Big Divide

City of Newcastle -- Council Meeting of March 19, 2013



A careening tension-filled atmosphere fell over yesterday's meeeting as Councilmembers Carol Simpson and John Dulcich debated over whether there was city favoritism based on wealth and locality regarding parks, trails and recreation on the city's "rich" East Side and "poor" West Side (the two sides are divided by curvy Coal Creek Parkway).  Simpson implied that the city was concentrating services on the East Side, but Dulcich counteracted by saying, in so many words, that any perceived bias in favor of the East was a myth, and then proceeded point-by-point to indicate where city money for improvements and services was spent in the West.  Simpson was not appeased as she was often the lone dissenter on several 5 - 1 votes by the Council (Councilman Steve Buri was absent) on matters involving parks, trails, recreation, and the newly named Community Activities Commission that will continue to oversee parks, etc.  The expressed reasons for Simpson's opposition on these votes were varied and not based on the East - West divide in every case, however.  Simpson also opposed the general Council's appointment of Mayor Rich Crispo as the Council Liaison for the Community Activities Commission, saying that it concentrated too much control of the Commission in the mayor's hands.  Regarding the revision to the Comprehensive Plan's "Parks, etc." element, Councilman Dulcich complimented Planning Commissioner Tom Magers for doing most of the heavy lifting through the Ad-Hoc Committee (Parks and Planning).  Also, it was noted by Parks Commission (now, Community Activities Commission) Chairwoman, Diane Lewis, that Koleen Morris resigned from the Parks Commission.  The major votes of the meeting were as follows:

• Amendments to Parks Commission Name and Role [essentially, renaming the commission and adding additional responsibilities] (passed 5 - 1; Carol Simpson dissenting).
• Resolution authorizing a Council Liaison for the Community Activities Commission (passed 5 - 1; John Dulcich dissenting).
• Resolution appointing Mayor Rich Crispo as Liaison (passed 5 - 1; Carol Simpson dissenting).
• Revision to Comprehensive Plan's Parks, Trails and Recreation Element (passed 5 -1; Carol Simpson dissenting).
• Revision to Comprehensive Plan's Capital Facilities Plan (passed 5 - 1; Carol Simpson dissenting).

This was one of the most heavily attended regular Council Meetings in the last year, if not the most, and a number of audience members spoke from the public podium.

Update:  the economic characterizations of the  East and West sides noted in the essay are not N.P.R.'s, but were heard at the Council meeting from one or more councilmembers.

[revised on 3/23/2013; updated 4/15/2013]