When Public Clamor and Open Discussion Succeed

In March of 2023 there was a contentious Town Council meeting where public clamor and open debate prevailed in deciding to expand the pickle ball courts in the Town Park. The discussion that night started by Ryan Gubler explaining the research that was done to back up the need for additional courts. The proposal was to replace the tennis court with two additional pickleball courts. Suzanne Elger made a motion to move forward with The project and Jack Burns seconded the motion. Very little discussion was had when Lisa Zumpf called the question, effectively stopping discussion and forcing a vote. The motion failed 3-2. Zumpf, Aton, and Bruno opposed, Elger and Burns in support.

Not being daunted, Elger and Burns said the item still needed to be discussed. There were many people in attendance in support of the project and many more sent in letters of support.

(From the Minutes):

Mr. Burns said the people attending meetings were asking for a decision to solve the pickleball issue. He was concerned the Council was not listening to this majority given only a small minority of people were playing tennis. There was an idle tennis court, and pickleball was running rampant locally and beyond.

The community of pickleball players had been playing for eight years. Ms. Elger said the Council was not listening to them or giving them what they asked for which was an improved pickleball court system to support the growing number of players.

• Mr. Aton understood data would show more people played pickleball. His point was to be sure the Council served both the majority and minority communities. Council members should be Cautious not to make decisions based on “public clamor”

“Public clamor” — this is often the excuse that council members use to ignore public support and input. The phrase itself is usually received in a negative manner.

(Also from the minutes):

Mr. Burns felt the Council had a responsibility to listen to those who took the time to attend meetings, write letters, and voice their desires.

Ms. Elger understood the Council could not please everyone. The pickleball group had been patient for eight years, and she suggested it was time for the tennis players to be patient.

Mr. Aton said this was the type of discussion that should have taken place before the motion and vote.

He acknowledged he had flipped back and forth on the topic. Mayor Bruno said she had done the same.

• Mr. Burns felt the data and input showed there was an active, growing pickleball community and a dwindling tennis community which should inform the decision. If the interest was there, there was an opportunity to add more courts at the proposed recreation center facility.

Motion made by Suzanne Elger to replace the tennis court with two new pickleball courts as described in the quote for $41,225.00 from Stilson's Pickleball and Tennis Courts and Big T Recreation. Seconded by Jack Burns.

Aton: Aye Zumpft: No Bruno: Aye Elger: Aye Burns: Aye

That decision, while being initially voted down before transparently discussing the issue in front of the public, passed and the project was completed on time and on budget. And today there are approximately 30 people who use the courts on a regular basis, some 4-5 times a week and who collected approximately $8,000 to provide covered benches.

Springdale gets to boast about having one of the 10 best places to play in the nation per this month’s issue of Pickleball magazine (with over 100,000 subscribers) and was the Court of the week in the Pickleball Clinic newsletter with over 100,000 followers on Facebook. (see next page for Pickleball Clinic Newsletter’s write up.)