To be quite honest, I'm not big on holidays, but I feel like it is important for those in Evansville to recognize the efforts put forth by those in the community to save Roberts Stadium.
Of course, there are so many supporters of Roberts Stadium that I have met over this past year and a half that it would be nearly impossible. So I would first like to thank you the viewers of this blog who have taken this blog to a whole new level. I never would have imagined that this blog would be sitting here today with over 17,000 hits. Thank you!
I would also like to thank those who have emailed me their questions, comments, concerns, and ideas. Each week, I'm pleasantly surprised to hear from those in the community who want to do something, anything, to help keep Roberts Stadium going. Like the viewers of this blog, those who have sent emails to both me as well as those at city hall, are the heartbeat of this movement and are the reason for us still being in this game. Thank you!
Of course, I am also very thankful to the 69 people who have signed up for Save Roberts Stadium's facebook group (you can too by clicking on the facebook icon on the right). The facebook group attached to this blog has come in quite handy as most viewers of this blog can't post on this site because 1. It won't work or 2. They don't have an account. It's always good to click on facebook and see where members such as Samuel Smith are engaged in conversation about Roberts Stadium. Thank you.
Next, I would like to thank those in the media who have been instrumental in getting the word out about the Save Roberts Stadium movement. They include...
The Evansville Courier & Press Opinion Section: Every single article I have sent to the C&P has been published. This was key in getting this movement going and sustaining it. I appreciate their willingness to publish my articles. Thank you.
Fox 7's (Now Local 7) Lindsay Merwin: Lindsay has been the first and only television reporter to interview me about this blog (you can see this interview by clicking on the link at the top right). Since that interview, the number of hits this blog has received has continued to increase every single month. Thank you.
Dan Shaw & Arek Sarkissan at the Evansville Courier & Press: Both Dan Shaw (who is now in China) and Arek Sarkissan have emailed me and called me up to interview me about Roberts Stadium. During these interviews, both reporters made sure they got the entire story from me about Roberts Stadium. Their articles in the C&P have been a tremendous help towards getting the word out about Roberts Stadium. Thank you!
Joe Wallace @ The City-County Observer: Prior to this movement, I had already been working with Joe on several projects in and around town. Once this movement started, Joe has made sure it went to the top of the Evansville news scene. His "Is It True" columns were key in getting the ball fields project cancelled and Roberts Stadium and second look. Thank you!
Those at Watch Evansville: If you click on the Watch Evansville link to the right, you will see a tribute video I made for Roberts Stadium. Currently, it is the 16th most viewed video on their site. I thank them for all of their support and opportunities.
Next up: We have many local activists who have taken time out of their busy schedule to fight for Roberts Stadium. These people are...
Berniece Tirmenstein: Berniece doesn't have a car or the internet at her house, but this hasn't affected her desire and determination to go to the Evansville Central Public Library, compile the entire history of both Wesselman Park and Roberts Stadium, and then distribute this knowledge to local residents. I wish all 116,000 residents of Evansville were like Berniece. Thank you!
Brenda Bergwitz: Brenda has hosted more rallies for Roberts Stadium than most of us can count. Although I have had to work during these rallies, I am told that Brenda does a great job of picking days when the weather is good, rounding up the politicians, and hosting the rally in a spot where passers-by can't miss it. Thank you!
Sherman Stevens: These past few weeks, Sherman has knocked on doors in and around the vicinity of Roberts Stadium to ask these neighbors if they'd like to have a sign in their yard. Sherman has already placed OVER 150 YARD SIGNS in various yards around Roberts Stadium. He only stopped there as he ran out of yard signs. Sherman tells me he never met a person who wanted to demolish Roberts Stadium. Thank you!
Martha Crosley: Martha has taken her Wesselman Park Support Group and joined forces with the Save Roberts Stadium movement. I'm truly thankful to her for doing this as it shows that Roberts Stadium is here to compliment not compete with Wesselman Woods. One of the most important things we can do is to protect Wesselman Park. Roberts Stadium will do this. Thank you.
