BIG MEETING MONDAY NIGHT

I sent out email to all the "friends" about this, and it occurred to me (OK, it was pointed out to me) that some of you don't know where these schools are, so how are you supposed to get to the meeting?

So, here's a map showing:

A) McCloud (Cleveland) School (the location of the meeting)

B) Liberty School (the other subject of the meeting)

C) The Rink

View Larger Map

IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT THE SKATING RINK

********************************************************************************

Dear Friend of the Skating Rink -

The future of our skating rink in Mackay park is very much in jeopardy. Last year the City hired a consulting company to help determine the future use of the rink and Liberty School (located at the monument). As part of the consultant's contract, they are holding a public hearing this Monday.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that we get as many supporters of the rink as possible to this meeting. Please come. Bring your kids. Bring your friends. Bring your voices. Bring your signs.

If we ignore the rink, it may very well go away. We MUST make ourselves heard.

If you have any questions at all, please call or email.

Phil Vogel

201-567-1343

phillip@bartal.com

The meeting is 7:00 pm Monday, April 12 at the McCloud School (formerly Cleveland School) 325 Tenafly Road, Englewood, NJ

--- This is the announcement sent out by the City Council ---

----------------------------------------

A Message to all Englewood Residents - we need as much public input as possible (please forward)

On April 12, 2010 at 7 pm the City of Englewood will hold a public hearing on the future uses of Liberty School (Russell Majors Liberty School) and the Englewood Skating Rink in Mackay Park. Public Hearing will be held at McCloud School - 325 Tenafly Road (formerly called Cleveland School)

The purpose of the hearing is to obtain as much public input as possible regarding the future of these two buildings. The agenda for the hearing is attached.

The City of Englewood has engaged the firm of Phillips Preiss Grygiel, LLC of Hoboken, New Jersey to study Liberty School and the Skating Rink, to provide an analysis of the existing conditions of the buildings, generate potential uses for each facility and to assess each use and make recommendations to the governing body. Their work requires a forum to engage the public and gather the broadest input from the public.

The hearing will include a brief overview of the study by Richard Preiss, the principal planner for the project, a question and answer period to address questions from the public and a public comment period for the public to have input into the issues raised and the alternatives for the future building uses.

The study of the Liberty School and the Skating Rink is a critical step in determining the future of the two buildings and will ultimately impact the surrounding areas, the downtown, as well as the whole City.We hope to see you on April 12th. We look forward to your participation in the public hearing.

--- This is the Agenda for Monday's meeting ---

RUSSELL C. MAJOR LIBERTY SCHOOL AND JOHN T. WRIGHT ARENA ADAPTIVE REUSE STUDY

PUBLIC INPUT MEETING AGENDA

Monday, April 12, 2010

• Introduction - Richard Preiss, Phillips Preiss Grygiel

• Major Issues/Points of View Identified from Stakeholder Interviews - Paul Ricci, Phillips Preiss Grygiel
  
• Potential Reuses for Each Facility as Identified by Stakeholders - Paul Ricci, Phillips Preiss Grygiel
  
• Existing Conditions of the Liberty School and Wright Arena - Fradkin & McAlpin Associates
  
• General Floor Plans for Potential Adaptive Reuses of Each Facility - Fradkin & McAlpin Associates
  
• Questions from the Public
  
• Public Input and Comment Period
  
• Summary and Recap - Richard Preiss, Phillips Preiss Grygiel Associates
  
• Distribution of Short Survey
  
• Next Steps - Richard Preiss, Phillips Preiss Grygiel Associates
  
• Incorporation of Public Comments
  
• Preparation of Recommendations and Report

One Way to Deal With City Hall

Here's how one guy chose to deal with his city officials. Now I'm not suggesting that we do the same, but...

Our Rink is in Jeopardy

As many of you know, the John T. Wright Arena (that's the official name of our ice skating rink) in Mackay Park in Englewood is in jeopardy of being closed. I have put up this blog as a place to keep rink supporters informed of the situation as it develops and to solicit your support in keeping the rink alive.

I invite you to get involved, be involved and stay involved. Your comments are ALWAYS welcome.

All the best,

Phillip

Why aren't there more black hockey players?

Willie O’Ree is the Jackie Robinson of hockey. Breaking the color barrier, he played his first game for the Boston Bruins on January 18, 1958. In an interview celebrating the 50th anniversary of this event, Willie said:

...but everybody says, “Well, why aren’t there more black players?” You have to take into consideration the geographical – where you’re born. I mean I was born in Canada. I had the availability of Ice every day. I skated to school. There were ponds, lakes, rivers, creeks that you could skate on.

The more rinks that are going to be constructed - it’s going to make it possible for more kids to get that opportunity.

Hockey’s a very unique sport. I mean, you could take a basketball and you could even dribble in this room; you could take a soccer ball and kick it around; you could take a football and make some passes. But hockey, you need to get on the ice. You need to develop your skills that are on the ice. And if you don’t get on the ice, you won’t become a hockey player.

I predict that there’s going to be more – not only black players, but players of color coming into the league in the upcoming years.

Mr. O’Ree is currently the National Hockey League’s Director of Youth Development and the hockey ambassador to NHL Diversity, a major component of the league's “Hockey is for Everyone” initiative. The NHL diversity program has pledged its support for programs in Englewood.