To the editor:
This letter is in regard to the lack of transparency of the Parks and Recreation Commission as recently expressed in conjunction with the Westport Community Gardens at Long Lots.
There is a similar problem with the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding the planning and approval of the Longshore Plan.
This letter also raises questions how this commission under the leadership of the chairman, David Floyd, is operating.
We (my husband and I) are long-time permanent residents in the residential zone in the northwest section of Longshore Park. In June this year, we found out, together with the other neighbors, that a “commission” has planned to close one of the public roadways (Glen Drive) and place an elaborate pickleball complex in our residential zone.
By now everybody nationwide knows that pickleballs create a high-pitched popping sound (like gunfire) in the 70-decibel range, higher than big city noise. The noise is a nuisance in close residential areas.
It was a shock for us that this pickleball compound is only a few yards away from our property and our next-door neighbor’s property. What is even more aggravating is the fact the “commission” worked on this plan for 18 months without any contact to us or other neighbors, and approved the plan without any input from the residents.
Finally, AFTER the Longshore Plan was approved, a “push-back” meeting with the residents was held on Aug. 14, 2023, at the administration building in Longshore. The meeting was attended by David Floyd, chair of Parks and Rec; Jen Fava, director of Parks and Rec, two members of RTM District 1, and all permanent residents of the Longshore community, including us.
The request was made by the residents to find an alternate location for the pickleball fields (even photos of suitable areas in the 170-acre park were shown). The meeting ended without a resolution. It was a strong push-back by the residents.
Instead of providing an answer to the residents’ request, the chair took our issue to the next level and presented the Longshore Plan on Sept. 6, 2023 (agenda item #7) to the Board of Finance. We watched the Town Hall meeting when it was live-streamed. In this meeting the chairman of the BOF asked the question to the chairman of the PRC, David Floyd — and he had to ask twice: Was there a “push-back” to the Longshore Plan — similar to the events at the community gardens at Long Lots?
The answer by the Chair Floyd was “NO.” This was NOT TRUE. Our strong push-back meeting on Aug. 14, 2023, is proof. The BOF meeting was also attended by the First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and the Director of Parks and Rec Jen Fava.
We are wondering what the limitations of the chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission are. Is he sworn-in by the first selectwoman? To us, it looks like he is the mastermind of the Longshore Plan and he can use any means and methods to get what he wants without any input from the permanent residents of Longshore.
What gives the chair, David Floyd, the “superpower” to keep the residents of Longshore in the dark for 18 months until he got the Longshore Plan completed and approved, and be not truthful when the “push-back” question was asked?
Irmi Streidt
Westport
Just like “shall” equals mandatory,
Mistruth equals lie !
So WOW !
First of all I cannot even imagine having a pickle ball court close to my house.
They are very popular, in constant use, and incredibly noisy.
Might as well live beside a driving range.
Thankfully there are lots and lots of far more appropriate places to build them on the longshore property.
Pickle ball is fun, no doubt.
I presume in light of your discovery and the mistruths told to the BOF chair, that the entire process needs to be redone.
Surely that is the only option open.
And hopefully the REDO, will be full of transparency and communication. As it rightly should be.
This letter to the editor is another shocker: how is our town operating like this? I really am shocked! Outrageous .
What strange and obnoxious rabbit hole is next in the town leadership’s plan for us?
We are clearly no longer in The Land of Steady Habits, as memorialized in the first novel of Ted Thompson (Staples grad).
Is it just me or is there a pattern of a lack of transparency and leadership in this administration? With the handling of Parker Harding, Long Lots/Community Garden and now Pickle Ball, there seems to be a common thread. This seems to be a recent phenomenon. Not sure what can be done now other than continue to speak up, when allowed, at public meetings, but surely we can do something with future elections!
This unfortunate problem has been quietly smoldering for a few years. It’s only now that the fire has reached a point where it’s obvious. It used to be the feeling in town hall that it was important to set an example and be above reproach. Now, it’s common to have department heads and elected officials completely ignore repeated requests for assistance or information. After reading this piece about the astonishing mistreatment of residents, I’m almost thinking that we’re currently being governed against our will. Maybe that proposed civilian review board should have a broader mandate.
David Floyd, Chair, Parks & Recreation Department: The PRC’s Agenda for our 9/20/2023 meeting included an Agenda item for an update & discussion of the Longshore Capital Improvement Plan. This Agenda item was included specifically in response to the 8/14/2023 meeting with the neighbors. Unfortunately, our meeting ended prematurely due to unforeseen circumstances. We are currently rescheduling the resumption of that meeting for the week of 10/2.
🤔
🥱
Incidentally which district 1 rtm attended the meeting ? And what are their thoughts ?
Apparantly a couple of them were present.
Mr. Floyd, I’ll certainly give you credit for not hiding under the bed. That’s a positive. But I was hoping you would address the issue of your “NO” response to the BoF when asked whether there was “pushback” regarding your plan to locate pickleball courts close to residences. It’s my understanding that there absolutely WAS significant pushback and that you knew about it because you set up the very meeting where said pushback materialized. I’m having a hard time squaring this. Would you be kind enough to explain?
David Floyd, Chair, Parks & Recreation Commission:
Mr. Boyd, The PRC is having a Special Meeting the week of 10/2 (exact date TBD). An update on the Longshore Capital Improvement Plan will be on the Agenda, as it was on 9/20/2023. Please attend.
Mr. Floyd, in advance of the meeting, next week, can you kindly either acknowledge or disclaim that your response to the BOF was “NO” when asked about pushback on the pickleball courts. I’m just want to know the facts.
I am sure the meeting of the PRC will be well attended.
Another absentee appointed board member speaking at no point for the majority of the electorate.
Irritating just the tip of the iceberg.
Where is this going ?