www.upstatedgc.com

[JoeC]

The City Council Meeting will begin at 5:30pm Monday, 2/25/2008 at Council Chambers, City Hall, Greenville, SC.

City Hall is the tall black building next to the Westin Poinsett, downtown.


Here is the info from my friend who works for the city:

"I think it's a good idea to go and show your support, especially as a unified group.

Whoever your spokesperson is going to be, they need to contact Claudette Miller at 467-4425 and get on the list of citizens that wish to address council at tonights meeting. I would have your spokesperson introduce themself and then ask that all those in the audience there representing the UDGC stand up and be recognized. Then go into their request/concern. There is BIG power in Numbers at these meetings!!!"



Get as many people as you can and show up!!! Strength in numbers.


(This is in regards to the old man on the hill complaining about disc golfers (and everyone else in the park). The Parks & Rec. dept has told us they plan to remove Holes 15 & 16 at Timmons due to his complaints.) We cannot take this sitting down.

[mwierda]

I (Mike Wierda) will be making the trip from Seneca to come to the meeting. I will leave around 4:30 so as to arrive and get in the door. I have heard that City Council meetings are notorious for starting early and locking doors so i would suggest arriving early. Anyone who wants to ride w/ me is welcome...just call 864.637.9061
_________________
Cheers,
Mike

[tdg]

Sorry I can't be there in person, but I'll help get the word out to all that I know from this area who may be interested. - John

[JoeC]

We just got word that Zack is going to be meeting with the director of Parks & Rec today and we will have until the meeting on the 25th to get our act together.

Let's not waste this next two weeks. We have strength in numbers and we can make a statement if we are well-organized and prepared.

[tdg]

We do have a local player who is an attorney. If you would want to pick his brain on this subject I could see if He's interested or if it would work with his schedule. Also, Patrick Neal who is a professor at Clemson and an avid disc golfer used to work a lot with the Toccoa city commission, he may have some good advice on what could enhance the outcome. I have contact info for both of these guys if you're interested . let me know. - John

[jeremiah]

[mwierda]

Does it matter if the signatures are from Greenville residents? If so could we draft two petitions or signature pages. Perhaps the lawyer will know this answer.
_________________
Cheers,
Mike

[tdg]

Jeremiah, you got it. Check your pm. - John

[jeremiah]

[tdg]

Here is a map/directions how to get to Greenville city hall:

http://www.toccoadiscgolf.com/greenvillecityhall

[JoeC]

[tdg]

I'll gladly get signatures from this area if we can get a petition. - John

[presto]

Greetings from Charleston DGC! What is going on? Some old man on a hill yelling at disc golfers?
it's a public park owned by the tax payers right? I'll be in g'ville to play Timmons for the first time on Wed. Lemme know if I can sign a petition or bring a copy back to get some names from the Charleston area. I can always drop it in the mail by the 20th. Y'all should definitely unite against that guy and lemme know how I can help!
-Justin P.

[jeremiah]

thnaks, justin. we are in the process of getting a petition together. I will let you know and hopefully have something for you when you come up on Wed.

[JoeC]

[tdg]

I'll check with him tonight. I do not have a computer at home, so I'll try to let you know something in the morning. - John

[Disconcepts]

Wow last minute indeed. No possible way I can attend tonight but will certainly be at the meeting on the 25th. Below is a letter that I have started that I will print and provide to council members. I would suggest for everyone to take some time to let your feelings be heard as well. I for one am outraged that the city would even consider changing ANYTHING at the park for ONE crazed lunatic. We must not BACK DOWN and agree to change. Unless the city has some other reason than Mr Demsepy on the hill we must show in numbers be opposed to ANY change. Mr. Dempsey should be put in jail the next time he causes any disturbance in Timmons Park.

