My name is Lori Hausken, and I am writing a letter to the editor/opinion page in response to a letter that was submitted last week from Lawrence Manuel. I am not a big believer in responding to this page as overall it’s an opinion and everyone has one and they are not always based on true or accurate information.
I feel that I have to respond because Lawrence wrote a false story of our encounter at Bolduan Park. I do believe it was on Thursday May 30th and my husband and I were at the park to give our puppy some exercise, we were already half way out in the center field heading towards the fence when I heard my name being yelled and noted a man coming towards myself and husband with a note of urgency. I then turned back and walked to him which in turn my puppy came too. I reached him mid-way along the sideline of field #1 and he then told me to “keep my dog off the field”. Lawrence did not have any type of pleasantries that he stated in his original letter, and I originally thought he was referring to the infield. I stated to him, “yes we are very mindful of the infield when they have been prepped for a game and we do not go on the infield.” Lawrence then proceeded to yell at me again and stated, “to stay off the whole field” and told me where I could take my dog. He was not nice and was acting as a dictator as if he owned the park. I reminded him that the park belongs to all the people of Maple Lake and that I take great pride in our parks along with being a responsible tax paying citizen. I stated that we pick up after our dog, I had our own doggie bag container which he then implied that I only picked up if someone was watching. I told him how dare he imply that about me, he has no right to make such a statement. Lawrence than proceeded to go into an extreme scenario of “little johnny diving for a ball and hitting some poop remains of a dog, I stated that he was being absolutely ridiculous and that he needed to find a hobby. Lawrence turned around as I reminded him again that the citizens of Maple Lake “own” the park not the Manuel family, He became angrier, turned back around stomping towards me with his chest out and got within my personal space. My Husband as of yet had held his tongue as he knows I am very capable of handling myself, HOWEVER when he came at me with aggression and invaded my space that is when my husband told him to BACK OFF but with a stronger first word. My husband never called him a name but did challenge Lawrence when he became aggressive.
I do know that he has volunteered his time in the past, but so have many other people and they do not hold the park hostage and treat like it is theirs. I too have lived in Maple Lake for almost 29 years, I am a very proud member of the council, but I am a strong, independent, woman first. I too volunteer a great deal at my church and the programs within the church, I too support many organizations with my financial support, and I am a very strong supporter of our schools and what it brings to the community, EVEN though I have never used the services.
I am not sure as to why this man approached me with such aggression. I do think that there was a bigger, more underlying frustration from this man. This is just my opinion but I do feel that he attacked me like he did because of the last few park board meetings there has been discussion for more clarification as to how one would rent or reserve the pavilion space, along with more conversation regarding opening up at least the general bathroom to allow citizens to use a flushing toilet vs a porta-potty now that the park is under surveillance with cameras and also better lighting. The park board was asking for clarification of who owned what at the park, who maintained what along with looking at more options for the park. I know that questions can be threatening and also the possibilities of dreaming of more options or changes too can be difficult as we all can get very stagnated and stuck in our ways of doing things, or in the past. I believe that the council and park board are responsible for understanding who is paying for what and how best to use the spaces for all people. I know that Lawrence made a stretch to include the Irish stadium and also the Jude building not sure exactly what his point was but in the end the community park and the Bolduan Park both have facilities for use of the bathrooms where a person could actually flush a toilet and wash their hands.
Thank you for your time.
Lori Hausken
Maple Lake