Chief
08-30-2007, 07:28 AM
JEFFREY MIZE, columbian staff writer
March 3, 2001; Page C1
A public forum on Vancouver's proposed special events center is shaping up to be a one-sided affair. Opponents of the $56.5 million project have invited Vancouver City Council members to Wednesday night's event.
As of late Friday afternoon, they hadn't received any takers.
Larry Patella of Citizens for Common Sense said the "debate" will go on regardless of whether the city or some other group sends representatives to speak in favor of the events center.
"What that tells me is they're not willing to discuss it, and it gives me the impression they've got something to hide," he said.
Ralph Peabody, another group member, invited "any and all council members" to a public debate when he spoke during the citizen communications portion of the council's Feb. 20 meeting.
However, it wasn't until Thursday that Patella sent out an e-mail with an actual time, date and place.
Councilman Jim Moeller sent back an e-mail saying there wasn't enough time to arrange an event "conducted in a professional, unbiased manner."
Moeller also asked questions about the format, moderator and how questions would be developed.
"I'm also scheduled to work until 8 p.m. that evening," he wrote. "It's simply not enough advanced notice. Additionally, myself and other council members are leaving for Washington, D.C., the next day for the National League of Cities Conference."
The council could give tentative approval to the long-discussed project at the end of an unusual Saturday work session, scheduled for 9 a.m. March 24.
Councilman Jack Burkman said it's doubtful some type of public debate would occur before then because of scheduling difficulties.
"We're not having a debate with the pro-group either," Burkman said.
Mayor Royce Pollard said Friday morning that he had not seen Patella's invitation. Council members also have not received the final financial package, Pollard said.
"We haven't seen that information, so how can we comment?" he said.
Pollard added that opponents have had "plenty of time to raise their issues on TV" during citizen communications at council meetings.
"We get three minutes," Patella replied. "And it's a one-sided conversation. You can ask a question, but you never get an answer."
ON THE WEB
Vancouver's fact sheet on the project
www.ci .vancouver.wa.us /vancmo /econ-dev /Special%20 Events%20Center .pdf
ISSUE AT A GLANCE
* WHAT: Forum on Vancouver's proposed special events center.
* WHEN, WHERE: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way.
* SPONSORED BY: Citizens for Common Sense, a group wanting a public vote on the $56.5 million project.
March 3, 2001; Page C1
A public forum on Vancouver's proposed special events center is shaping up to be a one-sided affair. Opponents of the $56.5 million project have invited Vancouver City Council members to Wednesday night's event.
As of late Friday afternoon, they hadn't received any takers.
Larry Patella of Citizens for Common Sense said the "debate" will go on regardless of whether the city or some other group sends representatives to speak in favor of the events center.
"What that tells me is they're not willing to discuss it, and it gives me the impression they've got something to hide," he said.
Ralph Peabody, another group member, invited "any and all council members" to a public debate when he spoke during the citizen communications portion of the council's Feb. 20 meeting.
However, it wasn't until Thursday that Patella sent out an e-mail with an actual time, date and place.
Councilman Jim Moeller sent back an e-mail saying there wasn't enough time to arrange an event "conducted in a professional, unbiased manner."
Moeller also asked questions about the format, moderator and how questions would be developed.
"I'm also scheduled to work until 8 p.m. that evening," he wrote. "It's simply not enough advanced notice. Additionally, myself and other council members are leaving for Washington, D.C., the next day for the National League of Cities Conference."
The council could give tentative approval to the long-discussed project at the end of an unusual Saturday work session, scheduled for 9 a.m. March 24.
Councilman Jack Burkman said it's doubtful some type of public debate would occur before then because of scheduling difficulties.
"We're not having a debate with the pro-group either," Burkman said.
Mayor Royce Pollard said Friday morning that he had not seen Patella's invitation. Council members also have not received the final financial package, Pollard said.
"We haven't seen that information, so how can we comment?" he said.
Pollard added that opponents have had "plenty of time to raise their issues on TV" during citizen communications at council meetings.
"We get three minutes," Patella replied. "And it's a one-sided conversation. You can ask a question, but you never get an answer."
ON THE WEB
Vancouver's fact sheet on the project
www.ci .vancouver.wa.us /vancmo /econ-dev /Special%20 Events%20Center .pdf
ISSUE AT A GLANCE
* WHAT: Forum on Vancouver's proposed special events center.
* WHEN, WHERE: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way.
* SPONSORED BY: Citizens for Common Sense, a group wanting a public vote on the $56.5 million project.