Park for vets: Land bought for Veterans Memorial Park

After six years of starts and stops, the Veterans Memorial Park is going to be built on Montgomery Street in downtown Oroville.

[Tim Pro]

Excellent! It is about time. A but "thank you" to those who had the tenacity to stay with it.

[Tim Pro]

Umm... typo. That should have read 'A big "thank you" to those...'

[Wally Williams]

I agree with Tim Pro, it's been long time in coming. but please do not allow this to become a parking and eating area for the patrons of Boss Burger.

[Scott Rikard]

congratulations are in order for Bill Connelly's and Stu Shaner's Perceverence through all the triumphs and tribulations this project has experienced. As the Grandson of A WWII vet and a retired veteran myself, all I can say is Thank you so very much to these two individuals and the organization the lead. This is long overdue, but better late than never!

[Tim Pro]

Wally Williams wrote:

I agree with Tim Pro, it's been long time in coming. but please do not allow this to become a parking and eating area for the patrons of Boss Burger.

Very good point. I hope something is put in place to keep this spot reverent, and to it's true purpose. I never thought of why the owner of the Boss was campaigning so hard for this to go through, but it makes perfect sense now considering the limited facilities that he has with no room to expand (and John is a very "cost efficient" business operator.)

[bubu]

You all can use the one in Chico. It's a ghost town. :)

[Truth for veterans]

Stu Shaner is nothing more than a draft dodger trying to have himself known as a patriot off the backs of our valiant veterans. Bill Connelley is using this "memorial" as a political device for himself. As a peacetime veteran "airman" he doesn't have a clue as to the sacrafices of a war time veteran. These "sunshine patriots ought to be ashamed of themselves for using veterans to advance themselves. Shaner says he tried to join the marines but was denied because of poor vision. Thats not what James Lenhoff wrote about him in the Butte County Historical
society's publication. In that article Shaner said his number was never called for the draft so he ignored his patriotic duty to serve and stayed home to enrich himself building a dam that totally destroyed some beautiful Feather River Company. Later he buit a monument to himself claiming credit for this mostrosity. Draft Dodgers building monuments to veterans. How low can Oroville go?. Bob Sharkey is another one claiming credit. If they truly cared about veterans rather then tear down Oroville's historical houses, they would spend this money on bringing services to the numerous homeless and needy veterans in Oroville. Thanks to you guys our once beautiful city is being devastated to provide parking for a "Burger Joint. Shame!

Truth for veterans

Scott Rikard wrote:

congratulations are in order for Bill Connelly's and Stu Shaner's Perceverence through all the triumphs and tribulations this project has experienced. As the Grandson of A WWII vet and a retired veteran myself, all I can say is Thank you so very much to these two individuals and the organization the lead. This is long overdue, but better late than never!

[Curious]

Who elected these non-veteran ego maniacs from Oroville to speak for all Butte County veterans? It appears that these misfits failed in their mission to use our veterans from Oroville to stroke their egos, they are now going to ride the backs of all Butte County veterans. Rather than provide for homeless veterans they evicted at least one disabled veteran and tore down the houses that previously housed them. Patriots my foot it's more like treason. Go back to bilding monuments for Oroville Dam.

Curious

Truth for veterans wrote:

Stu Shaner is nothing more than a draft dodger trying to have himself known as a patriot off the backs of our valiant veterans. Bill Connelley is using this "memorial" as a political device for himself. As a peacetime veteran "airman" he doesn't have a clue as to the sacrafices of a war time veteran. These "sunshine patriots ought to be ashamed of themselves for using veterans to advance themselves. Shaner says he tried to join the marines but was denied because of poor vision. Thats not what James Lenhoff wrote about him in the Butte County Historical
society's publication. In that article Shaner said his number was never called for the draft so he ignored his patriotic duty to serve and stayed home to enrich himself building a dam that totally destroyed some beautiful Feather River Company. Later he buit a monument to himself claiming credit for this mostrosity. Draft Dodgers building monuments to veterans. How low can Oroville go?. Bob Sharkey is another one claiming credit. If they truly cared about veterans rather then tear down Oroville's historical houses, they would spend this money on bringing services to the numerous homeless and needy veterans in Oroville. Thanks to you guys our once beautiful city is being devastated to provide parking for a "Burger Joint. Shame!
Truth for veterans<quoted text>

[Uncle Bobby B]

they not only tore down the three houses, they attempted to steal money from the city by having the governor blue-line funding to build the city centennial park that was originally planned. in the name of veterans, they are using it as a political ploy to do whatever they want. that is not the american way or why people fight for our country.

what a shame that the houses that were tore down were not used for homeless vets.

