|
|
Mo Valley residents voice opposition to sale of stadium
Friday, November 06, 2009
By Timothy Nebgen Staff Writer
AMESVILLE - Constituents turned out Wednesday to voice their opposition to the Moshannon Valley Board of Education's decision to solicit bids for the sale of Hilltop Stadium, accusing board members of attempting to push the decision through and confronting them about rumors the property was set to be sold to a low-income housing developer.
"There is no urgency, we're making up for lost time," said Rod Kitko, president of the board of education, when questioned as to why the board chose to take action relative to the stadium so near to a shift in the board's makeup.
Kitko said the board should have made a move on the dispensation of the stadium shortly after the new athletic center was up and running, but he cited a number of logistical issues that prevented the board from taking action at that time. He said it was simple coincidence the board arrived at a position where it could take action so near to the reorganizational meeting, which is scheduled for next month.
Brian Marshall, solicitor with Miller, Kistler & Campbell, said after the meeting that while Kitko had cited a number of issues that delayed action, the most significant setback was that the assessment record on file showed a substantial part of the property was not assessed to the district, but the deed clearly shows the property belongs to the district.
The issue was resolved, and Marshall informed the board at its regular meeting last month it could move forward with the solicitation for bids for dispensation of the property.
Larry Saupp, chairman of the building and grounds committee, addressed the rumors the property was being groomed for sale to a low-income housing developer. He said the board wouldn't have any idea who is interested in acquiring the property until the bid opening scheduled for Nov. 16 and that the information circulating at this point is simply a rumor.
Representatives from the Moshannon Valley Soccer Association were on hand to reaffirm their interest in acquiring and developing the property as a recreational outlet for the district's youth.
"We feel our community needs something like this," Susan Stillman said on behalf of the soccer association. She said the association fielded 192 players this spring and another 89 in the fall.
Stillman had approached the board in March and informed the members both Houtzdale Borough and Woodward Township had expressed an interest in leasing the property from the district with the understanding it could only be utilized as a recreational outlet for the youth of the area.
Nathan Dotts, vice president of the association, also spoke on behalf of the organization and made several references to purchasing the property, which prompted board member Joe Dugan to question whether the association is interested in leasing the property or in purchasing it, and Stillman replied that the association is interested in acquiring the property by any means open to it.
Residents questioned why the board is even considering the sale of the property to an outside organization when the soccer association has repeatedly expressed interest, and Scott Magnetti, a board member, explained the board can't display favoritism toward a particular organization and must afford anyone the opportunity to submit a proposal.
Magnetti said that he personally is in favor of the soccer association developing the field, but he said he would prefer the organization purchase the property outright because the district still maintains some liability over the field if it remains the named owner.
Carol Gossar also expressed her opinion that the area needs somewhere for the children of the district to go. She said Hilltop Stadium has been a recreational facility since 1930 and that she thinks it should stay that way. "We are a school board. Our job is education and the future of our kids."
The board will reconvene to open bids at the regular meeting scheduled for Nov. 16. That meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
 |
|
|
|