Next up: I would like to thank those who ran for office, took the pledge from this blog to save Roberts Stadium, but came up a little bit short of making it into office. These people are...
Rick Davis- Mayor: Rick has done so many things for this blog I could never mention them in one breath. Without Rick, there would be no Save Roberts Stadium. I'm very thankful for all of those in his committee who welcomed me in with open arms as well! I still haven't recovered from that November 8th loss. Thank you.
Patrick McBride- 2nd Ward CC: I worked with Patrick almost every day leading up to the primary election. He worked his tail off to win the primary but ended up losing because of low voter turnout. We need to convince him to run again! Thank you.
Lon Walters- 2nd Ward CC: Like Patrick, Lon fell victim to the 2nd Ward who obviously doesn't know how to pick good candidates. Lon has done everything he can to save Roberts Stadium. He has talked to engineers who put the water pumps in, he has emailed all public officials, and he made Roberts Stadium a priority. I'm confident he will run again. Thank you.
Sylvia Trabits-Niemeier- 3rd Ward CC: Sylvia ran for office solely because she wanted to make sure Wesselman Woods and Roberts Stadium were taken care of. That is the kind of people we need running for office. She has been a tremendous asset to me anytime I've had questions about Wesselman Woods or Roberts Stadium as she has lived next to them for quite awhile. I'm glad she is still active today with these causes. Thank you.
Jeremy Heath- CC At-Large: Jeremy is one of Save Roberts Stadium's most passionate supporters. I have it on good faith from Jeremy that he will run again. I plan on holding him to that! Thank you.
Steven Smith- CC At-Large: Steven is one of those people that we must have in our government because they know how to make the right decisions, they know how to make smart decisions, and they are always willing to discuss these decisions with you. Losing Steven was tough on this movement as he would have been a voice of reason on the council who is perfectly capable of number crunching. But mark my words, he will be back! Thank you.
Bill Kramer- CC At-Large: I met Bill at one of his Meet-N-Greets shortly before the general election. I must say, it's dang shame that he was not elected this month. Bill has a great vision for this city, and I hope this city realizes this before the next election. Thank you.
Next, I want to thank those candidates who took the pledge and were elected this month into office. They are...
Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley- 3rd Ward CC: Stephanie will be one of Save Roberts Stadium's greatest assets as she will be serving the Ward that is home to Roberts Stadium (and Bosse Field were the ball fields need to be built next to). Stephanie has been on board with fighting for Roberts Stadium for some time now, and I am truly thankful to her for that. Thank you.
Al Lindsey- 6th Ward CC: What can you say about Al? Better yet, what can't you say? As I've said many times over, Al's victory is one of the greatest victories in the history of Evansville. After many defeats, Al was finally able to topple the Mosby Evil Empire, and it couldn't have come soon enough. There's a breath of fresh air in the 6th Ward, and it's making its way over to Roberts Stadium. Thank you.
Dr. Dan Adams- CC At-Large: I don't care what anyone says, Dr. Adams is a genius. Every time you ask him a question about a project, he always has an outside of the box idea that has worked in other cities and will work here. His vision, his leadership, and his dedication are just what the doctor ordered for Roberts Stadium. Thank you.
Lastly, I want to issue a SPECIAL THANK YOU to the following two people who proven that this movement is the right thing to do for Hank Roberts. I want to thank the following two people...
Kristine Beard & her daughter Lisa Jean: As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of former Evansville mayor Hank Roberts, they understand what this building means to Evansville, what this building means to the Roberts family, and what this building meant to Hank Roberts who only served one term in office because he used up all of his political capital on Roberts Stadium.
Kristine and Lisa's participation should be more than enough evidence for you to see that this building must stand to pay tribute to mayor Hank Roberts. It was nothing short of a miracle for mayor Hank Roberts and architect Ralph Legeman to get this building built, now we must make sure it still stands as there have been plenty of options brought forward to city hall for it. Kristine and Lisa- THANK YOU!
To all those who are fighting for Roberts Stadium... THANK YOU!
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