COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
Watching the City Council’s discussions of a proposed skateboard park to be built at Leisure Square and a mural to be painted on the north wall of the racquetball courts in Riverside park, I was left hoping newly elected Councilman Harry Howle matures in his understanding of representative democracy.
After the Council received three options for a 24 foot by 42 foot mural in Riverside Park, Howle said, “I am ready to make a decision.”
Mind you, the proposals were first presented just this week. Members of the public who may have interest in or concern about the plan have not been given an opportunity to be heard.
Though impetuousness is a “gift” of the young, Mr. Howle, as a member of the City Council, now has the responsibility of representing the people of Vero Beach — all of them. Howle will learn soon enough that if he crawls out too far on a limb, he runs the risk of having even his most faithful supporter saw it off behind him.
It was Councilman Winger, a bit more seasoned that Howle in the practice of democracy, who proposed delaying a decision on the mural options two weeks, long enough to give those in the public who might want to speak to the issue an opportunity to be heard.
Similarly, before approving what is admittedly a attractive proposal from a private group to fund and build a skateboard park at Leisure Square, Winger encouraged his fellow Council members to first request City staff inform the surrounding neighborhood of the plans.
Based on other public comments Winger has made, it would seem he believes a privately-funded skateboard park at Leisure Square would be a positive development. Ultimately, I expect he will support it.
By proposing that all stakeholders be informed and given an opportunity to offer input, Winger’s was simply being true to his belief in and commitment to representative democracy.
An article published by Politico.com yesterday reports the common denominator among supporters of Donald Trump is not race, religion, gender, or political philosophy. Rather, it is a leaning toward authoritarianism. Matthew MacWilliams wrote, “Trump’s electoral strength – and his staying power – have been buoyed, above all, by Americans with authoritarian inclinations.”
Without allowing any input from the public, young Howle said, “I’m ready to make a decision.” Let’s hope Howle does not want to lead Vero Beach into the “Trump Nation.”
There is something to be said for decisiveness; and it is true that a right decision made too late is a wrong decision. But let’s face it, the approval of a skateboard park for Leisure Square and a mural for Riverside Park are hardly pressing issues requiring immediate action. Especially when time allows, elected officials should make ever reasonable effort to ensure concerned citizens can be heard.
Indian River Guardian 
I’m sure Mr. Howle was remembering the previous mural, which was approved on first presentation.
No public opinion was requested.
I’m not so sure, Sue, and I cannot see what is lost in allowing a proposal like this to percolate for all of two weeks.
Riverside Park is visited by boaters, walkers, joggers, veterans, tourists, hand-ball players, and is close to the Museum, Riverside Theater and Children’s Theater. If the previous mural was Bethel Creek Center, it is seen by those traveling south on A1A, walkers, etc. There were 3 fine choices proposed for the Riverside Park wall. My choice for that particular location would be the waterbirds. I love cardinals and other birds but not my choice for this location. The 3rd choice was difficult to see online….though it, too, was nice. Maybe next time this topic is visited at meeting, it will get input not only if to approve a mural but also which.
Saskia Fuller: I am an active artist in the Art Community in Vero Beach and until a few months ago owned an Art Gallery and Studio – Off Island Studio – with my husband. This is the first time I have heard about a proposed mural for Riverside. I would love to know more about it and would be interested, if there is/was a “Call to Artists” as I believe that Vero Beach has some fabulous artists that would love a challenge like a mural.
I am also involved with the Skate Park Alliance and even though I agree with the fact that the neighbors should be informed about the building of a Skate Park, I would like to point out that Leisure Square is a Recreational Facility and as such zoned for Recreational Activities. In recent years the football fields have been used less frequently due to the fact that football, rugby, baseball, etc. can be played at many other facilities. The research we have conducted about the noise levels of a Skate Park read at 65 Decibels, compared to 60 of conversational speech, 70 – normal street noise and a football game that lies at 115 decibels. Generations of Vero Beach Skateboarders have tried to get a safe Skate Park build here for more than 15 years. It is a little known fact that most streets and parks here in Vero Beach are off limits to Skateboarders – they even face the possibility of a $15 by police officers. And yes, even though it is not pressing for most people that live here, we are offering the City of Vero Beach the gift of a $1mio state-of-the-art facility build and designed by one of the leading Skate Park builders here in the US. The Vero Beach Skate Park Alliance will privately raise these funds and is confident that a Skate Park will provide a healthy and safe solution for the many skateboarders and BMXers that live in our town and the many out of town visitors that will be attracted to such a facility. It will be an all-inclusive Park and patrons are able to use the whole Leisure Park facility. We believe that a healthy Community will listen and work with all its residents, regardless of age, gender and race. We are looking forward to being a part of Leisure Square and the the possibility of “Recreation for every Generation” and hope that Vero Beach Skate boarders will finally have a place to go, where they can safely hone their skills.