Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Clear answers needed about river park

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By JON MAKSIK

    I want to add my voice to those who have responded to Bob Jonas’ disingenuous guest opinion in the Idaho Mountain Express. My wife and I have lived in Hulen Meadows for more than 26 years, so we can count ourselves among the neighbors of whom Mr. Jonas writes. Neither of us has ever voted for a river park. On the contrary, we have been among those who have asked both for clarification of the city’s intentions and expressed our adamant opposition to the construction of facilities on the west side of the river adjacent to the pond.
    More to the point, we include ourselves in a large group of residents who have been shut out of meaningful discussions concerning the project and who have had our questions dismissed or met with obfuscation. It appears that the guiding principle of those in favor of the water park, both at the city and the board level, is to say as little of substance as possible. If, as also seems to be the case, the city’s real goal is a new well, it would have served everyone’s interests to have said so at the outset.

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I would like to know what the city of Ketchum and the Wood River Valley have to gain from this project and what the residents of Hulen Meadows might gain—or lose.

    It is evident that there have been, and remain, conflicts of interest on the Hulen Meadows board and that the board is either unwilling or unable to represent our views, despite being elected to do just that. As a result, we have participated in ad hoc meetings and discussions with those who share our concerns, many of whom have made public their feelings on the matter. It might have been instructive for Mr. Jonas to attend such a meeting to hear from some of his other “neighbors.”
    I lack the expertise to debate drop-structures, silt and pond restoration, so I will leave that to others. What I do know is that increased traffic in Hulen Meadows is undesirable and dangerous and that the specter of two parking lots inside the entrance of Hulen Meadows is appalling. I also believe that it is naïve to believe people will park in designated areas without venturing further in their cars—to the Lake Creek trails, for example. The usually empty parking lot just beyond the bridge and the usually full cul-de-sac at the north end of Hulen Way is clear evidence of that.
    Finally, I understand quite well the common link between self-interest and thwarted discussion. At the very least, I would like to know what the city of Ketchum and the Wood River Valley have to gain from this project and what the residents of Hulen Meadows might gain—or lose. It is possible that with clear answers to those questions, Mr. Jonas’ neighbors might indeed vote for a park rather than being inaccurately informed that they have already done so.

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