Boy Scout Andrew Avalone is working toward merit badges for his Eagle Scout designation, and he's trying to do a good deed for Middletown, but he's learning another life lesson in the process.
Avalone approached the town about raising money to build a gazebo to honor veterans. The gazebo would be built on the South Green.
There is a very specific ordinance about building structures, or monuments, in the park and in Veteran's Memorial Park on Washington Street.
And that's where the trouble began.
The decision as to what monument will be placed on Union Park or Veterans Memorial Green shall be made by the City of Middletown Parks and Recreation Commission upon the advice and recommendation of the City's Memorials Restoration Committee, the Middletown Council of Veterans, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, and the Middletown Design and Review and Preservation Board.
The Middletown Design Review and Preservation Board applauded Avalone and the project, but suggested that the pre-fab gazebo kit proposed by Avalone, and the Parks and Rec Department, needed some modification in size and design. The Board said that the gazebo, as presented, would not be able to accommodate staged activities of the kind currently held in the park.
The Arts Commission concurred, suggesting that any gazebo should be of a size and location that it could replace the use of the town's showmobile and portable stages currently used for events in the park. The Arts Commission asked Avalone to present his plans, considering the recommendations, at the September meeting of that Commission.
In the meantime, The Parks and Recreation department had a concrete footing which would accommodate the originally-planned gazebo, poured near the Eastern border of the park.
According to Common Council members Ron Klattenberg, and Earle Roberts (who is also a member of the Arts Commission), the construction of the footings was premature since all the appropriate boards had not approved the gazebo.
While Klattenberg and Roberts both support Avalone's efforts, they suggest that the Parks and Recreation Department began the work before all alternatives were considered.
"It's very unfortunate that the spirit of the ordinance has not been followed in any sense," Klattenberg, who is, himself, an eagle scout, said. "If there ever was an opportunity, and Park and Recreation would consider Veteran's Memorial Park, it would create a wonderful gateway into downtown."
Parks and Recreations department director Ray Santestefano said that as far as he was concerned all boards had given their approval and that the gazebo would be erected Saturday morning September 19 as scheduled.
The Arts Commission, for their part, disagree with Santestefano, and at their meeting Thursday (a meeting held a week earlier than usual to accommodate a review of the proposed gazebo), voted unanimous support for Avalone and his efforts, but also agreed, unanimously that the gazebo, as proposed, should not be built on the South Green because it is proposed for the wrong location, it is inadequate in size to host staged functions in the park, and that it was inadequate for many of the events held in the park.
Construction of the gazebo is scheduled to begin Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.
14 comments:
This, from the City that demolished a historic town hall building to put up a parking lot.
John Milardo, Parks Supt.
I am writing this response, because I cannot understand, nor believe, the incredibly difficult time two (2) of our elected officials are making out of Eagle Scout Andrew Avalone's gazebo project.
Councilman Earle Roberts started his complaining about the size of the gazebo back more than two (2) years ago, when he was a Parks & Recreation Commissioner. He wanted the gazebo to be as large or larger than the current Showmobile the City owns. He wanted it placed at Union Park back then.
Councilman Ronald Klattenburg, believes protocol was not followed because the Arts Commission had not rendered a decision, and the concrete slab was already poured in place at Union Park.
Councilman Roberts spoke at the June 4, 2009 Parks & Recreation Commission meeeting, stating his displeasure of the location and size of the gazebo. The Commissioners at the meeting took notice of his comments.
Every commission or committee was afforded an oppourtunity to make comments regarding Boy Scout Avalones project, and did. They all agreed with the size, scope, and location of the project. All except the Arts Commission.
Andrew worked very hard seeking donations for the past three (3) or more years. He ended up with $20,000 dollars worth of donations for this project; a 20' diameter gazebo, dedicated to the men and women that served our community during war and peace time. That's what this project was about. It wasn't about replacing a Showmobile. It was about honoring those in the Service: taking a seat to rest for a while, eating a lunch, or getting out of the rain for a minute or two.
Councilmans Roberts and Klattenburgs projects would have cost over $150,000! And they wanted a sixteen (16) year old to come up with the funding.
The Parks & Recreation Commission makes the final decision, after recieving advice and recommendations from the other listed commissions. They did just that.
If Earle and Ron want something else done, they should do it via their power as a Common Council member; not through a sixteen (16) year old. Shame on both of them for creating such an issue, over such a good deed.
Good job Andrew.
Shouldn't Andrew's scout leader have advised him to get approval BEFORE spending 3 years raising $20,000?
Milardo is 100% correct, let this kid do his project. What do these to Councilidiots want a eagle scout project with a minimum cost of $100,000, if they want that pick up this project and move it when they are ready to build what they want...but dont hold your breath niether of them can get anything done on the Council..let this kid finish his project and be grateful...
Wow a middletown youth VOLUNTEERS their time effort and commitment to a project that supports the veterans and politicans still find a way to screw this effort up. Andrew on behalf of a daughter whose father served in WWII thank you. To the people and commissions who feel the effort is not good enough...shame on you.
