1. E-mail or phone Assembly members and oppose linking the Mayor's $4.5 million bond to the Bicentennial Park amendment.
2. Testify on February 19 against linking the Mayor's $4.5 million bond to the Bicentennial Park amendment (see below) and support the $8.5 million general Parks and Recreation bond.
3. By February 19.  Remind the Assembly of your desire to protect FNBP and not amend the Park Plan and 2) Support using alternate locations for the Little League. Oppose linking the Mayor's $4.5 million bond to the amendment.
4. On February 26 at 5pm. come to the Assembly meeting and show your interest and support as they debate and vote on this issue.

What's in the Mayor's proposed $4.5 million bond to build a Little League ball field complex?
- $2.5 million to buy two parcels of land on Lore Road next to Whisper Faith Kovach Park from a developer.
- $2 million for the same developer to build the ball field complex and turn it over to the Little League "ready to play on."

What's in the ball field complex, for $2 million?
- Four baseball fields (one seniors, one t-ball, two standard) built to standards required by Little League, Inc.
- Expanded parking for 188 cars on Lore Road
- Rebuild the play area that is now at Whisper Faith Park, as one of the ball fields will be built over this.

- Snack shack, batting cages, fences, dug-outs, storage sheds, irrigation system, and other items as required by the League
- Maintain access to the one existing soccer field at Whisper Faith

What has the Simonian Little League and/or Little League, Inc. committed to contribute to this?
- Funds: none
- Labor: none
- Materials: none
- Other in kind contributions: none

Who gets to use the new park?
The Little League will have preferential scheduling, meaning that whenever they want it, they get it.
Other groups may be allowed to use the park, if it does not interfere with the League, or result in anything that the League considers harmful to the fields.

We support a reasonable and financially responsible solution to locate Simonian Little League fields. However,

1. Far North Bicentennial Park Site is Not Free A bond should accurately portray the cost of any options proposed. To ask voters to choose between the Lore Road site for $4.5 million or the Bicentennial Park site for free is fraudulent politics and simply a way for the Mayor and Assembly to place fields in Bicentennial Park while exonerating themselves of any responsibility.   At least $1,250,000 needed for the FNBP Site. Presently, the city has identified at most $600,000 available for the project. The Little League, in spite of some equivocal public testimony has committed no money or in-kind contribution. The Land Design North Study estimated the total cost of the FNBP site at $1,600,000. This does not include the bike paths identified in the amendment or any road upgrades - an absolute minimum $250,000. This information will all be hidden from the taxpayer.  

2. A $4.5 million Little League bond is unnecessary   There are alternatives that could be completed with the existing $600,000 and in-kind contributions: --Ruth Arcand Park (similar cost to FNBP - but no road improvements, bikepaths, and little parking needed. --Service High School - serves dual use with school. Room to expand fields north of school. --Land trades. The owners of the Lore Rd. site and Simonian property next to the Little League's current fields are willing to trade for like-value city     property. --Finish Chuck Albrect Fields (only need to increase size of unfinished fields)  

3. The Mayor's Bond may cause both park bonds to fail Last year's parks & recreation bond was only for $4.7 million and passed by less than 200 votes. Two separate bonds this year with one for $8.5 million (including maintenance and repair for pools and hockey rinks) and one for $4.5 million for the Little League may not be acceptable to voters.