Westsiderollers Roller Skate Team & Organization

In commenting on the issues at Butler, I want to say that this is not the first time in skating history in the Milwaukee area that a rink has been shut down due to unruly individuals on--off--in or out of the skate property. Clearly, the trouble makers are the ones who DO NOT have a love or respect for the sport otherwise they would be mindful of behavior when on someone else's property or place of business. It is disgusting that a handful of individuals ruin it for a multitude of people who have incorporated rollerskatiing as a LIFESTYLE. Down through the years I have skated at Johnson's, The Palace, Skate University and rinks in Illinois (especially when Milwaukee is on shut down) and Texas...the Milwaukee area rinks outnumber the others that I have skated at with problems plaquing them that include people who want to be disruptive. The solutions lie in weeding out individuals who show up with intentions other than skating. I appreciate Butler Skateland owners taking initiative to save their family business for one, and for two taking measures to insure that their clientele (PEOPLE WHO REALLY WANT TO SKATE) will experience a good time while using their establishment to SKATE---not fight, kill, destroy or disrupt. Older people, like me, use Butler Skateland as a way of staying fit, socializing and stress busting. It is also up to us to teach our children to do the same. JMO...off the soap box now.

Alisa J. of Milwaukee, WI


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	Butler Skateland Restrictions 12/12/06 A letter to all interested parties involved in the restrictions placed on the operating hours of Butler Skateland. As a concerned citizen, homeowner, and taxpayer in the community I understand concerns regarding any disruptions or violence within our city. I believe there are definitely issues to be addressed and solutions to be provided. I am also a life-long skater with 28 years of skating at the Laufer's rinks located in Waukesha and Butler. And I am proud to say, I am one of many skaters that have a great number of years of skating in the metropolitan area. In addition I represent the minority at the rink. I am one of the few "white" skaters at the rink. There is most possibly an average of 10 white skaters at the Butler Skateland Adult Sessions. I Have I ever felt compromised, un-safe, or un-welcome? I can say that I have not. The Laufers have offered a gathering location for the 25 and older crowd to come together as one positive group of people to do what we do best skate. We all recognize that other roller skating rinks in the city were shut down for various reasons, but we will not risk the opportunity we have to have the ONLY rink in the city that offers 2 evenings of adult skating. We have avid skaters that travel from as far away as Chicago to come to our weekly sessions. As skaters we have chosen a healthy path for our evening entertainment, we wish others the same opportunity. I also think it would be worthwhile to address Village President John Ehling's statement (he) "couldn't even tell you the race of the customers down there". Mr. Ehling, why can't you? Have you not invested the time and effort to fully investigate the issues at hand? Please be part of the solution, don't contribute when you are not aware of the "who, how, when, why and of course the solution". Yes there are some issues to be dealt with. I believe majority of the issues raised were with the teenage sessions and a few participants that are creating problems. That is the issue to be addressed. I am not in a position to make the changes however I do have suggestions: Change the format of the session---age requirements, number of participants, and parents signing in and out of minor children. If no progress is made with this effort, cancel the session where problems exist. More security provided by owners of Skateland, both inside and outside of rink. (Possibly off-duty police officers) Butler Skateland has a long standing presence in the area. I would imagine that they contribute greatly to the funding of the city. Are you willing to risk the potential loss of revenue dollars within your community? This issue can be resolved for all parties involved if we come up with a solution that keeps the rink open and avoid any future incidents. This could become a "pilot" program for other organizations or businesses in the community. Other cities are larger, have more crime and violence and still manage to figure out a way to maintain roller skating rinks. Shouldn't we be able to do it in our city? The only thing that the village of Butler is vulnerable of is limiting revenue and diversity within the community. Tell us as skaters how we can help. I believe you will find we have a great deal of wisdom and input to make a difference. Thank you for taking the time to consider the importance of Butler Skateland to all of us as skaters. Sincerely, Monica Thompson, Waukesha, WI A Lifestyle!! 12/14/06 In commenting on the issues at Butler, I want to say that this is not the first time in skating history in the Milwaukee area that a rink has been shut down due to unruly individuals on--off--in or out of the skate property. Clearly, the trouble makers are the ones who DO NOT have a love or respect for the sport otherwise they would be mindful of behavior when on someone else's property or place of business. It is disgusting that a handful of individuals ruin it for a multitude of people who have incorporated rollerskatiing as a LIFESTYLE. Down through the years I have skated at Johnson's, The Palace, Skate University and rinks in Illinois (especially when Milwaukee is on shut down) and Texas...the Milwaukee area rinks outnumber the others that I have skated at with problems plaquing them that include people who want to be disruptive. The solutions lie in weeding out individuals who show up with intentions other than skating. I appreciate Butler Skateland owners taking initiative to save their family business for one, and for two taking measures to insure that their clientele (PEOPLE WHO REALLY WANT TO SKATE) will experience a good time while using their establishment to SKATE---not fight, kill, destroy or disrupt. Older people, like me, use Butler Skateland as a way of staying fit, socializing and stress busting. It is also up to us to teach our children to do the same. JMO...off the soap box now. Alisa J. of Milwaukee, WI What I Think... WHAT I THINK ABOUT SKATELAND ISSUES! WHAT I THINK ABOUT SKATELAND ISSUES IS THAT, I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD CLOSE THE RINK DOWN, OR CHANGE THE HOURS OF OPERATION. I HAVE NOT BEEN SKATING LONG. BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT I HAVE NEVER KNEW THAT SKATING COULD BE SO FUN. I CAME THERE ONE NIGHT WITH A FRIEND AND HAVE BEEN GOING TO EVERY SESSION EVERY SINCE. ON WED, FRI, SAT, AND SUNDAYS. I NEVER EXPERIENCE OR SAW PEOPLE HAVING SO MUCH FUN SKATING IN MY LIFE. IT WAS SO AMAZING TO SEE THE THINGS PEOPLE CAN DO ON SKATES. I MEAN TRAVELING ALL OVER TO DIFFERENT STATES AND SO ON. MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WAS ALL I NEEDED TO KEEP COMING BACK TO BUTLER. I NOW HAVE A PASSION FOR SKATING. BUTLER IS A PLAYGROUND FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN WHO COME THEIR TO SKATE, AND SOCIALIZE WITH EACH OTHER IN A FRIENDLY MANNER. THE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE MET AT BUTLER ARE SO FRIENDLY. IF U DON'T KNOW HOW TO SKATE THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH SHOWING YOU A LIL SOMETHIN. I HAVE BEEN SKATING FOR ABOUT NINE MONTHS AT BUTLER, AND I HAVE NEVER WITNESSED NONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY SAID HAPPENED AT BUTLER. I HOPE THINGS CAN BE WORKED OUT FOR THE BETTER ON BOTH SIDES. EVERYONE AT BUTLER IS LIKE A BIG FAMILY. EVERYONE KNOWS EVERYONE, AND WE ALWAYS SHOW EACH OTHER LOVE. I LOVE SKATING AT BUTLER I LOVE DA PEOPLE THAT IM AROUND. SO WHEN IT ALL BOILS DOWN I HOPE I CAN CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I LOVE WHICH IS SKATING AND ENJOYING MYSELF AT BUTLER. I WOULD BE REALLY DISAPPOINTED IF OUR NIGHT OF ENJOYMENT NO LONGER EXSISTED. KAREEM C.(CO-CO) OF MILWAUKEE, WI \| Positive FeedBack \| Speak On It!! \| \| Return Home \| Westside Rollers Mission \| SKATE LINKS \| News & Events \| Contact Us \| Positive Community Events \| Positive People Page \| Photo & Video Page \|