Let’s see. The new double-rink ice facility going up adjacent to the Sportsplex next year is being funded by public donations–and people’s tax dollars.
So why is it that trying to get information from an arena steering committee meeting is like trying to pull that proverbial tooth?
A good case in point was yesterday, when reporter Jody Miller contacted “Ice for Kids” rep Les Baker to find out if any more decisions had been made at a committee meeting last Thursday.
Now, Les was very friendly and all that, but said he wasn’t allowed to comment, adding that he had gotten “his wrist slapped” for talking to the media when he revealed, in a previous story, that an Olympic-sized rink was to be included in the new arena.
Are we to conclude that this little fact was to be a secret–maybe until the thing was built? And is there anything else being kept under wraps?
This whole thing started when Jody called CAO Bill Naturkach, who chairs the arena committee, to find out what happened at Thursday’s meeting. While Bill could tell her what had gone on at last Tuesday’s meeting, he couldn’t comment on the one two nights later because he had been out of town.
Fine. But Community Services manager George Bell, who was at the meeting, couldn’t be reached for comment yesterday because he was home sick. That’s when Jody tried Les Baker, who replied that he wasn’t allowed to comment.
Bill Naturkach then called back to say he didn’t have any information from Thursday’s meeting because Bell was sick. When asked who could comment, he noted that councillors on the committee were not precluded from speaking on the arena issue to the media.
Okay. But Coun. Sharon Tibbs couldn’t comment because she wasn’t at that meeting, either. And Jody couldn’t reach either Coun. Bill Martin or Coun. Struchan Gilson. She even tried Muskie head coach Glen Edwards, who happened to be out of town yesterday.
Jody then tried Coun. Martin again, who was home by now, but he said nothing was “written in stone” yet stemming from the meeting.
Quite frustrated by now, Jody called Mayor Glenn Witherspoon to find out if he knew what happened at last Thursday’s meeting. He didn’t know anything. She then asked who gave the “gag order” on committee members, which prompted the mayor to respond, “That’s news to me.”
He also said that upset him because this involves a public building and taxpayers’ dollars. He promised to look into the matter.
Well, Jody called Les back to find out who “slapped his wrist” for talking before. He downplayed the incident. But after being told she had contacted the mayor, Mr. Baker agreed to comment, telling her that the pro shop question was referred to council, and that the facility could accommodate both a Muskie dressing room (with no separate entrance) and one for the Border Figure Skating Club.
He also said there would be a room for music and video equipment, probably one for each rink.
What a runaround!
Okay, okay. So the information from Thursday’s meeting wasn’t earth-shattering. But it was still worthy of timely public knowledge–not when the committee gets around to revealing it.
And given the arena already has been plagued by complaints of decisions being made without the taxpaying public, user groups and even some councillors knowing about them (for instance, the “L-shaped” design and Olympic-sized rink, and the fact some people didn’t realize Memorial Arena would be demolished), yesterday’s exercise in futility merely fuels suspicions that major decisions are being made without public scrutiny.
That’s got to change right now. After all, what’s the big secret?
o o o
I’d just like to this opportunity to wish all our readers, advertisers, and contributors (as well as Barb, Steve and Trevor for their thoughtful “award”) a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thanks for helping make 1997 another great year at the Times.
