When They Say “Stadium,” This Is What They Picture

Posted on RespectTheNeighborhood.com

TL;DR: When David C. Bills or anyone on the West Genesee School Board Board says “stadium,” the image in their heads looks like a glossy, climate-controlled dome packed with cheering fans. The reality they built next to us is a lower field jammed against homes—dust, noise, floodlights, traffic, and zero honest conversation.

Words matter. “Stadium” doesn’t just describe a place—it sells a feeling. And that feeling is used to bulldoze the people living right beside it.

The Dome in Their Heads vs. Our Backyards

The fantasy (in their heads)

• Big-budget arena vibes: perfect acoustics, perfect lighting, perfect PR shots, and Selling merch
• “Community pride” speeches and ribbon cuttings.
• Scoreboards, sponsorships, and a press box glow-up.
• Selling merch

The reality for this neighborhood, and as I am learning far beyond what I thought

• Construction dust and earth movers at breakfast.
• PA systems and crowd noise projected into bedrooms.
• Floodlights and weekend traffic where a quiet street used to be.
• Neighbors who never got a straight call period.
• And voters should have never wasted time voting because he can say whatever he wants as long as he gets that money he can do what he wants.

Why the Word “Stadium” Is the Point

Calling a lower field a stadium is a marketing trick. "Look at this grand thing we gave you", its also part vanity. The irony is they gave you nothing, its YOUR money.

What “Community” Should Mean

• Real outreach before shovels and checks.
• Design that protects homeowners from noise, light, and dust.
• Clear, public accountability when the plan hurts the block.

I’m happy for athletes and families who get big-game moments. I’m not okay with leadership pretending our street doesn’t pay for those moments...every single day.

I guarantee David C. Bills isn't hoping it will be named "David C. Bills Memorial Stadium" 😀 He would never think that, he is no hero...just a man of the people.

Image: the “stadium” leaders picture when they say the word. Reality sits in our face.