[Curious]

What should be known is that these non-veteran war memorial builders caused at least one disabled veteran to be evicted from the white house closest to the Veterans Hall. The money for this boondoggle did not come from the citizens of Butte county through donations but rather from government grants via Dolittle and Schwartzneger when the "Airman" Supervisor and the draft dodging dam monument builder went groveling for money through political connections. It is not a project that comes from the heart and soul of the people. Bob Sharkey came out of cover to take some credit when he saw (or thought he saw) that the coast was clear. These non-veterans have ruined memories and Oroville's history by tearing these houses (that it is said was housing other veterans) just so they could appear to be patriots. Remember when Connelley was fond of wearing our American Flag as a shirt. Some veteran he is, he don't even know how to respect the flag. The question still remains as to why veterans from all over Butte County were not in on the planning, if it truly is for Butte County veterans. Think of all the services that the money that is being spent could have provided for veterans. But then ego maniacs only think of whats in it for themselves. If Stu and Sharkey are such patriots and love veterans why didn't they serve their country?

Curious

[Fishing King]

HEY IF I WANT TO EAT MY BOSS BURGER AT THE PARK I WILL! IM A VETERAN. TRY AND STOP ME....SIR YES SIR

[Rights for Americans]

Fishing King wrote:

HEY IF I WANT TO EAT MY BOSS BURGER AT THE PARK I WILL! IM A VETERAN. TRY AND STOP ME....SIR YES SIR

Good, eat your burger and sit at the Veteran's Park. I wish people would realize that this is not a veteran vs. the world issue. That if you are not with us, you are against us attitude. It is the principal that people who fight for our country and die for our country (i.e veterans)do it for a cause, a selfless cause. This cause is to better humanity, promote democratic ideals, enforce the rule of law, and to follow and promote the Constitution and its alienable rights of the United States. The cause was never intended to have a group of veterans take priority over the people whom they protected, or get cart blanche and do whatever they feel like.
Ask yourself this question, if a firefighters or a law enforcement organization wanted to build a memorial project for all of the lost firefighters and law enforcement officers in the line of duty, and they wanted your land to build it. How would that make you feel? Now, what if you didn't want to move? Then what. The people who protect you, the firefighters or law enforcement, now want your land and to remove you from it as fast as possible. I bet that would make you feel pretty good.
So here is my question.... why is it okay for a veteran's project to take importance over three homeowners? Property rights are among some of the most important rights grant by the US Constitution, and is symbolic of the "American Dream." The county has commenced demolition on three houses that could have been relocated to another property, reused for veteran's services, or left and the park be built somewhere else or reconfigured.
If veterans were truly patriotic, they would have never kicked three families out of there homes, and figured out a way to allow the project to move forward.

[truth for veterans]

You are correct it is not a veterans vs. the world issue. The issue is that non-veterans such as Shaner and Sharkey and peacetime veteran airman Connelly are using this project to make themselves look like patriots. Shaner is a bonafide draft dodger and he should not be involved in veterans affairs. Trying to ease his conscience, because he shirked his duty to serve, is unconscionable. They are so out of touch with the real needs of our veterans that they should be the last to be consulted on veterans projects. Evicting disabled and displaced veterans from housing in order to build a brick and stone monument is sickening. When they couldn't get enough Oroville support to make it happen they turned to the county and as an afterthought (and possibly county demands) they decided to call it a memorial to all Butte county veterans. On June 28, 2006 the Chico Enterprise Record editorialized against government funding of this project because it would not represent citizen support of the project. Now that the editorial board has taken over the Oroville newspaper don't look for any future opposition from this group. In fact you can watch as they now give unconditional support for this boondoggle. Once again people should think of all the services that these government grants could provide for the true needs of veterans.

If it is a Butte County memorial the Board of Supervisors should explain why Veterans from all over the county were excluded from the last 6 years of planning for the "Oroville Veterans Memorial Park". These three non-veterans should hang their heads in shame for using us veterans for their own selfish purposes.

Shaner should stick to building monuments for "men" who build dams.

Truth for veterans

Rights for Americans wrote:

<quoted text>
Good, eat your burger and sit at the Veteran's Park. I wish people would realize that this is not a veteran vs. the world issue. That if you are not with us, you are against us attitude. It is the principal that people who fight for our country and die for our country (i.e veterans)do it for a cause, a selfless cause. This cause is to better humanity, promote democratic ideals, enforce the rule of law, and to follow and promote the Constitution and its alienable rights of the United States. The cause was never intended to have a group of veterans take priority over the people whom they protected, or get cart blanche and do whatever they feel like.
Ask yourself this question, if a firefighters or a law enforcement organization wanted to build a memorial project for all of the lost firefighters and law enforcement officers in the line of duty, and they wanted your land to build it. How would that make you feel? Now, what if you didn't want to move? Then what. The people who protect you, the firefighters or law enforcement, now want your land and to remove you from it as fast as possible. I bet that would make you feel pretty good.
So here is my question.... why is it okay for a veteran's project to take importance over three homeowners? Property rights are among some of the most important rights grant by the US Constitution, and is symbolic of the "American Dream." The county has commenced demolition on three houses that could have been relocated to another property, reused for veteran's services, or left and the park be built somewhere else or reconfigured.
If veterans were truly patriotic, they would have never kicked three families out of there homes, and figured out a way to allow the project to move forward.

