A Family Friendly Belmont

By Eric L Reed

Making Belmont more family-friendly is a priority for me. I support youth and University sports programs, new park construction, and maintenance of the arts community.

· AYSO and Belmont United Soccer... I voted twice to allow Belmont's soccer kids use of Notre Dame de Namur University's Koret Field. City Council action prevented this from occurring.

· Notre Dame de Namur University... I voted for an updated permit to allow NDNU to better utilize Koret Field after a two year process that attempted to balance neighborhood concerns with the University's needs. Based on an appeal by a small, but vocal minority the City Council chose to gut NDNU's permit and make it impossible for the University to adopt it.

· Semeria and Davey Glen Parks... I worked with the City's Community Development and Parks and Recreation directors to design both Semeria and Davey Glen parks. Currently, Davey Glen park is in limbo due to funding issues, a situation that needs to be remedied.

What Still Needs To Be Done:

· Turfing The Sports Complex... The fields at the Sports Complex are not usable for a portion of the year due to weather. Installation of an all-weather turf at the Sports Complex would solve this issue.

· Approval of the Planning Commission's Version of the NDNU Permit... A two year public process with input from neighbors and the University yielded a revised permit for Koret Field. A newly constituted City Council can make this a reality.

· Protecting Belmont's Artists... The artists working in Belmont need protection from a scheme that would seek to profit from their space by renting it out to corporate parties and weddings and the like. I do not support this scheme.