First city chat reveals pickleball, WiFi and concerns

Fried chicken was the only thing missing at the city chat that occurred at Buehler Park in Jasper on Wednesday. The sunny warm weather was perfect for a picnic and a few attendees did show up with box lunches.

This chat included Mayor Terry Seitz, Arts Director Kit Miracle and Parks Superintendent Ken Buck. The two spoke briefly about their departments and then fielded questions from the small crowd gathered under the shelter house.

Questions ranged from adding new facilities to the existing parks in the city to a question asking about the way the parks department mows grass. That question was based on approximately 11 acres the city owns off of Truman Road. The question asked was, why the city bought the land and why the parks department spends so much time mowing with two lawnmowers what could be completed with a bush-hog in a couple hours.

The city purchased the land for an extra fire house to accommodate the growth on that portion of the city, but as development moved north the city has not  moved forward with the plan.

A group of pickleball players asked if the parks could adapt an underutilized tennis court area at Gutzweiler Park to a pickleball court. Pickleball is similar to tennis, badminton and table tennis combined and is easily played by all age groups. Parks Director Ken Buck told Bill Storey, an avid pickleball player, he could be put on the agenda of the next park board meeting to make the proposal.

Another attendee stated she would bypass the route of sending a letter to the mayor and ask her question directly at the chat. She remarked about several buildings being “eyesores” and asked what the city was doing in that regards. The mayor stated they were working with owners to develop plans to deal with the problem properties. Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang is the code enforcement officer for the city and will be available at the third city chat scheduled for May 21.

The mayor stated the city is looking into options for a free WiFi network in Buehler Park and Central Green, but plans for that are only in the preliminary stages.

Mayor Seitz stated the idea was a spur of the moment decision but he was happy with the turn out at the first of three meetings scheduled in May.

The next meeting will be on May 11 at the Jaycee Park Shelterhouse. Street Commissioner Raymie Eckerle and Bud Hauersperger will be available for questions.