolis:
>>> http://digitalmeatballs.eventbrite.com - During http://nten.org/ntc
>>>
>>> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>>> Post: eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org or "Reply-to-All" to comment.
>>> Get digest or leave: Put "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in Subject (no
>>> quotes)
>>> Forum Home: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/eauclaire
>>> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>>> Need help? http://e-democracy.org/support Hosting:
>>> http://OnlineGroups.Net
>>>
>>> Invite Your Neighbors: http://e-democracy.org/eauclaire
>>>
>>
>>
>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6226 - Release Date: 04/05/13
>>
>>
>> Katherine Schneider
>> 3rd ward, Eau Claire
>> About/contact Katherine Schneider:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/7oMttd8fDFTKbZouF9QWlv
>>
>> View full topic or share:
>> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/aqQlDY5EApDhjN4dCsCYz
>>
>> * April 11 - Join our Digital Engagement and Inclusion Happy Hour in
Minneapolis:
>> http://digitalmeatballs.eventbrite.com - During http://nten.org/ntc
>>
>> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>> Post: eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org or "Reply-to-All" to comment.
>> Get digest or leave: Put "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in Subject (no
quotes)
>> Forum Home: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/eauclaire
>> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>> Need help? http://e-democracy.org/support Hosting: http://OnlineGroups.Net
>>
>> Invite Your Neighbors: http://e-democracy.org/eauclaire
>
> Sara Bryan
> Eau Claire
> About/contact Sara Bryan:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/5fGnONva7HBYpgSH6IGJuP
>
> View full topic or share:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/2F7DqbrTleA0gsheXHgUZH
>
> * April 11 - Join our Digital Engagement and Inclusion Happy Hour in
Minneapolis:
> http://digitalmeatballs.eventbrite.com - During http://nten.org/ntc
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Post: eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org or "Reply-to-All" to comment.
> Get digest or leave: Put "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in Subject (no
quotes)
> Forum Home: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/eauclaire
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Need help? http://e-democracy.org/support Hosting: http://OnlineGroups.Net
>
> Invite Your Neighbors: http://e-democracy.org/eauclaire
> Joel Desprez
> Eau Claire
> About/contact Joel Desprez:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/1hnGvVosuF0bLHg5NRWcWT
>
> View full topic or share:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7KFjIIw6eLIvExnZYjM6dd
>
> * April 11 - Join our Digital Engagement and Inclusion Happy Hour in
Minneapolis:
> http://digitalmeatballs.eventbrite.com - During http://nten.org/ntc
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Post: eauclaire@forums.e-democracy.org or "Reply-to-All" to comment.
> Get digest or leave: Put "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in Subject (no
quotes)

Rest of post

I do agree with Terri Stanley in that we do not seem to be able to find a
non-male name to use in our history... but even still my favorite would be:
"Fourniers Outdoor Ballroom" since we are just up the block from the original
Fourniers ballroom -now a parking lot... or we could stay pretty simple & call
it Little Grand Park....which like as well
.............................................
I don't believe Folly View Park would be very catchy except for a few hard core
folks biding their time.

And perhaps cover more of all genders and generations - with a name like
"Citizens Park" or "Our Park" - so when the kids ask where are we going the
answer will be to "our park!" And, after all it is for all of us....

Steve Anderson

Rest of post

Of all names mentioned, I still prefer the one I have proposed, not just
because I proposed it, but, besides all the background I have stated above
about Robert J. Carr, whom I wish to honor by naming the green space Little
Grand Park after the name of the theater right there where he has always spent
so much time and where the CVTG is housed, but also because the Guild has
permission and plans to build a small outdoor theater in this green space.
Everything already planned for there is indeed "little" and will already be
arts oriented. It makes sense to carry the arts theme throughout that area
(Bob has done so much for other arts as well as theater arts) and not bring
unrelated ideas into such a small area. I would love to have the amphitheater
named the Robert J. Carr Amphitheater, but that is up to the Guild to decide.
I would also like to see a low monument there honoring Bob and the other
founding members of the CVTG. Again, it would be up to the Guild to decide if
and when to do that because they would have to fund it. I would like to see
these options available to them, but some other name would make that less
likely.

The other ideas presented here are good ones, I think. I think they, along
with Mr. Seley, would better fit some other area, however. Mr. Seley belongs
perhaps on the courthouse lawn or the park on the hill by City Hall. I think
the jail and courthouse have already taken up too much of an otherwise lovely
area and should not eat up any more.

I also agree that our naming in Eau Claire should start to recognize more
diversity, and what I have proposed is a beginning for that, too, while
recognizing the arts rather than another rich businessman. We should keep
these other ideas in mind when other areas come up for recognition, but the
best name for the area in question now is Little Grand Park.

AH it will be a grand little park it will ... a Grand Little Park... Litle
Grand Park... to small to be named after a big person who influenced Eau
Claires growth... but a Grand Park on Grand ave - little that it will be.

Wow, great discussion. My answer to a question I missed way back (what are the
rules for naming parks) is a non-answer (I don't know!). Aside from the process
adopted (waiting for 60 days before deciding on a proposal), I am unaware of
any rules or guidelines for naming parks. Considering all of the interest and
proposal to name just this strip of land, perhaps what the City really needs is
some set of guidelines. How did Phoenix Park get named?

Phoenix Park was named for that iconic child actor, River Phoenix who was
consumed by the motion picture industry in the fire of his own radiant talent
at the tender age of 23.... I think.... nobody ever writes anything down in
this town. He has yet to rise from the ashes.

Rest of post

Richard, I asked Phil Fieber, Director of EC Parks, Recreation, and Forestry
Dept. for the rules before making my written proposal to him in March. They
are listed on pp. 94-99 of "Eau Claire Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Department Policies and Procedures." I would attach a copy here for you if I
could. If you are interested, I'm sure he would e-mail you a copy.

Ken, I like Grand Little Park, too. It's just that Bob had named the theater
on Grand the Little Grand, and my purpose was to honor him, hence the name
Little Grand Park. I'd be happy with either.

Thanks Jackie. I couldn't find it online, so I'll ask Phil.

You cannot post because you are not logged in.

Cont.: Action of the Parks and Waterways 2/27 naming a city park

Already a member?

Not a member?

E-Democracy is 100% Donation Supported Contribute Today!