LBPOST.com: Congressmember Richardson Weighs In On Skate Park Issue

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Congressmember Richardson Weighs In On Skate Park Issue

by Ryan ZumMallen | Long Beach News | 06.18.09 |

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Following 24 hours of heated debate over federal stimulus funding that is earmarked for improving the 14th Street skatepark in Long Beach, Congresswoman Laura Richardson released a statement to the LBPOST.com with her stance on the hot issue in her jurisdiction.

"Local officials from the City of Long Beach and other municipalities from across the nation, including Republicans, have refuted Senator Coburn�s report," reads the statement. �The grant funding for the Long Beach Skate Park project was not submitted through my office, and specific projects are not individually approved by Congress. However, as a member of the Long Beach City Council for six years, I personally witnessed the benefits of skate parks in our community."

Richardson called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act an "extraordinary measure" and listed many potential community benefits that will arise from the project.

"Although skate parks are not traditional �brick and mortar� projects, they do need concrete supplies, they do need individuals to build them, residents do use them and neighborhoods are improved by them eliminating vacant blighted lots," she said.

Meanwhile, back at the actual skate park in question, it was just a normal Wednesday afternoon for the regulars who frequent the park every day. By 4:00pm, skaters whizzed by within inches of each other as they practiced and perfected techniques on the ramps and rails.

"It can get crowded here any day of the week," said Ray "Old Skool" Olson, a 14th Street regular with 26 years of skating experience. "You have some of the best skaters in Long Beach come to this park because of the community here."

It's that community that keeps many coming back to the skate park, and away from other lures surrounding the area.

"If it wasn't for the park, I'd be in these streets getting shot or something," said Deshan Rivera, 26. "People who might be enemies are family here."

After the park was included on Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn's report of 100 unnecessary projects that will receive stimulus funding, controversy has swirled around the tiny, one-block park. The White House offered a rebuttal, as did Councilmember Robert Garcia and the City Manager's office. Some LBPOST.com commentors have argued that local projects such as this should be locally funded, and that while a worthy cause, the park should not be footed by the stimulus.

But through it all, the kids who show up at 14th Street continue to skate. They were there today, and they'll be there tomorrow. No matter what.

Photo (above): Chris McNealty, 21, flies off a ramp and kickflips over a large box at the 14th Street Skate Park. "We need bigger ramps so [skaters] can advance their skills," he said. Photo by Russell Conroy

Photo (bottom): Ray "Old Skool" Olson talks technique with two youngsters atop one of the 14th Street skate park ramps. "Look at the diversity here," Olson said, pointing to skaters of all ages and descents. "You don't need to be some special dude [to skate here]. All you have to do is be passionate about skateboarding." Photo by Russell Conroy

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Related Stories: 14th Street Skate Park, Laura Richardson

Comments

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33 Comments so far.

Charlie
This is indeed Good News!

Annie G.
This is so greatly needed. If this project goes forward and it keeps only one kid from joining a gang and being bangers, then the stimulus money in this project would be well worth it. These kids need this skateboard park to stay out of trouble. What better way to spend stimulus dollars. Anyone who is opposed to this should ask who else is going to fund this skate park? Will it be you? If the answer is "no", then don't complain. Someone needs to make these kids and this neighborhood feel that they too matter.

Skate Pork
Rep. Richardson (D) should be an expert on blighted properties.

Ann Cantrell
In every picture I have seen of the city's skate board parks, not one skater has been wearing protective gear. This was supposed to be a requirement for any person using the skate parks. A brain injury can be as debilitating as a bullet.

Claudette Powers
I agree with Congresswoman Laura Richardson. We need this healthy outlet for our young people. I appreciate her for being a bold spokesperson for her citizens.

kate K
Politics aside, this project, unlike the others cited in the P-T article, gives people, particularly those nearby, a place to go and to create. As for creating jobs, there will be work for those working maintenance; unfortunately, the work will be temporary.

Swimmaven
Congresswoman Richardson: PLEASE RESIGN. You embarrass us.

bobbyk
Ann, most of these kids cant afford such gear and if it were required they would simply go back to skating in the streets. People play basketball, baseball, even football without gear in public parks. People bicycle without helmets - which is far more dangerous, given the presence of cars."Throughout 2006 Skaters for Public Skateparks (SPS) tracked several aspects of skateboarding activity, including skateboard-related fatalities, as reported in the media, online sources, and other publishing sources. On average 2006 had nearly one person killed per week while skateboarding; a total of 42 skateboarding youth died while recreating. Of these 42 deaths, 40 occurred outside of skateparks." relax.

