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Community Council members lash out at Metro Parks

By John Larson

Tacoma Weekly
jlarson@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: July 03, 2008

Animosity between Metro Parks and Community Council of Tacoma appears to be deepening, judging from the council’s June 26 meeting.

At the council’s last meeting in April, Ginny Eberhardt, chair of West End Neighborhood Council, introduced a resolution calling for a vote of no confidence in the park agency’s board of commissioners.

Bill Garl, the new chair of the council, recently had an informal meeting with Metro Parks staff. He discussed it at the beginning of the meeting and was met with criticism from several of his colleagues.

Steve Muller, a West End representative, told Garl his action was inappropriate. “You have to be somewhat invisible as chair,” Muller remarked.

Tom Smith, another West End representative, told Garl he has a duty to stay neutral. Smith told Garl he hopes he does not do this again. Should he need to meet with a group, he should bring another Community Council member with him. “It is just good, common sense practice.”

Marion Weed of Northeast Tacoma Neighborhood Council said Metro Parks needs to display more transparency in regard to projects funded by the 2005 bond measure.

“We feel we have been slapped in the face in regards to Titlow pool,” Eberhardt declared.

The aging pool is scheduled to be replaced. Voters approved funding in the 2005 bond measure. It has become a point of contention between the Metro Parks Commission and some residents. The commission is considering several other locations for a new pool, while Eberhardt and others interpret the meaning of the bond measure to be a replacement pool at Titlow Park.

She said that while Metro Parks continues to study the matter, inflation will drive up the cost of eventual construction.

“What I want is for Metro Parks to listen to us,” Eberhardt said. “It is obvious they are not listening to us. At least they could have told us the truth and not hide things from us.”

Dee Margeson of Central Neighborhood Council said she has no problems with Metro Parks staff but is disappointed in the board of commissioners.

“You see it as the board being the problem,” Muller said in response. “I see it as the director being the problem.”

Smith said the council’s executive board should put together an agenda for a proposed meeting with Metro Parks representatives in the near future. Council members set a deadline of 6 p.m. July 6 to submit issues they want on the agenda prior to the next executive board meeting July 7.

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