Wrong Headed City Action in East Cleburne

Wrong Headed City Action in East Cleburne
Print this page The City Council and the 4B Board are on the wrong track in East Cleburne where they plan a Community Center. If they follow their current plan, they will spend about a million and a half taxpayer dollars and not give the East Cleburne residents what they want. The site the city has selected for the East Cleburne Community Center is the unused Booker T. Washington school. They have selected this site with disregard to the wishes of the East Cleburne residents who, in public hearings, expressed a desire to locate the Community Center in or next to Carver Park near the new pavilion. The city purchased the Booker T. Washington property from CISD. They plan to refurbish the gymnasium and use it. They plan to demolish the classroom buildings and replace them with a smaller, new structure. The existing buildings were built in 1956 and are sound and serviceable. While they are not old enough to be classified as historical, they have considerable historical significance in East Cleburne. This, plus the waste and cost of demolishing a serviceable structure, should be cause for considering refurbishing and remodeling the classroom buildings. The city closed the swimming pool at Carver Park because they say it doesn't meet state standards. This is despite the fact that the same city staff told the 4B Board just a few years ago that the Carver Pool had no problems and would be good for years to come. This was before they decided to spend over $5 million taxpayer dollars on the Splash Station in Hulen Park. Remember that taxpayers voted to renovate the Hulen Pool for $850,000. Once they spent seven times the amount approved by taxpayers, they want to do everything they can to improve attendance and revenue at the Splash Station. Whatever their real reason for closing Carver Pool, the effect is a reduction in community opportunities in East Cleburne. As a "consolation", the city plans to destroy Carver pool and replace it with a little "Splash Pad." This only adds insult to injury for East Cleburne. East Cleburnites have had their pool closed ever since the Splash Station opened. East Cleburne kids need transportation across town and $5 to get into the Splash Station. The mayor promised some kind of reduced admission or free admission plan to low income families. This was never brought up in a city council meeting, and of course never happened. The city politicians and bureaucrats claim the Sports Complex is in East Cleburne. This playpen, which cost more than twice the amount approved by taxpayers, IS on the southeast edge of town, but it is so far out that it does not add to the East Cleburne community opportunities. Furthermore, it is not available for practice or community use. It is, in effect, a playpen for those with an income considerably above that of most East Cleburne citizens. While Cleburne is not a large town, we will have neighborhood communities. With most of the power brokers living in Southwest Cleburne, East Cleburne gets left out. Current city policies only continue that inequity. East Cleburne and all of Cleburne would benefit from development in East Cleburne. As you talk to the candidates for the two council positions to be filled in the May election, ask them about their policy toward East Cleburne and vote for the one favoring development in East Cleburne. Alden Nellis 603 S. Walnut Cleburne, TX 76033 817-641-9646 weekdays

The City Council and the 4B Board are on the wrong track in East Cleburne where they plan a Community Center. If they follow their current plan, they will spend about a million and a half taxpayer dollars and not give the East Cleburne residents what they want.

The site the city has selected for the East Cleburne Community Center is the unused Booker T. Washington school. They have selected this site with disregard to the wishes of the East Cleburne residents who, in public hearings, expressed a desire to locate the Community Center in or next to Carver Park near the new pavilion.

The city purchased the Booker T. Washington property from CISD. They plan to refurbish the gymnasium and use it. They plan to demolish the classroom buildings and replace them with a smaller, new structure. The existing buildings were built in 1956 and are sound and serviceable. While they are not old enough to be classified as historical, they have considerable historical significance in East Cleburne. This, plus the waste and cost of demolishing a serviceable structure, should be cause for considering refurbishing and remodeling the classroom buildings.

The city closed the swimming pool at Carver Park because they say it doesn't meet state standards. This is despite the fact that the same city staff told the 4B Board just a few years ago that the Carver Pool had no problems and would be good for years to come. This was before they decided to spend over $5 million taxpayer dollars on the Splash Station in Hulen Park. Remember that taxpayers voted to renovate the Hulen Pool for $850,000. Once they spent seven times the amount approved by taxpayers, they want to do everything they can to improve attendance and revenue at the Splash Station.

Whatever their real reason for closing Carver Pool, the effect is a reduction in community opportunities in East Cleburne. As a "consolation", the city plans to destroy Carver pool and replace it with a little "Splash Pad." This only adds insult to injury for East Cleburne.

East Cleburnites have had their pool closed ever since the Splash Station opened. East Cleburne kids need transportation across town and $5 to get into the Splash Station. The mayor promised some kind of reduced admission or free admission plan to low income families. This was never brought up in a city council meeting, and of course never happened.

The city politicians and bureaucrats claim the Sports Complex is in East Cleburne. This playpen, which cost more than twice the amount approved by taxpayers, IS on the southeast edge of town, but it is so far out that it does not add to the East Cleburne community opportunities. Furthermore, it is not available for practice or community use. It is, in effect, a playpen for those with an income considerably above that of most East Cleburne citizens.

While Cleburne is not a large town, we will have neighborhood communities. With most of the power brokers living in Southwest Cleburne, East Cleburne gets left out. Current city policies only continue that inequity. East Cleburne and all of Cleburne would benefit from development in East Cleburne.

As you talk to the candidates for the two council positions to be filled in the May election, ask them about their policy toward East Cleburne and vote for the one favoring development in East Cleburne.

Alden Nellis
603 S. Walnut
Cleburne, TX 76033
817-641-9646 weekdays