Politics & Government

Councilmember's Move to Amend Item Sparks Race Debate

Vote on non-University City residents using picnic shelters and pool at Heman Park turned in a discussion about race.

A recent City Council vote on an item that would allow non-University City residents access to picnic shelters and pool at  and change fees touched off a discussion about race.

 asked if he could offer an amendment concerning the pool. It stated that the council would give "the City manager the authority if necessitated by public safety concerns to limit non-residents  to only 18 or over." The move riled Councilmembers Byron Price, Terry Crow and Lynn Ricci. 

"Let's be honest, the people they're talking about is African American," Price said. He said it doesn't make sense to allow African American adults and not their children. "That is the silliest thing I've ever heard in the my life...it's totally outrageous."

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Councilwoman Ricci spoke out against the amendment, saying University City should not treat any citizens differently.

"We don’t have a limit of 18 at golf. We don’t have a limit of 18 for the pool." She said University City needs to be consistent and treat everybody alike. "We can’t treat different groups of people differently."

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Ricci said historically the Parks Department has encountered  kids that were roughhousing, but that isolated behavior can't lead U City to exclude an entire population.

Councilman Kraft withdrew his amendment and voted in support of the item as presented. Councilman Michael Glickert voted 'Nay.'


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