Finding the Will to Support our Parks

Nov. 3, 2009

I hope everyone will take the time to read John Gurda's article in Sunday's Crossroads section:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/67770412.html

This editorial really struck a chord with me. I hope everyone will read it although I'm sure those who want taxes cut at all costs will disagree with it.

Gurda asks the question, "What's going on here? Why is local government in such dire fiscal straits?" I have often wondered why the local governments, particularly our County government, have such a difficult time making ends meet. Obviously the pension scandal and resulting aftermath had a lot to do with it. But I believe there is more to it than that. There is also a lack of will; people seem to always come up with money for everything else but complain endlessly about having to pay for parks, libraries, the museum and zoo, etc. even though it is a relatively small expense. The County government is the most striking example.

I hope people find the will to preserve these priceless services and we do not see a further erosion of our local governments.

RichF - Nov 03, 2009 9:51 AM

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I do believe our parks are worth fighting for, but I also have never seen the "deterioration" of our parks that I have been hearing about for years. I think it is funny when we need to make cuts all we hear about is how bad our parks are but didn't we just win an award for having great parks? I am proud of our park system, I think it is a valuable resource, I also can admit that if we had a big pot of money sitting around I could find some things in the park that could use repair but I also think that every time an idea is floated to do something a little different to raise or save money it is shot down by the "save the parks" crowd. People are quick to blame Scott Walker for trying to live within budget but bring nothing to the table but more spending. My family has cut back, most of my friends have also. I don't think it is asking too much for the county to do the same. Stop playing politics and start living within our means, I don't have much more to give to "save" the parks that the rest of the country just gave an award for already being above the rest.
Cudahy One - Nov 11, 2009 4:15 PM

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Glad to see that our park system won a big award, however, since the board of supervisors can hardly agree on a budget, how do you expect that disfunctional group of leaders to save our parks.

The could not even find their a**** hole with a road map. Without more private sector help, the park system, while still on life support, will continue to die a slow death!

Look at surrounding counties and how their parks are. While they may not have as much land as we do in our county, they are in much better shape that ours.

That is why you can't wait for elected officials in this county to solve this problem. They will continue to use bubble gum and band aids, rather than a real solution.

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Finding the Will to Support our Parks

2 Comments

RichF - Nov 03, 2009 9:51 AM

Cudahy One - Nov 11, 2009 4:15 PM