By Mary-Justine Lanyon
The five members of the CSA 70 D-1 Advisory Committee – known as the Dam Committee – were sworn in by Lewi Murray, representing Supervisor Dawn Rowe, who appointed them to the committee.
William Kanayan, Cindy Gardner and Jeff Rigney were all reappointed to the committee; they are joined this year by Kristy Rostawicki and Scott Rindenow.
In a unanimous vote, Kanayan was elected chair of the committee; Rigney was elected vice chair by a vote of 4-0 (he abstained from the vote).
The committee members asked Henry Mac, the Special Districts division manager of operations, to bring them quarterly financial updates.
“I would like to see them at every meeting so we know what we can spend,” Gardner told Mac.
The special guests at the meeting was Dr. Fillmore Smiley, who brought a proposal for a memorial to his late daughter, Rosenda “Rose” Smiley, at MacKay Park. The proposal includes two options for placement of a memorial bench, which would have wildflowers and perennials planted near it.
Dr. Smiley told the committee there would be no expense to Special Districts; he and other volunteers would water the flowers for the necessary six months, after which they would be established and would not require any further care.
“The mountain communities have been wonderful,” Dr. Smiley said. “I didn’t know until Rose died what a wonderful community we have.” He described his daughter – who was killed at the age of 14-1/2 by a drunk driver – as witty and clever. “Rose had a unique perspective on life. She had a pretty good idea of what she wanted to do.”
After expressing his sorrow at the Smiley family’s loss, Rindenow asked Murray if the county has a policy in place about memorials in parks. “I’m not familiar with one if there is one,” Murray said, adding he will look into it.
“I am looking for some guidance to tell us if we have authority to act on this,” Rindenow said.
Rigney, who had worked with Special Districts, said that “in the back of my head, I think there is something but I’m not sure what it is.”
Dr. Fillmore Smiley brought a proposal for a memorial bench and garden at MacKay Park to the Dam Committee meeting.
Speaking to Dr. Smiley, Rigney said, “I am not immune to what you said. As the father of three daughters, I would like to be able to say yes to what you’re proposing. Somewhere in Lake Arrowhead there is a need to memorialize those who have meant so much to us. I’m not sure MacKay Park is the spot for a host of reasons. If you allow it, you have to continue allowing it. We can’t say yes to one project and no to another. I think this is a discussion for more than the advisory committee for MacKay Park. I think others should be involved. It is a community issue.”
“I would like the policy to be looked into,” Gardner said. “I understood when I joined the committee my duty was to the dam. MacKay Park really belongs under Rec and Park.” She added that being in charge of approving memorials “was not within my purview of what I would be doing. If we’re going to do memorials, there needs to be some vision for them. There needs to be a lot of conversation before we move forward with anything. I want guidelines. I agree with Jeff – this is a conversation for the community.”
Rostawicki said that “Cindy said what I was thinking.” And Kanayan said he “would agree with that. I believe the board at this time can’t make a decision. We need more guidance from the county.” He suggested they table the item, noting they are “treading on waters we’re unfamiliar with. We would like to do this the right way.”
There were a number of pickleball players at the meeting, interested in hearing about the timeline for the addition of the new courts at MacKay Park.
Mac said they expect to begin construction in the spring and finish in mid-summer. Kanayan suggested that, with the favorable weather conditions, they might start earlier. “My concern is not having courts available during the premier months of summer.”
That was also the concern of the players in the audience. The opinions they expressed: The courts belong to everyone. They are the only place to play up here.
The players also had concerns about maintenance, noting there were tall weeks by the courts last summer.
Mac said the question of keeping a court or two open during construction had come up before. “The contractor can’t do it for liability reasons,” he said. When he was asked if the construction area could be fenced off, he said the contractor had bid a certain price, which did not include the cost of fencing.
One player raised the question of having lights at the courts. Murray said that is not possible because of the Dark Skies ordinance. And Kanayan added there is no power in the park.
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