By Tim Troglen
Folks driving along Route 8 in the Village of Northfield the last month or so might have noticed a man walking up and down the sidewalk, near village hall, carrying a white-background sign emblazoned with “”Beautification” LOL
Asphalt,” in black capital letters.
The sign also has frowning yellow face and a red arrow.
That man, Keith Czerr, 60, has launched a one-man public awareness campaign lobbying for an abandoned, partially asphalted, partially grown over piece of parking area, near the bank’s location, turned into a form of green space.
The land, which could be used for a variety of future projects, would best serve residents as a small park or seating area for joggers, walkers or nature lovers, according to Czerr. His vision
also includes shady areas customers of local ice cream shops can enjoy icy treats, with perhaps a few musicians playing, for atmosphere.
The village does not need more parking areas, Czerr said.
“We haven’t used the parking lots we have in the village,” he added. “And when you build more parking lots in an area, I believe, the property values go down.”
Flowers, shrubs and trees could be planted by volunteers, Czerr said. The Councilor promised he would help, as well as find others who would donate their time.
“I could name 20 people off the top of my head who would help,” he said.
“I’m going to go over there and keep walking [protesting],” Czerr said. “It’s my First Amendment right.”
Czerr said some people have been supportive and other have cursed and spit at him.
“But I don’t want to see an asphalt parking lot go there by any means,” he said. “There are all kinds of options. They do not need another parking lot.”
However, Village Service Director Jason Walters does not believe a parking lot would cause a problem.
“For me, there are no issues,” Walters said. “We need parking.”
Walters said Czerr should get a committee together and explore uses for the lot instead of protesting.
Protesting the Village is a protest against Council, he said.
“He’s [Czerr] is protesting himself,” Walters said. “But, it’s his right.”
“If Keith wants to do something different with that lot he needs to work with other Council people and come up with a viable plan,” Walters said.
A small park would not add to the aesthetics of the land, which is in the middle of the Village business section, Walters said. No one would see it driving by, he added.
A park could also flood and hold storm water during heavy rains, due to the drainage system, adding to potential flooding issues, Walters said.
“The more we add, the more water comes in,” Walters said of Village infrastructure.
“There’s been a lot of talk about what to do with that lot,” Walters said.
One use would be using the lot for additional parking, when the Village is able to build a new Town Hall/Police Department, to replace the current building, built around 1930, Walters said.
When construction begins, the Town Hall will lose several parking spots. The lot is question can be used for additional parking, he said. No date has been set for construction.
“I’ve said this from the beginning, the best thing we can do, is pave that [the lot] and set that up as a municipal parking lot,” Walters said.
Walters even suggested a veterans memorial.
“Several of our police officers are veterans,” he said. “I’m a veteran.”
Walters wants only what is good for the Village.
“I don’t agree with anything other than what is good for this town,” Walters said. “I think instead of being derogatory and shedding negative light on the town and other Councilmen and our mayor … Keith, get on a committee and start doing something positive. Take your position as a Council person and make it work – instead of being derogatory.”