[QuestionMark]

truth for veterans wrote:

You are correct it is not a veterans vs. the world issue. The issue is that non-veterans such as Shaner and Sharkey and peacetime veteran airman Connelly are using this project to make themselves look like patriots. Shaner is a bonafide draft dodger and he should not be involved in veterans affairs. Trying to ease his conscience, because he shirked his duty to serve, is unconscionable. They are so out of touch with the real needs of our veterans that they should be the last to be consulted on veterans projects. Evicting disabled and displaced veterans from housing in order to build a brick and stone monument is sickening. When they couldn't get enough Oroville support to make it happen they turned to the county and as an afterthought (and possibly county demands) they decided to call it a memorial to all Butte county veterans. On June 28, 2006 the Chico Enterprise Record editorialized against government funding of this project because it would not represent citizen support of the project. Now that the editorial board has taken over the Oroville newspaper don't look for any future opposition from this group. In fact you can watch as they now give unconditional support for this boondoggle. Once again people should think of all the services that these government grants could provide for the true needs of veterans.
If it is a Butte County memorial the Board of Supervisors should explain why Veterans from all over the county were excluded from the last 6 years of planning for the "Oroville Veterans Memorial Park". These three non-veterans should hang their heads in shame for using us veterans for their own selfish purposes.
Shaner should stick to building monuments for "men" who build dams.
Truth for veterans<quoted text>

Didn't the city of Oroville attempt to work with the existing home owners at the veterans park. The had a plan that built the park around the homes, leaving them there, and still would have completed the veterans park. How come the city's plan did not go forward, and how did the county get it?

[ROlson]

This is Ryan Olson from the Enterprise-Record.

Calling someone a draft dodger is an extremely serious allegation. If you have no proof to back your claim, comments with the allegation will be removed.

The only evidence presented so far shows that many of these people involved in the project either served in non-combat roles or their draft number wasn't called.

To me, that doesn't reach the level of resorting to extraordinary or illegal means to avoid conscription (such as fleeing the country). To label these people as "draft dodgers" may be unnecessarily inflammatory.

I would encourage you to find another tack to make your point, which otherwise seems informative.

Ryan Olson
ChicoER.com

[Food for thought]

The problem that I noticed is that there are a lot of "homeless" veterans in the Chico/Oroville area. Instead of spending money on a park commemorating them, why doesn't that money go to outreach programs to help these "homeless" vets get on their feet and be contributing active members of society. I feel this would be a more direct way of thanking the veterans. It appears that we care more about remembering the cause and the sacrifice than the troubled veterans that who are still alive.

[Insider]

When a mover and shaker in the now labled "Butte County Veteran's Memorial" tells the public that the reason he didn't serve was because he was unacceptable due to his poor vision and then he tells (according to the Butte County Historical Publication) that the reason he didn't serve was because his number was not called, these statements are conflicting. Did he ever hear about volunteering for the draft?. I have no problem with people like this not serving. But they should absolutely not be involved in veteran's affairs let alone establishing memorials. At the time that I served draft evasion = draft dodging. Anybody who truly cared about veterans would not cause disabled veterans to be displaced to make way for a monument to their own egos that has been disrupting Oroville and making Oroville's brave veterans look like they are all a bunch of whiners. We served for love of country and because it was our duty. We ask for nothing more then that our true needs such as housing, food and healthcare be available for us. We can't eat a stone and granite monument that these people are hell bent on destroying Oroville's historic landscape in order to build. Orovillians established a veterans hall and memorial for veterans before some of these people were born. Oroville has always appreciated it's veterans.

Insider

ROlson wrote:

This is Ryan Olson from the Enterprise-Record.
Calling someone a draft dodger is an extremely serious allegation. If you have no proof to back your claim, comments with the allegation will be removed.
The only evidence presented so far shows that many of these people involved in the project either served in non-combat roles or their draft number wasn't called.
To me, that doesn't reach the level of resorting to extraordinary or illegal means to avoid conscription (such as fleeing the country). To label these people as "draft dodgers" may be unnecessarily inflammatory.
I would encourage you to find another tack to make your point, which otherwise seems informative.
Ryan Olson
ChicoER.com

[Rights for Americans]

Case and Point....

Headlines in the BBC..."US veterans sue over 'poor care'"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7357909.s...

Veterans need services not a memorial! Just imagine how amazing it could have been if the houses were saved and veterans that need services received it, and at the same time, the past veterans got remembered.

[Albert R]

Please contact the Butte County Board of Supervisors and ask them to take the money that they intend to use on tjis "Memorial to civilian egos" and spend it on much needed services for our Butte County Veterans

Albert R

Rights for Americans wrote:

Case and Point....
Headlines in the BBC..."US veterans sue over 'poor care'"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7357909.s...
Veterans need services not a memorial! Just imagine how amazing it could have been if the houses were saved and veterans that need services received it, and at the same time, the past veterans got remembered.

[Tim Pro]

And who cares about this veteran: http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_9033441

It appears that no officials even cares enough to go out and look for him.