I believe that when people become involved in government, the government tends to truly do a better job of representing the people.

Reconciling differing interests, priorities, and perspectives, in order to gain broad support, is the cornerstone of the democratic process and, I assume, the goal of Village government.

Working together avoids prolonged gridlock and creates public trust.

We don’t see this happening in Islamorada as much as it should. We feel that compromise is the key to repairing the damage that has been created.

At last week’s special call council meeting to finally approve an agreement with the school board for the use of the Founders Park baseball field by Coral Shores High School athletics, the council seemed to be exhausted by the process and some admitted to not being familiar with the finalized details of a 40-year contract.

The “Ostrich Effect” was evident – the council avoiding the small details to protect themselves from controversy.

After all, as one member of the School Board noted “How can you say no to an 8-year-old in a baseball cap?”

It may be tough, but the point is, you may be leaving that child with financial obligations he/she will deal with as a parent or grandparent 30 years hence.

The coaches and school personnel have been working on the baseball field improvements for seven years. Five of the years were outside public view.

Patrick LaFere, Executive Director of Operations and Planning; Operations and Planning, took the microphone at a Council meeting two years ago and announced that the School Board was authorizing $5 million for improvements to the Founders Park baseball field. And thus the public was officially advised.

LaFere assured that Islamorada would have final say on the improvements (video available).

School board and Islamorada officials believed that baseball experts should be the ones in charge of the design.

We believed that seeking fan input would have enhanced whatever product was produced.

All minor and major league teams canvass fans consistently. Fans sometimes have good ideas based on their perspective.

Case in point- The old bleachers in use since the field was first used by the school 25 years ago are terrible – and perhaps a bit dangerous. The bleachers are not part of phase 1 now approved.

The current eventual design ignores the premier fan seating - prize seats are always behind home plate in most every baseball field in the country – except for the design the experts created for Founders Park. Behind home plate is the designed location of  the snack bar!  

Best seat location in the house. I do not know a fan who would contemplate eliminating seating behind home plate to create a two story refreshment stand.

Perhaps fan participation in field design would have preserved these valued seats.

You bet it would.

The lack of operating agreements and design negotiations is what has made the project a lengthy one.

Not public participation.

All of these concerns should have been delineated in the product produced during the first 5 years of design work. Unfortunately, that is not how the timeline is being sold to the public.

I am disappointed that, what should have been so easy and logical turned into a local war over artificial turf vs green grass, excessive taxpayer costs, and excluding public involvement. It took a room full of those kids in baseball caps to save the day?

Now on to the critical issues impacting our community.

In the future, the Islamorada Community Alliance hopes all residents will understand the issues that impact our island.

We attempt to share differing ideas that will help improve our community. Not just baseball, but the critical concerns about traffic, the environment, affordable housing and the budget.

We hope the elected officials pay more attention to details when they know we are monitoring activities. And when residents pay attention and show up.

Tom