To mark the completion of his first six months in office, Little Falls Mayor Bob Peters is inviting the public to a community meeting on Wednesday, July 16. Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Rotary Park, the meeting is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the new administration’s past successes and plans for the future, and a forum for community organizations to share information about themselves.
“This meeting is a forum for not only myself and the Common Council, but for other community organizations to inform residents about what they have accomplished and the plans they have for the future,” said Peters at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting. “To that end, I am inviting members of the tourism committee to speak, as well as others, because a lot has been accomplished and a lot will be accomplished in the future.”
The mayor said that he sees the meeting as the best way to reach a large number of people.
“Rather than writing columns or letters and submitting them to the newspapers where they may be read by only handful of residents, I believe that holding a meeting such as this is the best way to reach a large audience,” said Peters. “I hope everyone will come out, not only to hear my speech, but to hear others speak as well. This is an opportunity for residents to learn about what we are trying to do to improve the city.”
One area of the city that the mayor and Common Council are trying to improve is the availability of youth-oriented activities.
And with $1,500 in the coffers due to the success of the first-ever city-wide garage sale held in May, Peters announced Tuesday that a second sale will be held on Sunday, Sept. 14, at Rotary Park. In addition, a youth fishing derby will be held to further enhance community involvement.
“Our first garage sale raised $1,500 for youth activities, and I ask residents to mark their calendars for the second,” said Peters. “As with the first sale, the purpose of this garage sale is to raise money so we can do more for our children and to bring the community together.”
Acknowledging that $1,500 is not a lot of money for youth initiatives, the mayor suggested that sixth-grade students and younger children be treated to a movie screening, while seventh-grade students and older young adults be treated to a concert.
However, First Ward Alderwoman Teresa Lee said the children have their hearts set on having a skate park.
“Rather than doing a one-shot thing for our youth, perhaps they would be better served by doing something that will last longer,” said Lee. “The children want a skate park, a place where they can take skateboards and bicycles and have fun without getting into trouble.”
Third Ward Alderman Keith Chrisman asked where the park would be constructed.
“There is land at Columbus Park, but I don’t know if it’s enough,” he said.
The question of liability also came up, to which City Treasurer David Petkovsek said that he believed adding a skate park would not significantly impact the city’s insurance premium. He said that he would call the city’s insurance agent to ask for exact rates and figures.
The mayor added that other municipalities such as Herkimer, Ilion and Mohawk have had success in constructing skate parks.
“These are all ideas to consider,” said Peters. “Perhaps we can raise enough money so we can do a number of things for our youth.”