Letter to the City Of Greenville
My name is Pat Farrell and I own a house within a couple of miles of Timmons Park. My wife and I are active within our homeowners association in the Dellwood neighborhood close to the park and take great pride in the park facilities the City of Greenville provides. I have been a frequent user of the Timmons Park for 6+ years and visit with my children ages 3 and 6 typically 2 or 3 times a week. At the park we use the play structure, play disc golf, mountain bike, and explore the creek.
Over the last few years I have witnessed Mr. Dempsey verbally attack other park users on multiple occasions. While he is a rather small man, his overly aggressive verbal attacks towards park users and law enforcement (when they come to address calls about him) seem threatening and near the cracking point. I have inquired about his presence to many different park users and have found countless people who have had run ins with him. Myself and at least 2 others (who knows how many more) have also been shot at with a pellet gun by Mr. Dempsey. The police have agreed that they have had MANY calls about and from Mr. Dempsey as well as written letters to public officials that have documented his disturbing ways.
THIS IS A PUBLIC PARK! And as far as I have learned, the addition of the newer park amenities, (Mt. Bike trails, play structure, disc golf course) have made this a much safer and attractive park for the community. Mr. Dempsey has taken it upon himself to build an unsightly barrier wall using fallen limbs and trees between his property and the City Park (seemingly ON park property)? Why is he allowed to do this. He has been an overwhelming, outspoken, opponent of the disc golf course and has bullied the city into re-configuring the course layout in the past as an attempt to deter course improvements.
The disc golf community and the Upstate Disc Golf Club have worked for years with the city to find ways to keep the peace between their rights as park users and this unhappy neighbor. The UDGC, which calls Timmons Park their home course, has put in countless hours of volunteer community service to help with the beautification and upkeep of the course. They worked with the city to relocate hole#18 (one of the best holes on the course) because it was close to Mr. Dempseys property. During a few of these work parties club members have been verbally assaulted to the point in which the Greenville Police have had to intervene.
I truly wish Mr. Dempsey would just keep to himself and quit harassing the users of Timmons Park. My biggest concern is that he is going to hurt someone (a child or unsuspecting park user) or harass someone who is less understanding than myself. Mr. Dempsey says when shooting a pellet gun at me that he was actually shooting at squirrels. I must say, he is very lucky my children were not with me on that day “he was shooting at squirrels” and also that he was a bad enough shot to not hit me. May peace be with him!
It is absolutely absurd for the City of Greenville to even consider changing, redirecting, or removing ANY installed park equipment because of ONE disturbed individual is threating citizens with violence! Is the council saying that if we somehow we move part of the disc golf course or Mt. bike trail 100’ or so further away from Mr. Dempsey’s property that his problems will be resolved? Is the council ignoring the FACT that Mr. Dempsey has shot at multiple people from his deck on the back of his house at park users and has been to court for the offense? What’s next, will we need to close all of the walking paths, bike trails, and tennis courts because Mr. Dempsey can see them from his house?
I urge the council to NOT change, redesign, relocate or close any part of Timmons park for the sole reason of ONE pellet gun wielding crazed man!

If there however is some other reason why the course changes are being discussed I am confident that the Upstate Disc Golf Club, Timmons Park users, neighborhoods, and City can find solutions that will be satisfactory to all. I am a South Carolina DHEC Certified Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Inspector and would be happy to provide my assistance in addressing erosion control issues in relation to disc golf if needed.
_________________
"Because Disc Golf is all about options"

[presto]

There should be a note on the PDGA course directory: "watch out for the man on the hill with a pellet gun."
The people of Greenville have a right to use that property. When the people show up at the meeting in numbers, the council must listen to the word of their constituents. I wonder if an online petition is feasible.
I'm glad I checked out this forum. I'll certainly have plenty to think about on the course wednesday!

[tdg]

I talked with Kevin last night and he said that we could word the petition however we wanted, but make sure it's professional and has no derogatory remaks regarding Mr. Dempsey. It would be best to leave his name off of the petition. A basic line could be: We the undersigned are park patrons and disc golfers who use the public facilityat Timmons Park.We would like to see this park ( Timmons ) in Greenville remain unchanged as far as the disc golf course is concerned and the biking trails. We are from near and far. We bring revenue into the city every time we come to Timmons for a day of recreation whether it be a local or sanctioned event. The current Timmons Disc Golf Course is known throughout the Southeast as one of the finer venues in the sport. Your attention to this matter is most greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time in hearing us.

This is just a sample that I came up with to maybe give you all something to work with. In your petition you will need a space for address and phone number for each name. Do not get the same name twice . It will
invalidate the petition.

If you could get a printable petition that you could e-mail to key people
it may help the process speed up. - John

[JoeC]

[tdg]

I'll be looking for it and get it out to our players asap.

[JoeC]

I've put together a petition and submitted it to Zack for approval. He is going to look it over tonight, so we should have it posted here tomorrow AM.

[The Other Bill]

here's a link to Jackson E Dempsey's arrest record from public records-

http://www.13th-judicial-circuit.org/SearchResults.asp?CourtType=L&County=23&tb_Casenum=&tb_LastName=dempsey&tb_FirstName=jackson&tb_Middle=&tb_Suffix=&CourtAgency=

This jerk is still pending a jury trial for the airgun offense. This information is made available for public use, so lets use it!
_________________
throw far, fly straight

[JoeC]

Thanks for the link to the police reports; I was wondering how to find those.


Another FYI....
http://www.greatergreenville.com/city_government/meet_council.asp

Meet your City Council. Timmons is in District 1, but please feel free to contact City Council in general at: (864) 467-4431 or call/write individual members to express your feelings/opinions on the matter at hand.

[The Other Bill]

the city has removed the 15th and 16th baskets and closed the fairways, as of Tuesday Feb 19th
_________________
throw far, fly straight