From: Scheckla, Jayne
Sent: Fri May 17 14:52:49 2019
To: Andy Peters
Cc: Gerald Fisher
Subject: RE: Swings at Long Park
Importance: Normal
Dear Mr. Peters.
Thank you for your timely answer to my concerns.
My grand-daughter takes a ballet lesson at Kapa, but I personally am not affiliated with them. I heard about this situation from some of the ladies at my grand-daughter’s day care/preschool, which is not associated with Kapa in any way. It’s downtown location is conveniently placed for the children to walk to that park. This is where I originally heard of it; then when I learned this was also an issue with the folks at Kapa, I decided to write you. It seems enough of a citizen’s concern that the community needs to raise its voice (or at least there are plenty of people talking about it if I’ve heard of it). If this had merely been a Kapa concern, I wouldn’t have approached you as I don’t think a lot of that organization personally. I’m writing to you on behalf of my grand-daughter who uses that park.
I’ve been a PTA president seven times over the years (am way too old for that now), so the lack of playground equipment or the wrong playground equipment is not an unusual experience for me. I dealt with these types of issues in Texas several times, successfully resolving community issues every time.
Surely you have to agree that there are far more children who could use regular swings than toddlers in the area who could/do. There are simply more of them, so statistically speaking they deserve more of the equipment. And since there are two baby swings in the other park (over by the library), perhaps someone who needs two baby swings could go there instead of making the older children suffer. I’ve been at that park with my grand-daughter while she had to wait for a swing and it’s very hard for a four-year old to wait.
Now, my grand-child is about to move to Salem so this will be a moot point to me; however, I believe in calling out community concerns when I hear of them. So, on behalf of, again, ALL the children of Molalla, I ask you to kindly reconsider. Or perhaps put up another swing set? I’d lead a fundraiser for you if that’s what it takes. (Yes, I’ve successfully done that many, many times in my career.) However, if you need proof that this is a community concern, again, how many voices will you need to hear from because I can round them up for you?
Respectfully yours,
Jayne Scheckla
From: Andy Peters <apeters@cityofmolalla.com>
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2019 2:34 PM
To: Scheckla, Jayne (DI SW MG SLE) <JAYNE.SCHECKLA@siemens.com>
Cc: Gerald Fisher <gfisher@cityofmolalla.com>
Subject: RE: Swings at Long Park
Dear Ms. Scheckla,
I’m happy to answer your concerns, and want you to know we are not done in that park. I have indeed surveyed this park use personally, and also conducted a structured focus session with our Utility Crew this last Tuesday in our Municipal Court Room to determine the best course. I’m sorry you feel that I would not have done so, perhaps that’s my fault as I could always communicate better. But please know that we all heartily agree with you that it should be managed, as you say in your email, “for the good of ALL the children of Molalla”.
However, before I structure my response may I ask please if you are affiliated with, writing on behalf of, or are verbally or otherwise coordinating with the Twinkling Stars Day Care Center or Kapa Productions Dance Studio next door?
Thanks you,
Andy Peters
City of Molalla
Public Works Operations Supervisor
(503) 829-6855 x220
Cell: 503-793-0507
117 N Molalla Ave
Molalla, OR 97038
From: Scheckla, Jayne <JAYNE.SCHECKLA@siemens.com>
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2019 1:31 PM
To: Andy Peters <apeters@cityofmolalla.com>
Cc: Gerald Fisher <gfisher@cityofmolalla.com>
Subject: Swings at Long Park
Dear Mr. Peters,
I am writing to encourage you to change the swing configuration back to three child seats rather than two child seats and two baby swings. I have never been to your park when babies were present, but I’ve sure been there plenty of times when children who would use regular child seats are there. They are there WAITING to swing since they don’t fit in a baby swing. Did you even survey the community to see who uses that park? Did you have someone sit there and count how many times the baby swings were even used? I’m guessing not.
If a parent with twins, just one parent, can get you to change the configuration, how many parents does it take to change it back? Give me the number, and I’ll have that many parents email you and call you. Let’s make this happen for the good of ALL the children of Molalla, not just one parent.
Hopefully I will hear from you soon.
Respectfully yours,
Jayne Scheckla
Jayne Scheckla | Solid Edge Product Marketing Manager
Mainstream Engineering | Siemens Digital Industries
O: 503-685-4833 | C: 503-732-4136