Dennis
Interesting that Richardson would send the LBPost a comment about pork spending in her district but won't communicate with the neighbors of her blighted home in Sacramento that was foreclosed on, or comment to the LATimes when they asked about it. So Richardson supports the park, is that really a surprise? What about the Obama Administration and HUD not supporting the park and saying it is not how the stimulus (pork) package funds were to be spent? Still waiting for answer: how many jobs will the $600,000 create, for how long and what is the on-going cost to the city?

JTS
Well, lets see!!!! We can spend 600,000+ so 21 to 55 yr olds, can play on their skateboards???? The money shouldn't be used to teach these "children" to learn a trade, or train for a career that will benefit not just themselves, their families, and the community, but be a "good example" for the other "children" in the neighborhood!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just another example of 'bandaid social politics'...

gt
The entire question about good or bad for the community is not the real issue. Of course any outlet for kids is great. But in this case the point is the gross negligence by these political leaders. The federal government needs to keep out of our lives. This entire stimulus package is a band aid that will mortgage our our children's futures. Richardson is only binding the hands of the poor a little harder. The price of these gimmies is a little less freedom.

John Q. Public
I agree with Rep. Richardson (D, Congress should act to remove blight in our neighborhoods. Perhaps her office should submit the "Pay the mortgages of Rep. Richardson (D) and fix her blighted houses Act"

Juan Pardell
Annie G. - I'm not opposed to skateparks. In fact, I'm a strong advocate for them. However, I believe the $620,000 price tag is too much for this project. I have some skater friends, in San Francisco, who built their own skatepark for under $4,000. Here is a link to that location. http://vimeo.com/2915758

cahnartist
Ann Cantrell's comment is right on target---with a glaring omission: Just a matter of time before a skateboarder gets injured on city property and some Johnnie Cochran-type lawyer will sue our already cash-strapped city for plenty of money. I seriously doubt that the park will get much use if the helmet laws are enforced. That said, why not put my theory to a test and issue citations to those who frequent the existing park (without wearing the proper safety equipment) PRIOR to making the improvements and see how many return? Doubt that there will be enough skaters to merit improving on what is already there.....

Judy C.
Helping to keep young people off the streets, with somthing healthy to do, is what this and all inner cities need more of! Thank you to the legislatures who understand this and know what inner city youth needs! This park is greatly needed. As for Coburn, he doesn't have a clue!!

Blake
Anything to do with finances, spending tax dollars or the upkeep of property should be avoided by Rep. Richardson (D) she is a disgrace. Can we get her recalled?

Dave Hall
Considering what 14th Park used to look like the Skate Park is a huge improvement and definitely needed by the neighborhood's kids. Good for Congresswoman Richardson and for Councilman Robert Garcia for championing the Skate Park.

Dear Ann
Stop being such a negative person, that guy is 21 and he is old enough to decide whether or not he needs a helmet. And maybe a job this would produce would be someone to be a recess guard at the park. NA

Steven
Thanks to the Congresswoman for standing in support of this important project!

Ed
Everyone agrees that skake parks help occupy kids in a depressed area. But it doesn't create jobs and related tax income to pay for the stimulus. If we don't balance the budget, that weakens the US$, motivates BRIC country investors to buy fewer treasuries and increases interest rates. This is beneficial pork, but you finance it by decreasing funds to another project. Where do you want to cut costs or increase taxes to pay for the skate park? education? # or salaries of city employees? subsidy to low income housing?

Jerry Miller
Even the most elementary cost-benefit analysis would demonstrate the clear value of investing in facilities like the skate park, particularly in areas deficient in parks, recreation and other projects supporting youth. This is an excellent and deserving use of stimulus dollars.

Dr Morbius
This park is in the absolute worst and most gang infested high crime area of Long Beach. Due to lack of funding, the Police department is not able to keep it's helicopter in the air and the police department is discussing furloughing police and for personnel. This park has been the site of numerous homicides and brutal assaults. This is the best Richardson can come up with? Remember the $80,000 of city money she spent to hire Kool and the gang? Remember when she called Snoop Dogg "Long Beaches number one son"? She was an absolute fool on the LB city council and is no better in congress.

