By Rosanne Radcliffe

PROVIDENCE A proposal for a chain-link safety fence 6 feet high around Providence Elementary School was brought before the City Council last week, and money was the issue that stood in its way.

Monica Fronk, representing the Providence PTA, came to the council to discuss the PTA's recommendations for the fence, which would run along 100 North and 100 East.

"I have seen balls kicked into the street and the kids chase right after them without hesitation to get those balls," said Fronk, sharing just one example regarding her concern.

She said she feels a fence would prevent these potential accidents. Fronk feels the city is covered well by security, but wants a fence around the playground to avoid tragedies in the streets.

She also said it would prevent some of the older children from crossing through the play area and possibly causing trouble with the younger kids. The fence can stop roaming pets who are not on leashes, Fronk said, which might be dangerous to young students on the playground.

"My husband and I are having our 10th child in January," she said, "so I personally want to secure this kind of safety for years to come."

Fronk said she and the PTA were asking the city for a commitment and support to put the fence up.

Mayor Alma Leonhardt said the city had already planned and are committed to putting a fence along 100 North, but the east side fencing project and the money for it was still an issue. Council member Paul Cook said that if Fronk and the PTA were able to come up with a third of the money for the suggested fence, the city would donate to the project to help with the cost and safety issue as well.

Council member Randy Simmons said the proposed fence along 100 North is to be completed this fall. If the money issue is solved for the other half of the fence, and the proposal is approved, Simmons said the east side fencing could possibly go up in the summer of 2000.

"First North is high with traffic and First East is not as bad," Simmons said, "so (First) North is the street to deal with first."

In other business, the council unanimously approved a resolution to continue the name of Golf Course Road from Logan into Providence. A member from the planning commission said this was proposed because there has been confusion in the past of how Golf Course Road turned into 280 North coming into Providence. Instead of 280 North, the road will now be called Golf Course Road where it continues into Providence.

The council also discussed issues concerning water seepage on the sidewalk of 200 East, which council member Joe Campbell said has been a constant problem, 365 days a year.

The council also discussed the problem of groups who have been taking advantage of Von's Park. Simmons said the city is charging a $100 deposit for nonresidents and a $60 deposit for residents, receiving $20 back from their deposit if the park is left in good condition after it has been used. The council suggested that a flat rate be charged for the park's use by all citizens.

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