[img]1739|right|John Nachbar||no_popup[/img] “A lot of people are destined to walk away from here dissatisfied tonight,” a City Hall operative predicted this morning about the anticipated invasion of Save the Ice Arena partisans at the 7 o’clock City Council meeting.
This could be a severe test for Mayor Jeff Cooper, who is in charge of the meeting. Will he allow dozens (?) of fans to stride to the podium and tiringly repeat the identical mantra?
Or will he emulate the late Albert Vera, who won hundreds of new supporters with the way he seized and maintained iron control in a similar circumstance a few years ago? Addressing the almost unbridled enthusiasts, he ordered them to designate three persons as the spokesmen for the whole group. Three minutes apiece. In nine minutes, the suffering was over.
City Manager John Nachbar said this morning there “probably is not” anything he can tell Ice Arena supporters to mollify them.
“I completely understand and empathize with everyone’s angst and concern,” he said. “My understanding is that the transfer of ownership is a done deal. We have been assured by the property owner that a lease has been executed.”
Anything City Hall can do to bring a measure of satisfaction?
“Realistically, I don’t see there is anything the city can do to assure it remains an ice rink,” Mr. Nachbar said.
“The only option, which is not realistic, is for the city to somehow acquire the property and operate it.
“But it would cost millions in the long run, and the city is in no position to do that. I only mention it because people ask, ‘Is there any option?’ There always is an option,” said the city manager. “But it is not realistic.”
