*** Council Gets $5,000 From Skateboarders ***

Willcox, AZ --
The Willcox Skate Park Committee presented the
City of Willcox with a check for $5,000 earlier this
month.

Committee Chairman Mitchell Rios introduced
"the core of the Skate Park Committee kids" Justin
Castro, Noah Van Haren, Wesley Schofield, and
Elijah Sheppard.

Each expressed his view that if a skate park were built
in Willcox, it would lessen drug abuse by keeping kids
busy, focused on school, and help keep kids off the
streets and away from alcohol and methamphetamine.

They said a skate park would benefit the city by keeping
kids from doing illegal things, such as vandalizing businesses
or school property.

A skate park would bring other people into town to
spend money in Willcox by buying gas, food, or even
staying overnight in a motel.

The boys pointed out that there are many young skaters
who are the future of skateboarding and want a skate park
as much as the older ones do.

"The little skaters need a place to skate so that they
do not get in trouble and they can skate safely."

Seven-year-old Elijah Sheppard, who has been skating
for almost a year, read a statement to the council and
presented his drawing of what he wants the Willcox
skate park to look like.

"I like to skate because it is fun to learn tricks, and I get to
hang out with the big guys. Maybe someday I'll be a
professional skater," said Sheppard, adding that to achieve
that goal he needs to practice, but has nowhere to practice
in Willcox "because I get into trouble skating on sidewalks."

"The Skate Park Committee has money to give to the city
to start building a skate park," he said. "If you get stuck,
ask us for help."

Mitchell Rios told the council that the committee has done
"a lot of work and met many of the criteria" set forth by
the council.

"We were asked by the mayor and council to form a
committee and it has been formed," he said. "We have
been in existence over a year and have raised some
money. What is holding us back right now is grant
assistance because we do not have a 501(c3)."

Rios said he contacted several cities and was told, "not
one child worked and raised money for their skate park.
I found that 100 percent of the funding came from one
person with help from the city managers."

He then asked City Manager Mike Leighton for assistance
in getting a grant application underway and finalized.

Leighton replied that he has no personal objection,
but that it is up to the mayor and council for their approval.

"I work for them," he added.

Councilman Robert Sherwood commented that last week
at the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Conference there
were some 50 youth committees from different cities
throughout Arizona.

"I asked them about skate parks in their communities,
and they said the most successful parks built were the
ones where the kids earned it," said Sherwood, adding
that those who did not earn it "lost their skate park to
vandalism and drugs."

After the check presentation, Councilwoman Monika
Cronberg commended the members of the committee
for all their work, knowing how hard it is to do.

"When something is earned it is truly valuable,"
she said.

Cronberg said she is concerned that this has been a
"talking point" with the council for more than a year now.

"They were directed to go back and raise more money.
How many will stay if they only accomplish one thing?"
she said. "What do we have to do to take the first step?"

Cronberg said she is concerned about citizens in
need having their needs addressed by the council.

"They are young and have goals to be professional
skaters and without a place to skate, they cannot
proceed," said Cronberg, adding that another community
concern is a Senior Center.

"I am voicing my frustration because part of it has been
accomplished and as a city, we need to take step one to
do what we have to do," she said. "The committee has
worked in good faith, so we need to do that and work
on step two and so on."

Councilman Jimmy Norris asked if the committee has gone
to local businesses for help, to which Rios replied that he
went business-to-business with a letter about a year ago,
and that some have been generous and donated to this cause.

"We have not re-addressed that and are working as
our next goal to re-address the businesses," Rios said.

Councilman Phil Stratton said he has
supported the skate park from the beginning.

He suggested the city give the committee a letter for the
funds they have raised, with which they could go to
businesses and say the city is supporting them.

Stratton said he has had interaction with kids in the past,
chastising them for where they were skating, but also
encouraging them not to lose their enthusiasm.

"I know some that are still skating in their 30s and 40s,"
he said.

Sherwood asked about the cost for the cement slab.

"They have shown they are serious with the $5,000
donation, and we need to show we are serious as
well and back them," he said.

Dave Bonner, director of public service and works,
said he didn't remember the exact figures.

Cronberg added that several months ago it was
$8,000, and now the cost has "probably increased."

Rios replied that last November the estimate from a
local vendor was just under $15,000 for a 4,000 psi
90 x 40-foot slab with eight-inch footers.

Former Public Works Director Ryan Benavides suggested
stronger psi for longevity, but Rios believes that a four-inch
slab would still sustain through wear and tear and would be
priced just over $10,000.

Vice Mayor Rodriguez asked what area they are considering,
and Bonner replied it is the southeast parking lot or west of
the pool.

Rodriguez asked if the staff could get an estimate.

Bonner then asked Rios if they had a contractor,
and Rios replied that it is "just materials."

Bonner said he is assuming that city employees
would finish the work, and it is a large area.

"This is not something they can take on
over the next couple of months," he added.

Cronberg said she understood that, but hoped that the
city could establish a date, have another skatepark
demonstration and some fundraisers "and work together
for a senior center, too."

Mayor Woody Johnson thanked Rios and the skaters for
their presentation, and for stepping forward and putting in
all the hours and work they have put into it.

"It is not just a vision, it is a quality of life issue and
I think this council wants to see it through," he said.