The plan to rename Columbia Park?

Hi! David Kartsonis here. Ok. Let’s talk about the plan to rename Columbia Park. I’m surprised I have to talk about this, but there is so much information and misinformation going around, maybe I can help clear it up. This item sounds simple, but is made more complex due to proper procedures not being followed. And of course, we have the recurring theme of an active attempt to decrease transparency.

This is a textbook case of the ends cannot justify the means. We cannot set aside a transparent process with community input to fast track something.

At the last Council Meeting, several council members attempted to rename Columbia Park. Early reactions from the public were a mixture of surprise, confusion, and disapproval.

The city has been holding MANY community meetings with residents about changes to Columbia Park, but something that wasn’t disclosed in those meetings was any suggestion of changing its name.

A Councilmember had apparently made the request to rename the park, then an adhoc committee of the City Council was convened to discuss it - these committees are not really publicized and definitely not well attended. If you want to know they are coming, you have to regularly check the City Council website. And as you can see, even after looking around, I really couldn’t even find this most recent meeting on the council’s website. After the adhoc committee, then the suggestion came to council to rename the park then and there. No substantive community notice or input.

Here’s the unfortunate part, the individual being suggested is highly deserving, Medal of Honor recipient Ted T. Tanouye. The city absolutely should honor him - actually we already have with his memorial by Torrance High, permanent display at the Torrance Historical Society Museum, and the Torrance National Guard Armory. But if we’re renaming our park after anyone, you can’t find anyone more deserving than Tanouye.

The issue, though is that the community wasn’t informed, even the Tanouye Foundation didn’t know the city was moving forward with this! At the very least let’s make sure his family and foundation want this. Then let’s go for broke!

Councilmember Kalani suggested that while Mr. Tanouye is about as deserving as they come, renaming Columbia Park really requires the input of the community and should follow the appropriate process. So, she suggested that the recommendation be referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission for community input. I used to serve on that Commission and I can tell you, when we had hearings about changes to parks we would often have a line of people extending outside the room waiting to speak to us.

The plan to rename the park wasn’t “shot down” as some have suggested, but rather continued to the appropriate next step in the process. Please remember that it’s election season and the politicians and their operatives are politicking - not every inflammatory thing you hear is true.

The meeting got more heated from there with one Councilmember storming out, but eventually the plan to consider renaming the park was continued to the next step with a motion by Councilmember Gerson and seconded by Councilmember Kalani. The motion was supported by all but one member (who preferred the fast tracked approach) with Councilmember Kaji absent.

As usual, if you want to know more or connect, please join me at David4torrance.com