Politics & Government

Council Delays Decision on Sports Hall of Fame

San Clemente officials vote to send plans for project to honor famous San Clemente athletes back to an advisory commission.

The San Clemente City Council Tuesday delayed Mayor Jim Evert's plan to get the ball rolling on a Sports Hall of Fame commemorative wall at the Vista Hermosa Sports Park.

Council members said they were in favor of implementing the program, which would include the dedication of one wall of the new pool pump house to the accomplishments of San Clemente athletes.

But the council decided it wanted the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission to look at the plans and rules for induction first. Though the wall would be on city property, the program would be funded and administered by the independent nonprofit Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Foundation.

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"Even as the second on this [motion], I strongly think we should have the Parks and Rec Commission take a look at this, out of respect for the commission," said Councilman Jim Dahl.

Councilwoman Lori Donchak also said she wanted the city attorney to look into potential liability issues for the city if someone took issue with the inductee selection process or the wall got damaged.

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Evert's brainchild, the Sports Hall of Fame will include accomplished professional athletes who either grew up in San Clemente and took part in its recreation programs or lived in town while active in professional sports.

San Clemente's mayor said he wanted the Hall of Fame project to be handled through an independent nonprofit to remove the bureacracy and politics from the selection process.

"This is typical bringing politics into something just for politics' sake," Evert said in his initial response to council's reticence to approve the project.

His four colleagues were in favor of sending it back to the city Parks Commission, however; so Evert agreed and joined the vote to do so.

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