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February 6,2019
<br /> To: City of Centerville's Mayor,Jeff Paar, Administrator, Mark Statz, The Park&Recreation Committee.
<br /> Subject: Resignation Letter
<br /> With an apprehensive and sad heart, I'm submitting this resignation letter. I am resigning my position as a member of
<br /> the Centerville Park and Recreation Committee as of February 28,2019. I'm leaving for personal reasons only. I've had
<br /> thirteen years of great memories. I've met some great people and neighbors I would have never met if not for being on
<br /> P&R. I've participated in at minimum 90 percent of meetings and 90 percent of all our activities throughout those
<br /> years. My goal over the years with my volunteer hours, in my decision making and my voting as a committee member
<br /> was to make Centerville a better City we all want to live in.
<br /> Some thoughts. My wife Nancy and I moved to Centerville in January of 2005. 1 meet my new neighbor Suzanne also in
<br /> that month. I mentioned to her I wanted to get involved in the City by volunteering in something and she suggested
<br /> P&R. My application was accepted and approved by the City Council at their February 2005 meeting. My first meeting
<br /> with P&R was the March 2005. During those years we talked, laughed, mourned,researched,and discussed many
<br /> things and ideas. Also, listened,questioned and received input from City staff,County staff and the public. Over the
<br /> years P&R has made many recommendations to City council for passage of our activities and expenditures. Most of
<br /> them without much of a yearly budget. Most additions to our Parks and Trails have been from government grants,
<br /> non-profit contributions or loans. Some from our own fundraising.
<br /> Some more thoughts. As a committee,we've tried to involve different segments of our city's population by sponsoring
<br /> many kinds of events and making each Park's amenities a little different. Our events have been memorable for those
<br /> who participated in them. Some committee ideas worked well and are now annual events. Some of our current annual
<br /> events:Skate Nights/Hay Rides, Park Clean-up days, Music-In-The-Park concerts,5K/8K Runs/(Skate-only two years)
<br /> and Movies-in-The-Park
<br /> And a few more thoughts. Over those thirteen years, major changes and additions to the City have been due to
<br /> countless hours of planning by P&R,City and County Staffs and others. One major addition is Trails and Sidewalks.
<br /> Amen to the trails that that completed a circle around Centerville Lake(no more riding/walking on the dirt shoulder of
<br /> a two-lane road). Trails have provided a huge impact to the health and wellbeing of those who use them. Another big
<br /> one,the City's purchase of the old St. Paul Waterworks caretaker property and converting it into a very nice Hidden
<br /> Spring Park. P&R had an opportunity and had major input to what we thought the theme and layout of the Park should
<br /> be. Other additions to City parks;a skateboard park, new children's playground, purchase of our own sound
<br /> equipment, new playground equipment,a regulation outdoor volleyball court,a shelter with electricity by the ball
<br /> fields,addition of Cornerstone Park, basketball hoops in hockey rink, Lakeside Park,and the latest a children's sliding
<br /> hill. Four Eagle Scout projects that I can remember. One of them I've taken on since 2009,over the years by cleaning
<br /> out and repairing twenty some Bluebird houses twice a year. Each year we make changes and refine activities. Even
<br /> small things like adding s'mores makings to Skate Night.
<br /> No more thoughts,just a couple fond P&R activity memories: In 2005 getting to know the parks by participating in Park
<br /> Cleanup Day. A P&R fundraiser in 2006,watching all the children and teachers from our grade school walking to
<br /> LaMotte Park on a very beautiful spring day to watch in amassment as elephants raise a big circus tent...Our first 5K/8K
<br /> Run/Walk postponed due to the morning thunder storm,to a very hot and humid afternoon...Our first Music In The
<br /> Park trying to figure out the new sound equipment...Watching Children being amazed as their parents lift them up to
<br /> pet Duke&Dan during our winter skate night...On a perfect summer evening listening to great music,enjoying
<br /> conversation with my wife and neighbors all while watching as the sun set creating a gorgeous sunset in the clouds.
<br /> I could go on and on, but I won't. I've rambled long enough, it's time to close(don't want it to run two pages).
<br /> Thank You,Thank you to all Committee Members,City staff both past and present. Time for someone new to
<br /> experience it, make their own memories and impact our community. By the end of February, I will have compiled a
<br /> thumb drive of all my files and photos over the years and give to City staff. Oh yes,and return the city's laptop.
<br /> Committee Members...
<br /> It's been a pleasure working with and getting to know all of you. You are awesome in what you add to the city!
<br /> Respectfully, Kevin Amundsen
<br /> Oh,one more thing. I'm not moving, li still have passion for the Parks. I will help out with your events once and a while.
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