Saturday 21 December 2019

Let There Be Light - 4/21/2006


Friday, April 21, 2006
Let There Be Light
An issue in our fair city that is simmering at the moment, but with the potential to burst into full boil within the next few weeks, is the subject of lighted playing fields at our Farm Sports Complex. What makes this such an interesting issue is that it has the potential to derail the political careers of certain local politicians if they vote against adding lights to a couple more fields at the complex.

I doubt you will find a single resident of Costa Mesa that feels we have adequate playing fields in this city. The job that organizers of youth sports have done to negotiate and facilitate the use of available resources over the past few years is nothing short of masterful. They deal with two political entities that sometimes have divergent interests - the school district and city government - while maintaining a single focus. That focus is the health and well-being of the children in this community.

I won't try to re-invent the wheel here. To provide an excellent synopsis of the issue, at the end of this entry I've posted a recent email from Parks and Recreation Commissioner Byron de Arakal to interested parties which is, in fact, a call to arms. I will say, though, that there are some members of our City Council who seem to not have a full appreciation of the need for additional fields in this city. Their attention span and perspective on this issue seems to be limited. Before they cast a vote against additional lighted fields, they need to think hard about the voters in this city they will be offending. One thing is sure, the proverbial "soccer moms and dads" know how to organize and get things done. The skills with which they juggle the demands of work, family and running youth sports organizations are quite easily transferable to the political campaigns that face us this summer. Candidates and incumbents who incur their wrath need to understand that by doing so they potentially place their political future - at least in this city - in jeopardy.

As stated in de Arakal's message, this item will be addressed by the Parks and Recreation Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, April 26th. I join him in encouraging you to show up and stand up for this issue. The future of our city will be in the hands of those young people in need of more places to play and learn the valuable life lessons provided by participation in team sports. The children of this community need your support on this issue. Please join the fight.

Byron de Arakal's message follows:

On March 22 the Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission approved by a 3-2 vote a plan to light the remaining fields at the Farm Sports Complex, and recommended to the Costa Mesa City Council that it allocate funding for the lighting of Farm Fields 3 & 4 in the 2006-2007 budget. This was a VERY important action that stands to make a significant contribution to eliminating the long-standing field shortages we have been dealing with for several years now.

Unfortunately, our work is not done. It is not at all certain a majority of the City Council will vote to allocate the funds for the lighting project. If this project is not funded by the City Council, our field issues will continue to worsen to the detriment of our kids, the organized sports they enjoy and the social health of our community.

This is a CALL TO ACTION to mobilize all who participate in organized youth sports in Costa Mesa; parents, kids, coaches, volunteers and sponsors. We MUST make recreation in Costa Mesa a TOP priority, which necessarily means the expansion of the city’s inventory of lighted fields. I therefore URGE every one of you to write and call members of the City Council insisting they support the Farm Field lighting plan and that they allocate funds to light fields 3 an 4 in the 2006-2007 budget. You must also let them know that their decisions relative to youth recreation and the lighting of additional fields at the Farm will influence your vote in November. Communicate CLEARLY to the council that you will hold them accountable at the ballot box, and that the families of the more than 4,000 children who play soccer, baseball and Pop Warner Football in Costa Mesa are a significant, organized voting bloc.

The Council will be considering the Farm field 3 and 4 lighting plan at one of its meetings in May. The exact date of the meeting will be posted to this website. At this meeting, the council must hear loud and clear that you EXPECT its approval of this recommendation. They must also see NUMBERS; sponsors, coaches, parents, kids and other volunteers must attend this meeting. YOU NEED TO PACK THE CHAMBERS. NOTHING LESS.

You are also urged to write and call members of the Parks & Recreation Commission who voted against the Farm Field lighting plan and urge them to reverse their action. They'll have an opportunity to do this at the commission's April 26 meeting. At this meeting the commission will be reviewing staff recommendations for park capital improvement projects for the 2006/2007budget cycle. The lighting of Farm Fields 3 and 4 will be among those recommendations. The commission must hear loud and clear that you EXPECT its approval of this recommendation. Coaches, parents, kids and other volunteers must attend this April 26 meeting. Again, PACK THE CHAMBERS.

This is a critical time for youth sports in Costa Mesa. And it is immensely unfortunate that we have to work this hard to ensure our city leaders make youth recreation among their highest priorities. But, that is the reality we face. If we dare hope to continue to provide youth sports opportunities for our city’s children, we must make certain that the Farm field lighting project is approved, and that we have a city council that is appreciative and supportive of organized youth sports in Costa Mesa. We simply cannot afford to lose this battle.

Sincerely

Byron de Arakal
Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commissioner
10:37 am pdt

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