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twitterCommissioners keep park for disabled off funding list
CLELAND GROUP
County commissioners directed staff to look into other funding sources for “Sean’s Park” after recommending two other projects for $500,000 each in federal funding.
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 | 2 a.m.
John Ensign
Steve Sisolak
Chris Giunchigliani
This rendering shows a "time management" area featuring a sundial and a computer check-in and record keeping station for park activities.
Sun Topics
Beyond the Sun
An effort to build a park for people with disabilities was set back this week when county officials decided not to put it on a federal funding list despite Sen. John Ensign’s all but guaranteeing he would secure millions more to get the park completed.
“Sean’s Park” would be located on the campus of Opportunity Village, and the design was expected to be a model for others across the nation. It was to include a way for patrons who use wheelchairs to use a playground swing and other innovations.
“I thought this would be a slam dunk,” said County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, who pleaded with his fellow commissioners to approve the project.
They didn’t, largely because other commissioners have park-starved constituents in their own districts.
The Clark County Commission had to select two park proposals to get $500,000 each in federal money. Competing against Opportunity Village’s project were a park for Mountain’s Edge in the southwest, Walnut Recreation Area in the north near Cheyenne Avenue at Las Vegas Boulevard, and Hollywood Regional Park, on Hollywood at Oakey Boulevard.
So several commissioners pleaded their cases, which boiled down to the need for park space in areas with large populations that had not seen park development in years.
Mountain’s Edge moving forward was almost a foregone conclusion after angry residents of the southwest development this year raised a stink over a promised regional park that had never come to fruition. The other winner, Hollywood Regional Park, which is in Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani’s district, was a similar situation. Over more than a decade, just 20 of its 160 acres had been turned into usable parkland.
“How could I go back to my constituents and say, ‘You’ve had a park sitting here for 15 years with nothing built, but this new idea (Sean’s Park) is the one that should get the money?’ ” Giunchigliani said.
Sisolak countered that Sean’s Park wasn’t all that new. “A lot of effort and time had already gone into it, the drawings were prepared, and I was never aware that projects in the pipeline the longest are the ones that have to win,” he said Friday.
The distinction between the Opportunity Village park and the others, he added, is that those parks serve particular areas of the county. The Opportunity Village park would be used by people with disabilities from throughout the Las Vegas Valley, he argued. Estimates are that the number of people with mental disabilities alone is 20,000 in Clark County. Thousands more Southern Nevadans with physical disabilities could also make use of many of its features.
Sisolak said it seemed like Ensign’s support for the park — which Sisolak brought up during the debate — hurt its chances with a board whose members are all Democrats. “I don’t want to believe that,” Sisolak added.
Giunchigliani said the timing of Ensign’s sudden public support for a project he would later be able to cite as an accomplishment during a campaign seemed a bit too convenient to her. After the national scandal of his extramarital affair, Ensign is fighting for his political life.
“Why now?” Giunchigliani said of Ensign’s advocacy. “As far as I’m aware, (Clark County) hasn’t heard a peep from (Ensign) ’til this point. And I would ask the same question if is was (Sen. Harry) Reid or (Rep. Dina) Titus or anyone else. ‘What are you doing on this? Is this for campaign reasons? ... You’re out there in Congress. Don’t tell us we have to add something to our list back here.’ ”
Sisolak admitted that he knew about the park only because Ensign had called him about it.
After the call, Sisolak visited Opportunity Village, which provides job training and social recreation to people with disabilities. He reviewed the plans for the park. Among other things, it would include a “freedom swing,” to which a wheelchair could be secured, letting its occupant feel for the first time an experience that most people take for granted.
The park’s “learning and activity venues” would also include a “live” public street crosswalk to promote pedestrian safety; a public transit “bus” to teach the basics of transportation management; a walking/exercise path for mobility equipment training, balancing practice and walking skills; and a music and art venue.
The $500,000 would have paid only for initial work. Because of the interactive nature of “Sean’s Park,” its total estimated cost is $6 million to $7 million, said Ed Guthrie, Opportunity Village’s executive director.
The park’s name refers to the son of Mike Morrissey, an Opportunity Village board member and insurance broker. His son was born with Down syndrome a year after Morrissey joined the board more than two decades ago.
Morrissey said Friday he wasn’t overly disappointed with the commission’s decision. “This park will gain momentum,” he said. “It’s so unique and different. It will happen.”
Though Sean’s Park didn’t make the list, commissioners directed county staff to look at other possible sources of funding for the project.
Via e-mail, an “incredibly disappointed” Ensign told the Sun the commissioners missed a tailor-made opportunity to use federal funding.
“The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, which I co-wrote, would have been the perfect vehicle to fund Sean’s Park and improve the quality of life for our citizens with disabilities,” he wrote.
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Such a tragedy. How can Giunchiglini not agree with the park because John Ensign supports it? Where are all the other commissioners?
So what if Ensign called Sisolak? Isn't this supposed to be about what is best for the citizens of Clark County? I am not a fan of John Ensign and quite frankly, now I am not one of Chris Giunchiglini. I am a fan of these children being allowed to have a park.
The county commission should be ashamed of themselves. Putting politics ahead of handicapped kids. I don't know how these people can sleep at night. This is truly sad.
I watched the hearing as it was televised. The commissioners who torpedoed Sean's Park came across as conniving political weasels. This was a time when they should have put the good of the whole community ahead of pork barrel politics.
