Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 24, 1931.
HOT DEBATE IN COUNCIL OVER SKATING RINK
Councilman Inform that No City Lots Are Available Which Are Suitable for Flooding.
Valparaiso youngsters who delight in the sport of ice skating may not have their desires for this form of sport satisfied this year, it was learned at Friday night's meeting of the City Dad's at City Hall.
Councilman Harry S. Albe, who was called to the telephone during the councilmanic session by a mother who was anxious to get action, presented the proposition.
A red-hot discussion followed in which it was learned that Councilman Albe and Cleveland had made trips all about the city and couldn't find any available place where a skating pond could be created.
Two factors entering into inability to construct a speeding fine that would be feasible from a practical standpoint, it developed.
According to council members, no vacant lots are available where the ground is suitable for holding the water until it freezes. Then again, the weather has not been cold enough to ensure complete freezing of the water.
Councilman Albe informed the members that Mandel Lowenstine would provide a special nozzle for spraying the ground.
Albe scored the city for not providing a place of recreation for the youngsters. “There is not a place where the boys and girls can go and enjoy good, wholesome recreation,” he asserted.
Councilman Zimmerman wanted to know why the natural recreational centers adjacent to the city could not be used in the general scheme. “Why,” he said, “they go 10 miles in Chicago to pounds and parks, when plenty of places can be found on the edge of Valparaiso,” he declared. He mentioned Sager's Lake as an example.
“Yes, but who wants to send their five-year olds to Sager’s Lake?” Albe queried. “If you had known of as many drownings at this lake as I have, maybe you would not care to send your children there.”
The upshot of the whole affair was that nothing was done about speeding ponds.
On the other hand, Zimmerman created a flurry and a good laugh when he rapped the celebrated snow ordinance passed last July by the council ordering citizens to keep their walks clean.
“Why is it not enforced?” Zimmerman asked. “If people had shoveled off their walks during the last snowfall, lives of pedestrians would not have been in danger during the recent icy spell,” he added.
Councilman Zimmerman said he shoveled snow and his walks were free of ice. Others, he said, did not.
“Well why don’t you enforce the ordinance,” Mayor Schenck informed him. Zimmerman, however, said it was not up to him.
Councilman Albe chimed in long enough to say this was solely a police duty.
That was the end of a perfect discussion which got nowhere and only served to bring bolder relief the fact that ordinances of the type of the snow shoveling law are difficult to enforce.
