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January 14, 2017
Dear Friends of Buehler Park:
In this newsletter is:
1. BUEHLER PARK STILL UNDER ATTACK
2. YOUR ACTIVISM HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE!
3. GREAT RIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER IN BUEHLER PARK
4. BUEHLER PARK LOOKING GOOD
5. ROLLA TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
6. THE BEST KEPT SECRET ON I-44 IS GETTING OUT
7. PHOTOS
8. CONTACT INFO FOR CITY OFFICIALS
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1. BUEHLER PARK STILL UNDER ATTACK
At the December 19th meeting of the Rolla City Council, City Administrator, John Butz, announced that the city had purchased 5 acres of land adjacent to two acres the city already owned on Lions Club Drive. This combined parcel is large enough for both the new Rolla animal shelter and a dog-park. However, he made a point of saying that Buehler Park was still under consideration for a dog-park.
At the January 3 meeting, the city council voted to designate this land as the site for the new animal shelter; however nothing was said about the dog-park.
Click here for a brief timeline of the latest attack on Buehler Park beginning with the animal shelter / dog park proposal in April 2014.
I believe, that with a development-crazed city administration, Buehler Park will continue to be "under consideration" for whatever the latest fad in development happens to be. It is only the dedication of Buehler as a public park, the court injunction, and our public vigilance that prevents the destruction of Buehler Park.
This is sad that the city administration is so short-sighted. Buehler Park, in its traditional form, brings in many travelers off the interstate which add to Rolla's economy. I few inexpensive enhancements such as running water, public bathroom facilities, new playground equipment, and a safety fence along Kingshighway would make Buehler even more attractive to local residents and travelers alike
2. YOUR ACTIVISM HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE!
At the July 18 meeting of the Rolla City Council, I felt certain they would follow through with building a dog-park in Buehler Park; but six months later, the decision is yet to be made.
If you haven't already done so, please take these few small steps to help preserve Buehler Park as the lovely little park it is for all Rolla residents and visitors to our fair city to enjoy.
Please sign this petition and ask your friends and family to sign too.
Your phone calls and emails have been very helpful. Please keep them coming. Contact the City of Rolla and respectfully ask them not to build a dog-park in Buehler Park: (573)426-6948, citycouncil@rollacity.org
Run for the Rolla City Council: File by 5:00pm Tuesday, January 17 at the office of the city clerk on the third floor of City Hall at 9th and Elm Streets.
Attend meetings: The Rolla City Council meets every first and third Mondays of the month at 6:30pm in council chambers at City Hall on 9th and Elm streets. Next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17. (Monday is King Day, a federal holiday.)
The Rolla Parks Advisory Board meets every fourth Wednesday at 5:30pm in the Centre at 12th and Holloway. Next meeting on Jan. 25.
Click here for more information.
Click here for contact information for city officials.
3. GREAT RIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER IN BUEHLER PARK
Our attorneys at Great Rivers won a great victory in 2007, saving Buehler Park from certain destruction at the hands of the City of Rolla that wanted to convert Buehler Park into a restaurant district.
Great Rivers still takes a great interest in Buehler Park. Kathleen Henry, President of Great Rivers, and Sarah Willey, Director of Outreach and Development visited Buehler Park in November. Photos are posted here.
If you have not done so recently, please consider making a donation to Great Rivers Environmental Law Center. Checks can be mailed to Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, 319 No. Fourth St., Suite 800, St. Louis, MO 63102. Great Rivers is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Donations can also be made online from Great Rivers' website or from their facebook page.
4. BUEHLER PARK LOOKING GOOD
Our thanks to Floyd Jernigan, Stan Busch and the entire staff at the Rolla Department of Parks and Recreation for keeping Buehler Park neat and spiffy all year long.
I checked the 48 new trees this week before the ice storm hit, and they are sleeping soundly. A few trees suffered some minor vandalism; but that is to be expected in a park frequented by so many young children. One of our 12 dogwoods was attacked by a borer; but we are hoping it will come back from the roots in the Spring. Many of the trees we planted since the Courts settled the Buehler Park case in our favor are now over 10 feet tall.
5. ROLLA TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
The City has created a Transportation Development District which will extend Highway 72 to the 184 mile interchange off I44 and also upgrade Kingshighway between Highway 63 and I44. As originally envisioned, this would take a fair sized chunk out of the Southwest corner of Buehler Park for a third roundabout proximate to the I44 interchange.
The city has assured us that those plans were a mistake — that the map was drawn with a wide marker and was never intended to include Buehler Park. Further, the only changes to Buehler Park due to road construction will be a sidewalk and safety fence along Kingshighway.
The sidewalk and safety fence would be a welcomed edition to Buehler Park. We thank the City and welcome the good news; but of course, we remain wary and vigilant.
6. THE BEST KEPT SECRET ON I-44 IS GETTING OUT
Parks situated next to an exit from the Interstate and adjacent to good food and lodging are almost as rare as hen's teeth. I've suggested to the City and the Chamber of Commerce on numerous occasions that they should not be keeping the existence of Buehler Park a secret. Nevertheless, word of mouth is the best advertising and the secret is getting out.
7. PHOTOS
Lots of new photos posted on the Buehler Park website. Check them out. If you have any photos of Buehler Park you'd like to see posted, send them to us, tom (at) buehlerpark.org.
8. CONTACT INFO FOR CITY OFFICIALS
Click here
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If you don't wish to receive occasional notices about Buehler Park and related topics, let me know and I'll take you off this list.
If you want to be added to this list, let me know.
Have a great day and thanks for your support for Buehler Park.
Tom Sager, Secretary/Treasurer/Webmaster/Editor
Citizens for the Preservation of Buehler Park
yushasager (at) yahoo.com
http://buehlerpark.org
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