Seventeen months after the sudden death of popular amateur sports coach/business owner Rick Hudson, family and friends still are waiting, hoping a playing field will be named in his honor.
A potential naming does not appear near.
Originally, it was believed that the Parks and Recreation Commission would memorialize a playing field at Bill Botts Field in Mr. Hudson’s memory.
Vice Mayor Andy Weissman explained how that intention went astray. “The Parks Commission basically kicked the matter back to the City Council,” he said. “The Commission said ‘we don’t think your policy is precise enough. We can’t act on this without more guidance, besides which we only want to hear these names in April of each year.’
“That is all I know about the suggested naming,” Mr. Weissman said.
Perhaps the commission has forgotten that they are merely a recommending body. The commission only needed to recommend to the Council that a field be named in Rick’s honor. That is all that should have been done for its part.
The Parks Commission has also not been working on naming the Skatepark after late Commission Chair Anita Shapiro. If not for the then community advocate for “doing something for these kids … please” at several City Council meetings (years prior to 8-years commission service), there never would have been the “temporary” Skatepark at the same site in Culver City Park.
Charles Deen
former Culver City Park & Recreation Commissioner (2000-2008)
Guidance: The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A.Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and City Manager on matters pertaining to public recreation, parks, recreation/community center facilities, open space and tree programs, where such trees are located in parks and open space, playgrounds, and music and entertainment as may from time to time be performed in the City’s parks;
B.At the direction of the City Council or the City Manager, assist staff assigned to review the requirements of the City for facilities relating to the functions set forth in division A., and to make recommendations related to the adoption and updating of City master plans relating to parks, recreation, and open space;
C.At the direction of the City Council or the City Manager, recommend programs and plans designed to promote the full acceptance of all citizens in all aspects of community life, without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or national origin;
D.At the direction of the City Council or the City Manager, recommend and support program policies relating to various community service functions of the City, including, but not limited to, programs for youth, teens, seniors, and people with special needs;
E.At the direction of the City Council or the City Manager, balance program and project recommendations by applying realistic expectations of budgetary and staffing resources, environmental sustainability, neighborhood compatibility, and other relevant factors; and
F.Perform such other duties, not inconsistent with the City Charter or this Code, as may be prescribed by ordinance, resolution, City Council policy or other City Council action.