Do deny the park out of fear it might make a political opponent look good. This is beyond disgusting. We can expect nothing else in these political times. I don't see any quotes from Reid Jr.?
500 grand is chump change in this town. Some casino person should be able to come up with the money and tell this woman to f off. Give more to aids research in Africa instead of taking care of your own in your back yard. Pathetic for this woman to make it political. This woman is a typical liberal that cares only about me, me, me.
This is a heartbreaking disappointment. Because those with intellectual disabilities cannot vote, politicians feel free to ignore them. For shame.
What I want to know is how Rory Reid voted.
The park is a great idea. However, there is something to be said for the process. Think about how much you all hate it when someone butts in line. That park will be built one day. But it sounds like the other areas have been waiting years for something to be done, and it's their turn.
OK Enough of these clowns. How many of you are as worried as I am about the Commission??
Love Sisolak. He's got kahunas. Love Chris. She's got a very sharp spouse who is an extraordinary & successful small business owner. Having said that, those two screaming liberals (let's not forget Sisolaks days with Titus) are REALLY the ONLY two Commishes with any lick of business sense. Siaolaks business acumen makes him the more experienced. I'd love to see Chris or Sisolak end up with that Chairmanship but Cmon you two....START WORKING together. And get Brager off the commission for Petes sake. Us party "neutrals" are counting on you both.
The funding will happen. And those thinking about long-term recovery, know the enviroment will be a big winner in the conversion to biofuels & biopower -- saw a cool site; Balkingpoints ; incredible satellite view of earth
Opportunity Village does its best to social climb its' way to the top of donations.
Smith makes a good living off it too.
It could humble itself.
Many states have completely closed some of their parks which have been open for decades.
Perhaps the "slam dunk" spend, spend, spend is beginning to end, end, end?
: )
Creepy man loitering in about Park: John Enswigne?
In response to some of the questions. Sisolak was the ONLY one advocating the project. Brager only cared about her own project in Mountains Edge, Giunchilini cared about her little trail, and Weekly lobbied for a park in his district. No one else lobbied for anything including Rory Reid. I really think they missed a great opportunity.
People talk about this project down the line. The way things are looking, there might not be any down the line.
This is the right time, and it is really sad that politics were allowed to play such a role. This was for all of the handicapped people in the county. The one post is correct, I guess they don't vote so only one commissioner cared.
This was an opportunity to step up and do the right thing. The Board of County Commissioners failed miserably.
These parks sound very good in the beginning, do something nice for the disabled. We all support giving the disabled people something to enjoy, and the respect they deserve. However, I know of two similar parks within 10 miles of me. One has been there for decades, I remenber it in the 1960,s. A really nice place, well maintained, plants galore, etc. All were welcome, but it was
for blind people, with placards in braile, as well as printed for the rest of us to read. It has fallen into disrepair, taken over by drug dealers, etc. County couldn't keep up with the vandalism. Another park built by the city was closed because it became a "homeless" (read "bums") encampment with high crime, drugs, vandalism, police calls galore, and on and on.
When the park is built, please provide security (I know that costs money) to assure the park is safe for the intended user. This includes cleaning up any graffiti EVERY morning. Or better yet, catching the vandals and locking them up.
Not bad, a park that cost Seven Million and would server about 20,000 people in need. $350 each for a nice park.
Why involve the Government and the taxpayers money at all? Why not get 20,000 people that feel the need for this to donate $350 each. Problem solved.
Yes, there are special needs people that could use a nice place like this and I am betting that many of you would be happy to pay your part.
Step up and get this done.
Mountain's Edge should have never been approved as development, much less receive any additional support from our government. The developer of that project is in bankruptcy. I say don't invest another dime into infrastructure into that community until our older, more established (residence and tax base) get their far share of parks and infrastructure.
Commissioner Weekly said it best when he stated that he thought the Commission should do what is best for Clark County. Then he stated I was told to "grow up" because every Commissioner was out to get something for their district instead of for the good of Clark County. YOUR RIGHT! 702-787-0002
John Ensign is not a man of his word. Just ask his wife or other women he sleeps with while his kids and wife are waiting at home. Typical right wing christian hypocrite.
John Ensign is a liar and a sexual predator.
Everytime our elected officials are either up for re-election (Reid) or in political trouble (Ensign), they work really hard to bring home the BACON. Where are they all the other times?
Ensign was the guy "Holier than Though" who advocated for Clinton to resign...yet he is guilty of infidelity and hopes to stay. Ensign, follow your earlier advice and resign.
Reid, what is more important to you...winning re-election or getting your son elected Governor? I know, you want both.
This is a classic case of where the "Party" is more important than the people. SHAME
I don't care if John Ensign called Sisolak, or if the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus called him. This should have been easy to get done. It is a sad comment when a park for the disabled community falls victim to partisan politics. Since when did it matter how long something was on a list? Get over the silliness and do the right thing for the community.
I am proud of Mr. Sisolak for proposing this. I am very disappointed in the rest of the Clark County Commission.
500,000 dollars is not enough to fully fund any of the proposed parks. The rest of us regular folks understand that when you don't have very much money, the first item to be cut is the entertainment budget. Why can't government officials figure this out? Why are they concerned about building new parks when they obviously can't maintain the ones they have?
Sorry folks, we can't afford it...
What doesn't Ensign get his rich father to pony up for the park? If he was willing to pay 96K to help Jr's mistress, what's 500K for a park?
Charge (everyone) $1.00 to get in the park and you have the funding.