I sent a confrontational email to the President of Hanover Youth Ball today effectively calling him out for being less than truthful about comments he made regarding the Settler's Park ball field renovation project and well, he didn't like it. (I can't say I blame him) Below is a copy of the attachment I emailed.... Hanover Youth Ball President Tom Therrien was less than truthful regarding the Hanover Athletic Association’s intended use for the Settler’s Park Ball field renovation. Here’s the “smoking gun!” CITY OF HANOVER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 21, 2017 – DRAFT MINUTES Settlers Park Ballfield Redesign Project Review …”Tom Therrien stated that the project died in [2010] over lease negotiations between the City and Hanover Athletic Association. He further explained that no one coerced him to come before Council, he asked for the field for the youth and it had nothing to do with adult usage.” Yet, history reveals the following from the October 2015 City Council meeting… CITY OF HANOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 6, 2015 – OFFICIAL MINUTES Citizen’s Forum: Hanover Youth Ball Board …”Therrien stated he wanted permission to apply for the grant, as the land is the City’s. He also wants to partner with the Hanover Athletic Association so both groups are able to utilize the new ball field.” Tom, the opponents of this project were willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. You led us to believe this was strictly for the children of Hanover Youth Ball. We didn’t want to make it about U16 baseball but you lied to us. Your own words betray you. No one accused you of coercion, yet you’re willing to destroy the trees in Settler’s Park in the name of youth ball for the Athletic Association with whom you collaborated President Therrien's response was well...I'll say less than cordial and I won't share the gory details here but, this was my response..... _____________________________________________________________________ Tom, I'm uncertain how you can refute the truth and I'm reluctant to apologize for discovering it. The statements in the meeting minutes are yours. At the very least, you should take ownership of them. I made no mention of your volunteers, nor to the best of my knowledge, have I ever. I gain no benefit by twisting anybody's words and your reputation is based on how you view yourself and how you are viewed by others. I reiterate, our fight is not with Hanover Youth Ball. Your organization deserves all of the ball fields the city of Hanover can support. I honestly felt sorry for the youth ball organization when you pointed out that you had no idea what the Athletic Association's intentions for the field were, until I thoroughly reviewed the Hanover City Council meeting minutes and discovered what I did. This remains an emotional issue for our organization in part because, when the vote to accept the donation failed to gain approval, the city sought to reintroduce the resolution for a vote again next week, in what can best be described as a controversial "do-over". Part of that decision was based on statements you made during the Council work session meeting which by the way, was the first public disclosure that an extension to spend the grant from the Minnesota Twins was even an option. It remains our contention that the destruction of the historic bur oaks in Settler's Park for an adult sized baseball field that takes up almost 1/2 of the available land in Settler's Park, would be a great disservice to area park goers who appreciate activities other than baseball. The City of Hanover has graciously provided a place for young children to play and enjoy baseball and softball, as they should. Yet, as the head of your organization, you demanded at the City Council working session that the Council take action because of all the hard work you've done. The opponents of this project have demanded nothing yet we have worked equally hard on this issue. We continue to seek a compromise that does not result in the destruction of the trees. If that compromise results in cancelling the project and leaving the 2 smaller fields, which act as an enhancements to Settler's Park, rather than the focus of it, so be it. Please by all means, I urge you to contact the Athletic Association and ask if they'll reconsider the manner in which the donation is being offered to the city. Respectfully, Michael Kehn President Hanover Historical Society