Ortonville- The Village Skate Park is closed for the rest of the season.
Councilmembers voted unanimously at their Sept. 14 meeting to close the park located at the corner of Ball and Cedar streets in the village due to a lack of supervision there since the termination of former skate park monitor Bob Roerink.
Councilmember Aileen Champion said she was voting in favor of the motion because with only two weeks left in the season, there was not enough time to get another monitor, and with no supervision at the park, ‘things could really get out of hand.?
Terri Darnall, who lives next door to the park, was at the meeting and said the park has become a ‘hang-out place.?
‘They’re not even skating,? she said. ‘It’s not pretty over there. It has become a lovey, touchy-feely place.?
Roerink was terminated Sept. 1, for selling concessions against the wishes of village officials.
During Monday night’s council meeting, one resident protested the former monitor’s firing, saying kids offered donations for the items Roerink had.
‘He never made a profit, he probably lost money,? the man said. ‘The skate park is maintained when he is there…It’s unfair what happened to him.?
A youth agreed.
‘Without Bob at the skate park, it’s not under control,? he said. ‘There is no swearing and fighting when Bob is there.?
The council hired Roerink in the spring of 2008 to counteract problems at the skate park including vandalism, noise, littering, and profanity.
Village Council President Ken Quisenberry said when the park is getting close to reopening in the spring, a decision will be made whether to hire another skate park monitor.
‘We made a commitment to a monitor this season and we don’t have one anymore,? Quisenberry said. ‘Until we reevaluate that commitment, we can’t have the skate park open.?