Laurence B. Goodhue
Immediate funding is already in house at 333 West Ocean for this project all that is needed is the requisite approval to move from one column to another. Go to today's issue(June 17,2009) of Grunion Gazette.Click on the comments to the editorial:Note No. 2. Additionally it could also be funded in a different manner.See comments to Press Telegram editorial on the Skate Board Park Funding earlier this week. AS to the comment regarding no helmet.The guy might be over 21--but if he has no insurance and ends up in the hospital..guess who is stuck with the bill!!!

Miki Vuckovich
The skatepark is an excellent use of Stimulus funds. The Tony Hawk Foundation has been working with municipalities across the U.S. since 2002 to help them develop proper, free, public skateparks in areas where youth need positive athletic recreational opportunities. The 14th Street skatepark project is an important part of Long Beach's efforts to provide suitable facilities for its growing number of skateboarders (currently estimated at over 20,000), and is being led by a number of prominent citizens and professional skateboarders from the area. It has all the resources, short of funding, to be a world-class facility for Long Beach youth to enjoy for decades to come. And the park they plan to build should be durable and not require ongoing maintenance, as some above-ground temporary skateparks do. Based on the proposed design and plan for the 14th Street Skatepark, the Stimulus dollars Long Beach has committed to the skatepark will immediately address the needs of the community, and put Long Beach on the map for skateboarding and action-sports enthusiasts the world over. As we have seen in community after community, the dollars spent on this skatepark will very likely result in a facility that will be the city's most popular recreation destination. It's precisely the result the Administration had in mind when allocating the funds they have to the stimulus package. Senator Coburn of Oklahoma needs to visit the communities he's commenting on. Clearly he has no idea what a positive impact a skatepark like the 14th Street project can have on youth. Long Beach residents can be proud and excited to be home to this facility. - Miki Vuckovich, Executive Director, Tony Hawk Foundation

denise
I'm not adverse to creating productive recreation area's for kids - including skate parks. But as Dr Morbius accurately states, the one in question is mostly a gang hangout that just attracts more scumbags to the area. Why would anyone even listen to an idiot who glorified Snoop Dog (BEFORE he cleaned up his act a little), can't clean up her own back yard (literally) and can't manage her own finances let alone our tax dollars??? I'm with Swimmaven - Richardson is an ignorant embarrassment and should get out of the public eye. Period.

cahnartist
Regarding "Dear Ann's" comment: "that guy is 21 and he is old enough to decide whether or not he needs a helmet", maybe he IS old enough, but maybe he's just not SMART enough! While I do not profess to know the law regarding the helmet laws, it is my belief that ALL people using the city facilities are required to wear protective gear. If it isn't already a law, it should be. As I stated before, our city doesn't need some knucklehead hitting their heads and then filing a lawsuit because of his or her stupidity.

criss
1. Congresswoman Richardson should clean up her own blighted property - her neighborhood would appreciate it. 2. why is this skate park costing so much money - oh, right, federal $s ... 3. If there is a skate park in Ohio to be built does everyone here supporting this project want their money going toward that? 4. It's not an issue of if this is a good project, or kids being off the streets - this is not the type of expenditure that the federal "recovery" money is for.

Juan Pardell
Jerry Miller - It appears as if your commenting from a sociological perspective. My opinion is based on the fiscal cost of this project. Perhaps, if Robert Garcia is willing to provide an analysis, as to why the estimated cost for the skatepark project is $620,000, then I'd be more compelled to say its a good idea.

Jerry
Richardson almost brought good back to her name with those comments. I don't think your photographer did the park justice with those photos. In order for the readers and residents to see the need for the park, he should have photographed the drug dealers and users, gang bangers, and graffiti that surround the neighborhood. Only then can you see the park for what it truly is. An oasis in the desert.