As a member of the Middletown Commission on the Arts, I can tell you we finally got to meet young Mr. Avalone at our meeting September 17, 2009. Our understanding is that the footings have already been poured and that no one from the Parks Department responded to any of the letters that the MCA had sent.
To a person, the Committee was very impressed with Mr. Avalone, with his dedication to this fine project, his doggedness to deal with City Departments and Councils, and we were charmed by his honesty and trust in his fellow man.
Mr. Milardo is correct that some of us were hoping the Gazebo would replace the aging and rapidly crumbling showmobile. But, the placement of the Gazebo will hinder the presentation of concerts on the South Green.
I am not surprised that the MCA was the only group that did not approve the size of the Gazebo. But I am surprised that we never heard a word from Mr. Milardo.
I must repeat that no one on the MCA is/was upset with Mr. Avalone and the amazing work he has done to raise money in such a difficult time. No matter where the Gazebo ends up, it will be a handsome and useful addition to the City scape.
The MCA has followed this project from the beginning, a project that Councilman Roberts has been a big supporter of - but, the lines of communication were not handled well.
Would you expect anything less from Councilman Roberts? It's no wonder that NO party wants him!
But to some myopic people he's a real hometown hero. The sooner he can be relegated to the peanut gallery the better.
I just drove down there it looks great !!! Fits in perfectly. Thank you Andrew.
These elitist snobs that only want what fits their needs, for their arts programs really need to get a life. To the average everday citizen it looks real nice, anything larger would have been to big and out of character.
How in the world could anyone suggest that a gazebo in Veteran's Memorial Park "would create a wonderful gateway into downtown."
The park is not even visible from any major roadway! I drove by the South Green today. The Gazebo is absolutely beautiful! Nice job Andrew!
In response to "Shouldn't Andrew's scout leader have advised him to get approval BEFORE spending 3 years raising $20,000?"
There was NEVER a question about whether or not Avalone had approval to build a gazebo. The question involved where it was going to be built.
Now if Middletown can only find a Scout to raise funds to replace the Fisher-Price PA system the city uses on Memorial Day. What an embarrassment!
When are Robert's and Klattenberg's terms up. I'd like to nominate Andrew Avalone for Common Council. The gazebo looks absolutely beautiful. Well done young man.
Councilman Roberts had a dream of his own... to build a structure that resembled the bandstand that stood on the South Green during the turn of the 19th century. Unfortunately, Mr. Roberts tried to incorporate his dream and use the funds generated by a Boy Scout. Imagine that! The Scouts live by an oath and maybe it's time that Earle Roberts be held to the same. Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent!
Ron Klattenburg's reaction to the gazebo is typical behavior! Middletown has some fantastic young people and he has a consistent record of shooting down programs involving the youth.
Andrew, the gazebo is magnificent and has just the right flair for Middletown! Nicely done!
I typically don’t respond to blog’s because I find the comments too vitriolic and tasteless. However, the Anonymous person who stated that I have “ a consistent record of shooting down programs involving the youth” deserves my response. I said publicly at the Art’s Commission meeting and to Andrew, personally, after the meeting he is to be commended for his project and extraordinary effort. I am an Eagle Scout from New York City and am fully aware of how much work it takes to reach this highest rank in scouting and is still a source of pride for me. My problems with the gazebo project had nothing to do with Andrew, his dream or his project. Rather, it was with the lack of communication within the city departments and various commissions that were required to weigh-in and offer suggestions, recommendations and/or advice before moving forward. How does the Park and Rec . Dept pour concrete first then instruct Andrew to meet with the Arts & Culture Commission? It isn’t fair to Andrew or the Commission. In fact, the City Ordinances mandates that several commissions and boards be consulted before any work can begin at Union Park. While the Park and Rec Commission has the last word on approval or rejection on any construction at Union Park they didn’t solicit the necessary feedback before providing approval. I think some of the comments would have been very helpful (i.e., size, location). I love the gazebo but continue to believe it would have been better located at Washington Terrace but that is my personal opinion.
To have someone say I don’t support youth is offensive and an insult to me. As my children grew up and attended public schools, I served on the Wesley School PTA, was the chief fundraiser for the playscape at the school, was a boy scout leader, went on numerous troop camping trips, supported many VOAG programs and activities, organized the dugout canoe project for youth in the alternative to incarceration program, co-founded the Middletown Road Race which was the national wheelchair championship in its first year and now is a huge family event with over 70 kids running in the fun run. Marcy, my wife, has offered free natural history programs for Park and Recreation youth and adults for decades. Now that my kids have grown I now leave many of those activities to new parents but work on projects I believe will help the city in other ways (reduce electricity costs, senior citizen workfare, conservation, etc).
When I spoke to Andrew after the Art’s Commission meeting, I told him it was unfortunate we didn’t speak to each other earlier when his project was being developed. I felt his phase of the project should have dealt with the community organizing and not the fundraising. If there was better communication among all involved the city might have been able to assist with a challenge grant. Andrew said to me, “that was exactly his original plan but received no support for money from the city (and others?)” and he, therefore, “had to do it himself”. Shame on Us.
I am sure this note will illicit more nasty blogs but it is important I set the record straight on this issue.
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