Why Is Lloyd Winnecke Ignoring Our Safety?

kcentv.com

It's no secret that our parks are in shambles, and the last thing we need is yet another one just for the sake of having one.

But there is one thing we do need and for some odd reason Lloyd Winnecke chose to ignore it throughout the Roberts Stadium Task Force process. What is it?

It's none other than a disaster relief area. In an earlier post back in April of last year, I talked about the need for Roberts Stadium to be designated a disaster relief area by FEMA...

http://saverobertsstadium.blogspot.com/2011/04/sports-venues-are-there-for-cities-in.html

Fortunately, we have been blessed with a few people who wanted to make this a reality. But unfortunately, Lloyd Winnecke has never followed up with them on the idea and has instead opted to demolish Roberts Stadium.

The first person who wanted to get the ball rolling on this crucial and life saving project was fellow Roberts Stadium Task Force member Sylvia Trabits-Neimeier. Not only did her request fall on deaf ears, it was also left out of the final report (the one with the infamous Page 13)...

http://city-countyobserver.com/2012/04/30/is-it-true-april-30-2012/

"One thing I asked to be in the report that was not was to identify Robert’s Stadium as an excellent emergency disaster center. As a former Federal Government meteorologist I can’t stress enough the damages done by severe weather and I feel Evansville needs more preparedness. I know a disaster center does not bring in money but it sure could save lives in our community which I feel is important.”

And now, just today, I have received a letter in the mail from Evansville resident Berniece Tirmenstein who also tried to get the mayor to look into designating Roberts Stadium a disaster relief area. On March 19, 2012, Berniece mailed Lloyd a letter explaining that she had rounded up a local resident who worked in Washington D.C and dealt with national disasters. The following is the letter she sent to Lloyd that was mailed to me today (the #s have been edited for privacy)...

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March 19, 2012

To Mayor Lloyd Winnecke,

Kathleen Bracher (last name pronounced as Brocker)
Contact- Cell Phone 1-703-***-****
This is a Washington, D.C number.

Kathleen has lived and worked in D.C for over 40 years. For 20 years she first worked in Homeland Security, deals with disasters. Then the next 20 years she worked for FEMA. She has worked with American Red Cross. Elizabeth Dole's office was just down the hall from her. She has received a 50 year pin from American Red Cross. She volunteered for the Red Cross at age 7.

She just recently left D.C back to Evansville, Indiana to care for her 95 year old mother. She has always had a desire to help others.

As she reads and hears of the possibility of tearing down Roberts Stadium and the possibility of saving it as a use for disaster center, she wants to be involved . She sees Roberts Stadium for training purposes for the city, state of Indiana, and areas nearby. She is willing and anxious to meet with you, members of the task force.

And if you would be so kind as to meet with her, I see an opportune time to have Sherman Greer, head of Emergency Management, Mr. Weite from American Red Cross, Police Chief Bolin and Fire Chief Conelly present.

We see Roberts Stadium having intangible value in times of disasters. I have heard this area may be a target for terrorist attack due to many coal-fired power plants.

I would be most pleased to help coordinate a meeting with Kathleen Bracher. Timing is important.

Thank You

Sincerely Berniece Tirmenstein
phone- 812-***-****

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As of today, Berniece tells me that she has heard back from Lloyd about a previous letter but she has not heard back from him in regards to designating Roberts Stadium a disaster relief area.

It seems to me that if the mayor has time to visit skate parks, dog parks, and any other parks, he would have had plenty of time to research an idea that involves public safety and was brought to him by 2 different residents who deal with natural disasters.

The mayor tells us that he put together a plan that was "something for everyone," and that he kept hearing that phrase at the Task Force meetings. Yet, what he has drawn up will be something for no one when disaster strikes. As good as the Ford Center is, our city can ill-afford to tie up our premier venue during times of distress, not to mention the fact that the building can not hold 116,000 people.

That is why we need Roberts Stadium. When times are good, we can use the facility for mid-sized events to keep the building solvent. And when times are bad, we can use this facility to mobilize disaster relief operations. Could you imagine New Orleans without the help of the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena during a hurricane?

Instead of talking dog parks, skate parks, and fitness parks, it is time for the Parks Board to ask the mayor some serious questions. And certainly one of those questions has to be- Did you look into designating Roberts Stadium a disaster relief area when two different residents, one being a member of the task force, brought it to your attention? And if you did, what were your findings and why didn't you get back to these residents about your findings?

I urge the Parks Board to reject the mayor's recommendation and repurpose Roberts Stadium to be a mid-sized arena designated as a disaster relief area!

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