Nick Dibs
"Of significance for citizens of the 37th Congressional District are evidence and facts which appear or may appear to be Rep. Laura Richardson's lack of principle-based ethics and judgment in the past and recently. For the record, as a Democrat running for Congress she paid money to be on a "Yes on� 8" pro-McCain (pro-Republican) campaign mailer and at the same time also had her name on a "No on 8"� campaign mailer just prior to the 11-4-08 election. Yet, in May 2009 Richardson decided to appear and participate in the Gay Pride Parade in Long Beach . When it comes to important issues, it appears she prefers going the route of political expediency – of allegedly pandering to people on both sides for political support and to gain votes, – rather than declaring and sticking to a principled position. In what appears to be another lack-of-judgment-by-Richardson development, according to the LA Times (front page) of 6-12-09 and the Daily Breeze of 6-14-09, Richardson's house-mismanagement is ongoing and she must cleanup her blighted Sacramento house�! Since first elected to Congress in August 2007, Richardson voted several times (including very recently) to spend and squander many-billions of our taxpayer dollars to continue the US war and "military occupation"� in Iraq while informing people and newspapers that she favors bringing the troops home: According to the OC Register of 3-15-09, she conveyed "her support for a withdrawal (of US troops) from Iraq."� In my view, this is but another lack-of-principles/ethics example of Richardson's continuing practice of pandering for votes from citizens on both (opposing) sides regarding important policies. The lives of people are on the line and there is no military solution in Iraq or Afghanistan (www.IVAW.org; www.DemocracyNow.org). From both countries there are now over 5,000 US soldiers killed and over 30,000 US soldiers wounded! In Iraq there are over a million killed and four million refugees! As of today, 6-16-09, another war-funding appropriations bill is to be voted on in the House for approximately $100 billion. How many more people need to die and be wounded before Richardson will commit to bringing all the troops home in the foreseeable future and will vote �No" on any more US taxpayer funding of the US war and occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan? Over a trillion (many billions!) of the American people's taxpayer dollars are continuing to be poured down the sewer of ongoing foreign/military policy failures in Iraq and Afghanistan! Such significant tax dollars are needed now and here at home for energy-independence projects, to help better-fund local schools and cities, to put people to work, etc. and to revive our economy! Nicholas (Nick) Dibs, 6-16-09 37th Congressional District Independent Candidate (2008 election)

janet cree
Laura Richardson is a disgrace to Long Beach and its citizens. If she can't run her own financial affairs - how can we expect her to run the governments. She should be impeached..

Mike D
I led the effort 6 years ago to raise the dollars and build the 14th Street Skate Park. I have been working with the kids over the past 2 years and taken them through a process of community outreach, design and testifying before Council. This skate park and others have proven to be an alternative to the many negatives they face each day in their neighborhood. The project qualifies for stimulus dollars and is a use that will contribute to the health and public safety of a very depressed area. It is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the country and listed as one of the most dangerous for kids in Long Beach. There has never been a crime at the skate park. One kid, 15 year old Jose Cano was stabbed in an alley and died next to the skate park as the kids watched. For those of you that don't get it yet you are welcome to contact me and I will introduce you to some of my many young friends I have made over the years at 14th Street. You will meet kids that have been shot, shot at, stabbed, robbed, beat up, hassled by gang bangers,all before they were 18 and in their neighborhood. They live in a neighborhood with prostitutes, drug dealers, homeless and gang violence with little or no recreation activities. The unfortunate disconnect between the haves and the have not's is evident in some of the writings. There are very low income children throughout Long Beach. Those of us involved in the project understand the benefits and the reality of life in this neighborhood. The project is an expansion of the 14th Street Park that will extend to Long Beach Blvd. It will take 3 months to complete and require 15 or so employees during that time. Its not just a skate park. As far as the equipment issue Ann brought up. Another issue, but if anyone wants to contact me I can spend 30 minutes explaining skate park safety and you will then agree that forcing kids to wear safety equipment is dangerous because it forces kids back in to the streets where all skate board deaths(35 in Ca. 2008) have occurred. There has never been a death in a skate park except a freak accident involving a pro and he had gear on.(mikedonelon@aol.com)

JonathanBurkett
I've been a skater and surfer for over 40 years now and I'll tell you somthing. when we were kids we had Carlsbad skatepark and Anaheim skatepark and just about any empty pool in town. In San Clemente My friend and some of his built the biggest skateramp known to mankind in his backyard. We went to great lengths to stay out of the eyes and back seats of the local police, we figured they had enough to do, especially in Long Beach nowadays. My vote is save our youth and the skatepark and let them enjoy. I am still a grown up child and skating to me is a pastime for when there are no waves, especially since Long Beach ousted the surfers way back when by installing a huge three mile jetty which kind of wiped out all the surf in Long Beach, so comeon fellas don't wipe out the skatepark too we need it. If they wipe out the park I guess I'll have to go down to hit the surf in Huntington Beach at my favorite semi- secret spot. Yours truly Jonathan James Shred till I'm dead Burkett.

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Ryan ZumMallen has served as the managing editor of the LBPOST.com since 2007. He graduated from CSULB with a degree in Print Journalism in 2008 and is a member of the 2009 class of Leadership Long Beach. You can find him on various basketball courts around the city.

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