Council says "mud bogs are gone"

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

by Landon Johnston

Mountain Home News

In a meeting laced with significant disagreements, city council members voted Monday night not to reinstall the mud bogs at Optimist Park.

A motion to change the existing Memorandum of Under- standing with Marathon Cheese died on the floor for lack of a second after council member Richard Urquidi made the initial motion.

"I move that we change the MOU to allow the mud bogs to be reinstalled at the proposed site at the park (Optimist)," he said.

The original recommendation from the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Board proposed, "To have the MOU changed to allow the mud bog to be reinstalled and keep all existing facilities at the park."

Equestrian supporter Jessie Miller came before the council to voice her concern about the future of the rodeo grounds, which also are located at Optimist Park.

"This is the first I've heard of the MOU and the plan to get rid of the rodeo grounds," she said.

She then asked council, "I want to know if there is a plan to have them relocated?"

Mayor Joe B. McNeal replied that whatever the MOU stated was what they had planned at this point.

The MOU currently states that, "The City of Mountain Home agrees to relocate the existing bike track, motor cross tracks, and all other existing structures (other than the baseball and softball fields) no later than two years after the date on which the Certificate of Occupancy is issued."

That certificate is expected to be signed sometime after the project's proposed completion later this year.

Urquidi told Miller that the council would stay true to their word.

"As long as I'm here, the council will look at all options for the relocation of the facilities currently at Optimist Park," he said.

Before leaving the meeting, Miller expressed her displeasure with the council's answers.

"I am dismayed," she said.

Miller was not the only citizen asking the council what the future holds for the recreational park.

Wild West Off Roaders President Chris Bowman and members Lehi Hartwell and Olaf Swanson also voiced their concerns.

"We just want you to tell us what we have to do at this point," Hartwell said. "Our season starts in late May/early June and as it stands right now we don't know what to tell our members."

The mayor responded by again referencing the MOU with Marathon Cheese.

"All I can tell you is that the vote has been taken and we are going to uphold the MOU," he said. "The mud bogs are gone."

Council President Mark Russell added that other groups who use Optimist Park would soon see some of the same limitations from city council.

"This is just the beginning of more restrictions on motorized events at Optimist Park," he said.

Council member Tom Rist wished to make it known that the city's commitment to Marathon Cheese superceded everything else.

"I don't want to do anything to upset Marathon Cheese at this point," he said.

However, the mayor said, "This is not, I repeat, not about Marathon Cheese," he said. "This is about what the city is willing to be responsible for."

"Basically the city does not want to take the risk for motorized events."

Hartwell also addressed Marathon Cheese and the incoming packaging plant.

"We are not against Marathon Cheese by any means," he said. "I just don't think they would have a problem with the mud bogs going in."

After conferring with the city attorney, Urquidi pointed out that it would be very hard for someone to hold the city responsible for anything that happens at Optimist Park.

"If somebody sued, they would have to prove the city was negligent," he said.

Before the issue was laid to rest, the mayor thanked the racers for their time and efforts.

"We appreciate you letting this process take its course," he said. "When someone sees something they don't agree with, they should question it."

"That's what this country is all about."

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    I guess Joe was wrong!

    -- Posted by jessiemiller on Thu, Mar 8, 2012, at 1:08 PM
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