DAYTON - The Day- ton City Council voted to reopen the city's skate park for a two-week trial Monday night.
The unanimous vote was met with cheers from the several young students who spoke in defense of the park.
The council meeting was held at the Catholic Church across the street from City Hall to accommodate the large public audience, which was supportive those who came to the meeting to speak on the park's behalf.
Skater and student Mi- chael Milan opened the discussion stating that he be- lieved the skate park should be reopened.
"I think the skate park is a good place where kids can go and relax," Milan said. "The skate park was like a second home to me hellip; I went there all of the time."
Milan said the people who vandalized the park and broke rules were wrong and he expressed his disappoint- ment in their actions.
Milan said reopening the skate park will help keep skaters from causing trouble by skating in places where they shouldn't be and pos- sibly trespassing. Kids were getting in a lot more trouble, Milan said, when they were skating in places
Councilwoman Kathy Berg asked Milan what he thought the council and the city should do in response to the vandalism. While Milan confessed he didn't have any prepared ideas, he suggested probationary periods for people who cause trouble in the park.
Skaters and students Nick Nettleton and Cody Meyer also spoke in defense of the park. Meyer suggested cam- eras to monitor the activity in the park. The council agreed the cameras were a good idea, although there were concerns about vandalism of the cameras.
Park neighbor Mike Paris said he agreed with Milan. At first, the park was kept clean by the original crowd, Paris said. He said the skat- ers have to take care of the park if they want to have it reopened.
"I don't have anything against the skateboard park," Paris said.
Mayor Craig George said the issue comes down to po- licing the park.
Councilman Bill Graham suggested the park rules become ordinances so the Columbia County Sheriff's Office has the ability to en- force the rules.
"We should do whatever it takes to allow the sheriff (jurisdiction in the park)," Graham said.
Councilman Jim Cooper agreed with Graham's assessment and the board moved to have the city Clerk-Treasurer, Trina Cole, draw up the ordinances for the board to approve at the next meeting on Monday, Oct. 8.
Attendee Kathy George reminded the council that even if the ordinances are put in place, the skaters would have to be willing to report the behavior for the ordi- nances to have any impact.
"They have to be willing to report these youngsters, and go on record as reporting them," Kathy George said.
Mayor George said he thought the students who turned out for the meeting learned an important lesson in civics.
The council will discuss the park and determine if it will remain open at the next council meeting.
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